# A .22LR pistol for self defense **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 15, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-22lr-pistol-for-self-defense/671317 "2013-10-15T16:15:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-22lr-pistol-for-self-defense/671317/81 "2013-10-19T03:16:24Z")
> [@j666](#): > > Consider the OP’s goal - to protect the family in the event of home invasion. Scaring a person away is as effective as shooting them in many instances. > > Shotguns are very good for scaring people, and have a larger target radius. They may not be a perfect home defense tool, but they are better than a poorly aimed 38/44. They do not have a larger target radius. Whatever the hell that is. You need to aim just like a rifle. And the pellets will penetrate several walls if you miss. The idea is not to scare the intruder but to ventilate him. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-22lr-pistol-for-self-defense/671317/82 "2013-10-19T08:29:35Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Damn it, this meme really needs to die. You need to aim a shotgun. _ **The pattern spreads at most a foot across at typical home engagement distances.** _ It is horribly effective should you hit the assailant with most of the pattern, and s/he’s unarmored, but you still need to aim the thing. Again, the box of truth goes into this in detail. Further, a shotgun is going to kick a lot more than any 5.56 rifle will. This might be a concern if you’re recoil sensitive. Follow up shots are going to take a lot longer with the shotgun. > > Read the stuff Patch linked to. It’s really informative and helped fight my ignorance. > [@runner pat](#): > > Even less than that. _ **1 inch per yard. So 21 feet is only 7 inches.** _ > > Also, most shotguns only hold a few shells and you reload one at a time. (Bolding mine, in both) I agree with all that’s been said. Yes, _ **you most definitely need to aim any, and every weapon** _, when firing it. You are responsible for every round that you send ‘downrange’. With that said, I do have a slight :nitpick:… As demonstrated [here](http://theboxotruth.com/docs/bot43.htm) on the web site “The Box-O-Truth”, a _ **rifled** _ shotgun barrel will have a ‘spread’ of about 17"-18" at _only 5 yards_. :eek: That would _ **not** _ be an ‘improvement’ over an aimed shot with a regular smooth bore barrel, though. ☹ Just sayin’… ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-22lr-pistol-for-self-defense/671317/83 "2013-10-19T09:09:00Z")
Shotgun shells can be loaded with birdshot. Which will stop almost anybody without killing them. (there’s always a small chance you’ll nick a major artery.) But most people survive birdshot wounds. Ive been told it hurts really bad and would discourage anyone from attacking you. VP Cheney had a hunting accident and shot a guy in the face with birdshot. He was out of the hospital pretty quick. You could load the first shell birdshot. Then the next shell double-aught buck shot and blow a hole through the guy if he didn’t take off running. If it’s two attackers than the other guy better take off running. Because your next shot is lethal. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-22lr-pistol-for-self-defense/671317/84 "2013-10-19T14:49:16Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. Birdshot does not excessively penetrate drywall walls. But it does not penetrate deeply enough to reach a bad guy’s vital organs. Birdshot makes a nasty but shallow wound. It is not a good Stopper. > > Use Birdshot for little birds. Use 00 Buckshot for bad guys. [Box o’Truth](http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot14_4.htm) shotgun [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-22lr-pistol-for-self-defense/671317.md?page=4)