Is the .22 Rimfire a viable self defense round?

[LightningCrash]

I think it depends on the circumstances. As a CCW, no.

In a Katrina situation, if you're on a rooftop with a 10/22 and a duffle bag full of loaded 30rd mags, I don't care who's on the receiving end of that fire, they're gonna have a bad time.

 

[swampratt]

This i do not think is true...funny though!!
QUOTE:My .22 has saved me from many a rogue, charging armadillos!

If you shoot a person in the gut or throat or face i bet it will slow him down...
If i was really in the position to bug out...i would not take that heavy 30-06.. i would split with the .22 and all the ammo i could carry.
You could survive quite a long time in the sticks with a couple pockets full of ammo ...I would say a couple years easily if you make the shots count...
If the .22 you have is not reliable , you may need to rethink your ammo or cleaning habits..
I have never had issues with any of my .22's unless they were fouled up and dirty..
Now that i clean all my weapons after i am done shooting for the day i no longer have any issues..
Been doing it that way for 20 years and no issues..

 

[kd5rjz]

While it's obviously not perfect, I would take .22LR over useless rounds like .25ACP and .380 any day.

 

[kirk1978]

I say yes, can fire until empty without recoil. 25-30 rounds in BG and Id think he/she is stopped..........then call 911.

 

[JonDough]

i say:

You start shooting someone in the face with a 22....they are gunna stop doing what they are doing. : )

 

[Biggsly]

I would say yes in a bug out. It is easy to toss a couple of 10/22s on your back and a pistol in your back pocket. 1 50cal ammo can will hold about 9,000 rds of 22lr.

 

[F16mickey]

Yes, but if someone uses it for SD they need to be using something other than bulk .22, My favorite is CCI Velocitor.
With that said I would not suggest using a 22 for someone who can handle the recoil of a 38 or 9mm but it is a viable round.

 

[Tampabucs]

You certainly could kill someone with a 22 with proper shot placement, but with adrenaline flowing I wouldn't want to count on making a perfect shot to stop someone. There's no way I would conceal carry a .22 for stopping a human. I always get a chuckle out of these micro pistols with super short barrels chambered in 25 acp etc,. I'm thinking if you truly got in a shootout is that what you would want in your hands? Imagine a guy starts a mass shooting at a walmart and you have a 22 or some micro pistol. Sure, it may be better than nothing, but I just carry the glock 30 that packs 10 rounds of 45 acp. I hope to never need it, but it's a heck of a lot better than some small caliber pistol, IMHO.

I know this wasn't would you rather have a .22 or a 45, but if I'm going to carry then I know the direction I am going. I mean, if you are going to fool with carrying at all why not carry something that you know is adequate?

 

[Cinaet]

It's not a 'man-stopper'. In a pinch I'd rather have at least a 380. But a .22 is better than nothing.

 

[HMFIC]

Why? Did you find some 22lr ammo?

ROFL! For the win...