Reflections Upon .22 Caliber Handguns

I'm not much into hiking or backpacking per se but ever since I was a kid, I have enjoyed knocking about in the woods whenever the opportunity arose. Long ago, I found the companionship of a .22 to be convenient for dispatching snakes and other vermin and the source of many fun, impromptu plinking sessions. At first, my .22 of choice was limited to the only one available: an old Remington Model 33 single shot rifle that had been handed down from my great grandfather. A few years later, it was upgraded to a Ruger 10/22 and at the age of fifteen, I passed the point of no return, acquiring my first .22 handgun as a birthday present. Since then, I have tried to keep some type of a .22 pistol or revolver on hand and I have had the opportunity to own and shoot many good ones and a couple of bad ones.

My first handgun was a New Model Ruger Single Six, a convertible chambered in .22 Long Rifle with an extra cylinder for the substantially more powerful .22 Magnum cartridge. This single action revolver came from Montgomery Ward in May of 1982, just prior to my fifteenth birthday and being presented with that yellow and black box, emblazoned with the Sturm, Ruger logo, was one of the most exciting moments of my life. After getting it into my hands, I could barely wait to shoot it. At the time, I was a decent shot with a .22 rifle and I naturally assumed that I would shoot this new revolver equally well. Suffice it to say that, though I encountered a learning curve that was only cured by a lot of practice and a liberal supply of ammunition, I was thereafter hooked on handguns.

My next .22 caliber handgun came just a couple of years later, a beautiful Smith & Wesson Model 651 in .22 WMR that was also purchased from Montgomery Ward. This light and handy, double action kit gun, with a four inch barrel, was much less bulky than the six and one half inch Single Six and it could have promised great potential, had it not had an atrocious trigger and been prone to consistently misfire on one chamber. As a result, it spent much of its time just sitting pretty in its dark blue Smith and Wesson box and in time, I discovered a Charter Arms Pathfinder in .22 Long Rifle to be a more reliable, compact companion for the woods. With it's three inch barrel, it also carried conveniently in my hip pocket.

One day, I entered a gun store and saw a used Beretta 70S in .22 Long Rifle. I picked it up, fell in love with it on the spot, and made arrangements to acquire it. A .22 Long Rifle built on a .380 ACP platform, it had a bulky thumb rest grip and an adjustable rear sight, which made it more importable in the eyes of the BATF. An attractive, exceedingly accurate, rather compact pistol, it replaced the Pathfinder, becoming my back pocket pistol for the woods. As a matter of fact, for awhile, it was the only .22 caliber handgun that I bothered to shoot and it flawlessly digested thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Back then, I was convinced that a revolver was more reliable than a semi-automatic pistol, so I decided to test the Beretta 70S to see just how long it would remain reliable without regular cleaning. .22 rimfire cartridges are notoriously nasty due to "dirty", heavily fouling powders and outside lubricated bullets so I felt that I would be getting jams after a few hundred rounds. Over a period of time, I shot the little Beretta, put it away, and shot it some more. The action began to feel gritty and the chamber got nasty, but it continued to function reliably. I grew weary of my test, losing count after 3,000 rounds. When the little pistol refused to fail, I gave it the good cleaning that it well deserved.

I started regularly shooting centerfire revolvers and I began reloading and casting my own bullets in order to feed them. For awhile, I felt that I had outgrown my .22s and some, including the wonderful little Beretta, were foolishly traded to acquire bigger and better things. One day, I came to the realization that I was spending more time pulling the handle of a Lyman turret press than I was pulling a trigger and I decided that a full sized .22 caliber revolver would not be bad to practice with. So, I bought a Smith & Wesson Model 18 with a four inch barrel, and a couple of speed loaders and began shooting drills with it.

