.22 Handgun for Self-Defense? CCI 40 gr Mini-Mag Test

If you were to choose a .22 LR handgun for personal defense, primary carry or backup, what type of ammo do you think is most effective? This is the first in a series of ammo tests with a short barrel .22 semi-auto; Ruger SR22P with a 3.5" barrel.

I am using the CCI Mini-Mag 40 grain copperplated solid in this test, distance of 10 feet with the SIM-TEST media (calibrated ballistic gel) and 4 layers of denim per IWBA protocol. My primary objective with this ammo choice is to get an idea of penetration possibilities compared to JHP's tested in larger calibers, plus a point of comparison for .22 LR hollowpoints that will be tested in the future.

While the .22 LR is essentially the "bottom floor" or last resort in caliber choice for self-defense, the compact nature of these handguns combined with low recoil and shootability could make it a viable choice for some folks. As noted in the video, I am NOT advocating this option, simply providing data that might help you make a decision.

With regard to shot placement and ballistic terminal performance, you may find the info at this site very helpful:

http://www.brassfetcher.com/PDF%20Files/Bertolli%20gunshot%20thread.pdf

CAMERA: Sony HDR-CX560, 60p, 28 mbps, 1920 x 1080 HD.
EDITING: Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11, MP4, 30p, 16 mbps.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

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• SR22
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• .22
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• chronograph
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• velocity
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• self-defense
• self
• defense
• SIM-TEST
• calibrated
• ballistic
• ballistics
• gel

[madmike3181]

no rifling marks on that 22 bullet???

[tnoutdoors9]

@madmike3181

Friend of mine found that bullet on a hospital gurney in Dallas back in '63.

Seriously, there are marks on it; they show up better on a larger screen. I've noticed a great lack of detail viewing videos on an IPhone, etc. Not certain how you were viewing it, but the type of device does impact detail, and these vids are a high quality 1080p HD.

[beastyguns]

.22 is not as powerful as a 45., .380, but it's still a live round. Any firearm is dangerous and can kill

[OMGitsMalcolm]

In my personal opinion, i prefer larger caliber for self defense, but hey if you shoot 10 rnds of this 40gr into the head/lungs/heart.. the threat will be neutralized. Or at least incapacitated to get away to save yourself. Would I choose it for my number one.. No. .40s&w is my first choice. But this ammo is so low recoil, and you can be so pinpoint accurate with it.. if YOU do YOUR job will shot placement.. you will walk out alive, and I am a firm believer in that.

[steezyskiier1]

@DonutVIP oh thats weird because i just looked at your channel and whatdo u know! your subscribed to all gamers (i looked at sum of their channels) your favorite video is "top ten scariest moments of gamers" and your history (comments subs likes) are all gaming videos and airsoft!

[DonutVIP]

@steezyskiier1 will lets i dont talk about cod shit and hate those game as much as you so take your time and said shit i fucking hated to im trying to learn more you dumb fuck

[steezyskiier1]

@DonutVIP go fuck yourself you stupid cod player, the gases from inside the barrel bloback the slide Not the bullet or the recoil that has nothing to do with it,

[DonutVIP]

i thought that a handgun spring is stronger how can a 22 lr bullet blowback the slide

[dbuschhorn]

I would only voluntarily carry a .22 if I did not own anything more appropriate. If you do a Google search for "Terminal Ballistics as Viewed in a Morgue" you can find some really interesting reading about what a morgue worker recommends.

[Berelore]

rule of thumb shoot the biggest caliber you can quickly reliably put rounds reliably on target in a high stress situation .22 - .50 doesn't matter as long as you can hit what you're aiming at it'll give the bad guy a bad day.

[testy462]

That being said, if it can't instantly put a squirrel down, I am pretty sure a human could take a few shots even in the chest and just keep coming. Just not enough there without hollowpoints.

Even then its questionable. Remember, if your in a shoot situation you want to stop the threat, and why count on a .22 to do it when you can carry a .380 thats the same size with x10 the power?

[testy462]

I can tell you that shooting out of my 10/22, at less than 10 yards, I have had at least 2 shots on squirrel with the exact ammo your using (FMJ) and not gotten a kill with a chest shot, both I had to find in the tree they ran up and tag them again.

After this I switched to only lead nose or hollow point shots. What I saw on the tree rat's were little tiny holes all the way thru, with no damage. Switching to lead nose (even cb shorts) and hollow points resulted in instant kills.

[MrTulypan]

thanks for the info !!!! it answered a few questions and got my dummy neighbor to shot the front door!!!