22 ammo question

[JASmith]

Let her try some .38 Special wadcutters at the range.  These guys have low recoil and not a lot of noise.  She may find that she enjoys shooting them.

My experience with rabbits back in the '60s is that these target rounds are as good a stopper at close range as the .44 Russian  & .44 Special loaded with semi-wadcutters.

[rockbilly]

I think statistics will show the .22 is responsible for more peace time deaths than any other caliber.  The .22 short was the weapon of choice for assistants all over the world for many years, I understand it just flops around and makes Jell-O out of the brain.

I don’t know the shooting experience of this lady and would not try to push a bigger bore on her until she has gained the experience necessary to handle it.  I worked with women (mostly aircrew members) in the military and found that once they have a fear of a gun, either the .38 or 9mm,  you could forget about ever seeing them qualify, with some it was a long slow process to develop the confidence to be proficient with a handgun. Putting too much gun in her hands too soon might discourage her from carrying one period.  Let her get comfortable with the .22 and after five-six months take her to the range and try to encourage her to go up to something larger, as she gains confidence she will ask for something larger.

[WD45]

I don't think the assasin comparison is vary good seeing that they are mostly at point blank range and the person being done in may not even know its coming. We all know the 22 will kill but how many people are good enough or lucky enough to hit someone that is probably moving in the head during a tense life threatening situation ? True, A lot of people die from 22's but how long did it take them to die ? If you get right down to it the whole idea is to stop the attack and take the fight out of someone before they harm or take your life. bigger bore slugs can do more damage like break bones and render appendeges useless if they are hit even if it is by luck possibly giving you enough time to get away. I understand a big bore gun is useless if you cant hit anything with it but using a 22LR to defend your life with because you like it doesn't make a lot of sense to me either.

[rockbilly]

WD45.  Thats the reason there are so many different tunes on the jukebox, we don't all dance to the same fiddler.

[WD45]

Rockbilly, 
Very true statement. I think though that we should put a little more thought into a self defense weapon that we are going to trust our lives to. This dance is not to the normal jig or reel.... it could the last tune we dance to Maybe it's just me

[marbill]

I have not checked on this post in awhile. It really took off. We appreciate all the input on this. She has a colt revolver. Like I said in the previous posts she has shot larger handguns both six shooters and auto's. AS it is right now she is not afraid of the 38 she shoots from time to time. I dont have any intention of pushing her past her limits. It is best if she thinks its her idea. She has been shooting once a week for the last few and is getting  more comfortable with the other guns. I expect she will decide she wants to go to the 38 before long. The thing about this is she started with 22 shorts then we moved to Lr. then stingers. 
Her problems began at a young age when she was pushed into shooting a ex's  large cal and it scared her into not wanting anything to do with a handgun. Things change with time and now she carries. Patience is my friend with this.

[Bigeasy]

I don't want to repeat what has already been said here R/E the suitability of the .22 lr for self defense.  What I will say, that is not mentioned often enoiugh, is training.  Way to many people carry without the training and confidence to back it up.  Most of us on web sites like this are shooters, so it's hard for us to understand that the average person carrying a gun is often times in over their head when it comes to when and how to use their weapon.

Practice makes perfect, builds confidence.  If in a life threatening situation, you have to think and commit quick to what ever action you are going to take.  Hesitiation, indecision, lack of basic shooting skills will get that weapon taken away from you, and shoved where the sun don't shine, if you are lucky.

I guess what I am trying to say is practice leads to skill and confidence, and it's very important.  A man, or woman, who knows what they are doing, and are comfortable and experienced with their .22 is a lot more deadly then someone carrying a 40 s&w who goes to the range once or twice a year, and fires half a box of ammo.

Larry

[Oldshooter]

I don't want to repeat what has already been said here R/E the suitability of the .22 lr for self defense.  What I will say, that is not mentioned often enoiugh, is training.  Way to many people carry without the training and confidence to back it up.  Most of us on web sites like this are shooters, so it's hard for us to understand that the average person carrying a gun is often times in over their head when it comes to when and how to use their weapon.

Practice makes perfect, builds confidence.  If in a life threatening situation, you have to think and commit quick to what ever action you are going to take.  Hesitiation, indecision, lack of basic shooting skills will get that weapon taken away from you, and shoved where the sun don't shine, if you are lucky.

I guess what I am trying to say is practice leads to skill and confidence, and it's very important.  A man, or woman, who knows what they are doing, and are comfortable and experienced with their .22 is a lot more deadly then someone carrying a 40 s&w who goes to the range once or twice a year, and fires half a box of ammo.

Larry

Very well put Pardner!

[marbill]

Bigeasy, exactly right.  Thanks.  Bill

[WD45]

Ya know , That last statement that bigeasy made has been posted so many times by so many other than myself. There are way, way , way to many people out there that virtually never shoot thier carry weapon and think they are fine just cause they passed the test. I was shooting with some guys a couple weeks ago and one of them had a FTF after the 1st round. After checking the pistol we actually found a chunk of something jammed into the clip and would not allow the next round to load. some of us commented that it was a good thing this was not a real situation and his response was .. The 1st shot should be enough to scare the crap out of them anyway.. as in like whats the big deal?? Do you guys ever deal with people like that ?

[rockbilly]

Practice is the key to developing confidance with whatever caliber she decides to carry, I attempted to point this out in an earlier post.

It is not just a matter of shooting your weapon, it is a matter of effective real time training that provided the confidance one needs.  Have you practiced at moving targets?  Have you practiced at moving targets while both you and the target are moving? Have you practiced reloading and shooting with the off-hand?  If not you AIN'T prepared for a gun fight!

Practice is the answer, but practive on a stationary target only leads to a false sence of security, I asure you, if ever in a gun fight neither you or the perp will be standing still while the other takes pot shots.

[Graybeard]

I'm sort of the opinion that there are two components to effective self defense use of handguns.

One of course mentioned already several times is practice both to become familiar with the weapon chosen so use of it is second nature and so that the user can hit what the aim at. It also helps you to determine if the weapon is dependable and will go bang EVERY TIME you need it to.

But of equal if not more importance is the proper mindset. Ya really MUST know in advance are you mentally prepared to shoot someone if/when the time comes. Unless that question has been worked out in your head well in advance ya might actually be better off going unarmed. If you hesitate after pulling that handgun at grappling range then it might be used on you rather than the bad guy. I feel it is vitally important to think the matter thru and to know without question  you are prepared to pull that trigger should the need arise. It seems a seldom mentioned but highly important matter to me.

[rockbilly]

GB, I agree. The mind is likely the most important part of any defensive plan.  If you don't have the mind set to use deadly force to protect yourself you might as well leave the gun home.

[Old Fart]

Some women like the absence of felt recoil the little 22lr offers. That's very understandable.
My wife has problems holding on to the more powerful and heavier handguns.
She has a weak hand. One day she was with me at my favorite gunstore.
In the case were a set of pistols. Charter Arms Bonnie and Cyde. Bonnie in 32 H&R mag and Clyde in 38 spl.
Well she talked me into buying them........no it didn't take a lot of arm twisting.
We took them home and come to find out she really liked the 32 H&R mag.
Ballistically the 32 H&R is a nice gap filler. I've since picked up a s&w in it and she thinks its hers......

As a side note the little 22 is a step up from a non lethal defense tool. Just saying.....

[SHOOTALL]

then she would love a 327 Federal mag. and be well protected if as mentioned had the right mind set