Self Defense Choice: .22 LR Revolver or .38 Special With Wad Cutters

[centershot]

I am looking for a lower noise and recoil revolver for self defense.
So what is better, a 10 shot .22 LR revolver or a .38 Special 5 shot with wad cutters?
I know at one time people were loading hollow base wad cutter backwards and also Federal had a Hy Shock round that was a hollow base wad cutter with a post in it.
What kind of wound would the wad cutter produce?
What are your thoughts?

 

[Rick in Oregon]

There's been beaucoup articles in American Handgunner on this subject lately.
The overall consensus is the .38 even with mild loads, WC's or lead HP's are much better suited to SD over any 22LR handgun, period.

This conclusion was derived from LEO's, and various writers and 'experts' of note. But let's face it, any gun, regardless of caliber is better than nothing in "that" situation we all dread. I've carried both at one time or another, felt more secure when my Smith M60 was with me. YMMV

As far as wound types, an acquaintance ME in a GA metro city told me that the WC wounds he's seen appear like the wound was done by a round punch just like with paper, and pretty much did what any bullet would do inside on the way to where it stopped. He also told me that he can tell when the hoodrats come in shot up multiple times over the ones with only one hole......9mm FMJ's vs .45 ACP.

 

[Downhill]

Shot placement is always the deciding factor. My LEO buddy told me about a 190lb man hit 5 times with a 45ACP walking out of the hospital a week later. And about a 315lb man dropped by 1 well placed 25ACP.

 

[DiffEQ]

22 Mag revolver

 

[cmysix]

.38 special has killed an awful lot of people.

 

[Just Say Moe]

Nobody in their right mind would recommend a 22 anything for self defense. Get some 38sp 90 grain Hornady Critical Defense Lite. I have some for my wife's SP101.

 

[gpoldblue]

I am looking for a lower noise and recoil revolver for self defense.
So what is better, a 10 shot .22 LR revolver or a .38 Special 5 shot with wad cutters?
I know at one time people were loading hollow base wad cutter backwards and also Federal had a Hy Shock round that was a hollow base wad cutter with a post in it.
What kind of wound would the wad cutter produce?
What are your thoughts?

A good big one will always beat a good little one......ALWAYS!!

 

[ballisticdaddy]

I use 22LR for varmint control and can't even fathom anyone recommending it for personal defense. As you live in a 2A friendly state grab a suppressor which will be great with noise and even help a bit with recoil.

 

[mike mccormick]

A 38 wadcutter in the guts is a painful way to die. No worries of over penetration either.

 

[Knotwild]

I think it's hard to have power and reduced noise. Do you have size limitations? If not I personally like the Model 19 4" S&W. People, me included, always want less weight, less size, less noise (in your case) and less recoil. All of those things mean less power to end a predicament. I don't think you will notice the noise if you have to use the pistol to save a life. As far as a .22lr goes, I don't care about the stories about them being sufficient. They might be if you use it like Robert Duvall used his North American Arms in "The Last Flamingo.

Otherwise, if you get caught in a bad situation, you're going to wish you had all the gun you could practically carry and hide. I feel most secure myself with a concealed carry SIG 1911 in 45ACP. And I am confident with it. Ask any LEO or Military that has been in hairy conditions about it and see if they would have been happy with 10 rds of 22lr.

Maybe a good solution for you would be an S&W 632 in 327 Federal. 3"barrel, 6 rounds, and potent. It would allow you to practice with 32 S&W and or 32 S&W Long.

 

[nakneker]

Like post #2 too stated “let's face it, any gun, regardless of caliber is better than nothing”. Having said that I’d take a 38 special revolver over any kind of 22 for self defense. Sure, load a 22 with some hyper velocity 22 HP ammo and it will do some damage but the 38 special will do more. Gun fights rarely last beyond the first couple of shots but when they do you may wish for a compact mag fed centerfire of some kind.

