22 caliber for home defense? Really?

I know, I know, some of you are already laughing at the idea, but hear me out.

I’m just getting back into shooting, and while I can manage a 9mm in a pinch, I need something my wife and I can both handle easily. We’ll upgrade eventually, but for now, .22 seems like a good start.

We tried a suppressed Ruger Mk IV over the weekend, and it was a blast. Quiet as a mouse fart! The only issue was some ammo duds, which I think were caused by cheap rounds or lack of maintenance. With proper care and premium ammo like Federal Punch, I think this could be a solid choice.

I’m also considering the Walther WMP 22 Magnum. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’ve read good reviews. It seems like it could offer more reliability and power compared to standard .22LR.

Any thoughts on these two? Or maybe you have other suggestions for something easy to use but reliable? Let me know—except if it’s S&W. They’re off my list permanently.

Why not a P365 in .380ACP? Super easy to handle, barely any recoil, and way more reliable than rimfire rounds.

Look, I know a .22 isn’t ideal, but I’m pretty sure getting hit with 1-10 rounds of it would still stop most people. Am I wrong?

Reagan said:
Look, I know a .22 isn’t ideal, but I’m pretty sure getting hit with 1-10 rounds of it would still stop most people. Am I wrong?

You’re not wrong, but the concern is that some attackers on drugs or wearing armor might keep going after being shot. That’s why people lean toward bigger calibers.

@Olin
I once saw a video of a guy on drugs who got hit point-blank 5-6 times with a .22 and still managed to walk away.

Reagan said:
Look, I know a .22 isn’t ideal, but I’m pretty sure getting hit with 1-10 rounds of it would still stop most people. Am I wrong?

The problem isn’t whether a .22 can hurt someone; it’s whether it can stop them before they hurt you. A bigger caliber is more likely to end the threat with fewer shots.

Why not look into a 9mm carbine? Easier to shoot than a pistol, less recoil, and way more reliable than .22.

I have a Ruger 22/45 Lite, and I’d trust it for home defense in a pinch. Reliable, accurate, and with good ammo like Federal Punch, it’s solid. A revolver in .22 might also be worth considering—no jams to worry about!

I’ve heard .22 Magnum can be less reliable than .22LR in some cases. Anyone know if that’s still true?

Mika said:
I’ve heard .22 Magnum can be less reliable than .22LR in some cases. Anyone know if that’s still true?

That was true decades ago, but rimfire reliability has improved a lot in recent years. Just make sure to test your ammo in your specific gun.

I used to rely on a 10/22 Charger for home defense because of concerns about over-penetration. It’s short, accurate, and gets the job done. If .22 is all you’re comfortable with, make sure to practice a lot.

A 9mm PCC like a CZ Scorpion or AR9 would be a better option. Easier to handle and still low recoil. Don’t underestimate what your wife can handle, either!

Francis said:
A 9mm PCC like a CZ Scorpion or AR9 would be a better option. Easier to handle and still low recoil. Don’t underestimate what your wife can handle, either!

You’re right—she’s already a better shot than me, so I’d better be careful what I say!

.22 isn’t great for stopping an attacker. Even high-quality ammo can’t match the stopping power of centerfire rounds. I’d suggest a PCC or a .380 pistol as a better alternative.

I like .22 for defense when paired with the right ammo. Federal Punch and CCI Mini-Mags are great choices. If you go this route, practice clearing malfunctions just in case.

A .22 is great for defending yourself against squirrels, I guess.

Keagan said:
A .22 is great for defending yourself against squirrels, I guess.

Never underestimate squirrels. They’re evil!

If you’re concerned about recoil, consider a suppressed PCC in .45 ACP. Quiet, effective, and easy to shoot.

Why not try a .380 in a medium-frame pistol? Less recoil than a 9mm, but still way more effective than a .22.

.22 can work if it’s what you have. Just make sure to practice and use reliable ammo. A carbine might be better than a pistol for accuracy.