Rimfire revolver for deep carry

[timbernomad]

I’ve had my concealed carry permit for a while now, but I rarely carry. I’ve struggled to find anything comfortable enough to actually use day in and day out. I also just really hate the recoil of most of the really small handguns.

I’ve been considering going with something like a Ruger LCR in 22 mag or 22 LR. I’m a little concerned about reports of a very heavy trigger pull. I have an old Smith & Wesson 22 revolver that has an absolutely insane trigger pull - the LCR is supposed to be pretty good for a rimfire revolver but still heavy.

I’m also wondering about the choice between 22 Magnum and 22 long rifle. I’m aware that both options are going to be considered marginal at best by a lot of people. LR ammo is cheaper, but 22 magnum ammo is by no means expensive. Either one should let me practice a lot. The 22LR model has a greater capacity, but both have a greater capacity than the 38 spl models.

Is anyone else using this set up or something similar? Any other options I should be looking at?

 

[Choupique]

I think an LCR in .22 magnum would be a fine choice. Being a revolver, you get around the main rimfire concern which is reliability.

Id get a magnum rather than a LR for the increase in horsepower.

 

[The Harbor Master]

In lieu of quality centerfire ammo, as far as rimfire goes LCR in .22 mag would not be a terrible choice for self defense. Yes the DAO trigger will be long and heavy, but unless you're taking hostage shots at 50yds, who cares. It has a sub 2" barrel anyways, so it's a handshake distance gun to me (which statistically they all will be anyways).

Edit: just noticed Ruger doesnt show a 22mag version of LCR on their site, just the LCRx... so you may end up with a SA/DA trigger going that route.

 

[TaperPin]

22 mag is a lot more gun, even with short barrels. Very loud as well, which doesn’t hurt.

 

[timbernomad]

Is 22 mag louder than 38 special?

 

[Choupique]

22 mag louder than 38 special?

IMO, no, not even close.

I dont have a sound meter or anything but in my dumber days I shot a lot of .22 mag from a 6" revolver with no ear pro. Loud, but not painful.

Have also shot some .38 special from a 6" revolver with no ear pro. Deafening, as all centerfire handguns are.

 

[betelgeuse]

The S&W 317 weighs less than a pound. Do some research though. Some have had problems with extraction. Not sure if that's still an issue

 

[timbernomad]

IMO, no, not even close.

I dont have a sound meter or anything but in my dumber days I shot a lot of .22 mag from a 6" revolver with no ear pro. Loud, but not painful.

Have also shot some .38 special from a 6" revolver with no ear pro. Deafening, as all centerfire handguns are.

Thanks. I see people say that the 22 mag is loud, and I've always wondered what they're comparing it to.

 

[betelgeuse]

I wish the Ruger Bearcat came in 22 mag. The shopkeeper model is pretty compact. I like the bearcats. My midget hands fits them fine haha

 

[Coopsdaddy]

22 revolvers will have a dang heavy trigger but would be a good concealed carry.
I carry a 38 S&W 442 and been eyeballing a
Sw351 22mag.

 

[betelgeuse]

11 oz. That's awesome

 

[NRA4LIFE]

The LCR in either caliber would be a good choice.

 

[Lawnboi]

I know it’s not a revolver and not a 22 but I would see if you can get your hands on a S&W bodyguard 2.0. It’s tiny, shoots decent and is light. I don’t like to edc heavy guns.

L

Thread 'S&W bodyguard 2.0'

Oct 14, 2024

Has anyone seen this thing? I just picked one up. Weighs almost nothing, is tiny, awesome ergos, easy to shoot, 12 round mag… this thing has me excited.

With recent talk of caliber selection in pistols this thing could be the ticket for a weight weenie.

I normally carry a shield plus, this the shield minus.

Anyone carry a 380 for woods defense? This is likely to become my go to summer carry gun. Activities where weight matters, ie biking running, backpacking this seems to be a perfect gun.

