Trends in Self Defense Part 2: The Mighty .22LR
This is the second post in my Trends in Self Defense series. (The first one was: Trends in Self Defense, Part 1: Guns as a Force Equalizer)
In this article we’re going to reinforce the first rule of a gunfight: “Have a gun.”
While the .22lr is far from the ideal choice for self defense, it does have several things going for it.
- Cost: Guns chambered in .22lr tend to cost a good bit less than their full power counterparts. Ammo is a fraction of the cost of centerfire ammo, which allows for far more practice for someone on a tight budget
- Recoil: The recoil of a .22lr is very light, even in small pistols. This allows for people that are recoil sensitive, or have weak grips due to age or injury to get quicker follow up shots
- Availability: You can find .22lr ammo virtually anywhere ammo is sold
- More deadly than you think: According to at least this study, .22lr has more stopping power than you think
Am I telling everyone to leave your 9mm’s and .45acp’s at the house and get a .22 pocket pistol? Absolutely not. I’ve got a Glock 22 on my hip right now and I have no plans to get my Buck Mark out of the safe today. However, for those on a budget, the recoil sensitive, or for someone with grip problems, a .22lr is better than not having a gun or having a gun that you can’t shoot worth a damn.
In all of the following stories an attack was successfully stopped with a weapon chambered in .22lr. Not in a couple of cases the mere presence of the firearm was enough to end the incident.
- GA Woman Kills Would Be Rapist With .22 Pistol
- 11 Year Old Girl Defends Home with .22 Rifle (2010)
- 11 Year Old Texas Boy Shoots Home Invaders, Defends Mother (2010)
- PA Homeowner Shoots Intruder With a .22
- CA Homeowner Kills Masked Home Invader With a Single .22
- Chicago Homeowner Fights Off Thieves with .22 Rifle
- OK Homeowner Shoots Daytime Home Invader
- Video: 1969 MI Pizza Delivery Driver Shoots, Kills 3 Gang Members, Goes On To Invent Body Armor
- 15 Year Old GA Resident, Shoots and Kills 1 of 2 Home Invaders Using .22 Rifle
- TX Mother Used .22 To Scare Off 2 Home Invaders As She Got Her Kids Ready For School
It should also be noted that I read through dozens of crime reports each day that involve the use of firearms. I have never come across a story where someone tried to defend themselves with a .22 caliber weapon and it didn’t stop the attack.
The bottom line: Having any gun is better than no gun, and the .22 in your pocket is better than the .45 in your nightstand.
I can add my experience to this trend. A little over a year ago two fine young “urbanites” tried to force their way into my house. Right up until the point that I kicked the door open, and stuck my .22 pump action carbine in the face of the one in the lead. you have never seen a “human being” change both direction, and attitude so quickly in your life. You see, by nature criminals are among the most cowardly beings on this earth, and just the introduction of a weapon, no matter how puny instantly and positively changes ones intentions, from crime to survival. It’s funny, previous to my moving into this house and displaying my willingness to protect it, criminal scum would try to get in every couple of months. It has been over a year since I repelled that attempted home invasion, and no further attempts have been made. But I refuse to let my guard down, my shotgun is never more than arms length from me.
TL671,I don’t think anyone can say it better then that. I see evil people as a the devil looking to take my soul from me.History lessons, http://youtu.be/O1nz0rPIU_w
Innocents Betrayed The True Story of Gun Control
the 22lr is the best round made and its been around for a very very long time
I agree that it is better to have a gun that you are comfortable with not one that is too big for you to handle. If you are not comfortable with the gun you may be too scared to use it so make sure that you are comfortable with the gun that you carry.
I had this discussion with my brother a while back. When you take a serious look at it, most people don’t want to get shot with anything … I would sure stand down with 22 in my face. A thug looking for an easy target is going to forget what he was doing in great haste with a 22 Stinger hollow point in his navel.
My sister was going through a bad divorce. She, my dad, and 2 other relatives were at her house trying to get her moved out. Her husband returned and pulled a loaded shotgun on her. My father went to his toolbox and got his .22 revolver. They tried to convince her husband to put down the shotgun, and he turned it on my father. My father shot and killed him, saving all of their lives. I am very thankful that he had it!
If you have a news article for reference we’ll publish it
My 16 yr old son shot & killed a home invader w/a Ruger 10/22 firing Federal solid point ammo. A perfect single shot at a range of 5 feet dropped the sucker dead in his tracks. Penetrated the sternum, at least one heart chamber and went on into the lung. Scumbag stumbled backward and was “death-groaning” on the deck in two seconds after getting hit.
Homicide & Medical Examiner techs on scene told me solid point .22 ammo is most effective on humans; that hollow points should be reserved for small game.
Bad guy was wanted for 2 counts of attempted capital murder, and sundry other violent crimes. Also had a shank in his back pocket…really bad dude (mexican gang-banger…all covered with tattoos).
I’ve always known the .22LR is very effective. It’s what I’ve always kept around the house as a “women and children’s” home protection weapon. It passed the “real life” test when it mattered most.
http://www.khou.com/news/local/65864742.html