,25s in general
Fun topic, Kentucky Rifle.
The only Beretta .25 I ever really liked was the model 418 and its kin. Can't recall the model number for the one with alloy frame. This is probably the basis for the original James Bond lsidearm--"The Beretta .25 with the sawn barrel and the taped grip." Typical of that era writing by the Brits, who, even by that time were pretty deficient in handgun knowledge. As I recall, the barrel stuck out the front of the slide by about 1/4 inch, and the factory stocks were pretty thin, so the modifications were pretty useless.
I liked this model because it held eight in magazine, had a grip safety which locked the sear, and the thumb safety was quite convenient, though it only locked the trigger.
That was the first pistol I frequently carried on my person. I wore a long leg cast for several months. The Beretta, in a very thin leather holster, fit nicely in the top of the cast--chamber empty, of course. I owned several of that series--about six, IIRC--and never had a moment's trouble with any of them, with a variety of factory ammo. Only handloads I ever shot in 'em was after I had worked out my loads with the Bauer, and those worked fine in two Berettas, as well.
Wild Romanian-- Just an example of every handgun being a law unto itself. As I said, I never had a single bobble with my Bauer--which was the only one I ever shot much. But I did shoot it a LOT there for a while. I have no experience with the Frazier at all. I had one true Baby Browning with BAD reliability problems--Finally got 'em gun smithed out, but never trusted it thereafter.
Oleg and Strayhorn-- I too am fascinated with the old Browning/FN/Colt Vest Pocket .25s. Classic little items. But, like most first generation handguns of whatever type, they were a bit large and heavy for the job, compared to the products of just a few years later. But I do love 'em--Nicely laid-out controls, and a good grip safety, and beautifully machined. Ole J. M. Browning was indeed a genius! As I type, I have a Colt Model 1908 Pocket .380 in the drawer below the keyboard. Totally reliable. Too-small sights, but I can make good first-round hits at 50 yards.
I agree, though--The new breed of tiny .32 autos have just about made the .25 obsolete, in my mind. But, it's kind of like some old guys I used to know who kept packin' Colt Single Action Armies, just because they started doing so early in the 20th century--Just 'cause it's old, don't mean it won't do the job! (Some of my young associates probably say simething similar about me, because I carry a badly worn .45 Commander, made before most of them were born.)
Best,
Johnny