Female wants a .22

[1911user]

If she wants a 22 that badly, I'd steer her to a 25 auto at the minimum. It's only 0.03 inches larger in diameter. The 25 auto was designed specifically to be used in 22 rimfire size weapons with a much higher ammo reliability (typical centerfire pistol ammo construction vs. the rebated heel bullet design of the 22 rimfire). I don't know if John Moses Browning specifically was involved in designing it, but he wasn't far away from its' development as well as the 32 auto development. Yes, I know, 25 (and 32) auto ammo is expensive and harder to find compared to 22LR, but it's more reliable. The path for oil (from handling the ammo or an over-oiled pistol) to get to the priming compound is much further for the centerfire 25 (or 32) auto compared to the 22 rimfire with its' rebated heel bullet design.

The 22 magnum is another round to consider; it also uses the more modern design of the bullet seated mostly into the case even if it is a rimfire also.

IMHO, but if someone really wants to carry a 22LR for semi-serious defense, it should be a double action revolver. That way when (NOT if) a round fails to fire they can just pull the trigger again to fire. Really, if a 22LR is the only thing they will carry, are you delusional enough to think they'll actually practice any kind of failure drills for a semi-auto pistol????????????

 

[kd5rjz]

If she wants a 22 that badly, I'd steer her to a 25 auto at the minimum. It's only 0.03 inches larger in diameter. The 25 auto was designed specifically to be used in 22 rimfire size weapons with a much higher ammo reliability (typical centerfire pistol ammo construction vs. the rebated heel bullet design of the 22 rimfire). I don't know if John Moses Browning specifically was involved in designing it, but he wasn't far away from its' development as well as the 32 auto development. Yes, I know, 25 (and 32) auto ammo is expensive and harder to find compared to 22LR, but it's more reliable. The path for oil (from handling the ammo or an over-oiled pistol) to get to the priming compound is much further for the centerfire 25 (or 32) auto compared to the 22 rimfire with its' rebated heel bullet design.

The 22 magnum is another round to consider; it also uses the more modern design of the bullet seated mostly into the case even if it is a rimfire also.

IMHO, but if someone really wants to carry a 22LR for semi-serious defense, it should be a double action revolver. That way when (NOT if) a round fails to fire they can just pull the trigger again to fire. Really, if a 22LR is the only thing they will carry, are you delusional enough to think they'll actually practice any kind of failure drills for a semi-auto pistol????????????

I'd take 22LR over 25ACP any day of the week.

22LR
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy
40 gr (2.6 g) Solid[1] 1,080 ft/s (330 m/s) 104 ft·lbf (141 J)
38 gr (2.5 g) Copper-plated HP[1] 1,260 ft/s (380 m/s) 134 ft·lbf (182 J)
31 gr (2.0 g) Copper-plated HP[1] 1,430 ft/s (440 m/s) 141 ft·lbf (191 J)
30 gr (1.9 g) Copper-Plated RN[2] 1,750 ft/s (530 m/s) 204 ft·lbf (277 J)
32 gr (2.1 g) Copper-Plated HP[2] 1,640 ft/s (500 m/s) 191 ft·lbf (259 J)


25ACP
Primer type Boxer Small Pistol
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy
35 gr (2.3 g) Safety 1,100 ft/s (340 m/s) 94 ft·lbf (127 J)
35 gr (2.3 g) JHP 900 ft/s (270 m/s) 63 ft·lbf (85 J)
45 gr (2.9 g) JHP 815 ft/s (248 m/s) 66 ft·lbf (89 J)
50 gr (3.2 g) FMJ 760 ft/s (230 m/s) 65 ft·lbf (88 J)


Even though John Browning was involved in developing the 25ACP, it still really really really sucks.

 

[ronny]

kd5rjz, I would agree with you 100%. There was a time when I carried a Beretta 21 in .22lr when circumstances were restsrictive. I loaded alternating CCI Stinger hp's and MiniMax solids. Although I'd prefer her to carry something bigger, if she insists on a .22, this arrangment gives her an edge and, I believe, is superior to .25.

However, the real point to carrying is to be able to stop the assailant. This means close range. Whatever, if a person gathers their weapon into their chest 2-handed and triple-taps 3 to the face, the mission is accomplished. Or, if not, it offers enough time to do the job right.

