Saturday at the Movies: .22 LR Rimfire Handguns for Self-Defense

We think everyone should have a .22 LR pistol or revolver (and probably both). Whether for plinking, target shooting, or self-defense, a good .22 LR can perform a multitude of tasks. Today, with the help of YouTube reviewers, we look at a variety of .22 LR pistols, focusing on compact .22s that can serve for self-protection, as well as plinking fun.

Can a .22 LR be an effective defense weapon? One retired officer posted: “As a police officer I saw more people killed by .22 or small caliber than with a 9mm or larger. I would not want to be shot by one. The benefits I see are minimal recoil, the ability to conceal, easier follow-up shots, [and] cheap ammo meaning more range time and training.”

Top .22 LR Handguns for Self-Defense — Video Reviews

LuckyGunner’s Top Compact Rimfire Handguns
Ammo supplier LuckyGunner.com has a very active YouTube Channel. There you’ll find numerous videos pertaining to .22 LR firearms and shooting. In this video, LuckyGunner host Chris Baker provides specific recommendations for compact .22 LR pistols and revolvers suitable for CCW use. This video focuses primarily on small and light rimfire pistols and revolvers.

Best Small .22 LR Rimfire Handguns for Concealed Carry

Best Six .22 LR Handguns for Defensive Use — 22 Plinkster
YouTube host 22 Plinkster has shot hundreds of thousands of .22 LR rounds through dozens of .22 LR handguns and rifles. Here are his “Pick Six” of compact .22 LR handguns that can work for self-defense. All of these pistols are compact and relatively light-weight. 22 Plinkster adds: “I didn’t list a few handguns in this video for a few reasons. Yes, there are other great options out there, but other guns can’t be concealed as easy as the guns that are in this video. Pistols like the Walther PPQ or the Taurus TX22 will make my top 5 list, just not this one.”

22 Plinkster’s “Pick Six” of .22 LR Pistols

Big Collection of Rimfire Pistols from the Major Manufacturers
This lengthy 53-minute video reviews nearly 20 semi-auto .22 LR Pistols. This is one of the most comprehensive comparison on the internet. The reviewer compares the Glock 44 with many other options on the market, including rimfire pistols from Beretta, Ruger, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Taurus, Walther and more. Target-style pistols are reviewed as well as smaller carry-style .22 LR pistols.

Numerous .22 LR Pistols Compared with Close-ups and Descriptions of features

Ten .22 LR Handguns compared including three rimfire revolvers
The next video, below, is another round-up with ten different .22 LR handguns. There are semi-autos from Beretta, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, and Walther. This video also features the tiny North American Arms .22 revolver, the classic S&W Model 63 revolver, and the Ruger LCR-22 compact carry revolver. The reviewer praised the Ruger SR22, which his wife carries. He says the “SR22 has so far been flawless — not one misfire. It is incredibly accurate and reliable. At only 0.9″ thick it is very conceable”.

Top Ten Concealed Carry .22 LR Pistols with Commentaries

The Effectiveness of the .22 LR Cartridge is Under-Rated

The folks from Lucky Gunner state: “Pocket pistols and revolvers chambered for the humble .22 LR are easily dismissed as carry guns suitable only for novices and the elderly. While there are some definite drawbacks to relying on a small gun that fires small bullets for self-defense, it also may have significant advantages that even skilled and experienced shooters can benefit from.” This video has been viewed 3.5 million times!

.22 LR Mini-Mag Tested in Ballistic Gel — You May Be Surprised
Here are two videos that reveal how a .22 LR Mini-Mag performs in test gel. In both videos, testers shoot the CCI .22 Mini-Mag into ballistic gel. The results are pretty impressive. This is still a .22 LR cartridge, but the potent Mini-Mag packs some punch, particularly at close ranges.

Of course a larger centerfire round carries more energy. But the Mini-Mag can do the job. One knowledgeable YouTube commenter, a retired LEO with 41 years of service, stated: “NEVER underestimate the power of a .22 LR CCI Mini-Mag. During my career, when working with a Medical Examiner, I [witnessed] bodies riddled with a .22. I don’t have to paint GORY details.”

BONUS Video: How .22 LR Ammunition is Made

If you’ve never seen how .22 LR rimfire ammunition is made, check out this video filmed at the Federal ammunition production plant in Anoka, Minnesota. This narrated video shows every stage of the process, from the melting of lead for the bullets to the final packing into boxes. The video host observes: “We were offered a rare glimpse into Federal’s rimfire plant in Anoka, MN to watch how .22 LR ammunition is made. We all know the basic components involved — each cartridge consists of a case with primer, propellant, and a bullet. Watching them all come together on a massive scale with a choreographed dance of modern automated machinery is a surprisingly gratifying experience.”