Good SD Ammo for a Colt 25 Junior?

[dromel]

I like to buy fresh ammo every 20 or 30 years, so what would be good SD Ammo for a Colt 25 Junior?

Thanks

 

[CWL]

Any name-brand hardball ammunition. With such a small caliber, don't use hollowpoints or any of the fancy/expensive magsafe/Glaser type bullets. Nothing of this size is going to expand, and even if it did, the expansion diameter won't be much but will affect penetration.

With this caliber of cartridge, stick with hardball for penetration purposes. You need to get thru clothing, muscles and bone (including skull), in order to cause debilitation.

Federal would work. So would Fiocchi as their bullets tend to be loaded a bit 'hotter' than American ammo.

Good luck and see you in another 20 to 30!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

It matters little, IMO. You're still only dealing with a .25 ACP.

 

[mavracer]

in the imortal words of Jeff Cooper none,don't load it if you do you might shoot somebody and if they find out they'll be pissed.
seriously with all the makarov and walther pp copys out there surely you can save up and get a 32 or .380 9X18

 

[Gordon]

Fiocchi ball is pretty hot and should work on the eye sockets well.

 

[dromel]

Thank you gentlemen for your replies and opinions on my query.

When I wrote about "fresh ammo every 20-30 years", I was being facetious. I apologize for that. Perhaps I might add some other facts to clarify my decisions.

First, please note that I live in Fort Lauderdale, FL where the temperatures are regularly over 90 and the heat index hovers around a 100 for a good portion of the year. My usual garb is a tank top and shorts. This makes it extremely difficult to conceal my chrome plated 1911A1 Colt 45, not to mention it being very uncomfortable.

In my 4 or 5 CCW encounters over the years I have only fired ONE shot, and that was into the dirt from the Colt 25 Junior on a exercise trail while jogging with a young lady. I only did this to avoid further escalation from the 3 "young gentlemen" who wanted to show the lady a "good time" and didn't quite believe the colt was a "real gun". I will do almost anything to avoid injury or harm to another person, unless the they endanger me or mine.

As far as "saving up to buy a ...", I am on the contrary track. I am getting older and my daughters are somewhat "anti gun, so I am divesting my firearm collection to a few old friends for which I have a special attachment. Namely the 1911A1, a S&W 9mm (39-2) and the Junior. (Wellll, maybe 1 or 2 more)

One last thought on my diminutive Colt 25. Based on FBI statistics and my own personal experiences, I strongly feel that just the specter of an armed, willing and able victim is invariably enough to drastically change the dynamics of a situation, whether he be armed with a 45, a 9mm, or even a 25.

Thank you,

Former
SSgt 2/24
USMC

 

[LarryS.]

Quote: "Fiocchi ball is pretty hot and should work on the eye sockets well."

.....and in the ear, at the base of the skull and up the nose.

Good luck.......truly hope you never face any more "tests" in your lifetime.

 

[MDW GUNS]

I would rather carry a .22 then a .25 and I heard that the Junior like to be very "ammo sensitive"!
Why don't you get yourself something like a Glock 26/27/33 or HK P2000sk?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Based on FBI statistics and my own personal experiences, I strongly feel that just the specter of an armed, willing and able victim is invariably enough to drastically change the dynamics of a situation, whether he be armed with a 45, a 9mm, or even a 25.

I don't know about "invariably." I still want all the advantages I can get.

In your climate and clothing, there is no reason why you cannot at least carry a 9mm subcompact autoloader or .38 snubnose revolver in your pocket. With a different kind of shirt you can carry any of the larger guns you already have in a IWB holster, although strapping on a holster is a bit inconvenient for quick trips ... which is why I have both types.

It is plenty hot in Phoenix metro, too - 31 straight days of 110 degrees or more this year - but less humid.

 

[wally]

in the imortal words of Jeff Cooper none,don't load it if you do you might shoot somebody and if they find out they'll be pissed.

As much as I respect the late Col Cooper, he's wrong here. Think of a .25ACP as a single shot shotgun that fires serially and tell me it can't be effective. I agree its not the best choice by far, but they are a lot better than nothing! They are very easy to put the rounds where they need to be at a car length or less and certainly will ruin your attacker's day.

Seller&Beliot or Fiocchi are probably loaded the hottest. Been a long time since I've shot a .25ACP.

--wally.

