.22LR for CC??

[Blkcat]

I just completed my CCW training and learned that in this state (Nebraska), if you are carrying a concealed weapon in your vehicle, but it is not tethered to the CC Permit holder, everyone in the vehicle is considered to be carrying. That is especially problematic for anyone with minor children in the vehicle, but even for adults it poses a problem - either keep the gun on your person, or ensure that everyone in the vehicle has a CC permit. The instructor for my class strongly recommended that we have our wives get permits as well. My wife is interested in doing that, but is not an experienced shooter. I intend to have her take some classes (I learned long ago with skiing, computers, etc., it's not a good idea for a hubby to try to teach his wife ANYTHING). The problem is that she has some arthritis in her hands, and I'm afraid the recoil from something like a .38sp or .380 might be more than she can handle. I would expect her to begin her shooting experience with a .22 anyway, but the only .22 I own ( S&W K-22 6" bbl) is not suitable for CC. In the event that a larger caliber proves unsuitable for her, I am considering buying a quality .22 Auto like a Beretta Cheetah. Any opinions on, or experience with, the suitability of a .22 as a CCW??

[jayspapa2002]

I believe Vegas George had this same thing with his wife.
Heres the way I look at it.. if she can't handle anything bigger than the .22 than she is still better off than throwing rocks and blowing on a whistle .

[TheMrMitch]

The lowly .22 is the assassains choice of rounds the world over.
Practice shot placement when you can. It will certainly do the job far more effectively than "nuttin".
Practice and go with it.

[Jay]

"a .22 is better than nothing".... correct.

However, the last lady I taught was 73 yrs old and had serious arthritis in her hands. Her issues were with operating the handgun, NOT controlling the recoil. She couldn't operate the slide on anything except the .22 semi's. But she could load, and unload any revolver, and handled the recoil of my 357 just fine. Your wife can be taught grip and stance to enable her to handle almost any recoil.

However, as posted above... if she can't hit the target, it doesn't matter if she carries a 44 mag.

[VegasGeorge]

jayspapa2002 is correct. My wife suffers from arthritis in her hands, and simply could not operate any pistol other than the .22. She carries the S&W Aitlite revolver. I had a gunsmith reduce the trigger pull weight as much as possible without sacrificing reliability. My wife can pull the trigger through the double action, and she is pretty darn good at hitting the target. She has to use two fingers on the trigger. Fortunately, her hands are very small, so there is plenty of room in the trigger guard for them.

I think that statistics show that more people are killed every year by .22 rounds than by any other caliber. .22s are not the first choice for self defense carry, but they work.

[Blkcat]

Thanks for your inputs everyone. You all have reinforced what I was thinking. I'll start her with a .22 to learn the basics, and then move to other calibers to see what she can handle properly.

Thanks again for the inputs!

[tuna]

I've gotten some flack for carrying a .22 derringer. I've since upgraded that gun to .22mag, but I still get flack about carrying such a small caliber gun. When I don't feel like packing a K or J frame, though, the derringer goes perfect with anything I own except a Speedo (sorry for the mental image).

While a .22 isn't a perfect defense gun, who are we kidding, even a .45 is a compromise. If you KNOW you need a gun, then you're probably carrying a rifle or shotgun, but we never know, so we carry handguns. At self defense ranges for the average citizen, the .22 is fine, especially in a revolver or derringer style.

I don't anticipate using my CCW to supress sniper fire, or to engage a MiG fighter. My CCW is to protect myself and my family; it is a GTFOM (get the &&&& off me) gun, meant to get me the extra seconds or feet needed to get away from a threat and get to safety.

[Clark]

The age old question of does size matter? As stated, the target placement is just as important than the size.

More People have been hurt or killed from .22 than any other round. (not including combat) The Virgina Tech shooter used a .22. Assassins all over the world prefer the .22. Poor hunters all across the US use a .22 to take a deer and small game. (I was one of those growing up) Do not underestimate the killing power of the .22 in the right spot.

The low recoil also means that you can get the 2nd and 3rd shots to at tighter group, and when used with a laser it makes for a pretty good defense pistol.

My wife has a .38 S&W with a Crimson Trace Laser, but she prefers the Walther P22 with a Laser - I would rather have her hit 9 or 10 rounds rather than be close with one or two from her .38.

Do not get me wrong, I like my .45's and my 357's, but I do carry a .22 when discresion is required.

Great Thread - thanks for your ideas!

[VegasGeorge]

If you KNOW you need a gun, then you're probably carrying a rifle or shotgun, ....

Now, that's the truth! If I knew in advance that I was going to need a gun, I'd have my 12 gauge riot gun with me. In fact, I have it set up to carry if necessary.

Example: My wife comes home in the wee, dark hours of the morning. She worries about being followed. I keep my cell phone and shotgun right next to the bed. We have it set up that she will call me if she thinks someone is following her home, and I will meet her out front shotgun in hand.

[pioneer461]

The lowly .22 is the assassains choice of rounds the world over.

Do you have a source for this? I've often heard this, but have yet to get a definative source. I fear it is urban legand.

[ExSniper]

The .22 LR is better than nothing, but only slightly. If used, get the best quality weapon and ammo you can afford and practice as much as possible (or more)!
Cheap .22 ammo has a high rate of misfires and misfeeds, even in good guns. High quality, hyper velocity ammo is the best choice. Then just think of it as a "doctor's gun" and apply it to the EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT!
Shot placement is critical. Even though many are fond of quoting factoids about "more people killed by .22s than any other round" the flip side of that is more people have survived being shot with .22s than any other round!

Most of my students even with arthritis or other handicaps can learn to operate larger caliber centerfire weapons. It is just a matter of finding the right gun, ammo, training combination.