.22 magnum (revolver) vs. .32 acp (.71 grain ball)

[Mrserenity]

Hi, I read somewhere that a .22 magnum has more stopping power and penetration that a .32 acp when using .71 grain ball.  What are your thoughts on this?  Also how much more penetration and stopping power does a .22 magnum has then a .22 lr?  Thanks.

[Dusty Miller]

Stopping power?  Against what?  Maybe a little old lady wielding an assault umbrella?  Certainly not against a prison hardened criminal standing well over 6 feet tall and weighing in well over 200 pounds.  If you are going to carry a gun for self-defense you need to think about the worst case scenario.

[Questor]

I would consider reliability before anything else. Centerfire is more reliable, and there are 32 bullets that are designed for defense.

[Redhawk1]

Stopping power?  Against what?  Maybe a little old lady wielding an assault umbrella?  Certainly not against a prison hardened criminal standing well over 6 feet tall and weighing in well over 200 pounds.  If you are going to carry a gun for self-defense you need to think about the worst case scenario.

Don't under estimate a 22MAG. I would not want to be shot by one. Also statistical the 22 cal bullets is contributed to more deaths than a lot of other calibers.

[willysjeep134]

I think those figures were based on some handgun-one-shot-stop-probability survey somebody did a while ago. I know they must have been talking about the 71 grain full metal jacket ball ammo for the .32 that was the only option for a while. Now Winchester offers a 60 grain hollowpoint with a velocity of 970 feet per second and an energy of 125 foot pounds.

 The 22WRM makes 195 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle with a 45 grain JHP bullet. This is more energy than the .32, but it is also a lighter bullet which means penetration might not be as good.

The .22LR makes 100 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle of a pistol with a 40 grian lead round nose at 1060 feet per second.

These are all figures given by Winchester using their handgun balistics. I am certainly impressed with the .22 WRM, or surprised with the lack of performance given by the .32.


Despite energy comparisons, I think the .32  might be marginally more reliable because it is a center fire. It also has the heaviest bullet of all three cartriges.

[Mrserenity]

Hi, I won't be using it for carry.  We can't carry where i'm at currently.  I wanted to get something as a back up for the home and to take to the range once in a while.  I currently have a single shot 20 gauge shotgun for the home. For a guy with small hands what do you recommend in revolvers? Something with not a lot of recoil? .32 mag?  I'm still searching for the right handgun.  I had a .22 & .32 semi-auto but i don't like the jamming.

[Jerry Lester]

Hi, I won't be using it for carry.  We can't carry where i'm at currently.  I wanted to get something as a back up for the home and to take to the range once in a while.  I currently have a single shot 20 gauge shotgun for the home. For a guy with small hands what do you recommend in revolvers? Something with not a lot of recoil? .32 mag?  I'm still searching for the right handgun.  I had a .22 & .32 semi-auto but i don't like the jamming.

A Ruger Single-Six in 32 magnum might be a good choice for you?

[Mikey]

Mrserentity: I have seen the 22 magnum from a short barrelled derringer type (the old High Stnadard) nearly cut a guy in half.  We used to carry these stange looking 'last ditch' 3 shooters in the magnum caliber for point blank 'kill-em and get their guns' uses.  A buddy and I were coming out of a bar in south America one night and got hit on - he ducked his weapon ( a short club) and stomach punched his opponent at the same time he triggered off a round - slug went right on through leaving a gapping exit wound and the man dropped immediately.  The other guy ran away.  

I have seen the 22 magnum work well on treed Mountain Lion.  I have also seen one instance where the cat jumped out of the tree to escape the hunter, who shot him twice from underneath with both slugs exiting the upper torso and the cat just folded.  

I have seen the same 'last ditch' shooters cleanly take bad guys at point blank range.  

Comparing the 22 magnum to the 32 acp is not a favorable comparison.  The 22 magnum will do much more than the 32 and I feel it is a better defensive caliber, even though it is a rim fire cartridge.  And the latest, most current expandable 32s don't rock my boat.  

The difference is between a high speed, highly expandable and literally explosive bullet and one that isn't.  But, this is just my 2 cents worth.  Mikey.

[Redhawk1]

Mikey, I carry a NAA 22MAG 24-7. It fits in my pocket and no one would ever think it was there.  I also carry my Colt defender in 45ACP but it is not always practical to carry, and sometimes you clothing does not allow for such a carry. I would bet my life on my 22MAG.  

[Mrserenity]

Hey Mikey & Redhawk do you suggest the Derringer NAA or the Taurus revolver for a .22 magnum?

[Tacoma]

my 2 cents.

If your recoil sensitive, then skip the NAA.  The .22 mag will not kick horably but will roar and throw a considerable muzzle flash out of such a short barreld gun. Muzzle energy/velocity will also be greatly reduced as that round needs a longer barrel to burn that slower powder.  
Of the 2 calibers mentioned , I'd note that the 22 mag is going to be ALLOT cheaper to practice/shoot with. The .32 ACp is just too uncomon to find cheap ammo.  The .22 mag would be better out of a 4" to 6" barrel if you want efficiency though. FWIW, I'd vote you look for a good 3-4" medium frame revolver in .38 ( or 357). 38 target ammo in a K frame S&W will give about as much felt recoil, noise and flash as a smaller lighter .22mag. It will be cheaper to feed than either round, increadibly reliable and super versitile. Grip options  for the S&W are infinite and sutable for any range of hand sizes.  lastly, used 38's are EVERYWHERE and often priced well under $250 for a nice one.

[Savage]

Tacoma nailed it!
If you are going to use a small revolver for self defense the 38spl is the way to go. Ammo is cheap and the 38spl round is more effective than the other two rounds. The advantage goes to the 32ACP for concealability. A 5 shot 38 snubbie is about the same size as a 22mag revolver. Problem solved!
Goodnight
Savage

[Redhawk1]

Hey Mikey & Redhawk do you suggest the Derringer NAA or the Taurus revolver for a .22 magnum?

I have the NAA mini mag revolver, but it is my pocket gun. If you want on for home defence the longer barrel would be a better bet. You may also want to consider the 32 H&R Mag, not a lot of recoil but hits hard.

[Mohawk]

Don't have any experience with the .22 Mag in a handgun, but I've seen a Beretta 1935 .32ACP with 71gr. ball put down what's comin'. Arteries don't seem to function with a hole in them. As soon as he realized he was shot, he was dead. Looked at one case with the exact same results from a .32 S&W revolver. 4" Hand-Ejector. LRN through the goods. No more problem. The "stopping power" thing is like saying the .44 Mag is weak since the .500 S&W has been invented. Some street hood with a .44 Mag is scary. A street hood with experience carrying a .32 or .22 Mag is ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING.

[Smokem]

I agree with you Mikey. "Up close and personal"
I carry my Kel-Tec .32 acp EVERY WHERE I go. Why? Because I can. It is small enough to fit in my pants pocket and not be visible, plus it has 8 shots. When I went looking for a carry gun in 2000 I wanted something that I would WANT to carry all the time regardless of the weather.