In a hypothetical self defense situation: You are faced with anywhere between two to four assailants in an open and deserted parking lot.  The parking lot is bordered by concrete walls so there is no risk of hitting innocent bystanders with stray bullets.  The assailants are attacking you with the intent of taking your life.  They could potentially be armed with melee weapons or even a firearm of their own.   

Given this situation, would you rather have: your choice of handgun with two rounds of .45, or your choice of handgun with five rounds of .22?

Now I understand that any intelligent person carrying a firearm for self defense would always have a full magazine of ammunition, and that same intelligent person would probably never think to use a .22 as a self-defense caliber.  But for the sake of discussion given these parameters which of the two situations would you prefer, and why? 

Man, that is a hard one.

I guess if those are the only two choices, the five rounds of .22 would be better as you'd want to hit each assailant once. From what I hear, a .22 or two to the gut is usually pretty effective at putting someone down.

+1 for the 5 rnds of .22!  You take your two shots out of your 45, the weapon goes to slide lock, the remaining BGs know your out, then proceed to take advantage of your situation.  With 5 rnds of .22 you may not eliminate your threats completely, but you have a better chance at reducing the negative effects of your attackers.  By wounding your attackers you now have the luxury of distancing yourself from the situation entirely or taking out the threat completely by other means, i.e. your bare hands or a pocket knife... provided they can still be considered "threats" of course.

I'll take the 2 rounds of .45.  That should give the other assailants a moment's pause, enough for me to get to the M1 carbine I would keep in the car!  Then, with 30 rounds, I should be in a more authoritative bargaining position.

I'll take the 2 rounds of .45.  That should give the other assailants a moment's pause, enough for me to get to the M1 carbine I would keep in the car!  Then, with 30 rounds, I should be in a more authoritative bargaining position.

Raja Dat....and since its hypothetical, I'm upgraded the M1 to a flamethrower....

Honestly though in that situation you'd be lucky to hit one guy once or twice with the 22... you would def. be a zombie meal, oops wrong thread

I know this is an old thread but thought I’d jump in anyway since no one mentioned an important point..  If you can’t beat them, RUN.

You’re severely out numbered and from the sound of it outgunned.  Unless you’re Chuck Norris or an uber-sniper than can put a .22 in five different rushing eye sockets at a few yards and closing, it’s a losing battle.  I’d choose the .22 to buy as much time needed to get the hell out of dodge.

If there’s no means for escape and you have to fight outgunned, there are many possible courses of action to take depending on the immediate threat and the way the scenario plays out.

In the Army if you’ve found yourself in a setup ambush, you’re objective is to get out of there as soon and safely as possible because you’re at a tactical/environmental disadvantage.  If you can’t immediately get out, hunker down to hold off attack and call/hope the cavalry comes.  Fighting out of a “decently” planned ambush is usually costly.  It goes without saying that it’s always best to spot and avoid an ambush by maintaining situational awareness of your surroundings.  Sorry I didn't have a fun answer

two to four assailants ... The parking lot is bordered by concrete walls ... They could potentially be armed with melee weapons or even a firearm of their own.   

... your choice of handgun with two rounds of .45, or your choice of handgun with five rounds of .22?

sounds like something from ancient Rome, and running is not an option...I will change my previous answer to say, i would take the 45 with 2 rounds and hope only two MZB's come at me. hopefully the 45 is a 1911 cuz that'll make one hell of a club.

This maybe a bit grizzly of an option be:
 
1. first bad BG that moves gets a .22 in the knee
 
2. next BG to move gets a .22 to the chest
 
3. next BG to move gets the same as 2 and so on
 
4. the last shot is to a BG head box
 
5. grab the Kimber STS that happens to have a .22 convo on it by the barrel and proceed to beat the BG senseless with it.
 
May not be the best decision re: Hawaii and other states laws but it will keep them back and the rancid Howling from the injured ones will hopefully break the mindset and will of the others.

I would chose the 2 .45s, kill two armed attackers and take their weapons.

I'd rather have the .45, but two rounds for four attackers is not enough. Even though you might get two of the BG's, you might not give the others pause.  So, I'd have to go with the .22lr one shot to the head apiece.  .22's are controllable and accurate. With the right mindset, training, and luck, you might  be able to pull it off.

Necroing =)

I would take 2 .45, 
1 on 4...... 2 shots, you "Will" decrease your attackers by 50%, Intimidation factor is increased by 10 fold as the first shot goes off,

1) the .45 knock down power will be immense and the fear factor will settle.
2) you may not have to worry about slide lock as you second shot may not be needed as the other 3 may scatter in fear
3) you still have 1 shot available for the most immediate threat, because mostly likely, seeing 1 of your buddies go down may not stop you but seeing 2 you are going for cover...
4) If you dont go to slide lock you have the element of surprise, they have no Idea how many rounds you have left....... (Plus If I knew I had 2 I would thumb that slide lock down on the last shot, so they wouldnt know )

1 on 4.....5 shots .22 you "may" decrease your attackers by 100% if 4 shots are directly fatal, but most likely in that situations you may not get a clear head shot every time.

1) If you do not get a fatal shot/Impact-full shot, your attackers may see you less fearful and attempt to disarm you by shear numbers as they know if you dont hit them in a fatal zone most likely they have a chance
2) If they are on any type of drugs .22 may not be enough, (Haji on opium, walking through a wall of 9mm like a damn zombie)

I think an average Joe shmow robbery on the street, the individuals will scatter from a large caliber shot that puts some one down.

Trained individuals......different story

my $0.02

-Exactice-