.22 Magnum is Pretty Good 

I was shot by a .22 mag (hollow point) in the shoulder when I worked in law enforcement. It shattered the clavicle and the bullet itself fragmented into 11 peices, with some of the prices severing a nerve. It's an effective self defense round, given the proper ammo. Foot note: It's funny the number of people who expect you to become "anti-gun" after an incident like this. The gun did nothing to me. The a** hole using the gun did. Luckily, he died in prison. I wasn't the only person he shot.

I am in my 70s, carry a .22mag, 9 shot revolver, 45 grain round, I have never had a misfire, ever. Very good for recoil as I have arthritis . I feel fine using this as a daily carry. I have never seen anyone volunteer to be shot with a ..22 yet

You should mention the biggest advantage the .22WMR has over the .22LR; it uses higher quality jacketed bullets.

As far as “self defense”, I have had to use a 22 Magnum twice, a rabid raccoon and a rabid dog. One gun was a High Standard derringer, the other was a Charter Arms mini revolver. Both chambered in 22 Magnum, both successfully dispatched the rabid animal with one shot. So yeah, 22 Magnum works.

Correction: At 6:28, when I said "... a 36% increase in penetration," I should have said 40%. Math is hard, y'all. Edit: Found another mistake! On the chart at 7:28, "Hornady Crit. Duty" should say "Hornady Crit. Defense." Writing is hard, too, y'all.

"...the magnum is faster by 175 feet per second." That's a LOT more.

I'm staring at my Ruger 22 Magnum revolver right now. My father gave it to me when I turned 13. It's still one of my favorite possessions. The 22 Magnum is an awesome round.

I stopped shooting Prairie Dogs with 22 long rifle, even at short range, when shot square in the chest they would jump around a while. With the 22 magnum they went out like someone had turned off a light switch.

I am not much of a "comment guy". Usually I will tap the "like " icon and move on. Your presentation on this caliber was succinct , fair, and highly informative. Outstanding!

I have an 8 shot Taurus 941 in 22wmr. It had a horribly heavy trigger pull in double action. Did some reading online, and after a little spring work I feel like the trigger pull weight was cut in half. I'm also glad that I have about 350 rounds through it after the spring work and haven't had any reliability issues. It's a nice little revolver and 22 magnum is a joy to shoot.

I love my .22 mag rifle, I call it an "East coast .223"

Bought a 22 magnum revolver for my daughter. Better to have a 22 magnum on you then a 45 at home.

I saw a Indian in Alaska drop a moose with a 22 mag got it right in the eye it just dropped.Was beyond badass

I love the small gun series!

I'm in love with the .22 magnum. I'm a mess without it, I can't eat when it's away. If we argue I'm not relieved until we make up. I'm sure we'll be one of those stories you hear about, how when one is dies the other will pass a short time after, a few months. It makes sense, we've been together since we were 12, talking on the phone all evening, "no, you hang up first - no, you hang up first......"

3:50 my dad's ruger single six has never failed to fire, with either the .22 or the .22 magnum cylinders

Why don’t they make defensive pistols designed around rim fire ammunition with “dual” firing pins?! The early lever guns used this fester to fairly good effect to increase reliability.

Paul Harrell did a video about barrel length, and any extra length .75 inches or more show an appreciable increase in muzzle velocity. Less than .75 inches the velocity increase wasn't as great and fell into the difference from round to round.

I've heard about the primer problem for 50 years. Frankly, I've never had a big problem with it. I can recall only one or two rounds that failed to go off, both in revolvers and rifles. I've probably shot ten thousand rounds or more over the years. This so called problem just wasn't there, and I was generally buying the cheapest ammo I could find...yeah a kid could go to the hardware store and buy 22 ammo way back then, before 1968 when everything got screwed up.

The CCI 22WMR varmint rounds with the 30 grain Hornady V-mAx projectiles makes for a very high velocity, great expansion, and great penetration, even out of a snub-nose revolver

The data you provide after your tests is exceptional and priceless! Thank you so much for your hard work!!!

Out of 500 22wmr rounds, I've had only one failure to fire. Half of the rounds fired were cci maxi mags and Hornady VMAX with the ballistic tip. The ftf was a cci and it fired when I rotated it into to chamber. Possibly an air bubble in the rim. It happens. I've been carrying a 22wmr heritage rough rider on my commute to work through campus and downtown and it has been serving me well. Helped me thwart a mugger by just presenting it. Better than a sharp than a sharp stick. Thanks for vid!

