Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns .22 Snub Nose Revolvers; LR or WMR?

+1 have the same revolver just had the trigger reworked by local gun smith.Great little gun.

I carried the 4" 22 mag S&W for many years loaded with 40gr FMJ ammo and its finished a number of animals and then I sent my M-63 back to the factory where they installed a 2" barrel. Loaded with 40gr solids its has taken over from the 4" and works just as good with a shot to the ear plus a little easier to carry..

I'm really leaning towards the Ruger LCRX 3in, been deciding between it, a 317, and 63.

I had a 317 S&W 1-7/8" and liked it for a light carry but they don't make em anymore.

I think if you check the specs you'll find out that your snubby is aluminum alloy, not scandium. Still an Airlite gun, just not scandium.

I've got the 43c.
Been thinking about upgrading to the 351c. I would gain WMR performance, but lose one round.
I would have much higher ammo cost, along with more noise and muzzle blast when shooting.

From watching gel tests from snubnose guns on YouTube, if you pick the best penetrating lr rounds, you will be within 1-2" of the penetration of the WMR rounds.

Shootingthebull410 at the 9:49 mark
CCI 36gr .22 cphp, avg. penetration 11.8".

Gold Dot .22WMR 12" avg penetration.

It looks like WMR hunting rounds will give better penetration, but at the cost increased blast and flash.

I think for now I'll stick with my .22.
These guns are for low threat times when I want to carry something light.

Yes I have a LCP, and usually carry a Glock 43, but variety is good.

I'd have no use for a 2" revolver in 22 magnum. They are incredibly load out of a 5 1/2" single six barrel. I gave up shooting it with unprotected ears. Any gains in velocity are completely nil to the pain of using it.

41

Several years ago I picked up one of the LCR snubbies in 22lr (and one in 357). I've carried the heck out of the 22lr while working on our farm and in the woods. I really like it. That said, if the LCRx 3" in .22lr had been around I'd have gone with it. I might not have liked it as well as I'm not sure it would slip in my back pocket and stay out of the way as well or as comfortably....may need to get one just to see....

I've never really been a fan of the .22WMR. Ammo is a little on the expensive side and can be scarce in certain backwater locations. Plus I really never cared for it in a handgun. Too much blast. With the hyper-velocity .22lr available and now loads with 42 and 45gr bullets in the 1300+fps range, I'd take the .22lr over the .22WMR.

Out of the snubby, that will be more like 900 fps. The WMR will be around 1150 fps.

I traded into a High Standard snubbie 22mag 9 shot a couple years back and it's ok but I always seem to carry something else and this one gets left at home.
It would be far better than harsh language or a strongly worded letter if that was my only option..

.22wmr all day every day. Besides the increased velocity it also uses proper jacketed bullets as opposed to copper washed lead in the long rifle.

Same thought here, if it is meant for personal defense. The WMR ammo is also sealed tighter, less susceptible to moisture, and possible ignition failure.

Some say the WMR ammo also has a lower rate of duds.