First, the disclaimer: I am NOT advocating that anyone carry a weapon without being aware of and following all applicable laws.

Now, the dilemma: Like many of you, I live and work in an urban environment but often enjoy spending free time in mountain, desert or wilderness areas. Therefore my B.O.B. is not static, it changes to reflect my expected needs (and budget!). My problem is never what to pack, it's what Not to pack! I know that if I give in to the urge to throw in that chrome plated, solar powered, liquid filled, extra fiber, 4 season espresso maker, my bag will soon become so heavy that I won't carry it anymore. One non-negotiable item is a gun (see disclaimer above). Why, you ask? For wild animals... the two legged variety, not the four.

Now, having followed several recent posts about guns and caliber, I'm not about to re-open that whole can of worms, but to quote a couple of wise sayings: "The best gun is the one you're carrying when you need it." and "The only thing scarier than 500grs. whistling past your ears is 30 grs. passing between them."


So, what's my solution? Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the mighty .22!











As you can see, it's small, light, dependable (it's a revolver!) and it chambers a readily available, inexpensive round. I can throw the weapon and 100rnds of ammo in my B.O.B., and scarcely feel the gain in weight. Since the ammo is so cheap, I am able to shoot it often enough to stay proficient and hopefully achieve that, "oh so important" shot placement.

Yes, in the perfect world I would be carrying the [Fill in the name of your favorite gun here], but I have one of those and I know how heavy it and 100rnds of ammo get after lugging it around everywhere, so thank you very much but at the end of the day, it's the .22 that goes in the bag.


Now I'm certain everyone here agrees with me, but in the slight chance that there's any differing opinions (not on this board! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />), I'm open to suggestions...

Excellent Post! I prefer a Beretta Jetfire in .25 just because the follow up shots are a little quicker and the .25 is more reliable in an auto but the .22 mini revolver is a really great weapon that can be with you all the time.

What do you think of this .25?

I hope that this is not opening the caliber debate, but that revolver is available in .22 mag which has a much higher energy factor than the .22lr. .22 mag is a much better round than the .25 as well. I would have to agree that the NAA mini revolver is much better than any other gun locked in your safe at home. Seriously consider the .22 mag you won't be sorry.

Go with the 22 mag if this gun is your choice

I would agree that any gun is better than no gun, but, having fired a few of those little guys, I wonder exactly what you plan on using it for. Self defense, it will work, at knife fight distances. But unless you hit the bad guy in the left eye, he is going to get to you even after being shot, and he is going to be mad. As far as game getting, I doubt that most shooters would be able to hit a rabbit at 25 feet with one...

If it meets your needs, it is the correct gun for that days activity. I carry CCI Stingers in my version.

Actually, I have that exact setup - holster grip, barrel length, everything. Freaky!

I was seriously considering, just for fun, designing sort of a military style PSK tin with one of those included (without the holster grip to save room) for the primary purpose of taking small game at close range. Around here, I've seen squirrels and birds that were very close, but just out of reach - 10 meters away or less. However, it does lack any sort of real sights, and I haven't gotten a chance to go to the range and see if it can hit targets reasonably often at that range yet...

After seeing those two micro gun photos, I was having a flashback to that scene in Crocodile Dundee where the perp pulls out a little knife, and then Dundee laughs and says, "you call that a knife? THIS IS A KNIFE" <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Responses:

Learnmore & Molot, I hear what you're saying re: .22 mag, but seriously, when we're talking about the.22 it really doesn't matter whether it's .22 short, LR, mag, hollow point, truncated or round nose...if the fact that you brandish it, shoot it and then actually hit your assailant doesn't end the fight, then you better have a plan "B" ready. Again, this isn't the ideal stopping power gun, it's the one I'm willing to carry when it's 96 degrees out in July and I want to wear shorts and a T-shirt.

OldBaldGuy, you're right about hitting a rabbit @ 25' but if you end up lost in the woods with this little plinker and the above mentioned 100rnds., that's 100 chances more of getting dinner than you'd have otherwise...remember, my rational is carry this because I know I will, or carry no gun at all.

Ponder, That's what I have in mine.

Burncycle, great minds think alike! I've been to the range with it and you're right in thinking that It's really only plausible for very close range game.