CCW choices, small caliber.

Posted by TemperReformanda@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 25 comments

I realize this has to be one of the major all time debates but it's one I'm currently going back and forth on, so I would appreciate your input. Note that I am scheduling myself for ccw training soon.

I own a Beretta 98 currently but that's a bit much for ccw in the hot summer, but this is what I'm using at the range for now since it's what I have. And I love this thing gun btw.

For CCW what I'm considering is either a .22lr internal hammer revolver (such as Ruger LCR) or a small 9mm semi like the FN Reflex or Sig 938.

I recently shot the Sig 938 and it was about the right fit, I don't have large hands anyhow.

I've narrowed it down to these two largely based on the size of the weapon and the affordability of the ammo since I'm going to need a lot of practice.

I'm leaning more towards the internal hammer revolver because of its pocket-carry advantage. Seems like it would be easier to draw from a pocket, hold 8 rounds (.22lr), and would still fire if the nose were pressed against an assailant in close quarters.

I'm very much in the learning process here so any help you offer is appreciated. I've been watching as many Paul Harrel and Massad Ayoob videos as I can on this.

[-]

Permit-Additional@reddit

I tend to carry a S&W 442 with wad cutters or a Hellcat, haven’t had enough time to train with my little LCP, though I do like it and would get that over a .22. Carry what ya like and best of luck with your decision!

2_black_cats@reddit

I like my sig 238. A bit narrower than the 938 & conceals well. I vote 938

zeromutt@reddit

I just got a s&w442uc for pocket carry and its great. Id recommend a s&w442 or s&w432 instead of a .22 revolver.

Sure a .22 is lethal but id trust a .38 special or a . 32H&r mag to be more reliably lethal during a defensive shooting

prauxim@reddit

For anything short of 9mm, 432UC is the way. Shoot one next to a BG2.0 and you'll know what I mean.

Micro 9s are great too but they're a whole different category, size, weight and recoil wise. The FCU guns are great here because you can adjust the size of the gun until it works best for you.

PARENTHAM@reddit

You get to make your choice. I would never say you can't save your life with a 22. It used to be there were more misfire with rimfire but that has largely been resolved. At the same time I prefer something else but carry a 22 bug

Fuhugwugads@reddit

A P938 sits fine in most of my pants pockets in a Sticky holster. I can actually get my grip set up and be ready to disengage the safety. A S&W 442 is an even easier pocket carry, also in a Sticky holster. I'm not sure how the LCR carries compared to the Smith.

RabicanShiver@reddit

I carry one of two guns. .40 XD subcompact, or my Beretta pico pocket pistol. My choice of carry for the day is usually a matter of comfort vs where am I going?

DashMcGee@reddit

CCI makes a 22 round called Uppercut that is designed to expand better than other 22 rounds. An instructor at my range advocates for it. It looks legit online, but I have never used it.

I am a huge fan of .380, but 9mm ammo is less expensive. I actually train on 9 mm and carry .380.

CorneliusSoctifo@reddit

Vz61 are .32acp. that's a move small round

HudsonCentral@reddit

From personal experience I've found that I really enjoy shooting 22s. That was one of my first guns and although I have a few other calibers now I still like to shoot a .22 practically every trip to the range. I think your idea to get a .22 revolver is a good one but I'd also suggest trying a .32 ACP or .380 ACP. There's a bunch of good carry guns in those calibers and you could still have your .22 around for fun too!

MembershipKlutzy1476@reddit

IMO, a self defense gun should be very reliable. Rimfire ammo has a much higher fail rate then centerfire ammo, so I personnelly would not carry 22LR as a primary SD gun. Maybe as a backup.

I carry my SW 38SP hammerless, my Karh CM9 or my Glock 43x. The SW is the ultimate pocket gun. weights nothing, shoots well, and has never failed me.

I carried a Glock 30 for 10yrs and loved it, but with modern ammo, the 9mm will do just as much as the 45 will, with 50% more ammo, so I sold all my 45ACP guns.

Additional_Leave_421@reddit

look, it depends on your on the circumstances.

can you shoot a 9mmp/n as well as a .22lr?

does anyone gaf?

is the platform what you want?

etc.

NumerousFootball@reddit

Smith & Wesson 432UC. Ammo is a bit expensive but it really is a sweet sweet gun to shoot.

BAHGate@reddit

The 938 is my CCW and I love it. Super easy to conceal.

TemperReformanda@reddit (OP)

I was also surprised at how consistent I was with it at 15 yards. I was able to put the whole magazine in a hand-size spot, although all of them were off the target lol. This was a Sig demo day at the armory and the guy running the thing said he probably didn't have the sites set up on it properly anyhow.

I didn't think that was too bad for a rookie.

Low-Landscape-4609@reddit

Here's the thing my friend, you can carry whatever you want. You honestly can. People on here may give you crap for carrying a 22 but I'll tell you this, never once as a cop did I respond to somebody shot with a 22 and they were laughing about it. They are very effective rounds.

As a matter of fact, two shootings in my career really stick out.

First one was a gang member that tried to break into an old man's house. The old man absolutely shot the hell out of him with a 22. His rounds are all over the place. He shot the guy seven times and hit him in the pelvis. The guy could not stand when we got on scene.

Second one was gang related and not self-defense. Two gang members got into it and one shot the other one 11 times with a 22 handgun. Didn't have to be 11 rounds because one of them hit him right in the heart so that one round would have been fatal.

Parktio@reddit

bodyguard 2.0 is your answer.

Bubbabeast91@reddit

I've been messing with 22lr pistol for some cheap training recently and I would NOT trust a 22lr for self defense unless I had no other options.

I currently carry a sig 365 with an xl grip on it when I want to go small, and with a magguts magazine it's packing 14+1 rounds of 124gr HST +p.

I can shoot a regular 365 grip, but I prefer the XL by a lot.

Tried a bodyguard 2.0 and it was too small for me, my hands were swallowing everything and my support hand even interfered with my trigger manipulation because I was so smushed on the gun.

Tried the new shield X and that was pretty solid and a good competitor to the 365 for me. I own a gen 1 shield and basically hate it lol.

Ymmv of course based on your hands and experience. I think it's really neat how small we can get some of these guns, but I feel there's a point where that goes from a positive to a negative.

Glove size is between medium and large. My fingers fit perfect in medium gloves, but my palms will explode them after not much use. Large size fits my palms well but leaves me a bunch of empty space in the fingertips.

airmech1776@reddit

There are lots of good choices in the micro compact space that will actually go bang every time you pull the trigger.

***For the love of God, do not buy a 22lr for any defensive purpose. ***

jim2527@reddit

P365

Kromulent@reddit

https://www.handgunhero.com/

you don't want a .22

.380 is affordable the Ruger LCP is tiny. Other .380s (S&W Bodyguard II) are bigger but still very easy to carry