Need a suggestion - .22LR for concealed carry?

[Jack Stilts]

To start - I have a Ruger LC9. 9mm, fun to shoot. Real small. I like it a lot. But I just picked up a 10/22 Takedown and that got me thinking - do I really want to carry two different types of ammo? I signed up for a CPL class to get my carry permit, and being survival-minded, I don't see a reason to bring two different ammo types when I go adventuring. Thinking about trading in the LC9 for the SR22. I don't want to get into a debate about calibers. I don't need a Desert Eagle if I can shoot a quarter at 20 yards with a .22. My question is this: would the trade-in be worth it?

Pros:
Cheap ammo
One type of ammo for both guns
CHEAP AMMO

Cons:
.22 is less of a powerhouse than a 9mm
SR22 is slightly larger than the LC9, which becomes a problem for concealed carry

http://www.ruger.com/products/lc9/specSheets/3200.html

http://www.ruger.com/products/sr22Pistol/specSheets/3600.html


Now, being a man of lean stature, the LC9 was going to prove to be a challenge to conceal. If I get the SR22, it will be even more of a problem because it is larger. The good news is that I don't plan on carrying a holster too often; rather I'd have it in my sling bag when I hike, etc. I carry the Takedown in its bag in my cargo area. I could potentially just grab the SR22 and be good to go.

The LC9 is smaller and has a little bit more power, obviously.

I'm just torn. Any ideas?

 

[dhyde79]

.22lr is illegal in most states for concealed carry, .380's the smallest round that most states allow....

Aside from that, I wouldn't want a .22 for self defense, chances of it stopping someone are pretty slim...

to elaborate, if people survive being hit by 9mm, .380, hell, even up through 7.62x39mm (AK/SKS Rifles) a .22 is going to do nothing to stop someone unless you get them in the eye.

 

[Prime]

Agreed. If you ever NEED it, whoever you have to shoot is just going to get annoyed. I wouldn't carry anything smaller than a 9mm.

 

[dhyde79]

Agreed. If you ever NEED it, whoever you have to shoot is just going to get annoyed. I wouldn't carry anything smaller than a 9mm.

agreed, and I wouldn't carry a 9mm either, .40 S&W for me....

 

[Xado89]

9mm plenty of stopping power and good for carry. .22lr is just gonna leave a bunch of little holes in someone that will piss them off bigtime. My Uncle's got a nice Sig Sauer 9mm and Sig Sauer .380. Both very nice. His .380 is a compact to and he has the extended mag for it for 10 rounds instead of 7. Also has a 20 round mag for his 9mm. Gotta love FL, no restrictions!

 

[dhyde79]

9mm plenty of stopping power and good for carry. .22lr is just gonna leave a bunch of little holes in someone that will piss them off bigtime. My Uncle's got a nice Sig Sauer 9mm and Sig Sauer .380. Both very nice. His .380 is a compact to and he has the extended mag for it for 10 rounds instead of 7. Also has a 20 round mag for his 9mm. Gotta love FL, no restrictions!

Agreed, 9mm does, but, I like the big holes a .40 makes

 

[BigTim55]

Springfield xds. Big bullet small gun

Sent from Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters

 

[xterror04]

I'm going to disagree,

If he wants a 22, and that's what he's comfortable shooting then that's perfect for him.

I don't think anyone wants to get shot... As long as he is a good shot a 22 will stop anyone right between the eyes

 

[jmnielsen]

I will add a story here for you to help. My dad did a rotation as an ER doc in his residency. He saw two different people that tried to commit suicide with .22lr pistols. Both tried shooting themselves in the head. One of them had multiple bullets go in one side, follow the fat and skin around the front of the skull, and exit the other side. Nothing but a migraine. The other one had two bullets lodged in the skull, didn't get all the way through, and one bullet actually bounced off.

Case and point, carry nothing small than 38 special.

 

[xterror04]

I'd think a hollow point 22 lr would be ok
http://youtu.be/u_jEfcszqcQ

 

[jmnielsen]

Even if a hollow point would do it. Rimfires and NOT reliable enough to carry. Even if the gun is reliable, ammo isn't. I know in the end people will do what they want, but do some research and then come back and let us know if you think a .22 is good for concealed carry.

 

[dhyde79]

I'm going to disagree,

If he wants a 22, and that's what he's comfortable shooting then that's perfect for him.

