[mr.trooper]

Im loking to get a .25 auto pistol to keep around.

Im well aware of the cartridges ballistics, and im not looking to debate that. I own over a dozen handguns in cartridges from 44 mag down to 22lr, and have carried many different pieces in the decade that i have had my carry permit, so i dont need "schooled" on what guns are appropriate to carry, or whos rectum will be violated should i ever fire a 25 in anger.

I want a 25 just for the sake of being able to utilize the ammunition. My personal experiences lead me to believe that it will be readily availible in the event of ammo shortages (thanks in no small part to the negative attention it gets on intrrnet forums). Guess what was all over the department store shelves 4 years ago? 25acp and 22mag - conveniently hiding in everbodys blind spot.

Im considering 3 different guns. The Beretta 21, Taurus pt25, and Pheonix hp25. Im a beretta fan, but in this instance im leaning toward the Pheonix because spare parts are super easy to get, and it is the cheapest outright cost.

What would you choose just to keep around, and why?

[gbelleh]

I'd definitely get the Beretta 21, or a 950. They're good, high quality guns, and fun to shoot.

[MCgunner]

The Beretta or the Taurus. I have an HP22. I've had lots of wear problems do to the zinc. Great gun when it works. Right now it's working, but I haven't shot it much since I fixed the last malady. :D

Actually, I had a Beretta Minx that didn't work, either. I'm not sure I like the Beretta/Taurus design. I'm thinkin' I'd look elsewhere for a .25, tell ya the truth. Not sure what else is available as I don't pay attention to .25s, but I'd avoid zinc guns. At least the Taurus and Beretta guns are cheap and .25 tends to work better in small guns than rimfire.

[DesertFox]

Been eyeballing those tiny old Baby Brownings in 25ACP. Anyone have one?

[gbelleh]

I have an old Astra CUB that is a solid, reliable gun too. Those, or the Colt Junior, are worth checking out.

[jolly roger]

I've got a 1908 Colt Vest Pocket from my wife's Granddad made in 1928 and a nice Mauser 1910. Still shoot just fine when I do shoot them. The Mauser is actually pretty accurate. But for a 25 to shoot on a routine basis a Beretta 950 is good too.

[CZ57]

I have an old Astra CUB that is a solid, reliable gun too. Those, or the Colt Junior, are worth checking out.

I have one too except mine is a .22 Short. It feeds like #$%^ through a goose. I can't make it hiccup even when firing as fast as I can pull the trigger. If you see one at a good price at a gunshow, buy it! Very good quality all the way around and many more were made in .25 ACP than .22 Short. ;)

[bannockburn]

In the "I have these pistols just because..." category I currently have an Astra Cub (in .22 Short), and a Baby Browing. Years ago I also had a Beretta Model 950BS and a Beretta Model 20. I guess I have always been fascinated by miniature guns and am still constantly amazed at the amount of engineering that went into these extremely sub-compact pistols. Both the Astra Cub and the Baby Browning are very well designed and constructed and would make for an excellent choice (along with the Beretta Model 950BS), in a .25 caliber gun.

[guyfromohio]

I used to have the Beretta. Surprisingly accurate and 100% reliable. It was the DA model.

[beatledog7]

It would have to be the little Beretta Bobcat, even though it would for no reason other than as a curiosity. They feel great in my hand and would be a hoot to try at, say, 15 yards.

I don't think I can see well enough to reload .25 Auto, so I'd have to find a good ammo source.

[mjsdwash]

cant say much for the other, but i have a beretta in 22. Better in a 25, but no extractor makes misfires a big deal in those guns. Theyre also very ammo picky.

[45_auto]

Hard to beat the Bauer or PSA stainless copies of the Baby Browning for a .25 ACP. I've had a couple of the Bauers for 25 years or so, they've been great. PSA took over the tooling years ago.

http://www.precisionsmallarms.com/

[oneounceload]

I have a 1908 Colt made about 1910 - works great, easy to hide

[mr.trooper]

I had forgotten about the baby browning clones. When Last I saw a PSA example, it seemed pretty well built, but they are just so dang small! At some point that becomes counter productive.

[Shadow 7D]

I'm a fan of early pocket pistols, so, just because, whatever you can get your hands on at a good price.

[dirtengineer]

I have had good luck with several Taurus pistols and believe them to be a good value. Never had a .25, however.

[jeepnik]

Beretta 21 gets my vote. Heck, you can carry them condition one even (not recommended, but possible). But one of its best features is the ability to pop open the barrel and check/load/unload the chamber.

