Regarding the .32 (ACP) - in my dumber youth I fired half a box of .32 ACP's through a 103 year old Iver Johnson .32 (S&W) topbreak revolver (I know, I know. I'd never do it again, although the gun did hold up. I was like "Hey! They fit!"). Some of these were fired at a typical 55 gallon steel drum. They did go through one side, making a nice, oval hole, and bounced off the other, falling into the barrel. I don't know how much velocity would be lost firing the .32 ACP through a semi auto gun for which it's intended, if any at all. But plain jane FMJ .32 ACP's will penetrate at least one side of a steel oil drum. Just FYI.
Would you feel safe carrying a .25 ACP pistol in your pocket?
- Thread starter Doug.38PR
- Start date
Back in my youth (this happened in the late 60s at an American International Pictures biker flick at a drive-in in Southern Calif- back when illegal carry was a misdemeanor) I was a budding outlaw biker and carried a Rigarmi Galesi .25. At the break between flicks we went to the snack bar (I left my gun in the car) where we encountered some local wannabes who had cut off jackets and wished they had Harleys. We found ourselves surrounded by these sidewalk commandos with a few of them agitating to start a fight. One of our party was taking alarm and reached into his pocket where he carried a Baby Browning. I was taking alarm that he was going to pull it and start shooting, causing us problems with the police. My wife and best friend noticed our prolonged absence and came looking for us. She sidled up to me and put her left arm around my waist. While one of the Imbeciles was checking out her rack she lifted the hem of her blouse, showing the Rigarmi in her waistband. His eyes got big and in a few seconds they moved along. Obviously they thought if our women were armed we must be too. The .25 did its job without being drawn. Today I have better sense- we left the DPRK and I pack something more substantial legally.
Last edited:
Thunderhawk88
Moderator
If it was a large-frame .25 I would feel fine, 'cause then I could beat a BG over the head with it.
Our local Sheriff greatly frowns on anything smaller that 9mm or .38spec. for CCW.
Our local Sheriff greatly frowns on anything smaller that 9mm or .38spec. for CCW.
I have an FN Baby Browning clone that my Great Uncle took off a suspect back in the 50's. There was a time in my life that it was the only handgun I owned. I carried it then and felt (and still do) that it was better than nothing.
While not advisable, you can shoot someone a 7yds with the .25 You'd be hard-pressed to knife them at that range. The badguy might also decide that he can beat you in a knife-fight but isn't going to chance it while you're holding a gun.
While not advisable, you can shoot someone a 7yds with the .25 You'd be hard-pressed to knife them at that range. The badguy might also decide that he can beat you in a knife-fight but isn't going to chance it while you're holding a gun.
FS2K,
The .25 ACP is an extremely poor choice for a defensive weapon. But little .25s, carried in honest folks pockets, legally or illegally in the bigger cities have probably saved more inocent lives than 9MM, .40 and .45 combined, without a shot being fired. Just having a gun prevents over 90 percent of crimes.
And in the unlikely event you do have to fire one, I've seen the results at autopsies, and I can gurantee you they're not toys!
The .25 ACP is an extremely poor choice for a defensive weapon. But little .25s, carried in honest folks pockets, legally or illegally in the bigger cities have probably saved more inocent lives than 9MM, .40 and .45 combined, without a shot being fired. Just having a gun prevents over 90 percent of crimes.
And in the unlikely event you do have to fire one, I've seen the results at autopsies, and I can gurantee you they're not toys!
Hagar the Republican
New member
I finally saved up and got a S&W .38 638 Airweight. That my friends is the smallest thing I will carry. I know a .38 coming out of a 2" barrel ain't gonna have much heat, but it has a pretty darn good track record. Better than a .25.
I used to carry a Beretta Jetfire .25ACP loaded with West German Geco high velocity rounds, the hottest I could find in 1989. I wish I had kept that gun, I swapped it for God knows what. Super light and handy; no, it was no powerhouse, but super accurate AND in hot humid weather it was easier to pack than anything else I had at the time (SW snubbies). If all I had was a dependable .25ACP, with "hot" ammo, I wouldn't feel undergunned as a civilian, as the key to survival is avoiding bad situations in the first place, and if and when they arise... shot placement, shot placement, shot placement!
