22 self defense

22 Self Defense - In this article, we'll get something out of the way right away: using a 22LR for self-defense is not the best choice. It's certainly an option, and there are use cases where it almost makes sense. However, if you are trying to figure out what the most powerful 22LR round is and your goal is personal protection, you are on the wrong track.

After that, let's explore some potential use cases for the 22LR as a self or home defense round, and what to look for in different loads to maximize its effectiveness. Also, let's get rid of the idea of ​​finding the most powerful 22LR cartridge. Instead, we will focus on the best self-defense option. To do this, we need a very clear understanding of the mechanics of the sphere.

22 Self Defense

In this case, the 22LR is relatively slow, even from a rifle. This means that the only injury mechanism available is a permanent crush cavity. In layman's terms, a 22LR bullet must physically contact tissue to damage it. That being said, our primary goal for a 22LR defensive round is one that penetrates deep enough to reach vital structures such as the heart, aorta, and spine.

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The best case that can be made for the 22LR for personal defense is from a small, lightweight gun and used by someone who for whatever reason lacks the strength, training or ability to use a more effective platform. It could be age (very old or very young), lack of strength, or just being extremely vulnerable to recoil, but for whatever reason this fictional person cannot handle a full size AR15 or similar sized pistol caliber carbine.

The reason we use a 22LR rifle for this man is that it is easier to shoot well and the longer barrel also maximizes the little ballistic potential the 22LR has.

To select a projectile. Right off the bat, we want to avoid a round like the CCI 40 grain segmented hollowpoint. This style of bike is devastating...to small animals. The bullet breaks into three pieces, each as a separate projectile, and completely destroys the squirrel's day. They do the same thing on a person...except each individual petal stops after 1 or 2 inches of penetration and doesn't even come close enough to do enough damage.

The same goes for other 22LR hollowpoints - if they expand, they won't penetrate deep enough to hit critical structures.

The Best .22lr And .22 Magnum Ammo For Self Defense

If you are wondering what the most effective 22LR is for self defense, here is your answer. Humble 40 grain round-face lead bullets like CCI's standard velocity 22 LR ammo. In fact, if I were shopping for a 22LR for self defense, this would be my first choice. Another good choice would be the Federal AutoMatch Target 22 LR ammo, which like the CCI is a 40 grain lead round nose with a velocity of 1000-1200 feet per second. From a gun that beats 4-ply denim and penetrates deep enough to hit action-stopping goodies.

The reason we use 40 grit hard is because it does the job. For small animals, people have stopped using the rounds specifically because they penetrate squirrels. But if we don't shoot a squirrel, then the penetration suddenly becomes an advantage, not a disadvantage.

Another round that fits the profile we are looking for is the Wolf Match Target 22LR ammo. It's a solid 40g that has about the same muzzle velocity as our other two options. The only problem with Wolf is that the brand doesn't have the reputation for reliability that Federal and CCI have. That's why these are the first two recommendations.

Carrying a 22LR or using one for home defense is not a good idea. While it's certainly better than a sharp stick to the eye, even the strongest 22LR load is anemic compared to even 32 ACP. If that's literally your only option, don't use the 22LR.

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For comparison, the CCI Mini-Mag 22LR ammunition uses a copper-plated 40-grain solid stock. It will be 1235 FPS, which gives us a power factor of 49.4. In comparison, a 71 grain 32 ACP FMJ has a power factor of 64. Your average factory 9mm round has a power factor of around 130. A low power factor cartridge like 22LR can result in lower penetration depth and expansion. Ideally, you would want a penetration depth of 12-18 inches and bullet expansion to create a larger wound channel. Because of this, the 22LR is likely to be less effective than a larger caliber loaded for the job, such as the Federal 9mm 147gr. HST

22LR, even the most powerful, is not really powerful enough. Sure, putting 20 rounds in a home hitter's chest will ruin his day. But you know what would do the job just as well without praying that your little bore gun would run 20 rounds? 12. A .22LR self-defense shotgun is often derided as underpowered, but the Federal Punch line gives the rimfire a noticeable bite. John B. Snow

When pondering the question of what is the best caliber for self-defense, the .22LR is no one's top choice. However, carrying a .22 for self-defense is not unnecessary for some shooters and in some circumstances – and ammunition manufacturers have responded to this need.

The Federal Punch ammunition line includes many major self-defense calibers from the 200-grain 10mm auto to the 29-grain .22LR introduced in 2021.

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In centerfire pistol calibers (.380 auto and up), punch loads jacketed hollowpoint cartridges, but uses a nickel-plated flat design in the rimfire configuration. The published muzzle velocity of a 4-inch barrel is 1080 fps, and according to Federal's product specifications, the bullets are designed to achieve deep penetration from short-barreled handguns, which would be a typical configuration for someone carrying a .22 LR for personal . Protection.

When I bought my first carry guns in the 1980s, I added a Beretta Model 21A as a backup option. It's never been very reliable - at least with the ammo I put through it - so it spends most of its time in my safe, except for the occasional trip to the range. It has a tendency to jam, and I also don't care for the micro-sized fuse, which is awkward to handle. I don't know how many times I actually wear it, but it's not often. I just didn't trust it, and compared to my perfectly reliable .40 S&W Glock 23, I could never rely on the little .22 LR if you could carry a .40.

But times have changed. We now have better firearms and better ammunition, so I was curious to evaluate the .22 LR Punch with an open mind to see if my years-old bias toward the .22 LR for self-defense was still valid or a vestige of obsolescence . Thinking.

To help test the ammo, I reached out to Jeff Hoffman of Black Hills Ammunition. He agreed to do some gel testing with the .22 LR Punch using a variety of firearms while I spent time at the range evaluating it under practical shooting conditions.

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Eight rounds of Federal .22LR punch ready to go in the author's Ruger LCR. John B. Snow

The classic answer to this question is that it is suitable for women and the vulnerable to recover. I find this analysis unsatisfactory. Even my elderly mom can handle a .380 auto and a balanced .38 Spl. He wouldn't cause you any problems. She has no special weapon skills that elevate her above the average Marksman.

I think the real answer is that there are tons of people who have a .22 and maybe don't own any other gun, or who don't have a larger caliber gun that fits all of their carry needs. They may have a full-frame service pistol that is not comfortable to carry, or they may have a compact pistol that they have difficulty concealing while wearing lighter clothing.

Then there is the question of ammo. We all know that regular training with any firearm is important, and especially with defensive weapons. Not everyone has the budget to buy a subcompact car or revolver and stock it with enough ammo to keep their shooting technique sharp. For those shooters—and there are a lot of them—a .22LR makes sense for self-defense. It's also worth noting that Federal just expanded the Punch line to also include a .22 WMR offering that shoots a 45-grain jacketed hollow point at 1000 fps.

Federal Ammunition Introduces New 22 Lr Punch Personal Defense

For this evaluation I used two 8-shot revolvers, a Ruger LCR and a Smith & Wesson Model 43 C.

The Ruger tips the scales at 14.4 ounces empty and comes with a generously sized hog grip. The Smith is slimmer at 11.4 ounces. Both revolvers are built on aluminum frames, but the frame frame is bulkier and has a steel barrel, while the Smith 43C's barrel is made of aluminum. This, along with the lesser grip of the Smith, accounts for the weight difference.

But both are pleasant to shoot and easy to control. With hidden hammers

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