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

I have had several women ask me for advice on a gun for home defense. In each case I took them and a series of guns to the range to try them. One of them was unable (not strong enough) to pull the double action trigger on a S&W Model 60 ( Chief's Special), she was also unable to rack the slide on two different 9mm pistols. She elected to forgo the gun.
The others did well with the Mod 60, and I got them new Ladysmith's and some factory ammo.

As to 148 gr HBWC loaded backwards, 50 years ago I tried one from my Model 60 2" barreled 38 special against a Polycarbonate Clipboard which was advertised as a "bulletproof" shield a police officer could carry when approaching a vehicle. This particular board had many bullets glued to it, in the depression caused by their impact. That included 38, 357, 9mm, 44 mag.

When I shot it with the reversed wadcutter, it went right through, cutting a perfect hole, and knocking a corner 1/4 of the board size right off. I have no idea what that would do to a person, so I use factory ammo in my carry guns.
 
One could do worse than a 22LR loaded with CCI stingers. And i don't think it would have to be limited to a revolver. An old school Ruger standard with a magazine full of hypervelocity 22LR ammo would be a decent choice in my opinion.
 
Six hits with a 22 is better that seven misses with a 45.
I am a strong advocate of rounds on target, so without all the details I’m going to suggest she uses the one she can hit with.

Another suggestion is to find a reasonable caliber in a gun that checks most of your boxes and train, train, train. I don’t mean going to the local gun range and running a couple of mags through it and calling it good.
 
If it means anything, I see MANY 22 LR cartridges laying on the ground at my range with a firing pin imprint and the bullet still in the case. May be the result of cheap ammo but what I saw is enough to dissuade me from carrying a 22LR for self defense. 22LR would be last choice but still much better than nothing!
It’s cheap ammo all the way. Buy quality and that BS will stop unless you have a defective pistol.
 
Never use your reloads in a defens handgun. UR asking for a legal nightmare if you ever have to use it.
 

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