Wwii .25
I have a "6.35mm" that my father-in-law smuggled off a battlefield somewhere in Germany in 1945. There is no marking on it except the letters "DOG" and a seriel number. I have never shot it, as though I think it is a .25 acp, I wouldn't swear to it. Point is, I expect it was used a as BUG by some poor German guy who in the last few seconds of his life thought something like "Crap! I should have brought the 9mm!!!"
Allen
I have a "6.35mm" that my father-in-law smuggled off a battlefield somewhere in Germany in 1945. There is no marking on it except the letters "DOG" and a seriel number. I have never shot it, as though I think it is a .25 acp, I wouldn't swear to it. Point is, I expect it was used a as BUG by some poor German guy who in the last few seconds of his life thought something like "Crap! I should have brought the 9mm!!!"
Allen
I had an uncle who was a Vietnam Vet. With all the mental complications that implies. And he was married to a basket case. I don't know why they stayed together over the years. He was 39 years old when she shot him with a .25 Auto. He was across the kitchen and turned sideways to her with his arms raised. The bullet went in his side about about the armpit. He sank down to the floor and she called an ambulance. He was dead when they got there. She pled self-defense and got away with it.
So they certainly can kill you.
Gregg
While I'm not sure how being a Vietnam Vet, with all that implies, is a qualifier for the .25 ACP, it will kill. FYI, I was also in Vietnam, 1966-1969, so what does that imply about me, huh????
We've seen CSI:NY used as an example of a failure to stop. We've heard how an edged weapon is better, and we've heard a number of people who actually used the .25 ACP in their defense. Which one of them would you believe?
It's a fact of life that, from the 1920s on, the .25 ACP was carried for protection by a lot of people. They were useful back in the days when the criterion for use of deadly force was much more lenient. Unless we've suddenly developed a much tougher criminal element, the .25 ACP will work today. Is it MY first choice? Nope. I prefer something a bit more powerful. However, it's been over 30 years since I had to shoot to defend myself in civilian life. I have used a .25 ACP as primary when wearing a tux, and when wearing a bathing suit. It's darned hard to hide a 1911 when you only have a bathing suit on.
This thread had pretty much hit the floor when we reached the "volunteer to let me shoot him with..." replies started out.
We've seen CSI:NY used as an example of a failure to stop. We've heard how an edged weapon is better, and we've heard a number of people who actually used the .25 ACP in their defense. Which one of them would you believe?
It's a fact of life that, from the 1920s on, the .25 ACP was carried for protection by a lot of people. They were useful back in the days when the criterion for use of deadly force was much more lenient. Unless we've suddenly developed a much tougher criminal element, the .25 ACP will work today. Is it MY first choice? Nope. I prefer something a bit more powerful. However, it's been over 30 years since I had to shoot to defend myself in civilian life. I have used a .25 ACP as primary when wearing a tux, and when wearing a bathing suit. It's darned hard to hide a 1911 when you only have a bathing suit on.
This thread had pretty much hit the floor when we reached the "volunteer to let me shoot him with..." replies started out.
I think a lot of people miss the highlighted part of the question. The choices as I read that are: 25 auto in your pocket, or an empty pocket.
If it was ALL I HAD, I'd feel a lot better about it than I would an empty pocket. I'm way to old, fat, slow, and short of long teeth and sharp claws to chose to resort to bare hands right off the bat.
Humm.... well ya its better than nothing. Sortof
I am one who thinks, in general, people go over board with what cal. is needed to stop a human threat. BUT looking at the power of the .25 ACP....its HALF of the power of a .22 LR. Thats pretty weak....not that it can't kill a person (just shows it doesn't take much) but the shot has to be in just the right place with nothing much there to stop the bullet, like a thick jacket or layers of clothes.
If you are going to go to the trouble to carry a gun may as well be a cal. that gives more that~ 65 foot pounds of energy.
BTY a .22lr will NOT go through a windshield fired at point blank (boxOtruth)....doesn't say much for the .25.
I am one who thinks, in general, people go over board with what cal. is needed to stop a human threat. BUT looking at the power of the .25 ACP....its HALF of the power of a .22 LR. Thats pretty weak....not that it can't kill a person (just shows it doesn't take much) but the shot has to be in just the right place with nothing much there to stop the bullet, like a thick jacket or layers of clothes.
If you are going to go to the trouble to carry a gun may as well be a cal. that gives more that~ 65 foot pounds of energy.
BTY a .22lr will NOT go through a windshield fired at point blank (boxOtruth)....doesn't say much for the .25.