If you’re considering a .22 handgun for the first time, you’re not alone. Many women want a firearm that’s easy to shoot, simple to operate, and comfortable in smaller hands. This article breaks down what to look for in a beginner-friendly .22 pistol, explains the pros and cons of popular options, and offers practical advice to help you choose a handgun you’ll feel confident using.
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In this article
This article was updated in July 2026 with current handgun options and guidance for beginner shooters.
Where I Started
The very first handgun I ever fired was a .22 Ruger. My husband and I took a quick, spontaneous detour to an indoor shooting range, and before I knew it, I was suited up with “eyes and ears,” aka safety goggles and ear plugs. Moments later, there I was. Standing in front of a target, with hubby alongside giving me my first shooting lesson with a .22 pistol.
Although my Dad occasionally hunted and I remember going out to the desert to practice with a little .22 rifle, we were never a “gun family”. This was all-new territory for me.
I felt like an outsider at the gun range, but over time, I became more comfortable, confident, and skilled with a handgun.
Why a .22 Handgun Is a Popular Choice for Women
One of the main concerns I hear from women who want to learn how to shoot a handgun is the recoil. “Will I get hurt when I pull the trigger?”
That’s not an unreasonable fear, but with a .22 pistol or revolver, it’s a non-issue. These handguns have a low recoil, and even a younger person or someone with weak hand-strength can handle one.
You’ll still want to wear proper ear protection, but a .22 handgun is noticeably easier on your ears than most larger calibers.
Another reason to start learning with a .22 handgun is cheap ammo. Over the years, the cost of ammunition has become more and more expensive. The current price for a “brick” of 500-600 rounds is less than $40. You’ll appreciate lower prices when you begin to practice your shooting skills regularly and in earnest since you can easily go through 100-200 rounds in an hour of practice.
With a .22 handgun, you can practice every skill needed, if or when you move on to larger calibers. Stance, grip, trigger control, sight alignment, and breathing are some of the individual skills you can learn and master that transfer to every other firearm.
To top it off, it’s not a bad self-defense weapon, either, but training and practice are key!
What to Look for in a .22 Handgun (Fit Matters More Than Brand)
The best advice I have for anyone shopping around for a small-size handgun is to go to a range that rents guns, and practice with many different sizes, models, and brands. Even if you’re a novice, you’ll quickly notice what matters most to you as you narrow down the choices for your own personal hangun.
Grip Size and Hand Comfort
Grip size and hand comfort are two of the most important factors when choosing a handgun. A gun that fits your hand well will be easier to control, more accurate, and more comfortable to practice with.
You should be able to:
- Reach the trigger without shifting your grip
- Operate the controls easily
- Wrap both hands securely around the grip
- Hold the gun without it feeling bulky or unstable
If the grip is too large or awkward, shooting becomes harder and more tiring.
Many modern pistols offer interchangeable backstraps or grip panels, which allow you to adjust the grip size to better fit your hand. This is especially helpful for women with smaller hands or shorter fingers. Ask about this at the gun range or gun store.
A comfortable grip builds confidence. The more natural a handgun feels in your hand, the more likely you are to practice with it. Don’t rely on brand names or recommendations alone. Handle several models and notice which one feels right to you. And, trust me. You’ll recognize “your” gun when you get it in your hands and hold it. It will just feel “right”.
Trigger Pull and Ease of Use
Trigger pull plays a big role in how easy and enjoyable a handgun is to shoot. A trigger that is too heavy or difficult to press can cause the gun to shake or pull off target, making accurate shooting harder, especially for newer shooters or those with smaller hands or less finger strength.
You should be able to press the trigger smoothly and straight back without straining or jerking the gun. If you feel like you have to use excessive force, that trigger may work against you rather than with you.
Experts describe the feel of a trigger pull with words like “spongey”, “consistent”, “light”, “crisp”. What matters most is how it feels to you — and, again, with practice and comparing different handguns, you’ll soon see the difference.
Recoil and Noise Level
When the question arises, “Will I get hurt when I pull the trigger?”, it’s always related to recoil. Both recoil and noise can affect not only how comfortable you feel using that particular firearm but also your accuracy.
A handgun with heavy recoil can be intimidating, harder to control, and more likely to cause flinching, which makes accurate shooting difficult. A loud blast and sharp noise can also increase stress, especially for new shooters.
In general:
- Larger, heavier handguns absorb recoil better than very small, lightweight ones
- Lower-caliber handguns produce less recoil and noise than higher-caliber models — thus my recommendation for learning to shoot with a .22
- Short barrels tend to feel louder and “snappier” than longer barrels
Many women assume a smaller gun will be easier to handle, but tiny handguns often have more felt recoil because there is less weight to absorb the force of the shot. A slightly larger, well-balanced handgun can actually be more comfortable and easier to shoot.
It’s important to choose a handgun that you can control without fear of the recoil or blast. If a gun makes you tense up or dread pulling the trigger, it will discourage practice.
Safety Features and Simplicity
A good handgun should have built-in safety features while still being easy to understand and operate.
