[jyl]

There was once a full auto .22LR submachine gun, called the American 180 if memory serves. Very high capacity drum magazine, very high rate of fire (over 1000 rounds/sec). [CORRECTION: per minute.] It was marketed as a law enforcement weapon. The idea was that the .22LR had little overpenetration risk so was a safer round for urban situations, while a firehose at of lead at 1000 rps with very little recoil would take care of stopping power. Goofy idea, goofy looking gun. A few were sold. A police officer actually fired his American 180 at fleeing suspects during a car chase. One suspect was instantly killed and the other severely wounded, the chase ended right away.

Anyway, I digress. Carbine length rifle might be handy enough, she’s not going to be going through any doorways with it. With a rifle and a caliber that she’ll actually practice with, she’ll have a better chance of hitting the intruder, while I suspect the average person is more likely to miss than hit with a pistol and especially one that they are unwilling to train with. The .22LR is what it is, but if that’s all she’s willing to shoot, then I think a (short) long gun makes sense.

If she has fun plinking with her 10/22 and gets encouraged to move on to other calibers, well, that’s how lots of people get started.