Alot of people forget about the .22 Mag. Underrated. I've got an old single action ruger with an interchangeable cylinder that I can use .22 mags with. Fun

I love this round.22mag very underrated

I "downgraded" to a 351PD from the brutal, fire-breathing, hand-crushing 360PD. I put a lot of rounds down range with the 360, and suffered greatly for my efforts. I love the .357, but it's a questionable fit for an 11 oz. J frame. 22 WMR, however, is an ideal round for a firearm that weighs about as much as a handful of potato chips. As a side note, I tested several different brands of ammo in the 351, and Speer Gold Dot, Critical Defense, and Fiocchi FMJ were the most consistently accurate. I could keep groups within 2 inches (7 yds rested) with those loads, while others opened up considerably. Armscor was the worst with typically two wild flyers out of 7 rounds. Lastly, I have yet to experience an ignition failure with the 351PD after approximately 200 rounds fired. YMMV.

I’m not sure why but despite popular consensus while using the Hornady Critical Defense 22 mag I’ve only had one failure to fire in 200 rounds and with Gold Dot for short barrel, zero failures in 400 rounds. Both while using my NAA 22 Magnum. This reliably holds true with CCI 22 long rifle in my Ruger SR22. So needless to say I’m a 22 fan. My original EDC was an M&P 9C. I loved that gun but I found myself finding excuses not to carry it which really defeats the purpose. Over the last couple of years I’ve carried pocket pistols religiously. Taurus 738 TPC, Beretta Pico or the NAA 22 Magnum. I realize these may be a joke to some but to me, I feel they may just be a game changer. Thanks again for all your hard work. Wes

I just bought a little NAA 22 mag with the folding grip. It's loaded with the Speer Gold Dot self defense stuff. I bought it solely for the purpose of being able to carry a gun when I can't technically carry a gun. It is perfect for that purpose or simply as a backup gun. I can clip it in my pocket and forget it's even there and it looks just like a pocket knife while in the pocket.

I love my Kel Tec PMR 30. I love my XTM22 from Rock Island even more. It’s simply more reliable. I can even run the 30gn loads where you simply can’t in the PMR. However I have to reload twice as often. However, I find the mag changed way easier in the XTM. I however carry the Kel Tec daily as it is just a more comfortable platform in weight, and sight picture. 22 mag lb for lb is damn near on par with 9mm in regards to FTLBS. Only a few foot pounds separate the two. I love my 22s! Either way carry on!

More revolvers please. Your reviews are awesome. Cartridge brands, cross reference between 22LR 22WMR, velocities, jell test, shooters experience and suggestions, what more can we ask for. Solid review. Thank you.

I have a Ruger Single Six in .22LR, with a switchable .22HMR cylinder. It is a single-action revolver with a 6" barrel, and it's a tack driver at 25 yards with either caliber (and decent ammo). No, it's not very concealable and I really do not use it as a self-defense weapon, but it's an excellent varmint gun.

Ratio of the squares of the velocities yields the relative energies. The WMR has 42% more energy, nice correlation with penetration.

This is a great series! I've really enjoyed your pocket pistol info. Looking forward to more videos.

I have learned so much from this channel! 22mag is a round I have carried plenty of times, while running in pair of running shorts, or sweats loaded in a NAA. Figured it was better than nothing!

Great video as usual. Good analysis different cartridges and barrel lengths. I own at Keltec pistol and a Henry lever 22 mag and I thoroughly enjoy them. I totally agree that for a defense cartridge, it has the problem of missing some shots every once in a while and that's no no for defense. The advantage of this cartridge is the low recoil and superb for varmint hunting with a long barrel using the right ammo. Keep these videos coming.

Very nice video, good content. I would suggest that it's not usually light primer strikes in a rimfire, but more likely a gap in the priming compound. That's why they almost always go bang if they're re- chambered.

My wife's 1st handgun was a Charter arms pathfinder in 22mag. Put a lot of rounds through it with zero problems. I would recommend it to people with a smaller budget. Great video.

I love my 22mags I've got them from revolvers to semiauto pistols, bolt to lever action rifles , great caliber

Interesting. I bought and carried a S&W in the PD version when I had surgery years ago to both of my hands and I couldn't grip anything else and control the recoil. I still have that little powerhouse (??) and will carry it if I'm wearing very light weight shorts and need deep concealability over something else that would be considerably heavier. I also inherited a 4" S&W revolver I bought my Dad when his arthritis prevented him firing his beloved .357 Magnum or any autoloader, and got it back after Dad passed away. It is a very mild shooter but its bark is FAR louder than what you'd expect for the cartridge size. Both of those guns are good little shooters although their ammo feeding needs are pricey to fulfill given their caliber. As I said I like both guns and haven't any plans to sell either. Yet. Then there is the Marlin Bolt Action rifle. Never a stellar performer in the accuracy department, it has taken a couple of rogue feral dogs who made life difficult when I wanted to go outside of my house and into my own yard. Not any more, though. It is just a fun gun to shoot. Thanks for the video and data. It is enjoyable.