I’ve watched all kinds of actual self defense videos, I’m not an expert by any means but one thing becomes clear quick. Most people lose their head and don’t act rationally, most people aren’t familiar with their gun of choice especially under pressure. I’m not sure it matters what gun you use if you don’t train to use it, it becomes evident real fast watching actual videos that many people lose all control. It’s amazing how many people in those situations make basic mistakes, like dropping a mag, including LE.

I have a model 60 and quite a few 22 pistols, many smaller ones but I haven’t packed any of them for self defense for decades. My current carry is an Sig 365 XL comp, 15 rounds, reliable and it doesn’t take much more room than my model 60 if any more room for that matter. Just food for thought.

 

[K22]

There has been a lot of law enforcement research conducted on this topic. There has also been a lot of misinformation disseminated about this topic. When you enter the world of a defensive pistol craft you are describing a lethal threat situation where your life is on the life.

Low recoil and low noise are issues for recreational shooting, not defensive pistol ammunition. What is need is ammunition with enough stopping power to neutralize a threat quickly so the threat cannot harm you. A 22 LR or 38 with hollow base wadcutters do not fit that need. If you have a 38 Special and choose to use for self-defense select ammunition designed for self-defense purposes. For example, see post # 6.

Also, before making the choice to carry a firearm for self-defense purposes, you would be wise obtain some training designed to teach defensive tactics and the law regarding the use of lethal force.

 

[357Mag]

I am looking for a lower noise and recoil revolver for self defense.
So what is better, a 10 shot .22 LR revolver or a .38 Special 5 shot with wad cutters?
I know at one time people were loading hollow base wad cutter backwards and also Federal had a Hy Shock round that was a hollow base wad cutter with a post in it.
What kind of wound would the wad cutter produce?
What are your thoughts?

Centers hot -

Howdy !

Go with a handgun you can both shoot well with, and be able to conceal as necessary.
Confidence in your capabilities with chosen the gun & ammo is essential.

Dress to accomodate enough gun vs choosing a minimalist gun as an adjunct to wearing minimalist clothing. Bermuda shorts, Hawaiian shirt, and flip flops themselves won't
" stop " an assailant.

Whatever you go with..... " practice...practice...practice ".


With regards,
357Mag

 

[farmerjohn]

Hey Feller, as several have said, confidence in your ability to shoot where you are looking in a hurry is the deciding factor in which of the two you mentioned. If you are confidant of your ability to head shoot him, either one will do the trick. If you aren't sure then go with the 38 and aim for the pelvic area.... John

 

[centershot]

I guess I should have mentioned that this is for my wife.

 

[dave@aDave]

.38 special has killed an awful lot of people.

I seem to remember that back in my childhood (1950s) a lot of small town police carried a .32.
If someone had a .38 Special they had an awful lot of firepower for some reason.

 

[DRK]

What's wrong with the old FBI load? 158 gr LSWCHP, worked for decades.

 

[Rocketvapor]

If this is "For the Wife", what do YOU use?
Esplane to her that your job is to protect the family.
Her job is do cower down and watch you get shot by a group breaking into the house.
(kidding of course).
My wife and I have been to a few "Training" sessions where women start off limp wristing little semi-auto handguns. Little ones (both the women and the guns) and it takes commitment to rack and dump.

I say get training for the wife. Let her work with little guns to bigger guns. Once she has the practice, let her pick the gun to protect herself. Lower noise and recoil, sounds like she is afraid of guns.

Mine picked a pretty Kimber 1911 and a little 17 shot 9mm.

 

[TTE]

If you are stuck on the idea of a .22, I'd go with a .22 mag.

Something not to discount .... diameter matters

 

[Rocketvapor]

We have one of those cheap convertible 22/22mag revolvers (range toy) and the muzzle blast from the mag is about as bad as my model 19.
First few times with my Redhawk (44 mag) she was a little apprehensive.