[TennJed]

I have a Spanish copy of the best pocket. Plan on adding a Baby Browning and a Beretta 950 one day

[Deaf Smith]

Im loking to get a .25 auto pistol to keep around.

What would you choose just to keep around, and why?

Beretta Jetfire all the way! Especially the older ones with NO thumb safety. Cock it to fire, uncock it to make safe.

Simple, no?

And very very reliable!

Deaf

[The Lone Haranguer]

Beretta 950, pre-Astra Colt, Baby Browning, in order of preference.

[rodinal220]

Beretta 950 or Astra Firecat.

[HOWARD J]

Hard to beat the Bauer or PSA stainless copies of the Baby Browning for a .25 ACP. I've had a couple of the Bauers for 25 years or so, they've been great. PSA took over the tooling years ago.

http://www.precisionsmallarms.com/
Above from 45 auto




I have Bauer---broke the plastic grips twice--now have wood grips from
Gun Parts.
If you don't place your hand properly this cutie will rip open your hand as the slide comes back--ouch

http://imageshack.us/a/img69/5076/bauer.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/69/bauer.jpg/)

[Onward Allusion]

The Beretta is a dang good gun. Had two of 'em. Its only drawback is the lack of an extractor. I've also been intrigued by the Taurus Poly, however. Interesting shape/design.

[MedWheeler]

The lack of an extractor in the Beretta applies to the Taurus as well.

I have the .22LR versions of both the Phoenix and the Taurus. Each is dead-on reliable, quite accurate, and fun to shoot. The Phoenix, though, is remarkably heavy for its size and caliber, and has three (count 'em!) safeties (slide-mount, frame-mount, and mag-disconnect.) On top of those, the only way to clear the chamber of a loaded round, other than to fire it out, is to insert an empty magazine in the well. So, to unload the gun, you must remove the magazine, empty it, and re-insert it first. This is because the slide cannot be retracted without a magazine in place. Neither can that of the Taurus, but I don't see the need there because of the barrel's tip-up feature.
The lack of an extractor in the Taurus (and the Beretta) means that any misfire must be cleared by opening the barrel, not by racking the slide. Doing the latter will result in a double-feed because that slide is so thin it's hard to hold onto. When you let it go, it will feed the next round into the rear of the chambered one.
But, when you're considering a .25 as a "just-to-have-it" gun, these are probably qualities that are not necessarily deal-breakers.

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

Buy a L.W. Seecamp .25 auto.
There are plenty of used good ones on the market.

[jimbo555]

I second the Seecamp or Beretta.The Browning is well made but not safe with a round in the chamber.

[SouthernYankee]

I own a Beretta Bobcat 21A LR and yes I do carry it all the time! Unlike the Taurus (DAO), it is DA/SA. I have found over the years, I prefer to carry SA which was not my initial instinct. But the Beretta will provide that flexibility. As instructed, by the knowledgeable posters here, I found High Velocity rounds such as the CCI's work well in Blow Back designs. As such, I have so far experienced zero (0) failures at 250+ rounds (Mini Mags, Stingers, Velocitors, Game Blunts and Federal Bulk). Now everybody relax, I do own and carry a .45, but you cannot beat that little Beretta IMO. At <10yds it'll make holes in you real fast, small gun almost Zero Recoil. As far as ammo, Box of 50 .25 $26.00; a box of 500+ .22LR Federal $26.00 2 weeks ago, CCI 100 $10.95. My first choice for CCW, NO! But functional, reliable (operating within it's parameters), easy to carry and shoot, without a doubt so far. And the ammo aspect, I have stored... let's just say with it my 10/22, Bobcat & Tracker I could eat and stay safe for a looong time and be quite mobile. Forget about waiting for the "next" ammo problem period :uhoh:.
BTW, if I wasn't clear, I love that little Beretta design IMHO.

[Kiln]

I've had the Phoenix HP22 and it worked great for about 3,500 rounds before I had a frame crack. The gun still worked but it bugged me so I sent it in. Phoenix sent me a brand new gun. The new one works just as well as the old one.

If you intend to shoot in high volume I would say go with something else but if this thing will be an infrequent range toy it'll probably last forever. If you can afford to shoot 3,500 rounds of .25acp ammo and break one then you should definately go with the Colt anyways.

[greyeyezz]

Have owned 2 950 Jetfires before, nice reliable guns.

Found this little beauty at a show about a month ago. Ran the serial #, it's 22 years old, bluing is amazing.

Only shot it once but the FMJ went completely through a steel cabinet and through drywall. When I hear stories of a .25 bouncing off someone's head or getting stuck in clothing I take those stories with considerable doubt.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/greyeyezz/P1030674.jpg

[W.E.G.]

