Note: I didn't list a few handguns in this video for a few reasons. Yes, there are other great options out there, but other guns can't be concealed as easy as the guns that are in this video. Pistols like the Walther PPQ or the Taurus TX22 will make my top 5 list, just not this one.

Enjoyed that. I might do a UK version. 'Top 5 sharp sticks for self defence'... Don't give up your gun rights gentlemen!

I am 71yrs old. I decided to change from a 9mm pistol to a 22lr pistol for EDC self defense. This is why. The 9mm recoil precipitated a tear in my aortic to rupture. I was very very fortunate to survive after major surgery, and a stroke which followed. So it wasn't that my hands couldn't deal with the recoil, but my old body couldn't. FYI.

The best answer I've heard as to the "best" caliber for self defense: The most powerful cartridge you can shoot accurately and afford to train with regularly.

2:49 - Walther P22 3:28 - Ruger LCP II 4:40 - Smith & Wesson M&P 5:54 - Ruger LCR 7:19 - Ruger SR22

2:40 Walther P22 3:30 Ruger LCP II 22LR 4:35 S&W M&P 22 5:51 Ruger LCR 22LR 7:13 Ruger SR22

After several failed attempts to get the wife confident using a semiautomatic I purchased a Ruger LCR in 22. She had a hard time chambering a round in semi autos,hated the empty cartridge ejection. The 22 revolver is simple and goes BOOM every time with cci stingers. Better to hit with a 22 than miss with a 9mm/45 acp

My grandmother had really bad arthritis in her hands but wanted a decent little pistol so she had protection. She ended up getting a little 22 automatic and absolutely loved it! Her arthritis was so bad that she couldn't even rack the slide so I would always come over every week and make sure it was loaded and ready to go but put away and had the safety on! She was a very frail 85 year old woman in there was no way she could fire anything bigger than a 22 short! I'm really glad that she always had it, it made her feel very protected and safe. Even though 22 may not be the best choice for self-defense it sure does beat not having any firearm! I have seen very many self defense shootings resolved with a 22 firearm. And for the people that can't handle anything bigger than a 22 it is an absolutely perfect little round that will do the trick in a pinch. I mean after all I don't think I've ever seen a burglar say,"oh you shot me with a 22 so it doesn't count I'm going to continue with the mugging"

"When you start poking holes in people they tend to leave you alone." - Gunblast

I purchased a Walthers P22 for my sister she being up in age. I took it to the range with a host of different ammunitions and shot 400 rounds of everything. The first 50 rounds had some failures to feed and extract and some misfires. However after that the gun smoothed out and from there it shot flawlessly. Accuracy was great. From 20 feet all shots were well within a 4 inch circle. Last month Sister came to visit and a trip to the range and another 300 to 400 rounds were fired with no issues. Her small hands and elderly fingers had no trouble with the manual of arms and I was pleased. She has a 38 SPL that is her normal self defence arm but it hurts her hands to shoot and does not practice with it . So now she can go to the range and shoot cheap.

I have a form of Muscular Dystrophy that deteriorates the nerves and muscles in the extremities. I have been losing strength at an incrementally increasing level. I have a Glock 19 gen 4 and I attempted to work with it last week and unfortunately found that I am unable to work the slide. I am glad you did this video because I fall into the category. It's a difficult pill to swallow because I started with a 1911 .45, moved to the Beretta 92FS and finally striker fired M&P 9 & the Glock 19. I have an M&P 22 which is going to be my go to self defense tool until I get to my AR. I have always been a better rifleman than pistol shooter. It's just a matter of time though and I will have to have help with that too. Currently, I enjoy shooting my Single Six and Henry 22 the most! Enjoy your channel and again, thanks for touching on this issue!!!

I remember I was at a local gun shop and a middle aged man was there with his elderly mother. They were looking for a self defense gun for mom and the staff seemed dead set on having her get a 9mm semi-auto striker fired handgun. I watched as the old lady struggled for 15 mins trying to rack the damn slide. The whole time I just wanted to scream, get he a revolver....jeez.

My roommate has nerve problems and cant handle larger guns effectively, they can shoot my p22 like a champ though. Too many range commandos and salesmen refuse to understand that stopping power is meaningless if you cant even handle the weapon.

