Ruger 10/22 rifle .22LR as main defense weapon

[GrayWhale]

I know it's a little .22LR and not some whopper of a man stopper, but I don't feel like worrying about all of the varying gun laws of different states (even with a reciprocating CCW), especially while passing through big cities that are usually anti-gun, especially handguns.

This Ruger is known to be a less threatening looking rifle and more of a plinker or squirrel killer. You can always say it's for hunting. While as self defense, I would have some nice 25 round mags since I'm more likely to need to shoot them more than 3 times.

There's the cheap factor of target shooting. Lastly, they're a must have if the SHTF.

 

[akrvbob]

It's hard to argue with the logic of anything you said! It's such a great and versatile little gun it's almost impossible to make an argument why you SHOULDN'T have one.

The only problem is the price of ammo has become OUTRAGEOUS! But that is still no reason not to get one.

It's value as your main defense weapon is debatable, but certainly far better than nothing!!
Bob

 

[minimotos95]

i'll try to give a reason for why you wouldn't want to, but bear in mind for 5 years i kept a .22 ready along side my bed...

22lr is much better than nothing, but are you going to be able to shoulder and fire a rifle with an 18" barrel and full stock in a self defense situation? i would recommend a folding stock(illegal in some states) and a 16" barrel(legal minimum under federal law)

long guns are generally more resricted when it comes to being loaded while in a vehicle too. i remember reading that some states require they be in a locked container with even the magazine empty

there's no need to get into the terminal ballistics of a .22lr because it's good enough do the job, a 10/22 is one of the more reliable semi auto .22s out there when it comes to feeding and ejection but it's still far from 100%. not to mention with rimfire ammo, the priming compound is not consistent, even with premium stuff it's not uncommon to have a failure to fire, what happens if you hear "click" while staring down the sights at the bad guy.

but if you trust it will go bang when you need it i see no reason why not,

if i wanted a long gun for the purpose it would be a pump action, 12ga, 20ga or .410. a 12 gauge maverick 88 is cheaper than a 10/22, can be used for up to deer size game. and has a lower chance of not going bang. i love my .22 for plinking and small game hunting but wouldn't take it over any centerfire when my life is on the line

 

[highdesertranger]

1st off I have a 10/22 and love it, but for self defense only as a last resort. also just like some places have restrictions on folding stocks, some have restrictions on high capacity magazines and some like kalifornia you are not allowed to use a 22 for taking of game animals so you better know the rules before you say it's for hunting. better to just say it's my right to own a gun and leave it at that. highdesertranger

 

[mockturtle]

As I have a concealed carry permit, I prefer something I can conceal.

 

[GotSmart]

The Ruger 10/22 is a great gun. I have been a fan of them for 30 years.

BUT...

The sound of a shotgun chambering a shell~~~CLACK~CLACK! will either defuse the situation, or panic the perp.

My personal opinion is I will not carry as I have had to pull a gun 3 times in my life in personal defense situations, and the feel it gave me is not a road I want to travel. I will stay away from those situations as much as possible, but if it is forced, I have always talked my way out of extreme situations. I was the only plumber that would go into East Oakland CA after dark. This was in a company that had 48 plumbers of all flavors. The people would request the "Blond Long Hair that talks nice."

 

[GrayWhale]

The main reason that I want to have the 10/22 in my van is to go shooting with it. A shotgun would be much better for self defense, but target shooting with it is expensive compared to .22LR. And I don't really hunt, just shoot pests. I would like to hunt small game though so you're right, I should read up on the rules.

So for self defense, the 10/22 would be a better than nothing deal. I'd rather get the mileage out of shooting stuff in the woods with it.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Cant get that ammo here, its never in stock. Wally world has a quasi permanent sign up saying none available cause so many ask. For kicks my bro asks everywhere he goes and has yet to find any.

 

[Unchained]

Do they have gun shows where you are, DG? That's where I get all my ammo. The lines are hellish, but the prices are decent. At the last one, I picked up a couple of boxes of 22LR (even though I don't own one yet) because they were hella cheap and are hard to come by in stores. I figure that I can always trade it if I decide on another caliber.

I currently own a 9mm handgun for self defense, but a small to medium caliber rifle is next on my list.

The sound of a shotgun chambering a shell~~~CLACK~CLACK! will either defuse the situation, or panic the perp.

That works with semi-auto handguns, too. It's not as loud, but gets the point across when someone is trying your van's doors in the middle of the night.

 

[sparky1]

check out your local western auto's /ace hardware./southern states store,
I like Lucky gunner.com Live ability to see what's in stock. there out of Tenn, but can't sell to state residents (duh), I get some there for my friend, he comes to my place to shoot. he lives in town & that's not allowed.

 

[Darth_Muerte]

Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Dead men don't sue. I use my .357 as my primary defense weapon. I also sleep with a K-Bar next to me, but we are talking guns. I want a weapon that will put an attacker DOWN. I use 158 grain hollow points. With that kind of power, the shock alone will knock them on their a$$ even if they are wearing body armor. If they are not in armor, one shot = kill at the type of close range we are talking about here. There will be a small hole going in, but a fist sized hole coming out. Moral of the story? If it is my life vs an intruder's life, I choose me.

 

[Zil]

Hollow points? Are they legal?

 

[mockturtle]

Yes, they are.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Hollow points are not legal in New Jersey, but, AFAIK, Jersey is the only state where it's illegal for civilians to possess hollow point ammo.

And why anyone would want to spend time in Jersey is a mystery to me anyway.

But be careful if you have to pass through it.

Regards
John

 

[GotSmart]

And why anyone would want to spend time in Jersey is a mystery to me anyway.

From what I have read, they seem to discourage tourism or even travel.

 

[minimotos95]

kind of offtopic:
that 158gr .357 will go through lot of the soft body armor, up to IIIA i think it was.
however if it doesn't penetrate you are only looking at some broken ribs and maybe internal bleeding, not enough to take a determined BG out of the fight. it's just a hollywood myth that a standard handgun cartridge will physically knock someone wearing body armor down. even lighter rifle rounds like the 7.62x39 or 308 won't do it unless they are off balance, you really have to get up past 30-06 or .500S&W power levels to knock someone down.

just remember no matter what cartridge you use the fastest and most reliable way to stop a threat is stopping the heart, lungs or central nearvous system.

 

[GrayWhale]

Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Dead men don't sue. I use my .357 as my primary defense weapon. I also sleep with a K-Bar next to me, but we are talking guns. I want a weapon that will put an attacker DOWN. I use 158 grain hollow points. With that kind of power, the shock alone will knock them on their a$$ even if they are wearing body armor. If they are not in armor, one shot = kill at the type of close range we are talking about here. There will be a small hole going in, but a fist sized hole coming out. Moral of the story? If it is my life vs an intruder's life, I choose me.

What happens if you pass through Washington DC or something with your .357?

 

[mockturtle]

What happens if you pass through Washington DC or something with your .357?

Why would anyone want to do that? :huh:

 

[akrvbob]

I love Washington DC!! I recommend everybody take a trip there, especially during the Cherry Blossom Festival.

It's my understanding that there is a combination of three types of gun locks and safes that together will make most guns legal to possess in all 50 states. Between the three of them, every state is satisfied. At least that is what my CCW instructor told me. I'm going to stop by his gun shop before I leave AZ and buy them.
Bob

 

[minimotos95]

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/dc.pdf see RV/Car Carry Without A Permit/License
short story unless you are heading out of DC, to a gunshop or range it's illegal. long guns or handguns, both are the same.

if i had to go to DC i would stop buy a gun shop in a bordering state and give them $20 to hold my guns for a couple days, better safe than sorry.