 

[kd5rjz]

kd5rjz, I would agree with you 100%. There was a time when I carried a Beretta 21 in .22lr when circumstances were restsrictive. I loaded alternating CCI Stinger hp's and MiniMax solids. Although I'd prefer her to carry something bigger, if she insists on a .22, this arrangment gives her an edge and, I believe, is superior to .25.

However, the real point to carrying is to be able to stop the assailant. This means close range. Whatever, if a person gathers their weapon into their chest 2-handed and triple-taps 3 to the face, the mission is accomplished. Or, if not, it offers enough time to do the job right.

I've carried a Beretta 21a off and on for years. Very reliable pistol!

 

[cpolesen]

Wow I had no idea some of you would take the rock vs .22 seriously. I did take the advise to shoot a variety of calibers, so she tried a .380, a 9mm and a .38 revolver. She bought a Ruger SR .22lr I guess i should have succumbed to her wishes in the first place. Thanks for the replies.

 

[ronny]

At least 50% of the right choice for anyone is just getting the one they want and feel good with.

 

[1911user]

I'd take 22LR over 25ACP any day of the week.

22LR
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy
40 gr (2.6 g) Solid[1] 1,080 ft/s (330 m/s) 104 ft·lbf (141 J)
38 gr (2.5 g) Copper-plated HP[1] 1,260 ft/s (380 m/s) 134 ft·lbf (182 J)
31 gr (2.0 g) Copper-plated HP[1] 1,430 ft/s (440 m/s) 141 ft·lbf (191 J)
30 gr (1.9 g) Copper-Plated RN[2] 1,750 ft/s (530 m/s) 204 ft·lbf (277 J)
32 gr (2.1 g) Copper-Plated HP[2] 1,640 ft/s (500 m/s) 191 ft·lbf (259 J)


25ACP
Primer type Boxer Small Pistol
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy
35 gr (2.3 g) Safety 1,100 ft/s (340 m/s) 94 ft·lbf (127 J)
35 gr (2.3 g) JHP 900 ft/s (270 m/s) 63 ft·lbf (85 J)
45 gr (2.9 g) JHP 815 ft/s (248 m/s) 66 ft·lbf (89 J)
50 gr (3.2 g) FMJ 760 ft/s (230 m/s) 65 ft·lbf (88 J)


Even though John Browning was involved in developing the 25ACP, it still really really really sucks.

I question if the listed 22LR velocities are from a 3" pistol barrel. They look like they're from a 22 rifle.

I think both 22LR and 25 auto suck when 32 or 380 are options; 9mm or 38sp+P are where I'd start being comfortable.

At a minimum, teach the new SR22 owner the Tap-Rack-Bang drill in case of misfire.

 

[kd5rjz]

I question if the listed 22LR velocities are from a 3" pistol barrel. They look like they're from a 22 rifle.

I think both 22LR and 25 auto suck when 32 or 380 are options; 9mm or 38sp+P are where I'd start being comfortable.

At a minimum, teach the new SR22 owner the Tap-Rack-Bang drill in case of misfire.

Meh, I rank 380 up there with 25acp as an fairly useless load. 32/9mm/38 I feel comfortable with, although factory 38sp loads today are fairly pathetic - I generally don't recommend going 38spl to people who don't reload. That said, you can kill a man with any of them, and unless you want to date/marry someone fat enough to conceal a full size 1911, you're going to have to let them carry something smaller.

 

[n423]

I'll second the recommendation about finding a more reliable pistol than the Sig Skeeter. They are iffy at best, and jamm-o-matics at worst, and the latter is at least as common as the former.

I had a Sig Squito and smoothed the ramp. Worked perfect after that.


I shot my Bersa .22 today and it fed Remy's fine, But it didn't like the Winchester ammo. I will keep this one....

 

[bootsbaker]

well.. im a woman and I don't think rocks are better than a .22, that being said I carry a xd subcompact 40. its a great gun, ive never had any problems with it jamming etc. Yes it does pack a little punch but I have noticed since I switched to a heavier grained ammunition that it really seemed to help with that. Also when I put in a higher capacity magazine it takes away alot of recoil, but the higher cap mag is not really suitable for concealed carry. I have really small hands and the gun fits me great. I don't have any problems operating the slide or mag release etc. But if your wife only feels comfortable with a 22 then by all means start her out there so she gets comfortable handling a firearm, You don't want to get her something that she can't handle or doesn't want that would be a danger to everyone including your wife. Someone mentioned purse carry, this drives me nuts there is no way I would ever carry a firearm in my purse ever!