I carry a 22lr for two reasons ...1 uts super light... I really don't notice the weight at all...2 I can carry alot ot ammo....glock 44 with pro mag magazines 18rounds each.... in my humble opinion it's more about your 22lr ammo .. federal punch .... or cci mini mag or any cci high velocity...in self defense it's about shot placement with the 22lr... in my humble opinion. Great video 22plinkster.... please keep this stuff coming..

The lady counting down spooked me a little lol

He brings up a very good point that some people need a very light weapon to manipulate. For self defense, a small caliber weapon you can use beats a larger caliber gun you can't use 100% of the time.

M&P 22 is a great training pistol for new shooters. My nieces and nephew started out with this gun and quickly got comfortable with bigger rounds.

Ruger SR22 is my favorite. carried it for awhile. My parents liked it so much they both bought one and they carry it. Good Video!

I'd feel cheated if I tried to rob Plinkster and didn't get shot with a 22 stanger..

These caliber arguments will never go away. Nice video Plinkster.

Hey Plinkster. Like this video. I’d love to see the same type video for .22 mag and .32 acp handguns. In my opinion, the .32 acp is underrated, and I wish there were more handgun options for it. Many of those who struggle with .380 and up, could handle the .32 acp and would be well served by it, in a decent platform.

I love my SR-22, probably one of my favorite guns overall.

My mom is getting her license to carry and she is 55 with rheumatoid arthritis. This video was a lot of help picking out a firearm for her. I think we are going with the SR22.

A good list. I have the M&P 22 Compact and it has served me well. I'm drawn to the Taurus TX22, 16 round magazine pistol. This pistol was awarded 2019 Guns and Ammo Handgun of the Year award.

My wife, my mom, my mother in law all struggle with 380 and up. 22lr reliability has been a problem but after my p22 had a little work done, it's a great little pistol for anyone struggling to handle larger calibers.

Good video. I have the Ruger (LCR and LCP) as well as the SR 22. Great guns. Totally, ridiculously reliable. Even with the best, top of the line ammo I get the occasional misfire, or failure to eject round. Murphy’s Law....If it’s gonna happen, it will happen when you can least afford it to happen. In the end, I carry the LCR. Hands down!!

The laser you have on the Ruger is what I have on my M&P. That is what I started training my daughter when she was 12. That will be hers when she's old enough.

My Beretta 21A Bobcat in 22lr has been a terrific firearm for me for years. It's #1 in my book.

I agree with all your options. One of the most important things about carrying a 22 For self defensethough is not just a handgun you pick, it is about the reliability of the ammo you pick, CCI, yellow jackets, Aguila super extra, and similar have all been very reliable for me. I like carrying the LCP two just because it’s so small, it is very reliable.

SR22 is my main self defense gun and 100% confident I can put a stop to a moving deadly threat with 2-3shots. Bought the P22 just because it's German made as a backup edc gun.

I've owned an SR22 for many years. I do occasionally carry it as a backup gun. The safety has never bothered me as it's the only handgun I own with a manual safety. The "upside down" safety is right side up to me. I love everything about the SR22. Great ergonomics, great trigger, conceals well and looks good. You can't go wrong with this gun unless you're a manual safety snob.

I knew that you would raise the issue of the safety on the Ruger SR22. I bought one right after they came out. I thought it would be something that my wife and I could use for a fun day of shooting with the grandkids. I shoot mostly 1911s and various Sig SAO guns. My wife loves the S&W 22 Compact. So we both were immediately put off by the mechanics of the safety. However, I gifted it to my daughter-in-law and it is her only gun. She loves it because for her sweeping the safety up is not an issue. She has no “muscle memory” that would cause her to be confused. Her Dad was a police chief and taught her to shoot using a snub nose 38 special. She has taken several training classes with the SR22 and has her CCL. I have watched her shoot and I would not want to be on the receiving end. Another great video.

Thank you Plinkster. I bought an SR22 pistol years ago and I have yet to have a complaint with it. Every 22 review has the SR22 somewhere in the top 3. Seriously every top# review. I think it really is the best 22lr handgun. I just feel like any hand gun that is consistantly in the top 3 if not higher is great. That's why I say SR22 is #1.

Love my little Beretta 21a. I've had it for 35 years. keep it stuffed with CCI mini mags. It's never let me down.

