If you were to choose between one of the small Berettas with the tip up barrel, would you go with the 22LR or the 25 auto? What would be the deciding factors? I would think the 22 would be more to my liking because of ammo availability and variety , but which one would be a better round for personal protection?
25cal. vs. 22LR
- Thread starter cplane
- Start date
I would select the .22 Long Rifle. The low cost of ammunition means that you can shoot it a lot and are liable to get good with it, Also the .22 Lr tends to glance off bones inside the body and inflict multiple wound trajectoties. If you want something more effective than a .22 LR you need something in the .380/9mm class.
To put it bluntly, the .25 sucks as a defensive weapon. You can likely empty the entire mag into the BG and he will hardly feel it. If you go for a head shot, the .25 will probably bounce off of his skull. The .22 is a much better defensive weapon. It can have greater velocity and better energy transfer due to a "bounce" effect inside the BG. At least this is what I understand.
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
Get the .22 and load it with CCI Stingers...
Not too bad.
Not too bad.
Go with the 22.For carry go with Quick Shock rounds.Split into 3 when they hit.
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beemerb
We have a criminal jury system which is superior to any in the world;
and its efficiency is only marred by the difficulty of finding twelve men
every day who don't know anything and can't read.
-Mark Twain
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beemerb
We have a criminal jury system which is superior to any in the world;
and its efficiency is only marred by the difficulty of finding twelve men
every day who don't know anything and can't read.
-Mark Twain
shooter.45
New member
I have the .25 and love it!! I would rather have that than the .22 more ammo options!! But that is just me and the beretta's are cool.
My mini mini gun is a .25 caliber PSP-25. While I haven't done any formal testing, I feel that it kicks more than my friend's .22 Beretta 950? (although the 950 is slightly bigger and heavier). To me, more kick means a harder hitting bullet. Granted, I have nothing scientific to back that up!
Furthermore, I'm told that (and it makes sense to me based on bullet shape) that the .25 feeds better than the .22, and due to the centerfire (as opposed to rimfire) priming system is more reliable regarding "failure to fire".
That being said, .22 ammo is about 80% cheaper than .25 ammo, so you'll be much more prone to practice more with the .22. I'll take a well placed .22 over a .25 miss (or even a .45 miss) anyday.
Furthermore, I'm told that (and it makes sense to me based on bullet shape) that the .25 feeds better than the .22, and due to the centerfire (as opposed to rimfire) priming system is more reliable regarding "failure to fire".
That being said, .22 ammo is about 80% cheaper than .25 ammo, so you'll be much more prone to practice more with the .22. I'll take a well placed .22 over a .25 miss (or even a .45 miss) anyday.
cplane,
I know there's lot of votes for the .22LR, but I've always been leery of rimfire for self defense. Even using quality ammmo, I bet just about everybody has a occassional dud. This is not an endorsement of the .25 ACP, however. Can't we have a real choice? If it must be a Beretta, how about a .32 or .380?
I know there's lot of votes for the .22LR, but I've always been leery of rimfire for self defense. Even using quality ammmo, I bet just about everybody has a occassional dud. This is not an endorsement of the .25 ACP, however. Can't we have a real choice? If it must be a Beretta, how about a .32 or .380?
Jody Hudson
New member
The .22 is far more powerful with today's loadings; especially Stinger, Aguilla and Quick Shock in that order -- the Quick Shock being by far my favorite. I have not had any failures with Quick Shock in well over a thousand rounds in my Walther .22 TPH.
The .22 is far more accurate too. I was previously, about 30 years ago, a fan of the .25 instead of the .22 because of reliability and because the .22 was far less powerful back then. Reliability in Quick Shock .22 is as good as any center fire and the effect of the .22 QS is FAR beyond any .25.
One thing I'd check however is the accuracy of the new Berretta in any caliber. The old ones were incredibly accurate. Six new ones I've had, in .25, .22 and .32, were not accurate at all.
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Talk is cheap; Free Speech is NOT.
The .22 is far more accurate too. I was previously, about 30 years ago, a fan of the .25 instead of the .22 because of reliability and because the .22 was far less powerful back then. Reliability in Quick Shock .22 is as good as any center fire and the effect of the .22 QS is FAR beyond any .25.
One thing I'd check however is the accuracy of the new Berretta in any caliber. The old ones were incredibly accurate. Six new ones I've had, in .25, .22 and .32, were not accurate at all.