What features should YOU priortize in buying a .22 handgun?
| Feature | Why It Matters for Women |
|---|---|
| Grip size | Smaller hands need better control |
| Recoil | Builds confidence for beginners |
| Trigger pull | Easier shooting, less strain |
| Weight | Heavy guns fatigue arms |
| Slide strength | Easier to operate safely |
Two Beginner-Friendly .22 Handguns Compared
Over the years, I’ve practiced with many different brands and calibers of handguns and two .22 pistols stand out. They are the Walther P22 and the Ruger Mark IV 22 LR,
Walther P22
This little pistol was the very first gun I personally owned. It’s light, compact, and has a solid feel in the hand.
If you decide to carry a .22, this fits easily into a holster and is fairly easy to conceal with a loose fitting blouse, shirt, or with a jacket.
Sizes
It also comes in two different barrel lengths, 3.43 and 5 inches. I own and use the smaller version.
Magazines
The P22 comes with two easy-to-load magazines. With smaller and hands that aren’t exactly construction-worker tough, I appreciate magazines that don’t require an enormous amount of force to insert each and every round.
The P22 magazines are lightweight at just 1.8 ounces each, empty, and are small enough to tuck an extra inside a cosmetic bag. Each magazine holds 10 rounds. The magazine release is directly under the trigger and is easy to find and operate. All in all, everything about the construction of the P22 is woman-friendly, but how does it shoot?
How does the P22 shoot?
After firing well over a thousand rounds with this pistol, I’ve noticed a real difference in accuracy depending on the ammunition used. This gun is a little finicky about what it’s fed. I find that I have more jams, which is precisely what you never want to experience in a self-defense situation.
Look for higher quality (and more expensive) ammo, such as CCI Mini‑Mag .22LR (300 rounds for $35).
Unlike our other handguns, I’ve found that the Walther gets really dry, and I have to keep a little bottle of oil on hand every time I use it. Also, because the gun is so lightweight, my accuracy is never as sharp as with a heavier .22 pistol, such as the Ruger Mark IV.
Are laser sights worth the money?
When my husband bought the P22, he went all out and paid extra for the laser sights. Now, I don’t have the steadiest hands in the world when it comes to shooting. I mean, I’d make a really lousy surgeon. So, on the range when I was lining up a shot using the laser, the little red dot would dance all over the target. It’s hilarious, really, and I would start to laugh, sending the laser all over the range, literally. Now the only time we pull out the laser is when our cats are bored and need something to chase.
If you like the idea of a laser for practice, get a training pistol equipped with a laser. I have this particular training pistol, and when you can’t get to the range (that can get expensive), you still have the ability to practice at home — your grip, stance, trigger pull, and so on as these are weighted and feel exactly like the real version.
Does the Walther rate as the best 22 pistol?
All things considered, I give the Walther 3.5 out of 5 stars based on its great size and weight for carrying, light recoil, easy to load magazines, and decent price tag at $350 or so.
I mark it down a bit because accuracy is harder to maintain and its tendency to jam when not using the recommended ammo. You can read a detailed review of the updated P22 here. This handgun is easy for kids to operate and shoot, under supervision!
Ruger Mark IV, 22 LR
“Ooooh! I like!”
Those were the first words out of my mouth when I got my hands on the Ruger Mark IV. It fairly screeches, “Spy gun!” with its long barrel and very cool look.
The first think you notice, though, is that it would be very difficult to conceal this pistol without a wearing a long, black trench coat. However, it’s a boffo target shooting pistol and could be used for self-defense if you carried it in your car or stored it in a safe location at home. I’ve talked with gun nuts who tell me they love and own several of the Ruger Mark .22s.
Colors
Again, I prefer the all-black version for reasons mentioned above, but you’ll find it in other, probably more attractive, versions.
Sizes
Ruger provides several choices of barrel length with the Mark IV. I tested the model with the 6″ barrel. Any time you use a longer barrel, you’ll notice increased accuracy and less recoil. The shorter pistol weighs 35 ounces, the longer weighs 37 ounces, but for women, this gun is a comfortable weight.
Safety Features
This pistol has a few safety features moms will appreciate.
First, it’s equipped with a magazine disconnect safety feature, which prevents the gun from firing when the magazine is removed. It’s very possible for a round of ammunition to remain in the chamber, just waiting for a pull of the trigger. This feature would prevent an accidental shooting in that situation.
A second safety feature is the Mark IV’s manual safety, which is easy to operate, and when the gun is loaded, a small metal bar protrudes along the left side of the receiver, or chamber. It can easily be seen or even felt with a finger, leaving no doubt as to whether or not the gun is loaded.
Magazines
Loading, inserting, and releasing magazines are all simple and comfortable with this pistol. Again, my hands are probably about as strong as the average woman’s, and I hate struggling when it’s time to reload magazines. Just about everything with the Mark IV is woman-friendly.
I found that my accuracy increased rapidly once I fired a few rounds at my target. The heavier gun and longer barrel provide an enjoyable shooting experience, and it was point, click, and hit right where I wanted the round to go.
Does the Ruger Mark IV rate as the best .22 pistol?