The Model 18 was an excellent revolver that handled like its more powerful, K-Frame counterparts, such as the famous Combat Masterpiece, and provided the legendary accuracy of the Model 17. It perfectly fit my "Border Patrol" holster, the type popularized by Bill Jordan, and its speed loaders were right at home in the pouch that typically carried those for a .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Efficiently speed loading a .22 revolver can be quite a challenge due to the small chambers so the practice that the Model 18 provided proved to valuable on the combat course.

Shooting the Model 18 provided the realization that the .22 was more than just a plinker or a toy for the woods. With this in mind, I bought a Ruger Government Model Target and tried my hand at some Bullseye shooting. Bullseye requires much precision and rigid methodology and with the coaching of a distinguished, elderly gentleman who once competed at Camp Perry, my Ruger and I, with some high dollar Eley ammunition, were holding our own in an environment filled with High Standards and Smith & Wesson Model 41s. This experience refined my shooting but I ultimately found it tedious and boring so I took up shooting bowling pins with a Ruger GP-100 in .357 Magnum and once again put my .22s on the back burner.

Fortunes sometimes change and a once impressive gun collection had to be pared down and the reloading presses put into storage. Shooting became limited to occasional practice with centerfire defensive pistols. One day, I stumbled upon an Armscorp P-22, an Argentine copy of the Colt Woodsman, for $150. I looked it over and turned my nose up at it. A short time later, it went on sale for $125 and I thought "what the heck?" I bought it and some cheap ammo and I was pleasantly surprised. It jammed occasionally, probably due to the rather fragile magazines, but the accuracy was astounding for such a cheap pistol and I was once again shooting a .22 on a regular basis.

A friend of mine owns a large piece of land and after spending some time shooting on it, I wanted a compact .22 that I could drop in my pocket and carry conveniently when I went exploring. I came across some pistols that had been seized by a law enforcement agency and then sold to a gun store. The prices were quite attractive and I bought a Beretta 950 BS in .22 Short and a Beretta 21 A in .22 Long Rifle. The Beretta 950 BS delivered amazing accuracy from a pistol that could be eclipsed by a pack of cigarettes. In comparison, the larger Beretta 21A was more accurate but its chunky profile made it less appealing than its smaller cousin when it was slipped into a front pants pocket.

While I was satisfied with both Berettas, I stumbled upon a little money and, perhaps recalling the Charter Arms Pathfinder and the Beretta 70S, I became enamored with a Smith and Wesson Model 317. Selling the Beretta 21 A to help fund the transaction, I purchased one at an exorbitant retail price. Tucking away nicely in my hip pocket, I felt that its ultra light weight, adjustable sights, and J-Frame size would make it a perfect companion in the woods. Instead, its mediocre accuracy and tendency to misfire on two cylinders, with every ammunition that I tried, led me to regret selling the Beretta 21 A. So, I began regularly carrying the 950 BS on my excursions and the Smith & Wesson Model 317 quickly found a new home.

I have currently reached a point where I am without a .22 caliber handgun and I am shopping for another one. After being a pistol shooter for nearly thirty years, I have come to regard a quality .22 as a necessity and I will soon purchase another one. I have shot several Ruger 22/45s, which provide a lot of bang for the buck, and I have set my sights on one. However, if I stumble across a Beretta 70 S at a reasonable price, I will jump on it without thinking twice. Who knows, I might try something else altogether different and add to the list of .22 caliber handguns that I have found to be enjoyable over the years.

The Delightful Webley & Scott Ltd MK IV

Originally designed as a more mild mannered replacement for the Webley Mark VI in .455 Eley for British military service, the Webley & Scott Ltd Mark IV, a double action revolver chambered for the .380/200 (.38 S&W) cartridge, became a substitute standard to the Enfield No. 2 Mark I during World War II. A top break design, its stirrup (which retains the backstrap) gives the Webley greater strength than other break top revolvers and its automatic extractor can allow it to be reloaded surprisingly fast by familiar hands. While speedloaders are not available for it, those designed for smaller framed six shot revolvers like the Colt Detective Special can be made to work acceptably and Bianchi Speed Strips perform well.

