If you’re looking for a pistol to use in self-defense, then the best 22LR pistol is probably not the right choice. That said, the .22 can be an effective tool to use in defending yourself. When considering whether or not a weapon can stop an attacker, you must consider what “stopping” means. Shooting someone with a .22 won’t cause CNS disruption or extensive blood loss—that much is true. However, “stopping” doesn’t mean that the attacker will drop dead on the spot; stopping means to physically incapacitate the attacker so that they cannot continue their attack. It is possible for a .22 to stop an attacker, even if it isn’t as likely as other pistol calibers. A shot through the brain stem will kill instantaneously, whereas a shot through the spinal column will instantly paralyze them.