I wouldn't want to get shot by any caliber bullet leaving a firearm.

In South Florida where it's hot as hell 11 months out of the year, I mostly carry a glock 42. But sometimes I carry my North American Arms Sidewinder in 22 Mag. An excellent little pocket gun in my opinion...

I seriously wish this was a TV show. You are awesome! Such great production. Keep it up Chris.

We need some Lehigh and Underwood xtreme defender rounds in 22 mag! It would be a game changer!

Great video. I've been a big fan of 22WMR since 1974 when I bought my 1st brand new Winchester Lever Rifle. I've had some semi autos and a few pumps in 22wmr too as well as pistols. They are way underrated in my opinion.I have a double shot Derringer in 22WMR. Thanks.I will be ooking into a revolver

I never get tired of you, talking about these guns. They are good entry guns and honestly...a master marksman can defend himself with these quite well.

Keep 'em coming, LOVE the series

50 bmg please

Nice video and very informative with the ballistics with different ammo in different barrel lengths thank you!

I’ve had a LCR in 22M for a few years/several hundred rounds. Zero misfires. I bought it, over the S&W due to price and trigger. I find the LCR trigger to be much lighter than the Smith, Taurus or Charter arms. The Taurus rim fire trigger was so hard it flared up my tennis elbow after just a couple dry fires at the gun counter.

Good presentation of your information. Thanks for sharing

NAA is the best little revolver to carry by far. Sidewinder is the best one. Well made and accurate for what it is.🏆

One of your best vids yet. Excellent analysis.

Great article. I love my Smith air lite .22 mag revolver and this cartridge in it.

Good to see that you change your opinion after you crunch the numbers during testing.

EXCELLENT video, Chris! I’ve never considered any rimfire for personal defense (too many FTFs), but I have considerable experience with - and respect for - the .22 WMR. Long ago, I was assigned to Durham, NC, and my family lived in a rural home on five acres, surrounded by hundreds of acres of essentially undeveloped land. It was great, however, the meadows and woods near our home were LOADED with some potentially dangerous critters. I was vigilant in keeping my property’s population of copperheads, raccoons, opossums, etc. under control, due to the pre-school kids. The .22 WMR was unbelievably effective (of course, this was fired from a bolt action rifle, not a handgun), and I’ve never doubted the round’s potential.

Well and intelligently presented video. Something, and anything, is better than nothing. I once lended a .38 short Thompson and Contender pistol to an acquaintance and he remarked to it gave him a feeling of confidence/security as he traveled across the US to visit his family from one coast to the other. A .39 short is a puny round.

Taurus 942 in 2in or 3in, steel or ultra light models (24oz & 17.5oz respectively), 8 rounds, about $400 MSRP. The 3in will probably be a huge winner, especially the ultralight version!

Love the mouse gun series. I hope you will discuss how to carry the single action semi-autos like Beretta 950bs, Colt Junior, Sig P238, Colt Mustang, etc. I suspect most people carry them in either condition 3 (empty chamber) or condition 2 (hammer down on chambered round). I think it would be worthwhile to discuss the pros and cons of the different ways to carry them.

My older brother bought a Ruger single 6 convertible in the early 70s. We were amazed how much difference there was between the 22 LR and the 22 Mag. The mag seems like the perfect survival round. You can easily take down a deer with it.

I really like the smooth outro. Not too wordy; gets the job done effectively.

Just found this series. Great job

There's an old axiom: "Any gun is better than no gun at all." The .22 mag is definitely 'pretty good' to have if no other gun is available. But it's better to try several different centerfire calibers (start with .380 and go up from there), settle on what you're comfortable shooting, and practice, practice, practice.

Never had my S&W 351C misfire, Ever! Great carry gun and very balanced and comfortable to us.. Great concealed carry gun. Fits in your pocket in a sleeve holster.. I wish they were not so damn expensive. Ammo is as expensive as 9 MM

That was incredibly helpful information. Thank you!

Can't say enough about the 351 PD. I've had mine for years and couldn't be happier

Have the LCRx with a 3" barrel in 22 mag. Swapped out the clunky LCRx grip with the smaller LCR grip and love it as my carry gun. Virtually no recoil at all. Have never had a 22 mag misfire but have had many 22 LR misfired in other guns.

Great video. I recently got my mother a Ruger LCRx .22wmr with the Speer ammo. Much less intimidating than her old S&W .38spl revolver.

Your videos are well done and informative. When I first learned about your channel I subscribed straight away. The series on small guns is great, keep it up. I am also a big fan of .22 WMR. I own a S&W model 63 which is .22 LR and I love it. If S&W will build a revolver "exactly" like the 63 only in .22 WMR I will buy one in a minute. Hey S&W, are you reading this? Thanks again for the good videos.