The relative lack of power provided by the .380/200 (.38 S&W) cartridge has long been criticized. Originally loaded for British service with a 200 gr. lead bullet at around 620 FPS, current .38 S&W cartridges are loaded with 146 gr. RNL bullets at around 680 fps. The actual effectiveness of this little cartridge falls somewhat between glowing reports of rather long tumbling bullets providing extraordinary results on one hand and bouncing off of German greatcoats on the other. While the modest ballistics of this cartridge can be improved with handloads, the .380/200 (.38 S&W) will never be a powerhouse and many consider it to be bare for defensive applications.

Yet, in its day, the .380/200 (.38 S&W) was a surprisingly popular police cartridge and pocket pistols in this caliber, made by everyone from Iver Johnson and Harrington & Richardson to Colt and Smith & Wesson were quite popular. Perhaps this is for two reasons: 1. Small and inexpensive break top revolvers in this caliber were once prolific and they were even available by mail order back in the era when the Constitution still guided the laws of the United States. 2. The .380/200 (.38 S&W) is pleasant to shoot and surprisingly accurate; target pistols were once made in this caliber and none other than Elmer Keith extolled its accuracy.

While many regard the revolvers such as the Webley & Scott Mark IV and cartridges such as the .380/200 (.38 S&W) as suitable memories of a bygone era, I find my old Webley to be an utter delight! Remington .38 S&W ammunition loaded with 146 gr. RNL bullets shoot precisely to point of aim and can be consistently stacked one atop the other, shot offhand at seven yards (I have witnesses that will attest to this). While many would put the archaic old Webley away, I have shot mine regularly over the years, I still carry it, and I remain confident in its simple design and stellar accuracy. Originally purchased for a mere $85 back in the 1990s, my old Webley & Scott Mark IV represents a small investment that keeps on giving.

The .22 for Survival

Survival is a big word that has many connotations. Some view it as a short term proposition, requiring just a few days worth of provisions to weather the worst part of a disaster. Others view it as a long term ordeal, requiring extensive stockpiles and wilderness retreats to offset political chaos and economic collapse. Still others view it as a continuous, self sufficient lifestyle that allows them to simply drop out of society. All have differing views as to where firearms may fit into their plans. Some see no need for firearms at all while others build extensive arsenals to accommodate defense and foraging in a variety of circumstances.

Regardless of individual levels of preparedness, a rifle or handgun in .22 Long Rifle caliber can be quite useful, providing that one has or is willing to develop the skills to effectively use it. The .22 has long been a standard for small game, it easily dispatches vermin, and in a pinch, it can take medium, non-dangerous game and serve in a defensive capacity, provided it's potential for accuracy is fully utilized. Its mild report, which does not carry very far, is not disruptive in semi-rural environments and fifty to one hundred rounds of ammunition is easily carried in a pocket.

.22 rifles are light and handy, as are full sized .22 pistols and revolvers. A take down .22 such as the Browning 22 in Grade I can carry unobtrusively in a backpack as will the popular Ruger 10/22 with the addition of a folding stock. Although more difficult for many to master than a rifle, full sized .22 pistols and revolvers such as the Ruger 22/45, the Browning Buck Mark, and the Smith & Wesson 617 carry even more conveniently than rifles and are capable of exceptional accuracy in experienced hands. Five hundred rounds of .22 Long Rifle ammunition is quite inexpensive, will last a long time when prudently used, and takes up comparatively little space.

.22s of various designs, including combination guns offering a single shot .22 barrel over a single shot shotgun barrel, have long been considered viable additions to survival gear in aircraft because of their relatively light weight, comparatively compact size, and substantial utility. Likewise, .22 pistols and revolvers have long been popular trail guns for those who spend substantial time outdoors. These qualities make rifles or pistols chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge suitable for emergency kits for vehicles and campers where space may be limited.

