Another thought on 22LR for self defense

[Wyandot Jim]

In 1962/3 I worked at Hobby Airport in Houston which was the main airport. The ONE Cop that was on duty carried a Ruger Single Six. He liked to carry it because it was lighter than the big bores. At the time his main job was directing traffic.
How things have changes now there are a mob of Cops on duty and some carry M-16s along with their duty pistol.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

If you're going for a face shot with a .22 ( lr or wmr), it's a good idea to load at least one shot shell as the first one up. A face full of #12 shot has an excellent chance of putting out eyes at close range - Good spread as they say.

It may not cycle properly in a semi, so I'd recommend a revolver, but try it out on a bad guy target and see how it patterns and cycles with either.

Might not be a bad idea as the first round out of a snubby .38 revolver.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

OK, this is a place where folks know better. On one of my preppers forums, I posted ( less than honestly) that I load my .410 with 4 shells. The first being rock salt, second bird shot, then two with buckshot. I told them that the first 2 were stoppers, the second two to end it if need be. (Keep in mind this was all BS, but I wanted to hear their thoughts). Not a one asked about the situation, and to a tee they all said I was crazy and should always shoot to kill.
Since they apparently knew nothing, I explained that whatever load of any type came out of the barrel at short range with no spread would put a .45 hole in the perpetrator and that would be that. Then I explained that if one steps back and nails someone in the face and neck with rock salt or birdshot they would not be calmly raising their pistol for a shot. What I learned was that those folks never had to do wet work, and also have never been shot with rock salt ( I have, but just the backs of my legs- another story) Going back to .22LR: It is as good a defense round as you would wish if used correctly- "Center Mass" works, but try and get it from the side away from the breastbone. Face works- even with snake shot. Look, .22LR was not invented as a toy. It works. I would take it over a .25 or a .32 tumbler any day of the week.

 

[Mobuck]

I would NEVER suggest using ammunition that is intentionally meant to 'injure or maim' such as this 'rock salt' you mention.
"What I learned was that those folks never had to do wet work, " and you have?
'Wet work' is far different than self defense. In that context, a 22 is just another 'tool' but is not intended to be a 'fight stopper' in general. I don't think 'first person' recounts of how effective a 22lr can be are appropriate for this forum.

 

[GunnyGene]

Might not be a bad idea as the first round out of a snubby .38 revolver.

Just another option in the self defense game.

I have used my J-frame with shotshell on a couple snakes. #4 shot, but not as many pellets as .22lr or wmr. With all these shot shells the muzzle needs to be within 10 feet or less to be effective due to the spread imparted by the rifling. And of course shot shells are expensive.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I have used my J-frame with shotshell on a couple snakes. #4 shot, but not as many pellets as .22lr or wmr. With all these shot shells the muzzle needs to be within 10 feet or less to be effective due to the spread imparted by the rifling. And of course shot shells are expensive.

Well, it could take a little experimenting with shot size to check performance. No big deal for a reloader. Part of the fun.

(Sorry for the thread drift.)

 

[GunnyGene]

Well, it could take a little experimenting with shot size to check performance. No big deal for a reloader. Part of the fun.

(Sorry for the thread drift.)

Go for it. I know you can get the capsules on line, and I'd love to see some custom shot load performance info. I don't reload or I'd do it myself.

 

[BarryinIN]

Might not be a bad idea as the first round out of a snubby .38 revolver.

The problem with any shot load from a revolver is that we are responsible for every projectile fired. Can any shot round keep every projectile on target at a distance much beyond contact range?
None that I would bet on.

Even a tiny pellet from a .22 shot round flying past the intended target and hitting a bystander (or a lot of other things) could bring one grief. The courts (and media) won’t care that it was a tiny pellet of even #12 shot. It might as well have been a .500 S&W, because they will beat on the fact you shot someone/something other than the POS who was “turning his life around”.

Not saying it’s right.
I’m saying that’s what we have to account for.

 

[Fox Mike]

The .22 pistol into gel was impressive however no gel tests take into account the bones and muscle of a human body. While a .22 always is better than a pointed stick or rock there are better choices