I don't think anyone wants to get shot... As long as he is a good shot a 22 will stop anyone right between the eyes

He already has a 9mm. Aside from that, it's not a "wants to carry" matter that stops the .22, it's the LEGAL requirement for concealed pistol to be over a certain caliber.

Also, I promise, for every video or story you find that suggests that a .22 is adequate, you'll find many times more videos and stories showing that it's nowhere near enough. Go look up the ballistic tests, compare a .22lr to 9mm or even .380.

 

[dhyde79]

ok, quick bit of looking, michigan doesn't have a caliber requirement, but, most other states that I've found do, so, while you may be fine in state, as soon as you cross the border, you're illegal because your pistol is too small calibered if you're only carrying a .22LR

I'll go back to my previous point. if you already own a 9mm, don't waste money buying a smaller caliber pistol, especially if you're saying that the .22LR you're looking at is BIGGER than your LCP....

 

[Prime]

agreed, and I wouldn't carry a 9mm either, .40 S&W for me....

Yeah. Both of my carry guns are .40 S&W as well

 

[Xterraforce]

Way back in the early days of carry permits in TN when I got mine they had a rule where if you used any rim fire gun to qualify with, that was all you could carry. If you qualified with center fire you could carry anything. Check out the laws were you live and make sure everything works out. The one I carry most often is a subcompact .45 just because I like large calibers. I'm a big guy though so it's easier for me to conceal and handle. I always tell people to carry what they're comfortable carrying. A small caliber lower power gun you're comfortable with and don't mind carrying with you has a lot more stopping power than a bigger one back at home or in the car because you didn't feel like having it with you.

 

[dhyde79]

Texas is "if you qualify revolver, that's all you get, if you qualify semi-auto you can carry anything"

And it's .380 minimum

 

[SpongeX]

I have my Michigan carry permit...there is no qualifying or anything of the sort. Having said that carrying a 22 is a mistake. Use it for drills/practice. When your life is in danger dont be the guy who has a gun he chose due to cheap ammo. General rule of thumb is carry the largest caliber you can control and shoot accurately. People may tell you its all about shot placement but that is coming from people who have never been in that situation. Choose a round that will get the job done not one that is sufficient.

 

[J Everett]

I know you said you didn't want a discussion about caliber, but .22 is not enough power to base a defense on. Can it kill? Yes. Is it a sure thing? Nope. My wife's little cousin was shot in the face at point blank with a .22 when he was eight (long story, this isn't the place to discuss the hows and whys) and it thankfully did not penetrate the brain cavity. He still has fragments in his sinuses. The surgeons elected to leave them rather than take the risk of performing delicate surgery. Anyway, my point is, if you have to defend from a legitimate threat, you don't want to take the chance that you'll be unable to put your assailant down. .22 leaves too much at risk. Keep the LC9.

 

[SAKS]

I say carry both.....

1 is none
2 is 1
3 is best.

I carry
P95 9mm
.375 revolver
.38 Derringer
Knife
2 Flashlights
1 extra mag of 9mm
1 stripper of .38
1 stripper .357

 

[gamecock257]

I'm not going to caliber debate anymore than say get at least .380 or larger. Even if .22 had the ballistics and power of a .40, semi auto rimfires are just not reliable enough to trust your life with. I'd stick with the LC9.

 

[Acasper708]

The 22 mag round is a bad mofo!
But would I carry a .22? Only
If that was the last thing available. There are way better sizes to carry. Like the one u have already have. I was gonna buy a P22 for super cheap but I passed cause when it comes to personal protection there's better options.
I'm a bulls eye shot with a .22 as well. Was also expert pistol qualified in the military. But in the heat of the moment I can guaranty u won't be hitting bulls eyes!!
You will most likely have to dump ur hole mag on someone. That may be considered excessive force in court.

 

[TKDx00]

I have to agree here. 22 isn't going to stop a large person, but if that's what you're comfortable shooting, so be it. I know a few law enforcement folks and many of them carry .40's. They say .38's can bounce off wind shields and 9's go though a person rather than stop. A few even carry .44's and 1 has .45's (my personal favorite). They're reasoning being they want to stop someone rather than wound.

 

[jmnielsen]

I would argue that with the defensive rounds out there, there is not much of difference at all in 9mm. So little difference that I would say why bother, but to each his own.