A .22 rifle or pistol could stand alone in an emergency, being used for such purposes as foraging, defense, and signaling. However, its modest ballistics make it less than ideal for medium and larger game and personal protection against aggressive humans and animals. The .22 really shines when it is a secondary firearm used in conjunction with a more powerful weapon carried for specific purposes (e.g. a .22 rifle paired with a carefully chosen defensive handgun or a .22 pistol or revolver paired with a centerfire rifle or shotgun). In this instance, the .22 can greatly extend one's capacity for weathering the most adverse situations while providing the added bonus of serving as an extra weapon if the primary firearm becomes lost or damaged. For these reasons, the versatile .22 is a worthy addition to any survival kit.

The .22 for Defense

In Defensive Firearms for Tight Budgets, I mentioned that handguns and rifles chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge were not ideal for defense but could be pressed into service in an emergency. Since the suitability of a .22 as a primary weapon for defense is hotly debated with strong opinions on both sides of the aisle, I wanted to address this subject more fully.

On one hand, the modest little .22 has killed its fair share of people and game over the years and it has been used successfully by assassins, poachers, and citizens of every station for purposes that far exceed its limitations. On the other hand, its rimfire primer is more subject to failure than centerfire primers and its humble ballistics cannot be depended upon to produce a one shot stop on either a human assailant or a large, aggressive animal. Yet, ever since Smith and Wesson introduced the Model 1 in 1857, small .22 caliber handguns have been rather popular, despite their limitations, for those desiring a light and unobtrusive repeating firearm for defense.

Many of these handguns have been (and still are) quite inexpensive in comparison to larger, more powerful firearms, which makes them easier to acquire and their modest recoil makes them rather easy to control. One of my favorites, the Beretta 950 BS, in .22 Short, is no longer in production but they are often found used for around $150. I have found them to be quite satisfactory for carrying in a trouser pocket. The accompanying photograph shows eight shots fired from a Beretta 950 BS at seven yards (twenty-one feet), offhand.

If a .22 Long Rifle (or the less powerful .22 Short) is used for defense, its limitations must be understood. While accuracy is important in any defensive situation, it is critical when relying upon small, relatively slow .22 caliber bullets. A single, well placed shot may not immediately stop a determined attacker and a round carelessly lobbed towards center mass will be even less likely to end a confrontation; thus, multiple well placed shots in rapid succession may be necessary. Personally, if possible, I would eschew center mass with a .22 and deliver my rounds to the assailant's face, particularly the area between the eyebrows and the cheeks. Penetration to the brain would be an added bonus but at the very least, a blinded attacker will be less effective in carrying out his assault.

While it is prudent to be able to quickly clear the action and chamber another round with any semi-automatic that is used for defensive purposes, it is especially critical with a .22 because rimfire primers are more prone to misfires than are centerfire primers. Some semi-automatic pistols in .22 caliber, like the Beretta 950 BS and the Beretta Bobcat do not have extractors. Though they are well made pistols and I am quite fond of both, a misfire with either at an inopportune time could prove fatal since clearing the action requires tipping the barrel to eject the bad cartridge before another cartridge can be chambered; this is a more time consuming process than simply racking the slide. Perhaps a double strike will detonate the offensive cartridge in such an instance but I have never trusted a cartridge after it has failed once.

Having a firearm readily available and being able to consistently hit the target with it are two absolute necessities if one intends to successfully use a gun for self defense. While .22s are not ideal defensive weapons, they are affordable, available in easily carried configurations, and their ammo is cheap enough to allow regular practice. By understanding their limitations and applying good marksmanship skills, the .22 rimfire can prove useful for defense. Though I have heard many state that they would not stake their life on a .22, I have seen many owners of $1,000 plus Government Models in .45 ACP demonstrate that they would be far better served by carrying a club for defense due to poor marksmanship skills, little commitment to practice, and sensitivity to recoil.