The SR22 with an extended magazine is a must. Love that gun.

Thank you for the concise & informative vid. It's nice to have so many videos dedicated to the .22.

Sr22 definitely! You’re right about the safety for sure.

I took a semester in college called "Organized Crime" where we learned that the 22 caliber was preferred by MAFIA hit-men. Effective and relatively quiet.

I love my Browning 1911-22. It's a perfect hand full, accurate and reliable. It's much less expensive to fire than my full size 1911.

I personally have a P22, and I love that silly little beast. I use Stingers or Vipers, and have zero problems with reliability.

Now in my mid 80s, I have switched from my Glock model 22 to my LCR in caliber 22.

You should also look at the Smith & Wesson 43 C; an 8 shoot 22 LR Air Lite revolver made with aluminum; weighs only 11 oz. Great pocket gun and shoots great.

In Colorado it's legal for an 18-year-old to open carry and I personally carry a Ruger SR22 using a CCI standard ammunition never had an issue out of it every time I take it to the range it runs perfectly I've never had a jail it's super easy clean and it's really fun gun and I've hit the mini Coke cans at 35 yards with it

Browning 1911 (85%) and Walther TPH are my favorites. Thanks and Blessings!

The SR22 has rocked for me. The safety is easy to get used to swiping up after a while. I keep her clean af after every sesh. Rapid fire is ridiculously smooth. I got it in polar blue. :)

I have. Taurus TX22 that i like very well, I like the 16+1 mag. I’ve put about 500 rounds through it without a single misfire.

TX22 still seems like the best option but I'm Taurus biased too. Me and my wife carry a Taurus G2C with Olight PL Mini 2s and I have a vortex viper red dot on mine. Although I have many other very expensive firearms, it's my go to now for concealed carry. 100% reliable and incredibly accurate.

I find, especially in Summer, that I usually have on me the Ruger LCP II in 22 LR. This pistol is a jam-o-matic with everything but CCI Mini Mags. The gun has NEVER misfired or failed to feed or eject with the Mini Mags. So that's what I carry in it.

Ruger SR-22 is my choice. I CCW mine every once in a while when I don't carry my HK P30SK. The SR-22 is a lot of fun to shoot suppressed too! Especially with CCI Quiet-22 ammo. Functionality has been perfect, I don't recall having a single issue with it. And it's not striker fired!! Highly recommend.

Love how ppl say "I'd never use a 22lr for defense" it's better than nothing by far and plenty lethal with correct shot placement, and with the ability to mag dump and stay on target I think theyll be taken care of

I started out carrying a .40, went to a 9mm for a few years, carried a smaller .380 on occasion. I can handle all of them fine, I’m a male in my 30’s and I workout, I’ve also shot guns since I was 16. I like to shoot my carry guns frequently and at various ranges, so they get wear and I go through a decent amount of ammo. The last couple of mass shootings have taught me that ammo markers and stores that sell ammunition don’t care about their customers and will raise the price for any reason they see fit, any excuse they can come up with, it’s worse than buying gas on a holiday weekend. 17 years ago when I got my first 9mm it was $5.99 for a box of 50, it went up to about $13.99, then during the pandemic, $49.99-$59.99 for the exact same thing! That’s when I got realistic about the off chance that I would ever need to use a firearm in defense. If I do ever need it, I could care less if the person I have to shoot lives or dies, the only thing I’d be doing would be trying to stop him, I’m sure with my capabilities I can adapt and improvise to make a .22 work in that regard. I’m certainly not going to be a little pawn for everybody in the industry to line their pockets with my money. I have other responsibilities, spending .50 cents to $1 every single time I pull the trigger is not only limiting, it’s ridiculous. A cartridge is not worth .50 cents, certainly not $1, .30 cents is even expensive for what it is, especially given that the majority of them you ever fire will just be making a hole in a piece of paper. So my using a .22 is partly because I think I’m good enough I don’t NEED anything more, and partly because I’m not going to be a sucker and buy into this self defense as a hobby thing. I mean the ammo makers and gun writers aren’t stupid, they’ve got a lot of people convinced they’re going to be in a gunfight one day and they need the nastiest most expensive rounds out there because “what is your life worth”, they’re very clever. I’m pretty sure they’ve taken over a lot of people from golfing. I used to be a sucker tbh, dress around my carry gun, carry only premium Hollow points in calibers on often exact same firearms police carried…. After having carried for a decade and a half and spent WAY too much money on a lot of that stuff, I’m kinda over it. I love shooting and I still carry a gun, mostly in a sling pack with other stuff, but I only use and spend my money on one caliber now, .22

Good to see the Walther on the list, I just ordered one, pick it up in a few days. Can't wait to get out and put some rounds through it.

