How the 22 Wins - 9mm versus 22 Long Rifle

Introduction to Caliber Wars

In this section, Mark Laughlin introduces the topic of caliber wars and compares 9mm and .22 long-rifle calibers.

Comparing Weight of Firearms

• Mark compares the weight of his Hellcat loaded with 111 rounds (655 grams) to a P17 with one round in the chamber (340 grams).

Calculating Magazine Equivalents

• By subtracting the weight difference between the Hellcat and P17, Mark determines that four magazines of .22 on the P17 are equal to the weight of a Hellcat with twelve 9mm rounds.

Bullet Weight Comparison

• Mark compares the bullet weights, with a 115 grain bullet for 9mm and a 40 grain bullet for .22. He notes that comparing one 115 grain bullet to 5.4 rounds of .22 results in an interesting comparison.

Kinetic Energy Comparison

• Considering kinetic energy, Mark calculates that five point four rounds of .22 (128 foot-pounds each) deliver a total of 681 foot-pounds, while one round of 9mm (115 grains) delivers only 332 foot-pounds. Thus, there is double the kinetic energy when comparing these quantities.

Effectiveness Comparison between Calibers

In this section, Mark discusses stopping power and effectiveness between .22 and 9mm calibers.

Incapacitation Rates

• Mark mentions an article stating that felons hit with a single shot from a .22 long-rifle are incapacitated 60% of the time, compared to 47% for 9mm and 44% for .45 ACP. However, he notes that 31% of felons were not incapacitated by multiple hits from a .22.

Average Rounds to Incapacitation

• Mark shares data by Greg Ellifritz, stating that the average number of rounds until incapacitation is 1.38 for .22 and 2.45 for 9mm.

Considerations for Law Enforcement

• Mark acknowledges that the data may be skewed since police primarily use 9mm, .40, or .45 calibers, while civilians may be more likely to use .22. He highlights the different roles of law enforcement and civilians in engaging aggressors.

Physiological Reaction to Gunshots

• Regardless of caliber, Mark emphasizes that firing a gun at someone will elicit physiological reactions such as increased heart rate, loss of muscle control, tunnel vision, etc., which can affect an aggressor's response regardless of whether they are hit or missed.

Practical Accuracy

• Mark suggests that the light recoil and practical accuracy of a .22 may contribute to its potential effectiveness in certain situations.

Deciding Between 9mm and .22 for Self-Defense

In this section, the speaker discusses the advantages of using a .22 caliber firearm over a 9mm for self-defense purposes. The discussion includes considerations such as decibel levels, cost of ammunition, proficiency with the firearm, and kinetic energy capacity.

Advantages of Using .22 Caliber Firearm

• The decibel level of a 9mm is almost twice as loud as a .22 caliber firearm, which can be beneficial in self-defense situations where auditory exclusion occurs.

• Using a .22 caliber firearm may improve the ability to hear sounds and communicate with teammates due to its lower muzzle blast compared to a 9mm.

• Practicing with a .22 caliber firearm is more cost-effective than practicing with a 9mm due to the significantly lower cost per round.

• With the same budget for practicing, one can practice with six times more rounds of .22 compared to 9mm, resulting in potentially higher proficiency.

• While the kinetic energy capacity of a single 9mm round may be higher than that of a .22 round, improved marksmanship skills with the latter can compensate for it.

• According to some sources, it is possible to fire almost double the number of accurate shots from a semi-automatic .22 pistol or rifle within the same timeframe compared to a centerfire handgun or rifle.

Considerations for Self-Defense

• A lighter recoiling pistol like the .22 can be advantageous when shooting from awkward positions or behind cover where maintaining control and accuracy is crucial.

• In terms of incapacitating an attacker, there is a higher chance of the .22 round not incapacitating the attacker compared to a 9mm. However, in civilian defensive gun use cases, armed citizens rarely face further harm after hitting an attacker with a .22 round.

• For law enforcement, apprehending or neutralizing the aggressor is a priority, which may require more stopping power than what a .22 can offer. However, for civilians focused on personal defense and safety, the .22 can be effective in stopping an attack.

Additional Resources

• Using the .22 for Self-Defense by Gregg Ellifritz

• Gregg Ellifritz's Resume (credentials and experience in various self-defense disciplines)

Timestamps are approximate and may vary slightly.

Advantages of the Kel-Tec PA 17

The speaker discusses the advantages of the Kel-Tec PA 17 pistol.

Easy Slide Racking

• The speaker demonstrates that it is easy to rack the slide on the Kel-Tec PA 17, even with just a finger.

• This ease of slide racking is beneficial, especially if one has bloody hands and struggles to operate other pistols.

Reliability and Malfunctions

• While some argue that centerfire pistols are more reliable than rimfire pistols, the ease of racking the slide on a .22 caliber pistol makes dealing with malfunctions faster and easier.

• Testing shows that centerfire pistols can go up to 20,000 rounds without malfunctions, while .22 caliber pistols may experience malfunctions after around 1,500 to 2,000 rounds.

• However, it is important to consider that these tests are often conducted without cleaning. Regular cleaning of rimfire pistols may improve their reliability.

Maintenance and Cleaning

• Regular cleaning can narrow the reliability gap between centerfire and rimfire pistols.