Shooting it compared to a g43 is night and day, the bodyguard 2 is stupid easy to manage...

• Lawnboi
• Replies: 77
• Forum: Firearms

 

[Pilsner]

The wife and I did the Arizona Trail hike which starts at the Mexico/AZ border back when the border was nearly an open war zone. I carried a S&W 317 in 22LR because it was something like 10.9 ounces with 7 shots of 22LR. While it wasn't my 9mm EDC with tac light and red dot, the other option was a pocketknife or a sharp stick.
I never really felt under gunned during that trip.
Today I would take the slight weight penalty and mount an RMR on it because it shot better than I could shoot it with the factory irons.

 

[TradLife406]

I'd highly suggest appendix carry. I've carried for about 14 years. The last four or five have been appendix. It's been a game changer. I used to carry in a crossbreed super tuck at about 4 o'clock. But you can't sit with it especially driving.

With a Tier 1 appendix I can fully conceal and comfortably wear a FN FNX 45 tac or a Glock 34. But mainly use a Sig XMacro.

Even with a little bit of a belly when I'm on a bulk cycle.

12-14 hour road trips there's zero discomfort.

I like appendix 10x more than even OWB.

Just make sure you have an actual gun belt like a next belt or something. Can't be just a Walmart belt.

Not down playing pocket carry or a 22 but I think I'd try the appendix before going to the minimum.

Obviously you need to be aware of WTF you're doing with your gun when doing appendix. I always have the gun in the holster before I put it on. Then drawing make sure your garment is clear and the finger is off for trigger.

 

[NM13]

.32. Check out the 13 oz S&W 432 in .32 H&R mag. Will shoot nicely and softly with S&W long, full wadcutters and have a lighter trigger pull and centerfire reliability. There are also many older Smith's available albeit with steel frames and exposed hammers. The LCR is also available in .327 mag that will shoot the S&W longs but it's 17oz.

 

[douglasfir]

I have never tried the trigger on a rimfire LCR. I have an older S&W J-frame in 22LR that has a horrendous trigger. Insanely difficult to shoot accurately in double action and surprisingly heavy in single action. I'd see if you can try out the trigger before you make the purchase.

 

[WoodlandCritter]

I'd highly suggest appendix carry. I've carried for about 14 years. The last four or five have been appendix. It's been a game changer. I used to carry in a crossbreed super tuck at about 4 o'clock. But you can't sit with it especially driving.

With a Tier 1 appendix I can fully conceal and comfortably wear a FN FNX 45 tac or a Glock 34. But mainly use a Sig XMacro.

Even with a little bit of a belly when I'm on a bulk cycle.

12-14 hour road trips there's zero discomfort.

I like appendix 10x more than even OWB.

Just make sure you have an actual gun belt like a next belt or something. Can't be just a Walmart belt.

Not down playing pocket carry or a 22 but I think I'd try the appendix before going to the minimum.

Obviously you need to be aware of WTF you're doing with your gun when doing appendix. I always have the gun in the holster before I put it on. Then drawing make sure your garment is clear and the finger is off for trigger.

Agreed. Appendix with a holster that fits you really well is pretty bigly. I carry a 5" PDP with Holosun SCS and a TLR1 all day every day, even sitting around the house. I have been using a Phlster Enigma with their floodlight shell for a few years now and love it. The only time I carry a smaller gun (to make this somewhat more relevant to Op's question) is when I'm shirtless outdoors eg; working in the garden or going for a run. For those few instances, I keep an LCR around. Only mine is a .357, not a rimfire. I do really like that gun. Pretty shootable for a snubby magnum.

 

[Speaks]

Ive always found any revolver harder to CCW than the small 9s.

I carried a number of small single stack 9s daily wearing a t-shirt and jeans and I am skinny (6'2 165 lbs jean size 30W 34L) and it was no issue. You generally think its less hidden than it is.