I have had a Walther P-22 for about 8 years. I shoot it often and have never had a failure to function with it. I generally use CCI or Super X ammo.

LCP2 with 11 round, a safety, small, and fits great in pocket or purse. I assume a laser is coming, else LCR. The SR does shoot nice, but hide ability factors in.

The Taurus TX 22 Lr is awesome! 16 + 1 rounds!

i love my gsg 1911 tactical 22lr pistol, very reliable and no malfunctions to this date with over 4,000 rounds. eats all types of ammo for me!

Great choices. I had a P22 but tried my friends SR22 and loved it. Traded it with him. Got the LCP II also last month. Need to get the LCR now to finish the Ruger 22 trifecta.

"A 22LR better than a sharp stick" I love that.

I have carpal tunnel in my hands so I appreciate this video!

A laser is a great addition and encourages you to shoot with both eyes open. Thanks for sharing.

Very outstanding presentation. Agree with you on Ruger safety. Was my FIRST CHOICE however S & W is now. Thanks

I’ve had the Walther P-22 for over a decade and have put over 50,000 rounds through it; have replaced normal wear parts and have been through a lot of recoil springs. The best thing I ever did was switch to an aftermarket captive recoil spring assembly; these lasts 2-3 times as long as the Walther springs. My Walther is still reliable with with bulk ammo and 99.9% with CCI Mini-Mags. I’ve never been a big believer of rimfire defensive firearms but if I had to I’d trust this firearm to save my life if I couldn’t carry centerfire.

Speaking strictly self defense the old adage about rimfire is revolvers are more dependable so for me I'd have to go with the revolver in this video hands down.

The SR22 is a great little gun to have fun plinking with….I carry a 9mm for defense,. I practice all the time with my SR 22…great video…

I’d like to see a top 5 value pick .22 handgun video, that’s usually what I look for with whatever I buy, best value for money.

This video is very well timed with Lehigh Defense's announcement that they'll be making the Extreme Defender round available in .22LR. I currently have the PPK/S, PPQ, and LCR in .22, and look to expand the collection.

I haven’t considered carrying 22lr for self defense but if I ever did it’d have to be the 8 shot LCR, mainly cause of reliability. 👍🏻

I have the M&P and SR22. The M&P if you have a big hand fits great and it’s a full size pistol. The SR22 when I held it for the first time. Right away I thought what a neat little Gun to carry. I did replace the Guide Rod with a Tandemkross and the Gun cycles just about everything. I would add to this list esp. for WheelGun shooters and I love WheelGuns. The S&W model 63, 8 Shot 3 in barrel.

I can't believe you left out the Taurus TX22 ... it outshines most of those and you could not stop smiling when you reviewed it.

I think this is the first time I see 22plinkster without sunglasses xD

I was a patrol watch commander for a very long time in the murder capital of Florida and as such had to go to all the homicides. Most were typical, some stand out. One in particular was a guy laying on his back on the walkway to a house with a tiny little hole in the middle of his chest. He was threatening a 90 year old man who shot him through a door with a.... .22LR. One shot, DRT, never took a step. Yep, it'll get the job done if you do your part. Graveyards are full of doubters no more.

SR 22 is a great little gun. My wife carries this and she is very comfortable with it. Not to big and easy shot placement. Perfect for women. I also bought one for two of my daughters. My other carries a snub .38. Great review.

Love my SR22. Fun little gun to shoot and is the only handgun I own that my son (11yrs old) can shoot. He has smaller hands but this gun fits him

"It has an ambi safety, on both sides." Lol

Taurus TX22 should have had a spot on this list. I would also add in the new 942 wheel gun that Taurus introduced again this year in 22lr and 22 mag.

My girlfriend was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis a few years back, I’ve been researching what .22 pistol I should get her for self defense. This is the first video I’ve seen acknowledging the needs of those affected by this disease! Those that go through it are troopers if you know someone with it you know. Thanks!

