22 LR for self defense?

Question

What's the best 22LR round for self defense? I've heard CCI Stingers are good but they're also hollowpoint. Even with a hyper velocity round, does hollowpoint provide enough penetration?

Answer 1

as a country boy who has probibally owned and shot more guns than most of these people who have answered your question a 22 cal is small but can easily stop an intruder, if you r a good shot. As far as 22 birdshot FORGET IT all it will do is make the intruder mad (I have shot over 100rds of shot shells so i know).I think your best bet would be a semi-auto pistol.They r easy to handle in the tight confines of a house,have basically no recoil and can deliver several rounds down range quickly and accurately.As far as which type of bullet to use,each gun will fire different kinds of bulles more accurately than other types of bullets.So u need to find out which one fires the most accurately out of your gun.

Answer 2

OK! I am one of those people who carry a 22lr as a self-defense weapon. It is a North American Arms mini-revolver (3/4 inch barrel). I carry Aguila SSS rounds (a sub-sonic 60 gr. lead round nose bullet). That particular combination means that my firearm becomes a contact weapon. I am fond of saying that when someone has their hands around my throat the last thing they will feel is the burning in their belly. And really, that's about all a 22 lr is good for--a belly gun. There just isn't enough power to be a reliable self-defense weapon. You're much better off with a .380, a 9mm with +P+ hollow points is even better, and a .357 revolver or .45 auto is likely the best.
By the way, I carry the NAA 22lr because it is the only thing I can get away with carrying at work and the SSS because they're so unstable. When I'm not at work I carry a 9mm with +P+ hollow points.

Answer 3

Caliber is not a determining factor in self-defense as is location of penetration. Many owners/shooters believe the higher the caliber (bigger the gun), the more stopping power. This has been debunked in every training course I ve attended. If a .40 or .44 or .45 does not hit a critical part of the body (e.g., central nervous system), the recipient of your offerings may not be "stopped." On the other hand, a .22 or .25 - hitting the spinal cord or other primary nerve - may, in fact, neutralize the threat. That is the ultimate goal, correct? Same with hitting the windpipe - tough to do much when you can t breathe. If you fail to hit the windpipe, hit either side within 2" or so, and you may hit an external or internal jugular vein or a carotid artery. The gun one should carry for self-protection, above else, is the one they can handle and one with which they ve attained comfort. My wife, due to her size and some slight arthritis in her hands, has chosen an SR22. She is amazingly accurate with this weapon - typically hitting 94% in the kill zone. She will become more accomplished as she progresses in training and practice. She will also rely on volume. With 2 ten round mags, quantity + quality should prevail. I have chosen the Ruger LCP-C .380. The print factor is virtually zero; I can handle the "bark" and "bite"; and am confident the .380 "gift" delivered to the bad person will be adequate. I always have one in the pipe, and have installed extension bottom plates that take my mags to 7 round capacity. 8 rounds in the weapon should work. If not, C est la Vie! I trust our instructors, law enforcement and certified all. I trust our commitment to continuing education and frequent range & evasive shooting time. Find a handgun that works for you, and make it work the best it is able.

Answer 4

As the others point out, the 22 is not the best defensive round. But if that's all you have then the CCI Stingers are the way to go. I've used these for hunting small game and love them. Remember that when it comes to self defense, penetration isn't as good as expansion. I had to stop using Stingers on squirrels because they tore them up to bad. You can just about rip one in half with a stinger.

Answer 5

Friends don't let friends carry mouseguns.

That said, a .22LR is still better than no gun at all.

If this is all your friend can afford, then I'd probably go with the highest velocity, heaviest .22LR hollowpoint round possible.

This would probably be the CCI Velocitor. It's a 40-grain copper plated hollowpoint bullet that has an initial velocity of up to 1435 ft/sec, delivering 183 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle.

While the CCI Stinger--at the muzzle--actually does go faster (and delivers slightly more energy--191 ft-lbs), it's also a lighter round (32-grain) which will not carry forward momentum as well--which means less penetration. (At 50 yards, the Stinger delivers 119 ft-lbs of energy; the Velocitor, 134 ft-lbs.)

Of course, we ARE talking about .22LR bullets at combat distances, so this is really splitting hairs.

At any rate, .22LR is (comparatively) dirt cheap to shoot for practice--so PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. With a round this small, your best hope is going to be good shot placement.
_________

Coincidentally, here's a news article about a guy who used a .22LR pistol to kill an intruder, the day before this question was posted. It took eight shots to put the bastard down, and the homeowner got stabbed in the arm. http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070912/NEWS01/309120002

Answer 6

Here's an article on hunting larger-than-varmint game with a .22, (but only if absolutely needed). Keep in mind with a .22, you're really juggling penetration v. transfer of energy, more so than just about any other round out there.

They seem to like plain ol' Federal JHP's, but I worry about the nose of that round getting plugged with clothing fragments and not expanding as designed. They also liked Velocitors, but either one would be a distant second to either a decent .32 or .380 for self-defense purposes.

Answer 7

I wouldn't really advise it! Sure, the intimidation factor of having any firearm pointed at them is enough to deter most unarmed criminals, but what if he's armed and tries to return fire? Or what if he's on PCP or is just crazy and runs at you with a knife? While .22 LR cn kill a person in 1 or 2 well placed shots, it doesn't happen very often! (if you plan on making a brain or heartshot forget about it!) If someones attacking you with the attamt to kill you (for what ever reason) it'd be better than nothing at all, but a .357 would work indescripably better!

Answer 8

The best would be a high velocity 40gr best penetration yawing etc... (CCI Stingers they do have high velocity with good weight but probably will not have enough penetration to reach any vital organs)
If it was me I'd take a bat and/or a knife that is how much faith i have in a 22lr

Answer 9

CCI Quik Shok would be the best in my opinion. Head shots are mandatory with the 22 LR for it to be a effective stopper. Two in the eye or behind the ear should stop all threats immediately.

Answer 10

Think about aiming a rifle at an intruder. Then think about pointing a shotgun. Which would be easier?

Shotguns are better for self defense.

Btw, just about any bullet is going to penetrate a human being.