small .22 auto

[nightrunner]

what are some good semi-auto .22LR SMALL guns out there? my dad is looking for one to keep on his motorcycle.

the walther p22 is too big for him, he says. he kinda likes the size of the .32 keltec.

i reccommended the beretta 21A, any others?

oh, and i tried to rationalize with a little bigger caliber, but he wants the .22LR

[Good_Steward]

Don't know of a better choice than the 21a if a Walther P22 is too big. Never thought I'd hear that. lol

[nightrunner]

yea, i would say something that fits in a vest pocket, size wise.

[Shark1591]

I agree. If you need a small 22LR the Beretta is great. I have not found any ammo mine will not eat.

[Eric]

Another suggestion is the Beretta 950 in .22 short or .25 auto... the centerfire is better.... i have had all three and I like my nickel 950BS the best.

[I_Like_Pie]

For Self Defense? There are several small revolvers in .22lr

Taurus makes one.

Also...A single action Bearcat might light his fire....Or a even derringer

[nightrunner]

yes for self-defense:rolleyes: he says he wants a semi-auto, not a revolver, might suggest a derringer to him.

[mousegunner]

Taurus makes a Beretta knock off, which some say is better than the Beretta. Here's a review link:

Genitron.com - Review: Taurus PT-22, Phoenix Arms HP22 and Walther P22

[Guest gunlovingirl]

I don't mean to disagree with anyone's choice of carry gun, but why would he want a .22 for self defense? Seems to me that shooting bg with a .22 would just pi** him off. jmo

[mousegunner]

It's not the caliber, it's the placement. A .22 well placed will stop someone quicker than a .45 not well placed. And a little .22 in your pocket is invisible until needed. On the other hand, a Kel-Tec p3at or Ruger LCP in .380 would be just as small as a .22, and probably be a bit more effective. On the third hand you can practice all day long with .22 ammo, and .380 is pretty pricey!

[TN9mm]

I don't mean to disagree with anyone's choice of carry gun, but why would he want a .22 for self defense? Seems to me that shooting bg with a .22 would just pi** him off. jmo

Perhaps, but I think the supposed puny .22 is vastly underrated and underestimated by many. Competent shot placement and high quality ammo are key, it can be a devastating round especially in a cumulative effect. There are many (very many) 6ft under that were a little more than just pi**ed off from being hit by a .22.

All handgun calibers have succeeded and failed at stopping an opponent. Sure "bigger holes bleed more" and every other cliche you would like to throw out there. However, you can not argue that a .22 in your pocket when the SHTF instead of a .45 in the safe is way, way better. It's all about options, and what you are comfortable with. JMHO

With that said, I carry a 9mm (what else would TN9MM be packin) and there are some, more than some, that think that is too small. I humbly disagree and that is fine. #1 rule to a gun fight.....have a gun!

[TN9mm]

It's not the caliber, it's the placement. A .22 well placed will stop someone quicker than a .45 not well placed. And a little .22 in your pocket is invisible until needed. On the other hand, a Kel-Tec p3at or Ruger LCP in .380 would be just as small as a .22, and probably be a bit more effective. On the third hand you can practice all day long with .22 ammo, and .380 is pretty pricey!

__________________

Yea....what he said! +1 mousegunner

[Good_Steward]

People underestimate the .22. I'll tell you something right now, if I'm looking down the barrel of anything, I don't care if it's a .22 or a 500 Smith, I'm leaving them the heck alone. That .22 will ricochet around and cause some serious damage, especially, as someone else said, if you're loaded with quality ammo like the CCI Mini Mag, Stinger, or Velocitor.

Edited May 28, 2009 by Good_Steward

[Good_Steward]

Also, if he wants to look at Derringer type pistols, he may want to think about one in 22 Win Mag. Vicious little rounds for sure. I have a Marlin 925 in 22 mag, and it's deadly on crows and other small varmints (I've killed racoons with it at 100, never even moved, just fell over) up to 125 yards. I imagine a center mass shot at 1 - 2 yards would really put a serious hurtin' on someone.

[Bocephus]

I have one of these I might sell or trade.

GunsAmerica - Smith & Wesson 61-3 Escort - Smith & Wesson Pistols - Autos > .22 Autos - Guns For Sale & Gun Auctions B"H

[cybernorris]

Here's the Taurus PT-22 up against a LCP. Note the .22 is slightly larger.

BTW, my Taurus has never misfired or misfed on me. It has the same tip-up barrel design as the Beretta.

Edited June 1, 2009 by cybernorris

[Guest m4coyote]

Probably the best small .22 auto I have ever owned was the Walther TPH. It is not imported any more, but if you can find a used one they are excellent. Mine was small, thin, extremely accurate, and very dependable.

[Cowtown]

I carry a ruger LCP in my vest pocket while riding my bike fits in perfectly. I keep in in a stickopauli holster. Of course my Glock .40 is always close by in the saddle bag.

[wjh2657]

Check the pawn shops for a S&W 2214. Mine is utra reliable-feeds and fires anything in LR I put in it. It is also acceptable in the accuracy dept. I'll never sell or trade mine, it is a little "wonder gun."

[Guest lilredhunter]

Sounds like he needs a mouse gun or something lose. I would consider the Walther 21a, kel-tec P3At .380 maybe the Taurus PT22 which is a knock off of a Beretta . The Beretta tomcat would be a good one. If you can find one the S&W Sigma .380 is fairly smaller than the P22. Maybe consider even a davis or cobra derringer. Now I know I mentioned a couple that many folks don't care for. But for something that will be neglected maost likely ,I would not put a whole lot of money into it.