Author Topic: I think I'm a 22 Mag addict... (Read 1759 times)

cwlongshot · « **on:** December 26, 2012, 01:17:02 PM »

Any thought on a Ruger LCR re chambered to 22mag??

I have not shot or handled one, so I dont know if the cylinder is long enough, But as its avalible in 22LR, 38 spl and a 357 mag (assuming same frame/cyl length) it should be. But if there is enough ''meat'' in between the chambers is also an unknown.

Whats your thoughts?

CW

45-70.gov · « **Reply #1 on:** December 26, 2012, 01:22:07 PM »

i am a fan of the LCR

i have the 357.....it is heavier than the 38

i will get some in 22 when i get ahead on money

the 22 mag in handguns don't interest me at all....i love my 22mag rifle

i like a cheap to feed 22 that matches my carry gun to practice point shooting

spruce · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2012, 06:22:22 AM »

Each to their own! For me there's just not enough gain in going to a .22 Mag versus a .22 LR in a handgun to offset the negatives - more expense and a LOT more noise, especially in a snubbie!

Performance of the round in a short barrel (handgun) just isn't that impressive. Now, in a rifle the magnum round easily outperforms the LR. Just my opinion on it, but if you like the concept go for it - if it's legal and safe and you enjoy it then it's justified!

Ladobe · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2012, 08:39:26 AM »

Another that is not a fan of the 22MAG in a handgun. The "convertables" I've owned, Colt, Ruger etc seldom saw the MAG cylinder, not even the Buntline's of both I once had. Makes it kind of funny that my old model Single Six 5.5" is a 22MAG only - how it came, the LR cylinder was missing. Why I don't shoot it, I've never bothered to try to find a LR cylinder for it. I'd be way more interested if a handgun with some barrel length that was in 17HMR... but more for the novelty than in use. Just my preference though, the MAG belongs in a long tube for my uses.

Old Syko · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2012, 08:59:55 AM »

This is as short as I go on a mag. Shorter just serves no purpose other than the novelty factor.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2012, 09:46:01 AM »

I would guess a trip to the local gun shop with a dial caliper is in order. Provided the cylinder length is a go, I don't see why it wouldn't work. Both the 22lr and the 22mag have SAAMI specs of 24K psi, and I would think the guns steel recoil shield / breech face would handle any additional back thrust, if there is any. The above is just an educated guess on my part, so......

Really like the 22mag when fired out of a rifle barrel. Works well on Turkey (legal here in PA), where has regular 22lr can be lacking at times. Had a Single Six with both cylinders, and never noticed any difference in killing power on small game, though it was a lot louder with mags. But then again, I carried a short barreled 22 mag mini revolver in my shirt pocket when I was a cop - figured if the bullet didn't do the trick, the powder burn would..

Larry

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2012, 11:59:04 AM »

That would be nice rechamber if possible. I'm a big fan of the LCR, my girlfriend and I both have one in 38 Special. I reload light Trail Boss loads for her to practice with.

Her mother also wants a carry handgun to pocket carry with. She has rheumatoid arthritis so I'm thinking a .22 will be max for her recoil wise. I'd like to get her an LCR also in 22 LR but a 22 Magnum would be even better. Speer makes a 22 mag round specifically for short barrels that offers enough of an improvement over the LR to make it worth it in my eyes. Massad Ayoob has also said good things about the 22 Magnum as a defensive round.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2012, 12:51:05 PM »

Thanks for the comments guys!

The 22mag has some good bullets avalible now specfically designed for short barrel pistols. Ballistically, they do what the 22LR is advertised to do from a rifle barrel. So YES there is a preformance gain over the LR.

The single down fall of the 22Mag as a defensive round is the fact that its a rim fire. BUT, To my mind this is all but negated when its used in a revolver. WHEN you get a missfire, simply pull the trigger again...

I know that the rim fire version of the Freedom arms uses dual firing pins, but why other manufacturers don't is beyond me. How many times I have simply turned a bullet so the FP impacts the opposite side of the case usually results in a bang. To my mind this would be a optimal addition to any handgun. Sure a bit of engineering would need to happen as the increased surface area will reduce the energy imparted to the rim. But I would think a stiffer maybe lil longer spring should over come that...