There are quite a few .25's that you can spend a good amount of coin on, and which will usually function OK.

I really doubt that .25 will be easier to come by than .22 LR during "ammo shortages."

You can buy a mountain of .22 LR for what you will pay for not much .25 auto.

Each is equally "combat ineffective."
So, toss a coin.
Toss a lot more coin if you want to shoot .25 auto.

[Kiln]

Have owned 2 950 Jetfires before, nice reliable guns.

Found this little beauty at a show about a month ago. Ran the serial #, it's 22 years old, bluing is amazing.

Only shot it once but the FMJ went completely through a steel cabinet and through drywall. When I hear stories of a .25 bouncing off someone's head or getting stuck in clothing I take those stories with considerable doubt.

There have been a few documented cases of this happening (glancing off skulls) but I'm betting that it's been overblown by alot of people. In the 80's the .25acp was one of the top ranking rounds in homicides. I'm not saying that they're super effective but they don't normally just bounce off of somebody.

The .25acp has killed plenty of people and an old cop buddy I had said that it does hurt like hell to take one in the shoulder and contrary to popular belief, he DID notice it!

[MICHAEL T]

I have 2 of the 950BS Beretta on with safety one with out. 1 model 20. 1`Astra , 1 Bauer , and a FIE Titian . Of the group The 950 BS gets my nod for carry .

When my Bauer was new in late 70's. I worked as a suiter and of course no carry allowed and no CCW . I wore around neck on kite string, chamber empty . I left 1 shirt button un done as tie covered it ,Was a quick reach, jerk to snap string as clearing shirt ,and chamber round . Word their for years no one ever knew .

[Bohemus]

CZ 92 or CZ45, they are bit larger, but easier to shoot.

[Odd Job]

I carried a Baby Browning as a pocket gun for almost 10 years. It is a classic but probably not a good one to carry with a loaded chamber. I got it really cheap second hand but if I had to do it over again I would pick a different .25ACP altogether.

[wlewisiii]

I'll eventually get a Mauser WTP for my collection in 6.35 though I'll admit a temptation from the Baby Browning or the Colt 1908 Vest Pocket.

[ApacheCoTodd]

Keepin' the .25 alive.

I say keep your eyes peeled for one of the older - exceptionally well made vest pocket guns. I love mine and can't seem to pass them up when the price is right.

Of your three choices - I'm a big fan of the Beretta for size, quality and that tip up barrel. I don't think parts will be an issue with one either. I've never needed any yet on any of my Berettas but the parts are available.

[toivo]

I have a Jetfire and a PSA "Baby." The PSA clones are cool little guns, but they will set you back a bit more than the others.

http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/ss331/tomi245/DSCF0416.jpg

Keep in mind that for most men with average-sized fingers, the "Baby" is a one-finger gun. You'll be able to wrap your middle finger around the grip, and that's about it. The Jetfire, on the other hand, is a one-and-a-half-finger gun. It might not sound like much of an improvement, but it does have an effect on controllability.

[gyvel]

Beretta Jetfire all the way! Especially the older ones with NO thumb safety. Cock it to fire, uncock it to make safe.

You're aware of the fact that the Beretta has no firing pin lock, right? If you cary it with a round in the chamber and the hammer down, you could potentially have an AD.

When I hear stories of a .25 bouncing off someone's head or getting stuck in clothing I take those stories with considerable doubt.

The fact is that that bone in the human skull is incredibly hard in most cases. Without going into details, anyone who has ever tried to reattach the two halves of the calvarium after an autopsy knows this.

CZ 92 or CZ45, they are bit larger, but easier to shoot

Unfortunately, the CZ 36s and 45s are not commonly available in the US. They were generally "bringbacks" from GIs who served in Europe. The 92 is completely unavailable due to restrictions imposed by the GCA of 1968.

[mr.trooper]

Ill probably end up going with a beretta if i can find one for a good deal. I didnt realize that Taurus is offering a "modern" version of their pt25 though. Looks like it would solve a few of the beefs i have with those pistols (wife has a pt22).

I dont need to think .25 will be availible because i have already seen it so.
A) Most people who own guns wont buy a 25 due to widespread missinformation
B) Those who do own a 25 may not buy any because they will be more concerned with other cartridges
C) Many of those who do buy 25 will only buy 1 or 2 boxes as an afterthought
D) Those who have it to sell or trade will likely ask less for it, because it will be in lower demand

9mm and 22lr will dissapear FIRST, expressly BECAUSE of their poppularity and commonality. Everyone has one, and everyone will be looking to buy that.