I give the Ruger Mark IV 4.5 out of 5 stars, and only mark it down because it isn’t a gun useful for concealed carry. Its price point is in the mid-$400 range, making it nicely affordable. For the woman looking for an accurate, easy to operate handgun, this one is a winner!
Common Mistakes Women Make When Choosing a First Handgun
If you’re buying a gun for the first time, you probably already feel a little unsure of yourself, and every gun store and gun range I’ve ever been to are very obviously masculine domains. That’s not a bad thing, but you do need to understand what you’re looking for and questions to ask so you buy the right gun for you.
Venturing into this world, most women have lots of misconceptions about what to expect.
One of the biggest mistakes is buying a handgun simply because someone else recommends it. What works well for a spouse, friend, or salesperson may not fit your hand, strength, or comfort level.
Another common mistake is assuming that smaller guns are always better for women. Tiny, lightweight handguns often have more recoil, louder blast, and shorter grips, making them harder to control and not fun to shoot.
You never want to buy a gun you’re afraid to fire. A slightly larger, heavier handgun is often easier to handle and more accurate.
The biggest bruises I’ve ever had on my hand were caused by a “cute” little handgun the dealer thought would be perfect for me — because I’m female!
Some women might choose a handgun based on looks instead of function. Color, style, or brand reputation should never outweigh comfort, control, and reliability.
Rushing the decision is another mistake. If a rash of violent crime has motivated you to get a handgun, still, take your time. Buying without holding, testing, or dry-firing different models can lead to regret later, and these are costly purchases.
Finally, many women underestimate the importance of practice. The best handgun is useless if it’s uncomfortable or intimidating to shoot. Choosing a handgun that you enjoy practicing with is one of the smartest decisions you can make. Remember the Ruger Model IV I mentioned? It was fun to shoot. I never dreaded pulling the trigger and becoming more and more accurate was wasy because I enjoyed it.
The right handgun should feel like a tool you can trust, not something you have to fight against. Fit, comfort, and confidence matter far more than trends or opinions.
Is a .22 Handgun Good for Self-Defense?
I have read that a .22 pistol is one of the top choices for assassins. Kind of an odd factoid to remember, true, but it struck me because the .22 is such a small caliber.
Because the bullet itself is lightweight, though, once it pierces the skull, it can ricochet around, causing massive damage.
However, for the rest of us, a .22 is usually not the best choice for self-defense compared with larger calibers. The bullets are smaller and less powerful, which means they may not stop a dangerous attacker as quickly. Also, .22 ammunition can sometimes fail to fire, which is something no one wants if you’re facing a violent attacker, a home invader, or anyone posing immediate danger.
That said, a .22 handgun can still be a reasonable option for some women, especially if:
- Larger handguns feel painful or scary to shoot
- Hand strength makes other guns hard to control
- A .22 is the only gun they can shoot accurately and comfortably
Being able to hit your target matters more than how powerful the gun is. A well-placed shot with a .22 is far more effective than missing with a larger gun. The most important thing is choosing a handgun you can use safely and practice with regularly.
For many women, a slightly more powerful handgun that still has manageable recoil (such as a .380 or 9mm that fits well in the hand) may be a better long-term choice for personal protection. But for others, starting with a .22 can be a practical and confidence-building step.
Bottom line: A .22 is better than having no protection at all, but you should have realistic expectations. A firearms trainer can give you additional advice for using this as your primary self-defense weapon as well as guiding you to other options suitable to your skill level.
Training, accuracy, and confidence are just as important as caliber when it comes to learning or refining your shooting skills.
FAQ
Both use the same ammunition, but a .22 pistol loads ammunition into a magazine and uses the energy from each shot to automatically load the next round. A .22 revolver holds ammunition in a rotating cylinder. Each pull of the trigger rotates a new round into place.
Which should you choose? Practice with both, learn how they each operate, and then make your choice.
I think it’s the ideal firearm for beginners! It’s simple to use, easy to practice with, very little noise and recoil, and the ammo is inexpensive.
It’s one of the softest-shooting handguns available. Most people describe it as a gentle “pop” or light push rather than a sharp kick. You’re far less likely to flinch once you get used to the feel, and this alone is vital for improving your accuracy.
Having said that, the recoil in any given .22 depends on the gun size and weight, the barrel length, and ammunition type.
SurvivalMom,
I have been handgun shooting since I was a young girl. I'm way past young now.
It is my opinion that you are off base by encouraging women to purchase a 300.00 plus pistol in a .22 cal for use of a defensive weapon. Unless of course you can consistently shoot inside the eye socket, and even at that, you need to get off at least two shots in that rapid fire grouping to ensure your perp is not still running toward you.
That is pretty durn hard to do in less than 2 seconds with a moving target lunging toward you.
Ballistic tests show that a .22 cal is a good choice for plinking and target shooting and practice of shooting skills, and not for use as a defensive weapon. For these other usages, it's inexpensive and cheap fun.
If you truly want to defend yourself, ballastically, you need to move up to at least a 38 Special. if you are a petite weight.