Premier Cigarette Tobacco

Premier Cigarette tobacco is made by Commonwealth Brands of Reidsville, North Carolina. Recently, I rolled and smoked a couple of bags of Bull Durham pipe tobacco (also produced by Commonwealth Brands) and I found it to be of better quality than many dual use smoking tobaccos that are currently available. In flavor, it was not unlike the USA Gold brand of cigarettes also produced by this company. It was also equally fast burning and I detected just a hint of harshness in the smoke. I was somewhat reticent to purchase Premier Cigarette Tobacco for fear that it was just a more expensive, finer cut version of Bull Durham.

I was quite surprised when I tried it! It is satisfying to those of us who prefer stronger tobaccos and it provides a refined flavor that is not harsh. Premier Cigarette Tobacco yields hand rolled smokes that will compete favorably against factory produced cigarettes (of which I have smoked a considerable number as I have been smoking for more than twenty-five years). As a matter of fact, I just rolled a stick with a Premier filter and a Top paper for a fellow smoker and he rated it better than the iconic national brand of cigarettes that he regularly purchases. Premier Cigarette Tobacco is worthy of its name.

Defensive Firearms for Tight Budgets

Opinions vary in regard to the types of defensive firearms that are ideal for worst case scenarios but contemporary semi-automatic pistols and rifles designed for military and law enforcement purposes (e.g. pistols such as the many derivatives of the the Colt 1911-A1 in .45 ACP and the Beretta Model 92-F in 9mm Luger and rifles such as the AR-10 in 7.62x51 NATO or the AR-15 in 5.56x45 NATO as now produced by many manufacturers) are frequently recommended. This is sensible since these firearms were designed to function under adverse conditions and offer reasonable accuracy and stopping power at combat ranges. Sadly, the most basic arsenal, consisting of a pistol and a rifle from this category, can easily exceed $1,500.

What should you do if you have a limited budget and cannot afford such princely sums? I have seen more than one gun shop commando sneer at a gun of lower cost before condescending to state "I would not stake my life on that." Certainly it is prudent to buy the best defensive weapons that you can afford as they are tools that you may literally stake your life upon. However, there is no guarantee that the bad guys will wait to act until after you have sacrificed, scrimped, and saved for months to acquire your optimum defensive firearm. Hence, a working gun in the hand is far more effective than one perched on a gun shop rack, safely protected by its high price tag. Here are a few options:

Pump Shotguns: Providing impressive short range defensive capabilities, 12 gauge pump shotguns such as the Mossberg Model 500 are inexpensive (often under $300 new and less than $200 used). Originally used by the U.S. military during World War I and still in service today, 12 gauge pump shotguns have long been successfully employed by law enforcement. For defense, buckshot is typically effective to twenty-five yards; rifled slugs, shot from a smoothbore barrel with a bead site, can be reliable to around forty yards with practice. It is untrue that shotguns can simply be pointed in the general direction of an assailant to be effective. As with any firearm, a shotgun requires familiarity and practice if it is to be expected to serve you well.

Semi-automatic .22 Rifles: Semi-automatic rifles in .22 Long Rifle caliber are light, handy, and can provide impressive firepower while their mild report and lack of perceptible recoil lead to exceptional accuracy. Yet, the .22 Long Rifle cartridge is not typically recommended for defense, even though it has killed many people over the years. Effectively, it is not very powerful and it can provide a lethal wound that does not generate an immediate stop. On the plus side, their mild manner makes them easily mastered, even by children, and ammunition is cheap, providing the means for regular practice. Many good semi-automatic rifles in .22 Long Rifle caliber are available, new and used, for under $200 and finding a good one for less than $100 is not unheard of. One of my favorites is the Ruger 10/22 which can be found new for under $240.

.22 Caliber Pistols and Revolvers: Semi-automatic pistols and revolvers in .22 Long Rifle caliber provide many of the advantages and disadvantages of the.22 rifle in a more compact package that can be more easily transported (carried) unobtrusively. For many years, I carried some sort of a .22 caliber handgun in my vehicle to take advantage of opportunities for impromptu plinking sessions and to dispatch vermin when the opportunity arose. Though it is far from being an ideal defensive weapon, it can be pressed into service in the event of an emergency. The excellent Ruger .22/45, which has a ten round magazine capacity, was recently on sale at a major sporting goods chain for $239.

