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While the .22 Long Rifle rim-fired cartridge is a popular choice for plinking and varmint control, its big brother - the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire - is generally considered a more sound option for use in a serious defensive handgun or revolver. Here's why .22 Magnum could be the right choice for your everyday carry.
Standard .22 LR ammunition is inexpensive and soft recoiling, making it an excellent choice for target shooting or hunting small game animals. However, many shooters believe it lacks the velocity or the penetration necessary to reliably incapacitate an armed assailant during a defensive encounter.
Fortunately, .22 WMR (also known as .22 Magnum) provides an effective compromise between rimfire .22 LR and larger centerfire handgun cartridges like 9mm or .45 ACP. This round features a larger casing and a more substantial powder charge, plus several manufacturers offer .22 WMR with specialized defensive projectiles designed to use against soft targets.
There is a common sentiment in the online gun community that any caliber below .380 ACP is inadequate for personal protection. Although there may be some merit to this claim, most shooters would also agree that it is better to be armed with a .22 Magnum than with nothing at all. A small, streamlined pistol chambered in .22 Magnum could very well be your best and only choice to carry in a non-permissive environment where deep concealment is a requirement.
And if you should find yourself engaging a deadly threat, the increased velocity and penetration of .22 Magnum will provide a significant advantage over .22 LR without sacrificing the supreme control and shootability afforded by the smaller of the two rimfire cartridges. It is definitely a viable option for self defense and in some cases, may even be preferable to a larger handgun chambered in 9mm.
The .22 Magnum cartridge allows shooters with smaller frames or those who may not be able to manage heavy recoil to effectively defend themselves. Specifically, the combination of high velocity and low recoil allows for quick, accurate shot placement at close range. Ballistics gel tests have typically concluded that the .22 Magnum projectile performs better than those of the standard .22 LR round.
As you might expect, .22 Magnum is not capable of the same penetration or expansion as 9mm 115-grain hollow point ammunition. It will, however, still penetrate through clothing and create a significant wound cavity. As long as the shooter lands an anatomically significant hit, they can stop the threat.
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Although .22 Magnum might be more effective, there's no doubt that .22 LR can still get the job done in a pinch. Some firearms even come with conversion kit so they can shoot either .22 LR or .22 Magnum, giving you the best of both worlds. Discover our picks for the best all-around .22 LR pistols by watching our video below!
Shop all .22 Magnum pistols!
