Looking for a .22 Handgun. Help?

[St-Hubert]

Has anyone mentioned the .22 WMR (22 Winchester Magnum)? I don't know that it comes in a semi-auto yet (I think Kel-Tec is working on one for release soon), but I have a Ruger Single Six that has interchangeable barrels with .22LR and .22WMR. The WMR packs a lot of punch and has a high muzzle velocity.

 

[Dogfish]

That new Keltech in .22WMR is a sweet little gun and will be fairly spendy as well at over $400. You can buy a reasonably good .22LR rifle for under $200. For a pistol, you'll be in the $300+ range.

 

[Glenbogel06]

I do not like guns. They scare the *** out of me since I don't feel confident with them. That being said . . . my family has a .22 revolver handgun. I did actually use it to shoot a raccoon that had killed a bunch of my chickens. (Killed it dead on the 1st shot). I think that is only the 2nd time I had shot a gun, and although it was loud to me, it sure wasn't as loud as my brother's handgun (a semi-automatic something or other) and it got the job done. So I can say now, that I am as comfortable with that gun as I am likely to be.

 

[pips&peeps]

The hottest thing on the market right now for personal protection is the Ruger LCP.

It is a .38 and fits nicely in your hand; the barrel is just barely longer than your index finger.

 

[Kayakguy]

Pips, I believe you left out a 0. The LCP is a .380, In my opinion bare minimum for self defense. But it is small and handy.

However because of it's somewhat limited sights I would hesitate to recommend it for protecting the flock. but for a purse or pocket gun it seems nice.

 

[orbirdman]

Quote:
IMO you cant go wrong with a revolver, you load it, you point, you squeeze the trigger, and it goes bang.
Now as far as caliber, you have plenty of choices. Best bet is to find a range or shop that will let you rent and or has a shooting day that you can check out multiple guns in several calibers.R
If it were me i would be looking at the Ruger MII/III's you can modify the guns to all hell, including silencers if your state supports those rights. Combined with subsonic ammo and your neighbor will only think you farted when you just sent that possum/raccoon to its eternal rest.

 

[LuggNutt]

I am a great fan of Walther and you can't go wrong with their P22

http://www.waltherpistols.com/category/39-Walther_P22_Handguns.aspx

Prefer the P99 in 9mm myself. (which the P22 is based on) as it works great for predator control of both the 4 footed and 2 footed types.

 

[bulldoggin74]

pips&peeps :

The hottest thing on the market right now for personal protection is the Ruger LCP.

It is a .38 and fits nicely in your hand; the barrel is just barely longer than your index finger.

http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:...&h=78&w=84&usg=__dn5XgQ8Qt-PFcU3AxAVR3zan1wY=

It is a .380 ACP....not to be confused with .38 S&W Special or just .38 special, and it is an AWESOME gun for self defense and for concealed carry...in fact, it's what I carry myself. Problem is if she is wanting something that doesn't kick, the Ruger LCP in .380 is not the gun she wants...this gun packs ALOT of punch!! A .380 is nothing more than a 9mm bullet in a smaller shell casing (they are made on the same machine in the ammo factory) and the LCP is half the size of the S&W she doesn't like because of the recoil (the smaller the gun the more recoil). I'm with the others that have said what it sounds like is you just need proper training and practice (no offense meant with that comment). If you are set on a .22 I highly recommend the SIG Mosquito, but I must tell you that it will not feed anything but CCI ammo (which happens to be the most expensive .22 ammo on the market), anything else wants to misfeed and stovepipe! I am also a fan of the Ruger MK III and the Ruger MK III .22/45, they are both very accurate and easy to use (and will feed rocks!) I'm also with the others that suggested you find a local range that rents guns...try them all out and find out which one you like best! You may be surprised!! (I actually just found a new love for the S&W M&P in .45ACP...never been a fan of the .45, but now just found out I'm actually not a fan of the 1911) Sorry for rambling, but I could go on and on about this...and if I lived closer to you, I would be willing to help you out in person!!! Hope some of this helped...feel free to PM me if you have any questions and I'll be will to help all I can.

**ETA** IMO I'm not suggesting you spend a fortune, but if you go cheap your getting what you pay for...a cheap gun is alot like a diaper...it's good for wiping you hiney once and throwing it away. They are made with cheaper less quality materials and you end up with broken firing pins, etc and eventually end up putting more money into it than you would have spent paying for a quality gun in the first place!​

 

[ironjerry]

I have a Rossi 22/410 youth model rifle. It has two barrels so it can shoot 22 and 20 ga shotgun shells. One screw releases the barrel to switch -really simple. My daughter and wife both shoot it. When the 22 barrel is on I use 22 shotgun type shells for rats in the barn. My kids are grown but I leave the rifle on the porch with shells on the mantle in family room. It cost $99.00 at Dick's Sporting Goods.

 

[RocketDad]

Ruger mk2 or 3 - easy to shoot, very reliable. Pain in the butt to clean, but you can learn to do it efficiently. Downside, it's pretty large, and the mk3 has a stupid barrel design (in my opinion - I have a mk2, 6" tapered barrel).

Revolvers have the advantage of being rugged, easy to clean, very safe to carry, and you can get a nice compact model. Most major makers have a good one.


Whatever you get, practice with it a lot at distances you expect to use it.