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Talk is cheap; Free Speech is NOT.
I got the .25 and I load it with Mag-Safes. They're more powerful than any .22 lr, even tho they cost about 100,000 times as much.
Sorry, but the rimfire ignition system is nothing I'm willing to risk my life on. (Now the obvious question becomes . . . "But you're willing to risk your life on a .25?! What are you, nuts?") I've fired a bunch of them - as a sportsman, and tons more on the college rifle and pistol teams - and they're just not reliable enough. The centerfire ignition is markedly better - good enough to depend on.
Now, having said that: I got my Beretta 950 back before there WAS a small .32, and even before Colt brought out the Mustang (let alone the Pocketlite Mustang). I wanted something to back up my .357, something tiny, and the .22/.25 choice was pretty much it. This is not the case today. Sub MOA is right: if you're getting something the size of a Beretta (fine guns, BTW), get it in a better caliber. I don't even USE the 950 anymore - I just don't think I'd want to trust my life to it. Sure it MIGHT do the job. But if there's a reason to carry a gun, there's a reason to carry a gun that WILL do the job. The .32 isn't THAT much more (you're still undergunned, but it's so much better than a .25); I would wholeheartedly recommend you save your money and get one. That's what I would do now.
Just my $.02.
cheers,
erich
Sorry, but the rimfire ignition system is nothing I'm willing to risk my life on. (Now the obvious question becomes . . . "But you're willing to risk your life on a .25?! What are you, nuts?") I've fired a bunch of them - as a sportsman, and tons more on the college rifle and pistol teams - and they're just not reliable enough. The centerfire ignition is markedly better - good enough to depend on.
Now, having said that: I got my Beretta 950 back before there WAS a small .32, and even before Colt brought out the Mustang (let alone the Pocketlite Mustang). I wanted something to back up my .357, something tiny, and the .22/.25 choice was pretty much it. This is not the case today. Sub MOA is right: if you're getting something the size of a Beretta (fine guns, BTW), get it in a better caliber. I don't even USE the 950 anymore - I just don't think I'd want to trust my life to it. Sure it MIGHT do the job. But if there's a reason to carry a gun, there's a reason to carry a gun that WILL do the job. The .32 isn't THAT much more (you're still undergunned, but it's so much better than a .25); I would wholeheartedly recommend you save your money and get one. That's what I would do now.
Just my $.02.
cheers,
erich
P
PreserveFreedom
Guest
I trust my life to a 2 shot .22LR almost daily. I have heard way too many stories about a .25 bouncing off of leather or heavy clothing. They are both fine rounds, but I prefer the .22LR. If I have to go small, I wouldn't trade it for much else.
Mike Irwin
Staff
To put it bluntly, the BOTH stink.
But, I'd rather stink on the side of ammo that costs $2.00 for a box of 50, as opposed to ammo that costs $15.00 for a box of 50.
I carry a Taurus TP-22 virtually every day while walking the dogs. It's my gun & run pistol. Shoot it dry and then get the hell out of dodge.
I've put over 1,000 rounds through this gun in the 3+ years that I've had it.
I've YET to have a single misfeed or critical malfunction of any kind.
I did find that CCI generic ammo wouldn't go off regularly with the first hammer fall, but Winchester Wildcat has been 110% reliable.
Were I to purchase another tiny pistol right now, though, it would be one of the small .32s.
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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
But, I'd rather stink on the side of ammo that costs $2.00 for a box of 50, as opposed to ammo that costs $15.00 for a box of 50.
I carry a Taurus TP-22 virtually every day while walking the dogs. It's my gun & run pistol. Shoot it dry and then get the hell out of dodge.
I've put over 1,000 rounds through this gun in the 3+ years that I've had it.
I've YET to have a single misfeed or critical malfunction of any kind.
I did find that CCI generic ammo wouldn't go off regularly with the first hammer fall, but Winchester Wildcat has been 110% reliable.
Were I to purchase another tiny pistol right now, though, it would be one of the small .32s.
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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
Kentucky Rifle
New member
Cplane,
I own several small pocket pistols, the latest of which is a stainless Beretta Jetfire in .25ACP. (I own several large pistols, too.) I just bought it one day as I was looking at scopes for my AR15. I've had the Jetfire for about a month and it hasn't had any malfunctions. I like to keep a mouse gun in my pocket when I'm around the house. I'd rather be armed with my P-32, however the little Beretta is a truly tiny pistol and therefore very easy to hide and carry. I also like the tip-up barrel feature. While I agree that the .25ACP is no powerhouse, I feel that small pistols like the Jetfire have a place in your personal arsenal.
