When a .22 becomes a .32 caliber
Ammunition is a funny thing. We have a host of new ones about every day to keep the public mesmerized and jumping to their nearest gun store to buy a new gun. A good idea but is all this necessary for the shooter?
The answer comes with ones own criteria. You just sit down and write exactly what you want a pistol, rifle or shotgun to do and check that to a firearm of interest.
Let’s do a defense weapon criteria and make an example.
1. It should be a pistol.
2. Light weight.
3. Concealable.
4. Low recoil.
5. Stop an aggressor.
6. Easy to aim and shoot.
7. Safe but quick to put into use.
8. Shooting distance 8 feet.
9. Easy to reload quickly.
10. Double or single action.
11. Accurate.
Alright. Let’s look at this mythical criteria. Item #2. suggests we need something Light, #3 concealable with # Low Recoil. This puts us into a small frame gun. #9 ease of reloading just about puts a revolver out of the picture as does #10. Double Action for accuracy and #6 ease of use or #11 accurate either from the gun itself or the shooter.
Okay, now we need to look at automatics that are small frame and #7 safe. This points to .22, .25, .32, .380 and that’s about it. The .25 is a centerfire cartridge buy a weak performer as is the .32. In most cases anything hit with those may not even know it. A .22 is terminal but like the other two not a stopper generally so one would think a .380 would be a good choice. And I agree. With the proper bullet this is outstanding…..But, what if we were shooting a .22 at 1,850 fps and the bullet expanded its size upon exit of the barrel to say .318???? What happens then??
Wellllll, now we have a weapon with 10% of the recoil of a .380, that has stopping power, easy to shoot, accurate; can be lighter weight than the .380 AND, the wife can handle and shoot it too!!!
But is there such a thing?
Have a look at this recent target I shot and see for yourself.
Here for demonstration we have a target over double the distance required with two distinct bullet holes. The first group at the top we can see it is accurate with one bullet set aside for demonstration comparison with the grouping below.
The second array of bullet holes are spread apart so as to see the difference clearly. In fact I shot a couple of magazines of those to show that all the rounds expanded in the same way every time. No change in flight. No change in penetration. Nothing.
These are .22 caliber Long Rifle bullets fired at about 20 feet. The result shows that this criterion has been met with a .22.
Therefore if we can believe this then, what kinds of pistols are available in this caliber that will work? Well, for sure a Walther model TPH .22 is the safest, small enough to carry concealed by design, safe with one round loaded in a chamber, carried “on or off safe” in your back pocket.
Sadly in this case I have to report that the Walther TPH is no longer made. We contacted Carl Walther and have asked to make it but as yet no reply.
More on the Walther TPH found online:
“In 1962 Walther introduced the Model TP or Taschen Pistole (Pocket Pistol). This model continued in production until roughly 1971. In the summer of 1968, Walther redesigned the TP to become the TPH, or Taschen Pistole Hahn (Pocket Pistol, Hammer) to compete in the small automatic pistol market. The TPH is acually a scaled down version of the well-known Walther PP, using most of the proven design features of the larger pistol. The TPH is a bit larger than the TP approaching the size of the Walther Model 8. It shares with the PP the basic outline of the frame and slide as well as the safety/decocker feature. The pistol in the image is chambered in caliber 6.35mm or .25ACP. It is also offered in .22 caliber as well.
The TPH uses a bottom magazine release much like the P5 in that it is hidden in the but of the pistol. It is a conventional single/double action handgun. The sights are fixed, but the rear is drift adjustable for windage. The frame is of steel, alloy and finally in the USA stainless steel. The barrel/slide and internal parts are of steel. It has the traditional high-polished deep blue finish (or stainless) that is standard on many Walther’s and is flawless. It does have a feature I’ve never seen before on any other Walther and that is a half-cock notch for the hammer. When the decocker is used, it allows the hammer to fall to this half cock position doubly insuring that there is no contact of the hammer on the firing pin.
Importation of this pistol was banned by the Gun Control Act of 1968 because of the TPH’s small size as an extremely concealable handgun. Many were legally imported for issuance to US Navy Seal Teams, the CIA, and other official government agencies that required the use of such a small concealable handgun. The entire length is less than a P.38 barrel. The grip is surprisingly comfortable for a pistol of this size and you can get a full two fingers around the grip with the help of the magazine extension. It points naturally in the hand and the sights are good for their size.”
Note: I wish I could credit the website for this info amended by me but I do not recall. When found I will do so here.
In any case we at Joseph Brazier will pursue the little self defense gun as we carry it ourselves. Hopefully to get back to you with the good news of the defense gun…. “that could”……
Ahhh, you thought of something bigger for another application? Uhhhh, yes Brazier has many designs of projectiles in conjuction with its specialty barrels. They too perform in a different fashion. Some will be coming on the market in 2009. Others will not for sale to the public. Guns made for new ammo are the secretive Combat NCO™ and Combat UC™ pistols. These are being sold toned down today by Joseph Brazier. Also in rifles, ammo for the new SolidRifle™ as well. So stay tuned, we will be showing some interesting things in the future.
Karl C. Lippard, Managing Director
Joseph Brazier, Ltd