Just thinking out loud here, as I love my 651 S&W but would love it more as a 8/9 shot!!!

CW

Ladobe · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2012, 11:06:45 PM »

I guess a point in "defense" of the 22MAG shorty for defense could be made by the High Standard DM-101 Derringers. Highly popular even today near 50 years after they first came out and 30 since discontinued. Double action, long pull, in use pretty much a short range deal but far enough.

If your gals mother could handle it a 32ACP or 380ACP many folks would consider a better choice probably. Some are designed for pocket carry, double action, the extra shots.... maybe a Taurus Protector 32 or M380 to stay with a revolver; or a P32/P3AT, Guardian 32/380, Seecamp 32/380, Micro Desrt Eagle 380 or even a Ruger LCP. The 22MAG may penetrate deeper, but a bigger hole has merit.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2012, 03:36:16 AM »

the ruger LCR is the best there is in a pocket gun.......period
best fit for MY hand....best trigger pull

[before i got mine i would have said that about the smith centeniels]

if your a fan of the 22MAG.....then you can't go wrong......DO IT

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2012, 04:15:23 AM »

Quote from: Ladobe on December 27, 2012, 11:06:45 PM

I guess a point in "defense" of the 22MAG shorty for defense could be made by the High Standard DM-101 Derringers. Highly popular even today near 50 years after they first came out and 30 since discontinued. Double action, long pull, in use pretty much a short range deal but far enough.

If your gals mother could handle it a 32ACP or 380ACP many folks would consider a better choice probably. Some are designed for pocket carry, double action, the extra shots.... maybe a Taurus Protector 32 or M380 to stay with a revolver; or a P32/P3AT, Guardian 32/380, Seecamp 32/380, Micro Desrt Eagle 380 or even a Ruger LCP. The 22MAG may penetrate deeper, but a bigger hole has merit.

When I asked her Mom what she wanted she did tell me a "little Derringer with pearl grips". I never knew High Standard made a double action Derringer.

I'm going to take her shopping at some point and let her pick whatever is most comfortable for her. I've fired a few pocket 380's and there's no way she could take that much recoil. She might be able to handle a 32 but I'd have to make sure she can easily rack the slide before she bought one. I'd like to steer her to a revolver for ease of use but I will let her pick whatever feels comfortable in her hand.

Ladobe · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2012, 06:14:24 PM »

Doublebass73 - With rheumatoid arthritis her biggest problems with the HS DM-101 might be the long and stiff trigger pull, maybe the "slap" in recoil, the very loud report and muzzle blast from any shorty 22MAG.

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 29, 2012, 09:43:20 AM »

Quote from: Ladobe on December 28, 2012, 06:14:24 PM

Doublebass73 - With rheumatoid arthritis her biggest problems with the HS DM-101 might be the long and stiff trigger pull, maybe the "slap" in recoil, the very loud report and muzzle blast from any shorty 22MAG.

I was thinking that also about the trigger pull which is why I'm going to try and steer her toward an LCR because of the nice trigger. I'd rather see her get a 22 LR that's she's comfortable shooting than anything else that would be painful for her to shoot. A 22 LCR with the laser sight might be just the ticket for her.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2012, 05:40:17 AM »

That HS Derringer was a wicked nasty long hard trigger, even after I worked on mine; doubt she could manage it even if you found one.
In an old Gun Digest (?) was an article on the S&W 'Kit Gun' in 22LR vs 22Mag and gave some insights as regards performance comparisons. IIRC it was said that the ME of the Mags from even a 4" handgun was comparable to the ME of a LR in a rifle. That kinda got my attention. I do know that I would much rather have 22Mags in a defensive handgun context that just 22LR, if 22 cal. was all I had to choose from. Many would think a 22LR in a rifle at close range was not to be trifled with so I dont feel too bad with that performance in a Mag handgun.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2012, 06:13:36 AM »

Another good choice may be one of the offerings from North American Arms.