Many thanks to everyone who gave their input.

[Confederate]

The Beretta is by far the best and I love .25ACP caliber, nor do I sell it short. I can't tell you how many articles I've read where bad guys get hit by a .25 and end up in the morgue. The problem is, I don't know how to get the 950s anymore except off the Internet. I have a couple, but I wouldn't sell mine but I'd buy another if I had the chance.

A small .22LR in many ways is just as good. If you buy good ammo and a well made pistol, you can't lose.

[Nushif]

Been eyeballing those tiny old Baby Brownings in 25ACP. Anyone have one?

My wife has one. Inredibly fun gun to shoot.

[clang]

I've got a Walther Model 9 that is a hoot to shoot. It makes most other .25 autos look big.

[Pete D.]

A "one finger gun" :
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr287/PeteDoyle/Bernardelli.jpg

My little Bernardelli....never an FTF.
Pete

[el Godfather]

Was any machine pistol made in 25 auto?

[ApacheCoTodd]

Was any machine pistol made in 25 auto?
Less than a couple hundred Lerckers in Italy in the 50s.

There's also an un patented and difficult to nail down Israeli .25 select fire but I can't find any of my old reference stuff on that and haven't seen it in 20 or so years.

[gazpacho]

Heckler & Koch Model 4

http://remtek.com/arms/hk/civ/hk4/hk4.htm

The one I have is as close to a safe queen as I have. Unfortunately, I only have the 22lr and 32acp barrels. I am still looking for 25acp and 380acp barrels. Still, it's a great, fun gun.

[riomedinamike]

Beretta 25 is the way to go. I have several that have never malfunctioned.

Buy a couple of boxes of 25 acp, and it will last you a long time.

[Geo47]

I have a Beretta 21 and a 950. Both are sweet little guns. If I were inclined to carry such a small caliber for self defense, I'd go with the 21. I'd feel more comfortable slipping the double action piece into my pocket, than the single action "cocked and locked." Plus the slightly fatter grip offers a better feel.

[Jed Carter]

Another vote for the Beretta 950, good shooter for it's size, being SAO doesn't hurt.

[TennJed]

How does the 950 compare to the baby browning in size?

[Coltdriver]

I have a Browning Baby. Great little .25 but there is no way you want to carry it with one in the chamber.

Mine was a slightly rusted beater so I took it completely apart to clean it up. I replaced one part and had a devil of a time getting it back together. In the process I got some great understanding about how the little striker works. Once you figure that out you would never carry it cocked. Mine will dump the magazine as fast as you can pull the trigger.

At the gun show here in Denver just a couple of weeks ago I saw a fellow selling a little Beretta for $90. That was really a good deal.

Browning's are a bit overpriced in my opinion. No way I'd get a replica.

I had a Beretta years ago and it was utterly reliable and if my intention was a .25 to have in my pocket once in a while that would be my choice.

[45lcshooter]

I have a Ortgies 25 that i got a few years ago, for pennys really. But the guy had no idea what was wrong with it, a spring and few pins, and all i need is a magazine. Cant wait to start carrying this for deep concealment.

[jfrey]

My 100 year old Colt vest pocket hasn't failed me yet. Very accurate for the size.

[ApacheCoTodd]

I have a Ortgies 25 that i got a few years ago, for pennys really. But the guy had no idea what was wrong with it, a spring and few pins, and all i need is a magazine. Cant wait to start carrying this for deep concealment.
Make certain to never-ever dry fire it (anymore?) or you'll be shopping for a firing pin too.

[frankmako]

beretta jetfire is the way to go. the flip up barrel makes it a easy gun to load.

[HisSoldier]

Buy a couple of boxes of 25 acp, and it will last you a long time.

Not the way some of us shoot, two boxes per session.

Nothing with aluminum, leaves out Beretta, nothing striker fired, there goes a raft load of .25's. I own many striker fired .25's but there is just something about being able to see the hammer either forward or back.

I own quite a few .25 auto's, my favorite for the joy of shooting is the Astra. Forged frame, all steel except the grips. It has relatively large easily acquired sights, a rarity in .25's. The only fault I know of is the plastic grips crack when the screws are over tightened or when someone like me amps the reloads up to 1200 FPS. :D
Oh yeah, also Astra's have magazine safeties, but they are easy to remove.

[ApacheCoTodd]

beretta jetfire is the way to go. the flip up barrel makes it a easy gun to load.
Important - as chambering is the most dangerous point in operating some itty-bitty .25s.

[Hondo 60]

If I were looking for a .25acp I'd want a Colt Model 1908 Hammerless

(pic stolen from the internet)