.22 cal LR not reliable for SD, is a .380?

[BAMF]

Here we go again with the caliber debate....

Bruh, please. Arguing about calibers is for people who can't hit the X-ring.

Let me ask you guys a question.... For those who are licensed to carry, what is your main goal when it comes to self defense?

The license has nothing to do with it. My main goal is the same whether I'm carrying a handgun in public, defending my homestead with a rifle, or using other tools in a gun free zone. My goal is to stop the threat ASAP and prevent them from being a future threat.

[Liberty]

I don't like the trend towards smaller caliber guns and ammo, particularly for new conceal carriers. Folks are often steered towards the LCPs and other pocket pistols. My issue is more about the guns and method of carry itself. These types of guns are just fine for the more experienced for back up and maybe for Sunday wear, but as a primary method of defense for newbies I think the choice is terrible.

First of all, carrying a gun in one's pocket is a safety hazard, most of these guns don't even have a manual safety, the other factor is how much range time do these guns actually get? They are difficult and often uncomfortable to shoot. If you are going to have a handgun for protection, it seems to me that some good quality range time is a good idea. I wonder how many folks actually qualify with these teeny guns when they take their LTC class.

That doesn't mean I believe we all need to be carrying 50 caliber Eagles or that bigger is always better. If one can and wants to carry a full sized gun all the better, but there are many good quality medium sized handguns that work well.

I mostly carry a Beretta PX 4 subcompact, although I occasionally carry my full sized P92 or my P95. all of which are 9mm. They aren't the most powerful perferators out there, but they give me the ability to hit what I'm shooting at, with enough capabilities for several retries and most likely to put a serious hurt on anything I hit with them.

I found the video about using a 10/22 for home defense interesting. It wouldn't be my first choice, but at longer than handgun range it could be effective.

[Vol Texan]

Would I intentionally carry a .22 for self defense? Likely no, but my carry needs and abilities are not the same as ANYONE else.
As I tell my LTC students:

• The .22 that you will carry is better than the .45 that you won't.
• The pistol that you will purse carry is better than the one you won't carry on-body.
• And the revolver that you will carry is better than the semi-auto that you won't.

[Flightmare]

Would I intentionally carry a .22 for self defense? Likely no, but my carry needs and abilities are not the same as ANYONE else.
As I tell my LTC students:

• The .22 that you will carry is better than the .45 that you won't.
• The pistol that you will purse carry is better than the one you won't carry on-body.
• And the revolver that you will carry is better than the semi-auto that you won't.

As you pointed out, the important issue is that you carry. Ideally, the next best thing is that you carry something you are proficient with. If you are proficient with a pocket pistol; awesome, carry that! At the end of the day, carry....and carry what you are proficient with. Anything else beyond that is MOSTLY preferences.

[G26ster]

...the other factor is how much range time do these guns actually get? They are difficult and often uncomfortable to shoot.

I find zero difference in comfort or discomfort, or difficulty, between my Glock 26 9mm, and my Glock 42 .380. The G42 gets plenty of range time just like the G26 and is just as accurate. Discomfort in shooting a .380 depends on the gun model IMHO.

[LDB415]

I'd rather hit them with a fly swatter than miss them with a canon. That said, often the issue isn't missing with the canon, it's not having the canon readily at hand. As others mentioned, what one has at hand is far more capable than what one has at home in the nightstand. It's all compromises. It's up to us individually to decide which compromises we're going to make and which we're going to reject.