another mouse gun thread - switching from .22 to .25?

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simonrichter

New member
I have the opportunity to swap my 22lr mousegun for the same model in .25acp.

I wouldn't have considered it a few months ago, but since I had some keyholing issues out of its short barrel and read somewhere (sorry, couldn't retrieve the source) that that's quite common with short barreled .22s, while it does not happen with .25s of the same barrel length, it first occurred to me as a potential option. I asked at my LGS and by coincidence, he said he could swap my .22 for a .25 for a very small trading fee.

I'm well aware of the pros and cons, I just don't know how to weigh them in and need some decisive input...

pro .22
cheaper & easier to get - more plinking potential
more versatile round
same ammo as for my Glock conversion (less ammo diversity)
(marginally) higher ME

pro .25
less failures
+1 mag capacity
FMJ round

Did I miss something? YES; I'm well aware that both are not the optimal SD calibers... Thx for your comments!
 
What's the primary purpose? If you will use it even occasionally for carry/defense, then it's a no brainer to me. Get the most reliable, the .25. I've also never thought of my mouse guns much as plinkers and don't really see a .22 mouse gun being more versatile than a .25 mouse gun.

Now, if you want it to plink with or maybe for snake defense, a .22 would probably be better.
 
Key holing issues aren't caused by the barrel length. Key holing is caused by undersized bullets, oversized barrels, un or under lubed cast bullets and too low velocity.
FMJ round isn't a plus. .25 ACP FMJ's are not good for much, but will go right through a 2 x 4 at 100 yards. Trajectory like a mortar of course. HP's or Silvertips, if you can find 'em, are way better than any FMJ. Still a head shot only thing though.
The biggest advantage to a .25 ACP is that you can reload it to be using better ammo. Kind of odd thing to do, but possible.
 
thanks for the insights about keyholing, I was not aware of that!

what's the primary purpose
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small backup for HD or Bug Out Bag whenever my G17 is too bulky or otherwise not available...

It's not going to see much range time, that's true, but in .25 it would surely be out of the box even less often...
 
I'd probably go with the 25 because its a bit more potent and reliable.
The 25acp is simply better suited to the job of SD.
 
Personally for what you described I would go with the .22 LR and ammo that makes it run reliably, whether that means CCI Stingers or whatever. My Walther P22 sort of fills that role, in addition to being around for plinking etc. A gun you don't shoot much means you don't practice with it much either.
 
Since it's for defense purposes, even as a backup and even if only occasionally, I agree with shifting to .25acp due to center fire reliability.

One comment i'd like to add on .22, .25, & .32 for self defense use --- the target area in an assailant is the head (the eyes-to-chin triangle) for these lower powered rounds. I've only heard that mentioned a couple of times in any mouse gun discussions. Penetration through bone, muscle, & clothing in the chest cavity is debatable for stopping a threat with these rounds. I'll admit that idea makes me uncomfortable - oddly the thought of shooting someone in the face is more objectionable to me than shooting them in the chest.
 
Simon, stop the madness,,,

You know the solution to this dilemma,,,
Get them both! :D

MouseGuns.JPG


But in case you live in the European equivalent of New Jersey,,,
I think if I had to get rid of one of mine,,,
I would keep the .22 LR pistol.

I do plink with mine quite a bit,,,
So ammunition costs are definitely a factor,,,
About the cheapest .25 ACP I can find is 30 cents a round.

It's one shot less,,,
But it does well with the high velocity stuff,,,
And I've never experienced the problems with unreliable ammo.

I've looked at the ballistic charts,,,
I've fired both into 2x4 and various plywoods,,,
Honestly, I can't determine if there is much difference there.

It's really a toss-up in my mind,,,
The reason I own both is because,,,
The little things are just so damned cute. :o

Toss a coin my friend.

Aarond

.
 
SD - 25 every time. I have had way more 22's shells fail than any other caliber.

Plinking - 22 every time. Why pay so much more to shoot holes in cans that are .03" bigger?
 
My question would be what type weapon are we discussing? One (minor) consideration MIGHT be that the 22 will offer more rounds than a 25.

25s are great for their compact size, and with SD ammo, in the right spot are effective.

I upgraded from 25 to 380 as a daily carry piece - the weapon size being roughly comparable, but that is outside the scope of your inquiry.
 
Switch to .25 Auto. Centerfire ignition is far more reliable, and terminal ballistics performances are essentially identical. If you want your bullets to reliably penetrate enough to tickle vitals, stick with 50-gr FMJ.
 
If the purpose is small size self-defense, I wouldn't invest new money in a .25 auto. For what I consider a neglible increase in physical size, a SIG P238 gives you a significant enhancement in ballistics. Add that the P238 has usable sights, a good trigger, an easy racking slide, and far more widely available ammo.

Disclaimer: I own .25 Auto pistols. I not only shoot them (occasionally; they're not fun to shoot), I also reload for them! (Pinched fingers time!). But I do this as a matter of historical interest. I would not carry a .25 as a self-defense tool.
 
.25 tends to feed more reliably in semi-auto, and jacketed bulles are less likely to strip the rifiling and tumble. .25 ammo cost much much much more. There is .25 SD specialty ammo available that might be better than .22. I've done some neat handloads.

Your first mistake before considering a switch to another round though is to not try a handful of different ammo for ANY .22LR pistol, or rifle. .22 ammo varies as much as the implements from which they are fired. You didn't mention what ammo you tried, and your post gives me the impression you only tried one. I wouldn't try less than 5 kinds of ammo in ANY .22 before gving up on it.
 
If you want a really excellent .25 for carry purposes I would recommend the Beretta 950. They are not cheap but it is your life that is on the line. They are always available on GunBroker which is where I got mine. The 950 Jetfire loads 9 rounds, has a light single action trigger, and is accurate and extremely well made. The most powerful 25 ammo is made by Fiocchi.
 
There is a considerable size difference between the SIG P238 and a small .25 like a Browning, Bernardelli, or even the Beretta 950. The oversized Taurus and Beretta 21 series pistols in .25 auto not withstanding.
 
thanks a lot for the comments so far!

I'm now leaning towards keeping the .22 and trying a little more types of ammo - gives me practice and the cost for letting more rounds down the range is still lower than the extra charge for trading it for the .25 model...

Guess I will reconsider .25acp once they make a polymer version of the Baby Browning :D
 
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Guess I will reconsider .25acp once they make a polymer version of the Baby Browning
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I agree. With all this ccw everywhere, we're long over-due for a super light, 1/2 thick, micro pocket auto in 25acp.
 
PSP Arms still makes both the regular and lightweight versoions on the baby Browning. They aren't cheap.
The Keltec P32 is as close as you can get.
A Keltec "P25" could be thinner and lighter than the P32, maybe a little shorter-and still hold 10+ rounds of .25 ACP.
 
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