deputy125

did i get some deer in the headlight looks???

Yes, i did say a .22 rimfire for home defense........it just might be the best option for a lot of folks out there. One train of thought on this notion is that as members of the gun culture, we often think and draw on our own level of knowledge thru experience and listening/reading from our peers in this gun culture.

Home defense sometimes gets into long drawn out arguments about firearm selection. Debates rage about what is best or most efective from the shotgun to the handgun to the rifle. Arguments happen about power, caliber, guage, portability, compactness, control, etc, etc, etc. I myself have my own idea and comfort level that applies to me and my arguments frequently revolve around the shotgun. Problem there is not everyone is in my shoes................

But not very many folks seem to bring up the .22 as a viable option. So what-the-hey, i thought i would throw it out on the table since this is the last day of my vacation with some thoughts about it. The reason there are thoughts about the .22 are numerous and much of it goes back to personal observations and experiences as an LEO over the years.

I'll try to throw out a few of the observations here........

The .22 rimfire is the most popular caliber in the U.S.......i believe this is a safe bet as there are millions and millions of .22 rifles out there. After-all, the lowly .22 has been around before centerfire cartridges were even invented. the .22 has been incorporated in every action style that has ever existed.....bolt, pump, auto, etc.

The .22 is economical......not just from the buy aspect, but also from the aspect that there are millions of folks out there that already own a .22 but are really NOT PART OF THE GUN CULTURE. These folks have no interest or experience with handguns, hunting, or shotguns. Often, a .22 is just a tool for what-ever pest problem, or an inherited gun that is taken out once every couple of years and fired, or something that is on hand just for peace of mind. On the pure dollar side of life, ammo is affordable as is the rifles. There are many folks out there.....and they do indeed out-number the "gun culture" that can not aford a gun collection, and can not afford $30 for a box of shells to practice monthly......or even yearly should they even have the time and a place to practice. A new firearm purchase for someone on a fixed income may be the one and only purchase that can be afforded for the year if not the lifetime.

The .22 is "person friendly".........most folks can not hit the broad side of a barn when first introduced to a centerfire weapon. Recoil and especially muzzle blast can be a very imtimadating. And this goes hand in hand with economics........range time requires time and money, and geting to a proficient level of accuracy and control will take time and money which are two things that not everyone has. A ,22........especially a .22 rifle can be mastered quickly with minimal expense for someone not in the "gun culture" . Hits and a level of profiency can be obtained with a .22 rifle quickly. It does not hurt the shoulder or has scarey recoil, and it is kind on the ears when compared to centerfires. Instant results and rapid improvments in accuracy happen quickly and build a level of confidence that they do indeed now have at least the capability to defend themselves.

Take the above listed factors into account and then multiply by how ever many people that live in the home......again, people that are not part of the gun culture. Suddenly time and expense can be multiplied by factor of 2x, 3x, 4x, etc, etc by however many folks be they man, woman,or child that are living under that one roof.

This also brings to bare the age of the person. Many elderly folks can not tolerate the heavy weight of a "man-stopper" weapon due to age or medical conditions......many might not have the hand strength to get a centerfire into condition one for firing.........and the same things just might apply to the young teen daughter or the 10 yoa boy who suddenly needs defense. A .22 rifle such as a ruger 10-22 is easy to operate the handle to chamber, easy to point for just about all ages and sizes, reliable as it will not "limp-wrist" jam, and with 10 rounds on board of stinger HP's, it ought to definately do the trick as they are not fighting off the Marines, they are fighing off criminals who often retreat in the face of anyone who shows some backbone.

Is the .22 really the absolute best choice out there? of course not.....at least most likely not for you and me. Our experience level tells us something different. But there are an awful lot of little old ladies out there that are only armed with a .22 rifle..........i know as i have met many of them over the years......there are a lot of kids out there that can use the .22 as well and there are a lot of single or divorced mothers that can only afford what they have on hand.

For these people and many more, the lowly .22 rifle will (and has) been taking care of business since the turn of the previous century.

Again, we here in the "gun culture" are in the minority in the great scheme of things. Take a look at the membership alone of the NRA and then compare those numbers to the number of households in the U.S. that have weapons.....last figures i've seen show the NRA membership at around 4 million but there are something like 53 million "households" with firearms.....down right scary. This does not mean that only NRA members are educated, but it is an indicator that not everyone follows the same path or passion..........put another way, i would guess that for every person that goes to the gun range once a month, there are 50 firearm owners that go to the range once a year.....or would that be two years?

sure, if i get asked about a handgun or a shotgun or specific rifles, i will throw out my two cents........but on the other hand when asked before about just "a gun" for someone who has never even shot one before.......i have and will most likely continue to recomend a .22 rifle..........

Sometimes the least expensive options are the best or at least a starting point for many folks. I will recomend range time as well..........all to often they will not go or go only once and then the gun will be put up.............might not seem right to you or me.........but it is a fact of life for many who are not in the "gun culture"......that does not make anyone wrong or right....that is just life.....

Bustah_c

Nice piece, Deputy.
Here's another reason; When my wife was an older teen, her father showed her how to use the .22 rifle. He had other guns but told her he wanted her to reach for the .22 for self defense because it would probably scare off and intruder, and probably wouldn't kill them. This way she would not have to live with killing another person.