Love my Taurus TX22. It’s a perfect compliment to my Glock 17 and 21. When I just want to sharpen up my aim I go to my TX.

The Ruger sr22 is a blast, love that thing!

SR22 was my favorite. Tarsus TX22 is much better shooting, 16 round, extremely reliable. Now my new favorite

I have a lot of handguns, but always seem to pick up my SR22 going out the door. Eats anything I feed it; never once jammed on me. I have a crimson laser sight, and soon I will be getting a few 15 round mags, thanks to 22 Plinkermiester

I carry a Taurus PT22 Poly on me every day as my self defense gun and I love it.

I picked up a Taurus PT 22 Poly. The ergonomy, fit, and finish are exceptional. I had zero failures with my first 91 rounds. I feel like they out-Beretta’d the Beretta Bobcat.

how many .22 guns did you shot? plinkster: yes

Bought the SR 22 for my mom and got myself a Mark IV.....Both are awesome but the Mark IV Lite is soooooooo muuuuuuch funnnnn!!! Thanks for the great video!!

I agree on the Ruger SR22, but you failed to mention not only is the safety ambi, but so is the Mag release. That's why I also use it in my Pistol Permit classes since it can be COMFORTABLY used by both right-handed and left-handed shooters. And it is very reliable.

The Taurus TX22 outclasses all of these.

I have a rough Rider 22 and I absolutely love it! I've had it for almost I'd say about 10 years now and it has been a fantastic gun! Yes it's incredibly cheap and heavy but it does what it's intended to do and that's exactly what I paid for. Although I wouldn't carry it for self-defense more so the fact that it's just very big and clunky it is an awesome squirrel and rabbit gun, I've probably killed more squirrel and rabbits with that gun then all my 22 rifles combined! Just because of the mere fact that I carry it into the woods with me whenever I go on a hike so I tend to see more squirrel and rabbits then I do when I'm actually hunting. And for being a cheap 22 it's pretty damn accurate, I can easily hit a squirrel 30 m up in a tree with relative ease

My wife and i both carry. Her favorite is the Walther P22Q. Awesome smooth accurate easy to load and chamber. Not too heavy or bulky. Perfect for smaller hands. She has several guns in various calibers but shes happiest with the .22. If shes comfortable and confident im perfectly happy with her defending herself with it. Its not "better than nothing". In capable hands its deadly.

Ruger SR22 is one of my favorite and fun guns to shoot. Very accurate gun.

Feeling ok? Thanks for the content. The endless debate over whether or not 22 LR is viable wasn’t even considered here and I appreciate that. As many people said it’s a 22 but statistically more people are killed with 22 handguns in the other probably because there’s so many of them. I have one that I do carry for self-defense, it’s a tack driver, I have like 1000 rounds through it it’s not even a year old, but I can put all 10 shots in a 3 inch circle doing a mag dump at 50 feet. If that won’t save my life nothing will.

Nice list. I myself, would of put the Taurus TX-22, & their new 22 revolver, on the list. But that's just me...

22lr had a 13 to 14 inches penetration and also they hace hollow point and segmented bullets so yes it can be use in self defense

Yes I like Rugers. I have a few of them

I've had plenty of people laugh at the thought of carrying a .22Lr Funny thing is I can't find a single one of them willing to go downrange and catch even ONE 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤡

SR22 is my favorite 22lr pistol, it has a nice thick walled barrel but I totally agree about the safety...

Nice. I have an SR22 and like it. Glad you agree. Happy I bought it now. I got it to plink with instead of using my Ruger Mk 1 that I inherited. Don't want to break it. Thanks for your reviews.

Just got my first Ruger LCR yesterday! Taking my best girlfriend and mother to classes with me and going to start a chain around me of empowered woman who protect themselves! So pleased to see my choice made your list!

Bro you are crazy, the 22 zip gun is my choice. It’s the most comfortable, concealable and reliable 22lr ever created.

Love the lcp II/22 & The sr22. I've been trying to figure out how to reverse the safety on the sr22.

I have the Ruger 22 LCR, and the Taurus 942., love both, and a few others. Great list Plinkster, I love me some .22s, l.r and Magnums too. Great guns and FOBUS holsters go together!