The knockdown power using a revolver, required to defend yourself is more assured in the use of 38 Special, 9mm,.40cal and preferably a .45cal lightweight, small grip pistol..
My hands are small and I keep a concealed carry revolver of a
Lady Smith and Wesson .38 Special on me at all times as my backup, in a low calf holster. It is so light, that I don't even know it's on me anymore. My primary defensive carry is a Glock 26, a 9mm, (one of the Baby Glocks), which has a smaller hand grip than the full size Glocks. It too, is lightweight, compact and is a semi-auto which uses a magazine and holds 10 rounds plus one in the chamber. I carry two magazines.
Using one of these small pistols or semi-autos, you really should actually
try out the holsters by shopping at a storefront gun shop or a gun show. Wear several types of holster styles for your handgun, until you find the one that fits perfectly when you kneel, sit and walk.
My suggestion is for women to rent multiple different calibers and carriage s on different models Before they make any purchase based upon someone else's recommendations.
I liken choosing and purchasing handguns to making personal lingerie purchases.
Every woman is unique and has different body shapes, heights, weights, hand, arm, and pectoral muscle strengths, and individual defensive carry needs.
I honestly hope sharing this information helps.
Happy Plinking!
notutopia
Thanks for sharing your opinion. My reviews are just that. Reviews. Whether or not someone wants to go out and spend $300 on the firearm of her choice is her business. I’ve given my experience along with basic facts about the gun. I don’t recommend a specific caliber for self-defense and just stated that a .22 isn’t a bad choice. As you say, so much depends on the individual.
I’ve read quite a bit of research on comparative calibers when it comes to stopping power. You can read one of those here if you’re interested, http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7866. I’ve interviewed the author and his credentials and experience are more than impressive. The most important factor is that a woman, or anyone for that matter, be very comfortable with her self-defensive weapon, and many women are not when it comes to the more powerful calibers. It’s easy to say that a 9mm or .40cal, or whatever is the only one to carry and for self-defense, but if a woman isn’t comfortable and hesitates using it, it can make a bad situation worse. Also, tight groupings are fun and all when target shooting, but several shots placed within the space of a 3×5 card in less than ten seconds is more than adequate when it comes to self-defense, and then of course, there’s my motto, “Anyone worth shooting once is worth shooting more than once.”
Next time, please include your name and your blog or website so we can learn more from your experience. Thanks!
Thank you !!! Every one acts like a .22lr is like a spit ball. I have small hands and CTS,I don’t feel like a larger cal. pistol is what I feel safe using.And I need to feel like I am in control.Just got my first revolver and it’s a Ruger LCR .22 LR .Very pleased with it ,the bullets are cheap and don’t be fooled into thinking that a .22LR bullet will not kill you.Well placed shots with a gun you feel safe to use WILL SAVE YOU.A lot of dead people could tell you that.I don’t need to feel like I have the biggest set of balls or beat my chest to prove a point.At 61 I realize I may be old but I ain’t stupid and they can keep their big ole pistols and I will use my Ruger LCR and feel just as safe.
I too have a Ruger LCR .22 LR and love it! We had bought three Taurus and Smith and Wessons, but the slide was too difficult and the trigger pull too hard ( for my Concealed Carry class I actually had to wear a glove to shoot) As a result I was afraid to carry my weapon. With my Ruger LR, I am so comfortable with it that I always have it with me.
hi, I tried the Walther P22, and I found the trigger to be so long and hard that it put me off the gun entirely. I’m looking for an affordable target pistol, hopefully .22 due to ammo prices. I do have some arthritis in my hands, so recoil and racking need to be easy on my hands. Any suggestions?
I’m a retired Marine and we have a saying that comes right from the shooters handbook. “Marines” shooters creed.
It’s not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it’s the hits that count!!
My wife carries a Ruger LC22 which is perfect for her 5’1″ frame with tiny hands. She has (2) 10 round clips, 20 shots available!! Because this pistol doesn’t have massive recoil and muzzle blast, she shoots it very well. Hit’s count, and accurate hits with a smaller caliber trump poor shots with a bigger handgun any day!
A 40 grain, .22 long rifle bullet at 5 feet distance has as many foot pounds of energy as a .223/5.56, 55 grain military round at 500 yards. Hit’s count!
Hey Survival Mom,
My wife has the Ruger Mark III. She LOVES it, We shopped around, and she found that it was the most comfortable to hold. after putting a few round down range, she was hooked.
She is by no means a gun gal, but she has taken a real liking to that one. I have had her shoot the Walther. It just didnt fit her right. Not to mention that it jammed a bunch. I think that was mostly do to ammo.
I would recommend the Mark III to anyone. Lets face it, 22lr is a fun to shoot, I don't care who you are.
Keep up the good work on the blog!
Charles
I've had similar experiences with the P22. In fact, I'm going to try out a new brand of ammo this weekend and see if it solves the problem. Strangely, my daughter does just fine with it.
I am very interested in your review of the .22 revolver. Over the past few years I have been more inclined to get firearms without magazines. Magazines are just something else to carry and/or keep track of. Lever action rifles, pump shotguns, and revolver pistols!