Cruelshoes

Very well said Deputy. I would rather a loved one of mine be practiced with a 22 thatthey feel comfotable with than to have a larger caliber that freaks them out. One of the biggest mistakes I have made in years was when I encauraged one of my girls to try a center fire handgun too soon. She has shied away since. I do think they will be going out with me again soon, I won't m'e the same mistake again. Heck, I might only bring my rimfires this time.

Also (not to contadict Bustah's post), a 22 at home defense distances can be quite effective, especially with the super quick follow up shots and accuracy available.

44s Rock

On top of what's already been said, they are just plain fun to shoot so much more likelyto practice.

Machinist

Excellent, Deputy.

Jeff Cooper used to write that if one were going to get a small auto like the Walther PP or PPK that it was best to get the .22 as the .32 and .380 still required a precise hit and the cost of .22 ammo would allow more practice to master accuracy. I would still prefer a centerfire for that but I have recommended a .22 as a first or only gun, handgun or rifle, for non gun folks for the reasons you point out. I would certainly feel armed with a good .22.

Thanks for the well reasoned thoughts.

sheepdog

...kudos!!! My Kevin, now 17, has his own .38, but he also keeps a Ruger 10/22 loaded with back-to-back 25-rd mags loaded with stingers...total of 51 shots...I told him if he has time, get the Ruger and chew up whoever's trying to get down the hallway...they'll never make it to the ER...too many holes to stop the bleeding from...only drug-crazed could walk through a handful of them...
...many's the time my High Standard Sentinel Deluxe 4" was my protection...9 shots of .22 LRHP was very comforting...I wouldn't choose either of the above for first choice, but wouldn't feel helpless with either as my only weapon...

...easy to shoot...easy to handle...

...just to spice up the soup a bit...how 'bout the new 30-round .22Mag Pistol that was just released for a house gun?!!!!!

gunman42782

I sure don't want to be shot with one.

44s Rock

I have my HS Sentinal in my night stand right along side my M64 Smith and my 45 Kimber, often times I slip it in my pocket when going outside. I figure 9 shots of 22 Mag will deter most anything cept Bears!

Bountyhunter

The 10/22 is a great indoor defense gun, imo. Not a lot of flash or noise. Quick follow up shots that will be on target. And 10 rounds of 22 inside of 10 yards will do a number on a person. Many, many, people have been killed with just one shot from a 22.

deputy125

that's why i like the rifle...the hit potential is much higher than with a handgun especially for those with minimal training.......and for those who will not want to receive further training.

1o cci stingers oght to do.........

sheepdog

..44s, I had a Sentinel Mark ?? nickel...2 1/2 or 3" bbl in .22 Mag...the trigger stacked badly but it rode in my boot for a long time...

...guys, I'd rather use Stingers than a .380...the bounce factor makes sewing up the leaks more difficult...coroners will tell ya a .22's bad medicine!!!

rooster55

deputy you got it right , also unleashing a muscle gun in a house or confind space is brutal if you don't have time to get the pluges in ! got the wife to shouting the 22 pistol 25 yard 21/2in. groups as fast as she can , which is pretty fast . so as i may say if she says stop and you won't , you will !!!!

deputy125

gotta love a good .22......easy on the hand, shoulder, ears, and pocket book.....

i had an experience the other week in which i was asked to take a lady to the range and teach her how use a .410 break-over.........she had never fired a gun at all........

the loading drills, cocking, firing, reloading again...........i doubt she will ever go back again. if it had been a .22 i would bet she would be back again and again

while i personally love single shot break-overs, i still believe she would be much better off with a .22

rooster55

there is alot to be said about .22 i have a ruger and also a high standard tournament supermatic model 103 SWEET . the high standard was left to me by my father-in-law he said i could do anything i want with it even sell it . i told him before he passed that i would never sell it , i would keep it in the family . this thing shoots so good i want to take it to the grave with me !! the first time i shoot it it pulled some really good groups , took it home an d cleaned it ,to notice the front site was flapen in the brezz ! shoot it the next day to be overwhelmed by accuracy , hope GOD will let guns in heaven ??

deputy125

i hear ya......my daddy use to talk about a high standard auto............it along with several other guns parted ways when he got hurt in the oil field so i never really knew that gun......

he spoke highly of high standard.

arkansas45

Very good thread and it got me to thinking about my youth. In my Family, there weren't any Rifle Caliber larger that the .22lr. until I was grown. We used it to put meat on the table, which included Venison. Killed hogs with it. Now we think we have to use some kind of Center fire Mag. to hunt with. I would not attack someone that had a .22 of any kind. You could easily get killed.

sheepdog

...what was the .22 full-auto rifle out in the 70s with a horizontal drum mag that they used for prison yard control...think it was called "American" something or other...the mag reminded me of a slide projector carousel...

deputy125

is that the one they named after at cat????

calico or something like that?

Bustah_c

Calico Submachine gun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhTp-QzSvUE

Machinist

Not the Calico.

This had a 177 round flat horizontal drum on top like the old Lewis machinegun. It weighed something like 12 or 18 lbs and was sold to police departments for anti sniper fire suppression or riot control. It had a high rate of fire, like 20 rounds per second.

Like this but larger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRjygiXd ... re=related