In a new video from the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), hosts Ed Combs and Kevin Michalowski tackled one of the most controversial topics in the firearms world: using a .22 caliber firearm for home defense. As Combs put it right from the start, “Getting angry is a drug.” And nothing gets gun people fired up quite like the mention of rimfire for defensive use. But what if that .22 setup wasn’t for just anyone? What if it was built specifically for people with serious physical limitations?
That’s exactly what the USCCA team did. Instead of arguing theory online, they built something practical – something real. Their goal: to create a viable home defense solution for people who can’t reliably use centerfire handguns, shotguns, or even traditional carbines.
Enter the Ruger Charger
The platform they chose was the Ruger Charger, essentially a Ruger 10/22 action in pistol form. As Michalowski described, it’s a firearm that comes stock with no buttstock, a short barrel, and often a bipod. “Fun for all kinds of stuff,” he said, from plinking to pest control. But for Combs, it sparked a bigger idea. At a public range, he saw a kid hip-shooting a Charger, which reminded him of cut-down M1 and M2 carbines from the Vietnam era – what he called the “advisor gun.”
Inspired, he started modifying the Charger, not for nostalgia, but for functionality.
What If You Just Can’t Run a Regular Gun?
Combs said his goal wasn’t to replace duty weapons or arm law enforcement. “You’ll never see an American law enforcement officer suit up for a shift and holster a rimfire anything,” he admitted. But this wasn’t about duty – it was about accessibility. “They can’t hold their arms out,” he explained of the people he built this gun for. “They can’t press a double-action revolver trigger… they’re elderly, or they have compromised hands.”
It’s a challenge many overlook. Recoil, slide manipulation, trigger pull weight – these are all non-trivial issues for some individuals. And they render many firearms useless for a portion of the population.
Not Just Talk – They Built It
So the USCCA team got to work. What they ended up with was a heavily modified Ruger Charger that addresses all those concerns. They installed a Midwest Industries forend, a sling system, red dot laser, and added controls placed in intuitive spots. Everything about the build aimed to reduce physical strain and increase the shooter’s ability to get rounds on target.
And yes, the chamber and mag were shown clear on video – because safety first.
Sling It, Rest It, Hit the Target
Combs demonstrated how effective the build was. With the laser mounted up top, he said he could put “all 15 rounds on target almost as fast as I could pull the trigger.” From a sling-supported position or from the lap, the gun stayed controllable, accurate, and light on recoil. That’s not just theoretical – it’s exactly what a compromised shooter needs.
There was no blast, no muzzle rise, no slide biting the hand. Just reliability, comfort, and a whole lot of tiny holes appearing in the target center.
Why Not Just Use a Bigger Gun?
This is the question that always comes up, and the hosts addressed it with a dose of reality. “This isn’t about what you want to carry,” Combs said. “This is about what you can carry.” Some people can’t load a full magazine. Some can’t rack a slide. Some can’t even hold their arms up.
“There’s a group of folks who could use this effectively,” Combs continued. “And it would be not only better than nothing, but highly effective.” If someone can put five, six, or seven .22 rounds into a threat, “he’s not gonna stand around and argue with you about caliber.”
Magazine Design Matters More Than You Think
An unexpected hurdle? Magazines. According to Combs, “A lot of people say they can’t even load a damn magazine. But what they really mean is they can’t load all 15 rounds.” And let’s be honest, even people with strong hands struggle to jam that last round into a tight double-stack mag.
The 10/22 magazines, on the other hand, are easier. And with a mag loader? Even easier. That’s why the build kept the standard 15-rounder – big enough for home defense but not so large it becomes unwieldy.
Internet Hate vs. Real-World Needs
Of course, posting a .22 build online brought out the internet warriors. “The comment section was full of ’12 gauge buck or nothing,’” said Michalowski with a smile. “Okay. Good for them.”
The reality, they explained, is that arguing about guns online is often no different than arguing about baseball – low stakes, all opinion, and usually disconnected from practical application. “Neither of you have any skin in the game,” Combs said, describing those who bicker over setups they’ll never actually use.
But for people with arthritis, limited mobility, or post-stroke deficits? This isn’t a game. This is real.
Everyone Wishes They Could Use Something Else
Perhaps the most poignant moment came when the hosts reminded viewers that no one chooses limitations. “Guess who else wishes they could use something else? That person,” Combs said. “He wishes his hands still did what he told them to – like they did in the Marine Corps in 1950.”
The point wasn’t to convince everyone to switch to rimfire. It was to meet people where they are, and give them a fighting chance when it really counts.
Built for the ‘What Ifs’
This Charger wasn’t built for gun nuts or mall ninjas. It was built for “the what ifs,” said Michalowski. For the woman who just had shoulder surgery. The grandfather who used to hunt elk but can’t cycle a bolt anymore. The stroke victim who can’t hold a full-size pistol up for more than 10 seconds.
“You use what you can use,” Combs emphasized. “If this is the one you can use most effectively – then yes, we should be putting together items like this.”
Sometimes Good Enough Is Good Enough
As someone who’s trained with people of all skill levels, I think the USCCA hit a vital nerve with this project. Firearms culture too often forgets that not everyone has the same capabilities. We love to talk about gear, calibers, and tactics as if we’re all 30-year-old SWAT team members with endless budgets and no injuries.
But real life isn’t like that. In real life, you get older. You get injured. You lose strength. And when that happens, you need gear that adapts to you – not the other way around.
This .22 Charger build might not be the “ideal” weapon for home defense. But for the right person? It might just be the best option they have.
Practicality Over Purity
In the end, Ed Combs and Kevin Michalowski weren’t trying to start a war. They were trying to help someone win the only battle that really matters: the one for their life.
So laugh at the .22 if you must. But if you ever find yourself unable to rack a slide, hold up a pistol, or manage recoil – don’t be surprised if your best bet looks a lot like the build USCCA just put together.
Because sometimes, practicality beats purity. And sometimes, good enough is exactly what you need.
For more info, check out USCCA’s video here.
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.