The revolver I used was a beauty and was a sweet and easy shot. I loved it!
My wife has the Walther P22. We're both happy with it. The first commenter is right, a .22 isn't the best option for a self-defense pistol. But it's better than nothing.
Generally, the larger the caliber the more stopping power it has, but do read the research article I cited in an earlier comment. Many of the differences aren\’t as great as most people think. If a person isn\’t comfortable with a larger caliber, they\’re better off carrying something lighter, OR if it\’s home defense, learning how to use a shotgun. I\’ve used handguns that left bruises in the palms of my hands and I\’d wince before firing! (Believe it or not, these were all smaller guns. I use a .357 Desert Eagle just fine.) When it comes to personal protection, there cannot be even a moment\’s hesitation. Training and lots of practice are key.
I'm very comfortable with my S&W .22 revolver. It's up to the individual as to the choice she makes. Much like which foods we store, this is based on individual desire and need. My husband and I own 4 weapons between us. He prefers semi-automatic pistols, both .22 and .40. I can use all, but do have my own preferences which is as it should be.
Mahalo, Survival Mom! This is most timely for me! I have been looking into the purchase of a self-defense weapon.
Thank you for the research and suggestions based on your experience. Thank you for this blog! Keep up the great work!
You probably remember my stance that a person should carry the largest caliber they can comfortably and accurately control, so I will not really harp on that – if a .22 meets those standards, then more power to you, but no one has ever left a gunfight muttering, "Darn, I wish I brought a smaller gun!" 😉
I will, however, thank you for putting up these reviews – .22 handguns are invaluable for training anyone, especially given their low recoil/noise and cheap/plentiful ammunition. I really need to expand my armory in that direction, but there are so many other interesting toys out there too ;).
One thing weapon-mounted lasers are really good for is dry-fire training at home – as you say, your grip is weak, but you can improve that by practicing shooting in your spare time, and seeing how the laser moves as you pull the trigger. I am willing to bet that after a few months of dry-firing (with appropriate snap-caps) at home every other night or so, you might start to notice a difference!
notupotia, et al. – We can go back and forth forever over ballistics between the .22 and whatever.
The simple reality is that for a great many people – man as well as women – a .22 is easier to shoot and more reliable to aim and hit the target consistently than larger calibers. And that's the name of the game – consistency to hit the target. What's the good of using a 9mm or .357 if you miss 2 out of 5 shots? Plus, there is ample historical anecdotes of people being shot with much larger calibers and close range and surviving well compared to a .22 at further ranges and not.
Also, there is the reality of deterence factor. With all the compact 9mm's and .380's is someone pointed a P22 or a Sig .22 at you unless you really know your handguns most people will think it's a larger caliber. I know someone with a steel S&W 65 that everyone *thinks* is a .357 by sight.
More people have been killed with the .22 than just about any other caliber Just because there are so many of them out there. The P22 is a perfect blend of size, reliability, and ability. While my wife packs a Colt 1911 in the Defender configuration and is spot on accurate with it on any day I tend to carry a P22 and just got a NAA Black Widow in .22mag!. I have not been to the range to drive the Black Widow and will not carry it until I am confident of its capabilities and MY limitations. There is circle of personal control that follows you everywhere and shrinks and widens with every step throughout the day. YOU MUST KNOW what tool you have at your disposal and what YOU can do with it and WHEN to do it.
Head up and lights on. Don't walk, talk or look like a victim. If you need a reload you should have called in sick that day or you weren't paying attention before it started. And BTW, How the heck does anyone get carjacked? You are in command of a 5,000 lbs weapon! Drive like hell or park it on their chest! Take your chances, odds are they cant hit a moving vehicle and you have good cover anyway.
Godspeed and pray you never have to learn what you are made of.
Regarding the car jacking – Easy to say, hard to do. Besides the tactical situation (if your in the middle of traffic stopped at a red light for example), you can talk big about running them over but when it comes to it that's something most people will hesitate about it. Why? Because you and I and they are good people at heart, law abiding, and just want to be left alone to lead our lives with our families. We know that no matter what the reality is it is WE who will be dragged to court, called all sorts of monsterous names, and even if not sent to jail willbe sued for millions. This is the reality of the American society today. The animals run free and the law abiding citizen is in the cage.
Awesome review. I always like to get a lady’s point of view on weaponry. Thanks!
The first (and only time) I shot a lightweight revolver I put it down and never wanted to shoot it again. It was light, but packed a real punch in the recoil that only a full adreneline rush would make you want to fire again. I absolutely LOVE my 40 caliber slim. It fits my small hand AND my purse.The trade off on fewer rounds, in my opinion, is more than made up by the stopping power of a 40 cal hollow point. The recoil is about the same as a stacked magazine.
As most women can attest, our wardrobes do not easily allow one to carry the same way (ie waist, ankle, etc.), so my husband got a FlashBang holster for me and he hasn't seen his Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380 since! Works great with Victoria Secret bras, not so great with Casique.
Absolutely, Kiley! In my case the little revolvers that did that were .380s. They literally left my right hand sore and feeling bruised. That's why the smallest gun is very often not the right gun for a woman, although a lot of gun-sellers will try to convince their women customers otherwise.
Thanks for telling me about the FlashBang holster!! Wow! I'll post a demo video of it here on the blog.
What matters, owning a gun you will practice with and can put multiple rounds on target with. Anything that disrupts the plumbing, bellows, and electrical system of the bad guy is effective. Ammo choices of value in handguns, CCI Velocitors, Aguila Interceptor, are some examples. Buy quality ammo, pay a couple bucks extra and avoid bulk packs.
Survival Mom
Great article! I've trained my 3 sons and my daughter with my Ruger. Now my 10 year old granddaughter is shooting the Ruger. You can't go wrong with it for training and as the saying goes " Fear the individual who only owns one gun. They probaly know how to use it". Personally I carry my Sig 250 in 9mm but if I have my Ruger in my hand, it's game on for a threat of serious bodly harm or death towards myself or those mentioned above. Confidence and shot placement sometimes equal lack of caliber.
Hey Survival Mom, __Been reading the blog a bit now, but I like the fact that you have gun reviews up on your site. Right now I am learning to shoot and have been going atleast once a week to my local range. I have asked all kinds of questions, and I'm almost close to purchasing my first gun. But when I ask people about little .22 caliber's for home defense, they keep insisting that I have a larger cailber, but they fail to understand the .22 is for my mother. I know her well enough to know she won't be shooting a 9mm, .40 or .45 cailber weapon. And this is even when I tell them it's for my mother as well. _Mom and I have spoken about it and she might be comfortable with a .380, she has shot one and it wasn't to hard on her. So, it's probably either going to be the Ruger Mark III in your review, or a .380 (not sure which one yet). __The only question I have and still haven't found a definate answer on, is the Ruger Mark III picky about hollow point bullets? __Great site thanks again, _RJ
HI, I happen to own a Ruger, and the answer is 'No, it is not picky about the hollow point .22 ammo, as long as you take care in loading the magazine'. Basically, unless you deform the bullet tips (by careless handling, or loading the magazine improperly) you should no worries on the Ruger feeding them reliably.
SurvivalMom:
EXCELLENT article. This provides insight to novice shooters,that it IS OK to "like" shooting a handgun. The two pistols you cite are indeed excellent pistols to start with, (I would add a Browning Buckmark too).My wife "poached" my Walther P22 after shooting it once, now she wants another P22, only with the silencer package, says "that might come in handy some day…". I couldn't agree more!
Again, any handgun is better than a stern "look", I don't see anyone "volunteering" to get shot with one either!
Thanks from Northern Utah.
Lisa / Survival Mom,
I was at a local gun store with my children and knew I'd be needing a .22LR pistol so I could start teaching them soon.
He had both a Walther SP22 and a Ruger MkII! Coincidence? Not! It's great when God brings about what non-believers refer to as "coincidence".
I looked both over very well, and let both my children hold them (both my son and daughter made shooting noises as they sighted down the barrels).
I chose the Ruger for one big reason: the slide mechanism works like most (almost all?) semi-auto handguns. The SP22's "slide" / action is forward of the grip. (The real P22 has a traditional action, I believe).
The Ruger is heavier, but as you pointed out, increased weight = decreased recoil. And before anyone makes the crack about recoil in a .22, I remind you I'm interested in teaching children to shoot. So anything that makes it easy and non-scary, but safe, is better.
On a side note: when we went to purchase my wife a handgun we went to this same dealer because he was willing to spend a LOT of time letting her hold every gun in the store if necessary. If you're looking for any firearm and the sales people don't really seem interested in your opinion or comfort, go somewhere else.
My wife has owned both the P22 and the PK380 for a couple of years now. The P22 behaved exactly how you described until about the 500 round point. The way we broke it in was to shoot CCI Mini-Mags for a couple hundred rounds then CCI Blazers after that. I can't remember the last time she had a failure to fire or eject using the Blazers. Rems or Federals are great if you want to practice malfunction drills. 🙂 Having said that, she carries the PK380. It has the controls in exactly the same place as the P22 including the Mag release and, in my opinion, is very low recoil for a .380. I suspect that is because the PK380 large as .380s go. So if you are looking for something that speaks with a bit more authority than the .22 and don't want to learn a difference set of controls, I'd recommend trying out the PK380.
Best,
18Echo
I'd go with a Ruger Mark III or a Browning Buck Mark. I've never liked the feel of the Walther, feels cheap to me, and for a 22 I prefer a target pistol for plinking.
Let’s clear up a few things. The .22 caliber IS NOT responsible for more deaths than any other caliber. No question this is a popular caliber and owned by many throughout the world. However as a retired law enforcement officer and gun nut I have heard this B.S. for years and that is all it is. The militaries of the world have killed millions and it was not with a .22. The US has utilized the .223 caliber for many years in its rifles(.223 and .22 are not the same) but the 7.62X39 I think would easily account for the most deaths by firearm.
Next is the statement “What’s the good of using a 9mm or .357 if you miss 2 out of 5 shots?” It would be better to get 3 out of 5 .357 caliber slugs into an attacker than 5 out of 5 .22 caliber. A dedicated attacker can take 5 .22 caliber hits and unless they were incredibly well placed still attack you. This is much less likely with 3 hits from a .357. Yes, there are always those stories of the person shot 9 times by a 9mm and they still continued to attack. We can always find exceptions to the rule but in MOST cases use the biggest caliber you are comfortable with.
I do agree that the .22 is great fun and a good way to introduce someone to shooting. I also agree that carrying a .22 is better than carrying nothing at all, so if you have someone that just isn’t comfortable with anything larger, than definitely go with the .22.
“in MOST cases use the biggest caliber you are comfortable with.”
Isn’t that what she said? I think people who are not experienced with self defense firearms SHOULD start with a 22LR. It’s fun to shoot, cheap to purchase, cheap to practice with, can build confidence and can stop an assault! Your 357 or 45 ACP is not guaranteed to stop one either. I recently saw an episode of “coast guard Alaska” where a guy was accidently shot with a 30-06 Rifle (much more powerful than any pistol round that can be carried) and the guy WALKED to the helicopter! So had he been a bad guy with a gun, he could have still been shooting!
I carry a Kel-Tec PF9 will premium +P JHP’s and I find it a handful to shoot. My wife is interested in self defense and I will start her out with 22LR! I see nothing wrong with women who want to carry 22LR. If they can work up to 380, 38 special or “better” than great! If not, the 22LR will certainly get you out of a hot spot – nobody wants to be shot by one and a rapist with a knife will probably back off if he sees a pistol and will not stand there asking what caliber it is!
You’re right on the money Randall! You don’t need a cannon to deter idiots!
You should look at the article on stopping power an buckeyefirearms.org. Percent incapacitated by one shot with 22 is 60% same as 357…. most people will stop on getting shot regardless of if it is leathal or not so in those cases calibre is of no import. If you want to physicaly disable/kill them use a shotgun.
When it comes to concealed-carry weapons, a .22 is better than nothing. And there’s no arguing that it’s a lethal round. It’s also important to be comfortable with the caliber you carry, and .22LR is extremely easy to control.
But if you need to shoot someone in self-defense, your attacker will be close enough that accuracy will be moot. At distances under 10 feet, anyone that’s spent a reasonable amount of time at the range will be able to hit a man-sized target.
The problem with .22LR as a defensive round isn’t lethality – people die every day from .22 wounds. But in a situation where you are in such immediate danger that lethal force is required, your survival does not depend on killing your assailant. It depends on stopping your assailant.
What’s the difference? 5 shots from a .22 could easily punch through your attacker, bouncing off bone and causing significant damage to many vital organs. But the bullet just doesn’t have much energy behind it. He will, of course, die within minutes or hours as his organs shut down. But that might be too late for you.
On the other hand, a .357 round will dump much, much more energy into the same attacker. That one round may kill him outright, it may not, but the stopping power is undeniably superior. And you may hate the recoil, you may be an awful shot, but when your assailant is close enough to hurt you, it’s unlikely that you’ll need to take the time to line him up in your sights. You’ll point the barrel in his direction and stop the threat.
I would not trust a .22 to do the same, so I think it’s disingenuous to say that comfort and controllabilty are more important than energy transfer for CCW firearms.
357 may not stop the attacker either!
This “bigger caliber is automatically better” and “one shot stop data analysis” are myths in my opinion.
Its all about shot placement. Now granted, a larger diameter round, especially one that expands, will be MORE LIKELY to cause immediate incapacitation if the entry point is close to the spine, heart, brain or central nervous system critical point. A 22 round that hits is FAR BETTER than a 45 acp that misses.
My opinion is that one should shoot what they are most comfortable with and if faced with a self defense scenario, aim for the center of mass below the throat and shoot until the gun is empty or the bad guy goes down. If you do that, I am sure that all but the drug crazed, are going down EVEN with 22LR.
Do yourself a favor though. If using 22LR for self defense, do your homework and get the highest velocity hollow-points you can find. Twelve inches of minimum penetration (enough to hit a vital at any angle) is recommended for self defense and the 22LR won’t deliver that performance so you have to hope for the ideal shot and premium ammo is a must.
Well, we could go back and forth forever on stopping power, but I think The Survival Mom has it right. The article she links to is the best, most sensible review of the stopping power issue that I’ve ever seen.
When it comes down to the ability to stop an attacker in his tracks, all handguns suck pretty much equally. (If one-shot stops are paramount, you’d better have a shotgun or a rifle.) They’re all going to take an average of about 3 shots before convincing or forcing an attacker to stop (we’re not talking waves of enemy troops here, just emergency self-defense against 1 or 2 assailants). So the most important thing is to have a gun that you can bring into action quickly, fire follow-up shots quickly, and of course hit your target. In those respects it’s hard to beat a .22.
Having said that, for myself I have a 9mm high-capacity compact. Some would consider it too big for concealed carry, but being a rather large dude it works for me. I’ve put in practice with it, the recoil is very manageable for me, and it’s a high-quality, reliable piece.
But I’m thinking of getting a .22 pistol (probably a Ruger Mark iii or Browning Buckmark) for cheaper practice shooting and because the wife struggles a bit with operating the 9mm slide. And because they’re downright fun. And then when she knows what she wants, my wife might get a small .22 semiauto for concealment.
If you can be proficient (and have fun) with something more powerful than a .22, then it makes good sense to use that for self-defense. But don’t let anyone convince you that you can’t protect yourself and your family just fine with a snappy little .22.
Like someone said earlier, being good with the gun you have is more important than what gun you have.
I had a question I was hoping someone here can help answer. I recently tried out a couple 380 caliber small handguns with the flashbang holster in mind. I then went to an outdoor retailer and purchased a similar Taurus TCP.
When I tested it out (after purchase) I was disappointed that my finger was being pinched with each shot at the bottom of the trigger. I’ve never had that happen before with any other gun I’ve fired. Is there something I can do? As it is now, I don’t even want to practice shooting because I know it will hurt.
A .22 round will stop an attacker I don’t care how big and strong he is. The bullet will penetrate, and from my expeirence it’s very easy to find and buy hollow points if you really want.
I’m in the Marine Corps, we use the 5.56 NATO round. it is a .223 round exactly like the .22 caliber bullet, .22/.223 same thing just ones shortend for simplicity. the 5.56 round will travel farther and penetrate wood, metal, and things like that a little better but it is the same exact diameter of a bullet.
My personal suggestion is, just keep shooting until he goes down no matter what caliber you choose. 10 rounds is plenty.
Also take a look at your house, if you stand at one corner, how far is the most extreme distance you would need to take. most homes are at most 10 yards without haveing a wall in the way. practice at those max ranges and closer, work on good trigger control, proper stance, grip, sight alignment, sight picture, and be safe, etc, etc.
-Sgt O
USMC Combat Marksmanship Coach for the past 3 years
As a sharpshooter qualified military vet, a child of a retired police detective and NRA instructor, I can assure you that a .22 can be plenty lethal. Although it does not have great range, if a perp is shot within 15 yards, the internal damage is extreme, depending on the ammo used. This is the preferred caliber for mob hitmen for a reason!
I like Ruger Mark III. I think this is a great gun for women. I would like to point out that most of the women should try a gun before buying it. They should also realize that their hands are smaller than men, which means that a gun that is good for men might not be necessarily good for women. We wrote about it here for anyone interested taking a look: http://nationalcarryacademy.com/woman-issues/ Would love to get a feedback from you The Survival Mom. You always provide great insights. Anyways, thank you for another great piece. Looking forward for more.
– Robert M
Thanks for your very kind words, Robert. I completely agree with you regarding the necessity of first trying out several handguns before making a purchase. At my first gun show, the sellers (all men) emphasized that I would need a small handgun, yet later when I tried 1 or 2 at the range, they were NOT what I wanted. One actually bruised my hand with its heavy recoil. Now I generally use a Baby Glock and love it.
Hello, I wanted to know your thoughts on the Ruger sr22. I was lucky enough to have been able to shoot one in the last few weeks and am really thinking about buying one. I love the sixe and the way it fit in my hand (I have baby hands some would say). I really liked the way it shot. Have you ever fired one? If so what are your thoughts?
I’m doing some online research to decide the best choice for my first handgun. I have to say, I’m a little put off by your remark that it’s “embarrassing” to think a woman would carry a pink handgun, yet in the very next paragraph you remark that a particular model fits easily into a cosmetic bag. I’m by no means a “girly-girl” yet I’m no tomboy either. I feel like your comment is mocking should I choose a pink gun, yet I wonder whether would you make that comment if a man chose a camo gun? Would that be so stereotypical as to be embarrassing to men, in general? Personally, I do not carry a cosmetic bag, although I do wear cosmetics. I am looking for a good choice in a handgun that I can wear in a holster and feel confident shooting regardless of its color, be it pink, camo, black or tie-dye. Why judge? I appreciate your review but I do feel that you’re discouraging or off-putting to those females who embrace the more feminine side of our gender.
Why is my opinion so important to you? Go ahead and get that pink handgun if that’s what you really want.
Oh, your opinion matters not a bit in my color choice. My comment wasn’t meant to be inflammatory or argumentative at all. I was merely stating that in a review of handguns, color choice is irrelevant (assuming you’re not in that “in-the dark, don’t want any metallic shining” mode) but I did feel that you’re basically shaming a female for choosing pink. Why not empower your readers rather than shame? Should the commenter who states she’s using her FlashBang holster with a Victoria’s Secret bra be embarrassed by her undergarments and choose a utilitarian bra-in-a-box? I think not. Again, I wasn’t trying to irritate or rile you. I just hoped my comment might cause you to take pause and think about how your comments could deter someone who does put stock in others’ opinions. Personally I’m confident enough that it’s irrelevant to me. I don’t have anything more to say on the matter and wont be posting any further comments. You are clearly knowledgeable about guns and shooting. I appreciate the time and effort you put into your article, from which I did glean useful information.