Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Which 22 pistol or revolver would you pick for a CCW?

Back in the 1980s, I used to keep a Charter Arms Pathfinder in my glove compartment. It was was very light, had a three inch barrel, and an 8 shot capacity cylinder. Very reliable. I've been sorry ever since I sold it.

The 3" .22rf LCRx should make you reach for your wallet.

If I'm set on a rimfire for self defense, I really want a revolver.....not because I like revolvers better but because rimfire ammo isn't the most reliable. Pulling a trigger again is quicker than racking a slide.

The 8 shot J Smith would be my first choice by a wide margin over autos. The 7 shot 22 magnum J frame might be a strong choice as well. Been carrying a Scandium J frame 38 lately & feel reasonably covered with it, But..........

Geography has a huge role. Podunk Ky. ? A J frame's probably plenty. St. Louis???? A 22 "might" be a back-up for my back-up.

Good Choice

True

I've had one since the mid eighties, and I agree that it is surprisingly accurate - if your eyes are good enough to see the sights. I've put thousands of rounds through it. It's a fun little gun, and great for a few kinds of training. I've never had a misfire or misfeed with CCI ammo. But with other brands, there is the occasional dud. And when that happens, the lack of an extractor becomes a pretty serious problem if you're in a hurry. And that is why it is the last thing I would rely on for self defense. I don't want to be that guy who finds the first bad CCI round when I really need it.

Crimson Trace doesn't make them any prettier but does work pretty well.

DF

Surprising number of 22’s set up for self defense.

A 22lr in the pumpkin at 3 yards is better than nothing.

A .22 LR small pistol in yo hand is a heap better than the big, heavy 1911 you didn't pack, left it at home.

I hear a .22 to a knee cap slows down a perp... One between the eyes, even quicker.

DF

DF, I recently sold a set of Crimson Trace grips that I had on my Beretta 21A, for within a few bucks of what I paid for them, years ago! Decided that this gun would never be used for nighttime SD. I believe that these grips for this gun are no longer being made by CT.

As I have posted before on this thread, I sometimes carry my Beretta as my concealed firearm. Yesterday, I took it, and my .45, to the range for practice. At the plate rack, which has 6 steel plates, the little .22 would knock over a plate about once in 6 hits, with CCI Velocitor ammo. The .45 slams those plates down with authority! Kind of a visual reinforcement about the adequacy of these calibers for self-defense.

I hope Biden isn't on this forum. Remember, he is a "shoot them in the leg" advocate. Especially if "they are unarmed, like with a knife or something."
Unless Trump pulls the rabbit out of the hat, it is going to be a LONG four years to the next election!!!

But I do agree any gun is better than no gun. If I had to carry a "shirt pocket" size, and coudn't get .380 ACP or .32 ACP, a .22 beats hell out of nothing.

22 beats the hell out of getting the hell beat out of you. Take a 22 HP to the chest and get back to us on how you feel.

The good news is that now the dufus is upset about 22’s and is not picking on the 9mm

Whofus?

There are plenty of graves, inhabitants put there by .22 bullets.

May not be the best, but better than a stick, even a sharp stick.

DF

The Taurus PT22 Poly has been reliable and accurate for me but so has the old High Standard 22mag snubbie,
I tend to have a 32H&R with me but a 22 is far better than nothing.

He's not upset. He's just trolling and the fish are biting.

Lcr in 22lr or wm