They have a number is very small revolvers that are chambered for 22 LR and Mag. The smallest have tiny grips and poor sights. But they also make a lil bigger version with grips that you can actually hold and sights! Now remember these are single actions, so not as easy to fire as a HS Derringer. BUT not hard to minuplate and offer three more shots as well.

As mentioned the 22 mag is enjoying g a big upswing in popularity and makers have responded with a couple of short barrel specfic bullets. SPEER, HORNADY & WINCHESTER all have excellent offerings. Sure allot of vel and energy is lost, but now its offered with good proven bullets designed to penetrate and expand within these limitations.

CW

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #15 on:** December 30, 2012, 10:51:28 AM »

Although I have a NAA .22M in my pocket all the time, we should consider the fact that the .22M from a handgun has about the same ballistics as a .22LR from a rifle. It ain't much.

keith44 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:34:32 AM »

http://www.chuckhawks.com/speer_WMR_GDHP-SB.htm

http://www.hornady.com/store/22-WMR-45gr-Critical-Defense/

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:44:57 AM »

Quote from: Bigeasy on December 27, 2012, 09:46:01 AM

Really like the 22mag when fired out of a rifle barrel. Works well on Turkey (legal here in PA), where has regular 22lr can be lacking at times. Had a Single Six with both cylinders, and never noticed any difference in killing power on small game, though it was a lot louder with mags. But then again, I carried a short barreled 22 mag mini revolver in my shirt pocket when I was a cop - figured if the bullet didn't do the trick, the powder burn would..

Larry

He may want the 22 mag over the 22 LR for the bullet construction over the killing power. I am not so sure the 22 mag has anyting on the 22LR with a short barrel. I do see a difference in the 22 Mag out of my single six with the 9.5" barrel in what the different bullets will do to baking potatos and bottles of water.

Gray Paw · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2013, 03:11:43 PM »

Ruger now offers the LCR in a 6-shot .22 Magnum.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2013, 03:23:06 PM »

Quote from: Gray Paw on January 06, 2013, 03:11:43 PM

Ruger now offers the LCR in a 6-shot .22 Magnum.

OOH... well lookie there... http://www.ruger.com/products/lcr/index.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Lktcd-viU&list=UUjzurbOLJU1GWbO0n32IJNA&index=1

But only 6 shot tho...

CW

saltydog · « **Reply #20 on:** January 08, 2013, 02:48:42 PM »

The point is the 22 mag has a better selection of bullets available for defense or small game hunting - no not cartridges for those confusing the two. Bullets like 30 gr Hornady hit harder than offerings with the 22 lr.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #21 on:** January 08, 2013, 03:27:52 PM »

Quote from: saltydog on January 08, 2013, 02:48:42 PM

The point is the 22 mag has a better selection of bullets available for defense or small game hunting - no not cartridges for those confusing the two. Bullets like 30 gr Hornady hit harder than offerings with the 22 lr.

YES and from all barrel legnths too!

I have said it many times, the 22Mag preforms all out of proportion to its ''paper'' ballistics.

CW

gcrank1 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 08, 2013, 05:46:32 PM »

CW, what do you think about necking up that new Win. 17 SuperMag to 22 caliber?

cwlongshot · « **Reply #23 on:** January 08, 2013, 11:45:00 PM »

Quote from: gcrank1 on January 08, 2013, 05:46:32 PM

CW, what do you think about necking up that new Win. 17 SuperMag to 22 caliber?

Being its a RF you will not catch me doing it.

But with the ferver for the 22Mag now, it may be time for a 22 version of the newest 17 magnum... I would buy one and I bet you would too!

CW

gcrank1 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 09, 2013, 05:02:15 AM »

Just so! (though I have read about guys who 're-make' RFs; not for me).
I was speculatin' on the factory version for us bigger bore fans utilizing that new case. Should be able to get close to 22Hornet equivalent out of it, dont you think? Prices I checked on the 17WSM are $20ish for 50ct; if a 22 version were about the same, and the performance and accuracy up there, I think it would sell.
But maybe the 17WSM will be the cats meow? I havent been able to get excited about light weight,small dia. high velo 'needles' in CF or RF yet, but maybe this one........