I'm glad I bought it.
Will
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Mendacity is the system we live in.
I own several small pocket pistols, the latest of which is a stainless Beretta Jetfire in .25ACP. (I own several large pistols, too.
) I just bought it one day as I was looking at scopes for my AR15. I've had the Jetfire for about a month and it hasn't had any malfunctions. I like to keep a mouse gun in my pocket when I'm around the house. I'd rather be armed with my P-32, however the little Beretta is a truly tiny pistol and therefore very easy to hide and carry. I also like the tip-up barrel feature. While I agree that the .25ACP is no powerhouse, I feel that small pistols like the Jetfire have a place in your personal arsenal.I'm glad I bought it.
Will
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Mendacity is the system we live in.
shiroikuma
New member
Well I had the little double action (first shot) .22 w/ wood grips and I'm selling this week because of that fact that its too big for the damage it causes. I mean you can get a khar MK 9 that is almost as small (but heavier) and shoot's some serious bullets. I go the .22 version because I wanted to shoot it a lot and it is very concealable. i think you really need the most reliable type of ammo if you insist on on so get a .25. I've had more than a few misfire dudes. One thing I didn't like about the berreta is that they don't have ejectors and if the empty case isn't blown out like it's supposed to it's a real project to get it out, not something to do in a fight. You might as well just throw it at them then.
They are nicely made and pretty but not a good defensive choice in my opion.
shiro
They are nicely made and pretty but not a good defensive choice in my opion.
shiro
Kentucky Rifle
New member
Shiro,
You're right. The little Beretta is definately not a pistol for "the first line of defense". However, I often carry the Jetfire .25ACP in my pocket when my Glock 27 is on my hip. Just a little extra nasty surprise for the bad guys. Though sometimes I wonder what type ammo is best. Full metal jacket for penetration?? I bought some of that, but I also bought some really nice looking Speer Gold Dot hollow points. Does anyone recommend one type over the other? I'd like to hear some opinions because I keep getting conflicting information.
Thanks,
Will
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Mendacity is the system we live in.
You're right. The little Beretta is definately not a pistol for "the first line of defense". However, I often carry the Jetfire .25ACP in my pocket when my Glock 27 is on my hip. Just a little extra nasty surprise for the bad guys. Though sometimes I wonder what type ammo is best. Full metal jacket for penetration?? I bought some of that, but I also bought some really nice looking Speer Gold Dot hollow points. Does anyone recommend one type over the other? I'd like to hear some opinions because I keep getting conflicting information.
Thanks,
Will
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Mendacity is the system we live in.
I have never liked the .25 due to the lack of power. The .25 may have a bit more on the primer ignition but the .22 seems to rate better. But then a person I used to know was killed with a .25 fmj with one shot and he was a big guy. I guess you just never now what to expect out of both. 
Using the BEST loads available for each, the .25ACP is a much better stopper than the .22LR -- of course, both are pretty wimpy when compared to even a .32ACP. What the .22LR has going for it is that the ammo is usually about one-fifth (or less) the cost of the .25ACP which means that it is MUCH cheaper to shoot. Of course being a rimfire, it is not as reliable (as a rule) when compared to centerfire ammo.
I would echo what was said earlier with regard to considering the Kahr MK9 -- it is only slightly larger but shoots the much more powerful 9mm parabellum round. The one thing that the MK9 has going against it is it's weight (about a pound and a half) but that weight is needed to absorb the recoil from hot defensive loads.
Just as a side note, you can get a NAA Guardian (which is even smaller than the guns that you're interested in) and it is chambered for the more powerful (when compared to either a .22LR or a .25ACP) .32ACP round.
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
I would echo what was said earlier with regard to considering the Kahr MK9 -- it is only slightly larger but shoots the much more powerful 9mm parabellum round. The one thing that the MK9 has going against it is it's weight (about a pound and a half) but that weight is needed to absorb the recoil from hot defensive loads.
Just as a side note, you can get a NAA Guardian (which is even smaller than the guns that you're interested in) and it is chambered for the more powerful (when compared to either a .22LR or a .25ACP) .32ACP round.
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD