James

On Bud's Gun Shop Forums, the question came up: What is the smallest caliber you trust to protect yourself?


My personal favorite defense gun has always been a Beretta Jetfire in 22 short.
Over all the years I've been hiking I never leave without it in my pocket. Of course, we all know to the first rule when hiking in the wilderness is to use the "Buddy System". For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this it means you NEVER hike alone, you bring a friend or companion that way if something happens there is someone to go get help.
I remember one time hiking with my brother-in-law in northern Alberta .
Out of nowhere came this huge brown bear and man was she mad. We must have been near one of her cubs.
Anyway, if I had not had my little Jetfire I'd sure not be here today. Just one shot to my brother-in-law's knee cap and I was able to escape by just walking at a brisk pace.

That's one of the best pistols in my safe today!

Always remember the first rule of survival. You don't have to be the fastest. You just can't be the slowest.

PiNk TCP

There was a study that was posted here about caliber not really being an issue, because once gunfire began, even with a 22 chances are the altercation would end

EDIT: OK, found it

"In a certain (fairly high) percentage of shootings, people stop their aggressive actions after being hit with one round regardless of caliber or shot placement."

An Alternate Look at Handgun Stopping Power | Buckeye Firearms Association

koorbloh

jimmy, bad post.

pinktcp....lol, WHUT? I think you a few words in there.

deadshot2

.22 Short??????

Why not just a starter pistol. I'll make more noise and be just about as effective as a .22 Short. The noise might scare the attacker away. Unless you stick the muzzle in an eye socket or ear there's a great chance it won't penetrate any muscle.

I used to drive an ambulance before FD Aid cars were the first responders. Went to a shooting in So Seattle where a woman was shot in the neck from less than 10' away. There was a small entrance wound just to the right of center and a red line that continued to the back of her neck where the bullet stopped travel. The bullet followed the inside of the skin without enough energy to break it along its route. Oh yeah! It was also from a small derringer loaded with a .22 Short.

If looking for a .22 for self defense, at least go for .22 LR. For me, the smallest I will ever carry is .380 and that will only be in a BUG.

koorbloh

hey guys: jimmy's post was a joke that was sent to his email address. instead of shooting the bear, the guy in the story shot his friend to slow his friend down so the bear would eat the friend.

this was not meant to start a serious discussion about using 22 short for self defense.

GixxerPete

While I agree with what Pink quoted to a degree, if you're gonna do a .22 at least do a .22LR or .22 Mag.

Personally, my smallest caliber for defense is .380. YMMV

PiNk TCP

Yup, .380 is as small as I go for CC outside of the house, inside the house, I like a little more knockdown power.