How good is the stopping power of a 22 magnum for personal defense?

Question

How good is the stopping power of a 22 magnum for personal defense?

Answer 1

Not worth a ding dong unless it is a head or heart shot. And I don't guarantee a heart shot.

Answer 2

better than a rock, but not much farther up the list. .380 or .38 special is the minimum i would carry, with a .40 or .45 being preferred. .357 mag or .44 mag would also be great choices.

Answer 3

Not very, but all that noise might be disorienting. They're loud out of all proportion to their power, especially in an enclosed area.

Answer 4

not great, but a 22 that hits does a lot more than a 44 that misses. unless you have firearm experience, stick to a low caliber weapon (like 9mm parabola) before investing in something big (like 357 mag or 45 silvertip)

Answer 5

Maybe not a direct answer, but wait until more law enforcement or EMS  types respond.

Used to work in ER taking X rays ( also a shooter)

Locating bullets was not uncommon.

Have seen people  w/ 357s embedded in their  heart or head

still looking to fight  the EMS crew.

Have seen people w/  bullets in their shoulders & chest throw 3  or 4 policemen around.

The definitive answer lies in how lucky you or  the bad guy might be.

A well placed .22 mag can  ruin someones day  or  kill them.

A poorly placed .44 mag can just p**s of a big , crazy drugged up guy & he will still mess you up & take the gun away from you.

The best defensive weapons are running shoes & they come in many styles & colors.