6 Shocking Facts About the .22 Short They Don’t Want You to Know!

Published on December 30, 2025
Duration: 11:06

This video challenges the common perception of the .22 Short as a weak cartridge, presenting historical context, ballistic data, and real-world performance to demonstrate its surprising effectiveness. It highlights the .22 Short's origins as a self-defense round, its penetration capabilities in ballistic gel, and its utility in pest control and small game hunting, arguing that modern shooters often misjudge it by comparing it to more powerful cartridges.

Quick Summary

The .22 Short cartridge, often underestimated, was historically a self-defense round and demonstrates surprising effectiveness. With velocities around 1,000-1,100 ft/s from a rifle, it achieves 8-9 inches of penetration in ballistic gel, making it suitable for pest control and small game hunting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the .22 Short cartridge still effective for self-defense?

While not recommended as a primary self-defense round in modern contexts compared to higher-powered options, the .22 Short was historically used for self-defense. Its penetration capabilities, around 8-9 inches in ballistic gel, mean it can reach vital organs, making it a viable option for very close-range encounters or in specific situations where its low recoil and concealability are paramount.

What are the historical origins of the .22 Short cartridge?

The .22 Short was introduced by Smith & Wesson in the late 1850s with their Model 1 Revolver. It was one of the first successful American metallic cartridges and was marketed as a legitimate self-defense round, offering a significant convenience upgrade over cap-and-ball revolvers of the era.

How does the .22 Short perform in penetration tests?

Contrary to its reputation, the .22 Short demonstrates surprising penetration. In calibrated ballistic gel, standard and high-velocity loads can reach 8 to 9 inches, and some modern tests show over 22 cm (8.5 inches) of penetration. This depth is attributed to its relatively hard lead profile, decent velocity, and ability to hold together.

What are suitable modern use cases for the .22 Short cartridge?

The .22 Short remains practical for pest control around farms and barns, quiet small game hunting (like squirrels and rabbits), and for training new shooters who are recoil-sensitive. It's also useful in older firearms specifically chambered for this cartridge.

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