Former Military and Police Weapons: Former military and police weapons are sometimes available at bargain basement prices. Chinese SKS rifles (a semi-automatic in 7.62x39 caliber), the excellent Makarov pistol, and its kinsmen, the CZ 82 and Radom P-64 (all in 9mm Makarov) can be found for less than $300. Tokarev TT-33s and CZ 52s (in 7.62x25) are also available in the same price range but the Mickey Mouse safety on imported Tokarevs (and the lack of a safety beyond half cock on unmodified ones) and the firing pin design of the CZ-52 do not make them suitable for all users. Another excellent pistol, sometimes seen in the $300 price range and occasionally for less, is the Argentine FM Hi-Power, a licensed copy of the Browning Hi-Power.

Lever action carbines in pistol calibers have become rather pricey, probably due in part to the popularity of Cowboy Action Shooting and many possessing Winchester Model 94s came to believe that they were instantaneous collector items after production was initially stopped in 2006 (it has resumed but currently produced Winchester 94s are expensive imports made by Miroku of Japan). However, the venerable (and better, in my opinion) Marlin 336 and its variants are plentiful. Some sell new for around $350 and used ones frequently sell for under $300 in .30-30 Winchester and .35 Remington. Offering the same level of power as the Russian 7.62x39 military cartridge made famous by the AK-47, Marlin's old lever action provides capable defense in a politically correct package that looks just like what it is: an old deer rifle.

While some of these suggestions will provide for more effective defense than others, all will serve the purpose at hand far better than a $1000 firearm that is not in your possession. Furthermore, neither is an imprudent waste of money as all serve a viable purpose even after more expensive, cutting edge firearms can be purchased. Shotguns, in addition to providing effective close range defense, are quite versatile for a variety of game. Rifles and handguns chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge provide such economical utility and practice, they are common on farms across the country. The SKS has proven itself to be a viable, three hundred yard combat rifle in field conditions, the Makarov is a popular concealed carry pistol, the CZ 52 is a powerful pistol with a cult following, and the Hi-Power is one of the most prolific military pistols of the Twentieth Century. The old Marlin .30-30 is as popular now as it ever was and it remains a favorite, handy to carry, easy to use deer rifle where ranges rarely exceed two hundred yards.

1972 Pace Arrow Motor Home

Late last year, I bought a twenty-four foot, 1972 Pace Arrow motor home from a friend of mine. I am still quite new to RV camping and as of yet, with the exception of spending one night in it, I have not yet used it. I hope that will soon change as I find it to be quite spacious and well laid out for my purposes. As a matter of fact, I am sure that I will enjoy spending a few days near the coast in it.

While it lacks some of the amenities of newer, more modern motor homes, it did not cost as much as a house. The only downside that I can see thus far is that it drives like an old bus or truck which provides additional challenges when one is not accustomed to driving a vehicle of this size. As a matter of fact, I have been informed that no mailbox was safe along the stretch of highway that I drove it down.

I will admit that the age of the vehicle concerns me since I in no way claim to be a mechanic and I will definitely purchase roadside assistance through Good Sam before I drive it too far. On the plus side, all of the appliances work just fine and I was rather surprised at how simple they are to operate. As I understand it, the Pace Arrow was an especially nice motor home in the era in which this one was built and from what little knowledge I have gained thus far, this seems to be a fair evaluation.

I have spent some time perusing various groups and publications related to RV camping so as to be better prepared for my first excursion to a campground, which I hope will occur in late summer or early fall, depending upon work and finances. I have been rather amazed as to the information available from those who seem content living full time in their RVs. After checking campground rates, I must say that this appears to be an attractive option in our current economic climate.