• The speaker mentions having fired 1,650 rounds through the Kel-Tec P17 without any malfunctions. They also mention using good ammunition and lubricating their firearms.

Trusting Your Life to a Firearm

The speaker discusses trust in firearms for self-defense purposes.

Full Context Consideration

• People often say they wouldn't trust their life to certain firearms but neglect other areas of life that could impact personal safety.

• It's important to maintain full context when considering firearm reliability versus other priorities in life.

Physical Fitness vs. Firearms Reliability

• Many gun owners prioritize firearm reliability but do little or nothing to maintain their own physical fitness.

• Personal fitness plays a significant role in self-defense situations, and neglecting it can undermine the effectiveness of any firearm.

Legal Considerations

• In a court of law, using a .22 caliber pistol for self-defense may be perceived differently than using a larger caliber.

• While this may not have a significant impact on the outcome, it is something to consider when choosing a firearm for self-defense.

Suppressors and Reliability

The speaker discusses how suppressors can affect firearm reliability and highlights the advantages of certain .22 caliber pistols.

Suppressor Impact on Centerfire Pistols

• Suppressors can potentially affect the reliability of centerfire pistols due to the movement of the barrel during cycling.

• The additional weight and movement caused by suppressors may lead to decreased reliability in some cases.

Advantages of .22 Caliber Pistols

• Some .22 caliber pistols, like the Kel-Tec P17, have fixed barrels and operate on blowback action.

• These types of pistols are less likely to be affected by suppressor use and maintain their reliability even with suppressors attached.

The Life of Firearms

In this section, the speaker discusses the lifespan of firearms, specifically focusing on how long it takes for a .22 barrel to wear out.

Lifespan of a .22 Barrel

• A .22 barrel can last for hundreds of thousands of rounds, possibly up to half a million.

• Comparatively, a 9mm barrel may last around 30-40 thousand rounds.

• While longer barrel life is not a significant factor, it should be considered when evaluating firearms.

Z Day Stash and Survivalist Considerations

This section explores the idea of setting up a survival stash for potential catastrophic events like World War III or an EMP attack. It compares the cost and effectiveness of stocking up on .22 ammunition versus other calibers.

Stocking Up on Ammunition

• A survivalist who focuses on .22 caliber firearms purchases 100,000 rounds at an estimated cost of $6,500.

• To match the number of rounds with a 9mm caliber, it would cost approximately $30,000 for 100,000 rounds.

• The significant cost difference between calibers should be taken into account when preparing for survival scenarios.

Lessons from Aleppo and Syria

Drawing lessons from the sniper warfare in Aleppo and Syria, this section highlights the advantages of using .22 caliber rifles in urban combat situations.

Sniper Warfare in Urban Environments

• Syrian sniper engagements typically occur at ranges between 50 to 200 yards.

• Despite using lower-quality cartridges and rifles (7.62x30), there is no reason not to consider using .22 caliber rifles within these ranges.

• Advantages of using .22 caliber rifles include reduced noise, making it harder to detect the shooter's position.

• The Israeli Defense Forces previously used .22 caliber for riot control but discontinued due to its unexpectedly high lethality.

Stealth and Mobility in Combat

This section discusses the advantages of using .22 caliber firearms in scenarios that require stealth, mobility, and ease of carrying ammunition.

Stealth and Mobility Benefits

• In scenarios like assassinations or covert operations, using a .22 caliber firearm is less likely to alert neighbors or draw attention.

• Carrying a thousand rounds of .22 ammunition is much easier compared to carrying the same amount of 7.62x39 ammunition.

• Similar to lessons learned from Aleppo and Syria, using a .22 caliber firearm allows for hunting or poaching with minimal notice in an urban environment.

Ease of Use and Training

This section emphasizes the ease of use and training benefits associated with .22 caliber firearms compared to centerfire cartridges.

Ease of Use and Training

• Earning a rifleman patch at a marksmanship clinic like Project Appleseed is significantly easier when using a .22 caliber rifle like the Ruger 10/22.

• Factors contributing to this ease include less recoil, lighter weight, reduced fatigue from shooting, and lower noise levels.

• While the effectiveness of .22 caliber firearms may still be debated, further experimentation and exploration are encouraged.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this transcript highlights various aspects related to the use of .22 caliber firearms. It discusses their lifespan compared to other calibers, cost considerations for survivalist preparations, advantages in urban combat situations, stealth capabilities, mobility benefits, and ease of use during training. The speaker encourages further exploration and consideration of all factors when evaluating the use of .22 caliber firearms.

Should I Carry a .22 Pistol for Practice?

In this section, the speaker discusses the idea of carrying a .22 pistol for practice purposes and whether it would be beneficial.

Considerations for Practice

• The speaker mentions that they initially bought a .22 pistol as a practice tool to improve their skills before using their 9mm pistol.

• They contemplate whether it would be better to focus on practicing with the .22 pistol and carry it instead of the 9mm.

• The speaker highlights the affordability of practicing with a .22 pistol.

• They express uncertainty about whether skills acquired from practicing with a .22 pistol would effectively translate to using a 9mm.

Timestamps are not available beyond this point in the transcript.