I've got an old High standard 22 Mag, Probably over 50 yrs old. 9 round cylinder. 4 inch barrel. still works great.

22 mag is my favorite target practice round. Great range, cheap, and no recoil.

I’m excited to see if you revisit the 22 mag in the PMR. I really love mine (even though a lot don’t), and carry it often.

AS ALWAYS! Great info and video style. Keep up the good work brother.

Thanks for your great review of the 22 WMR. Glad you mentioned the LCRx. I have that in 38 Special with a 3" barrel. My only complaint there is the 5 round limit. I'd love to see the LCRx 3" revolver for 22 WMR but with a higher capacity. I have a Chiappa 1873 with a 10 round 22 WMR cylinder and 6.75" barrel but it is a single action revolver. For the skeptics of 22 ammunition, I lost a friend during the 5th grade to a 22 discharge that happened as he changed seats in the family vehicle.

327 please!

I'd love to see a formal ballistics test comparing various 22wmr ammo.

I'd love to see something on the Makarov! I am enjoying your information very much. Please keep up the good work.

I have very little experience with pocket rockets. But Ellifritz got me thinking about the 351c a few years ago. This was informative. Regards, Marky

Excellent review. Cerebral as usual. The trigger pull aspect in combination with ammo unreliability is a game changer for me. I had been considering 22mag for my daughter but not now She will need to get used to a 38. The nice thing about revolvers: 60 second learning curve. I have the LCRx 38. Great carry gun for me though I changed the grip to the slightly larger grip used on the LCR .357 ($25). The stock grip was a little small for me and I don't like finger indents in my grip.

I got a Savage B22 Magnum in the tacticool package (with the threaded 16" barrel). I mounted a little old Weaver 2x scope. I have to say this modest little rifle is one of the most fun guns I have to shoot; not sure why! I guess the excellent accuracy and the excellent trigger helps. I also like not digging around in the weeds for my cases, heh. I have no other gun in this caliber.

I am loving this series. Thank you. (Now about that 9x18...)

Very informative as usual! Thanks!

I am a huge .22 LR fan and shoot them all the time because it is just fun and inexpensive. I don't see a lot of .22 mag in my state, but great video as always LGA.

I love my 22 Mag Henry golden boy and my Keltek PMR 30 The best ammo I have found for penetration of maple plywood is Fiochi FMJ. Never had a misfire with any of the 5 brands of ammo I use.

Having several firearms in the mentioned calibers I very much like to thank you for your effort$ which resulted in very detailed information and yes, I also did enjoy your little 'fun-comments' partially hidden between the lines - sort of speak - take care and keep shooting!

Pocket pistol series: keep the great videos coming !!!

This has to be one of the most informative and high production value channels on RU-vid. It’s been an immense help transitioning to being a gun owner. Chris is the shit. PS just started ordering ammo through you guys. Let’s see a LG ballcap!

22 mag out of a bolt action rifle is great for small game up to coyotes. I have a 22 mag pistol and it is a formidable weapon, Grendel p30. Very interesting pistol.

Thank you for posting! Excellent video with tons of great information! And Excellent presentation

I’m loving this series!

YAY!!! 9mm MAK!!!! I sometimes carry a Glock 42 with a 9x18mm Makarov barrel from Lone Wolf Dist.

Gonna start carrying dual Heritage Rough Ryders

I like your reviews. Well presented info in a concise manner. 👍

No breaks needed. Love the content. Yes, please, makarov!

Well color me impressed. I always wrote any .22 rimfire off as useless, but I may have to consider a .22 WMR as a backup.

I have a 22 Mag lever-action. I love it.

I seriously love your channel!

I love my Remington 597 chambered in .22 Magnum. That baby is a real tac driver !

Very well done and helpful video. I bought a S&W 22 mag PD for pocket carry. The aluminum alloy makes this pistol extremely easy to carry concealed. The recoil is much lighter than a 38 spl steel j frame. And is much lighter. The loaded 2" barrel, 22 mag, w/ 7 rounds, weighs abt 12 oz. The loaded 2" barrel 38 spl, w/ 5 rounds weighs abt 24 oz. My S&W 22 mag pd has a little catch point in double action. I can pause and aim more carefully at longer distances. It shot @ poa rite out of the box. Paul Harrell has a good review of 22 mag vs 22lr; using his famous meat, fruit and fleece back stop.

I am beyond excited to see your video on .32 ACP.

I carry a Kel Tec PMR 30 while working around my property here in the Southwest for dispatching rattlesnakes. It works great for that purpose.

i used to have an old ruger .22 mag single action. it was a cool gun, i kinda miss that one.