 

[mavracer]

Think of a .25ACP as a single shot shotgun that fires serially

While its probably better than a rock.lets analize your analagy with some math. 25 acp 7rounds X 50 grn X 800 fps = a total of ~500 ft.lb. of energy now 1 12ga. 00 buck 9 pellets X 50 grn X 1300 fps = a total of ~1700 ft.lb.
oh ya 00 buck is .32 cal = larger holes

They are very easy to put the rounds where they need to be at a car length
Been a long time since I've shot a .25ACP.

must have been a real long time, 15-20 ft head shot with a .25.if you got enough money for ammo to practice to make that shot,you can afford a Kel-tec .32 or .380, makarov or 38 snub.which is still my recomendation.but if your hearts set on a .25 this is good ammo at a good price I use it in my Colt vest pocket made in 1911.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=148319

 

[seeker_two]

+1 on S&B or Fiocci...I use S&B in my Titan.

American ammo companies tend to load the pocket pistol calibers (.25, .32, & .380) light, probably in deference to all the Brycos, Jennings, & Cobra pistols still out there. Europe doesn't have that "cheap gun" problem--everything is quality...and expensive. For effective ammo in these calibers, European ammo is the way to go.

They may not notice when you shoot them with a .25--until after their funeral, that is...

 

[Gordon]

A snot locker hit, being an opening in the skull also stops aggression pretty decisively whether it be a drop step punch or a .25 from 6 feet! I'd much rather carry a .25 than any equivalent size .22. Only a seecamp or keltec .32 is superior IMHO at that size level.

 

[MICHAEL T]

A jell test while back showed 13" Wichester ammo I belive and the Blazer went 16+" meets the great FBI 12" I have several 25's and the 1 time I needed a gun. It was a 25 in my pocket and it worked just fine.
My 38 and 45 were at home . Not allowed to carry at work.

 

[Old Fuff]

dromel:

One last thought on my diminutive Colt 25. Based on FBI statistics and my own personal experiences, I strongly feel that just the specter of an armed, willing and able victim is invariably enough to drastically change the dynamics of a situation, whether he be armed with a 45, a 9mm, or even a 25.

And this old timer will side with you too. I much prefer a larger cartridge, but I don't put-down the little 6.35mm Browning (aka .25 ACP). It is better then any .22 rim-fire because it feeds more reliably in ultra-small handguns. The biggest and the best doesn't mean zip if it doesn't go BANG! or the bigger, more potent sidearm has been left at home.

Street punks don't usually want to fool with anyone that's armed, and once they understand that the little gun is real they won't likely stand around to discuss the pros and cons of different cartridges. If they see things otherwise a hit or two in the face may not prove mortal, but it has a discouraging effect.

During World War Two the Army's O.S.S. (Our original spooks) bought or otherwise obtained an unknown numbr of .25 pistols - mostly thought to be Colt's. They also ordered 15,000 rounds of ammunition.

So you seem to be in good company.

 

[grendelbane]

Jeff Cooper actually recommended the .22, in cases where some one could not handle a larger caliber arm. He said to aim for the tear duct. This would also work well with the .25 ACP, which, as noted, is more reliable.

There is a generational divide apparent on this situation. Old timers usually considered the small calibers capable, while generation X seems to think that you need the latest +p+ loading to do any good. As usual the truth lies some where in between.

The funny thing is, older fashions were better suited to carrying big pistols chambered for big calibers. Modern fashions are better suited for carrying small pistols chambered for small calibers. The exact opposite of what I would think would be natural.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

I'd recommend the KelTec P32 or P3AT. I carry 8 rounds of Gold Dot .32 ACP in my P32. My brother carries 7 rounds in his P3AT. Either pistol is about the same size as the Beretta 950 BS .25 ACP I used to carry in a wallet holster and thinner. The .32 is much more effective than a .25, and the .380 is somewhat more effective than the .32.

As for concealability, I carried my P32 in my swimming trunks the last time I was in Florida. In fact, here in Oklahoma it gets hotter than Florida with high heat indexes, and my little KelTec BUG rides with me everywhere. (My real carry gun is a S&W M13 3".)

ECS

 

[chipperi]

A good sturdy brick would probably do more damage.

 

[Trebor]

I agree that you want to stick to the hottest FMJ load you can find. Since other's reccomend the Fiochi, that's what I'd go with.

The .25 ACP wouldn't be my choice today as you can get .32 ACP's and even .380 ACP pistols that are almost as small and easy to hide, but it's your decision.

 

[seeker_two]

A good sturdy brick would probably do more damage.

Then you should get a Walther PPK...it hits like a brick through a plate glass window....

 

[chipperi]

The brick thing was actually a quote from my CCW class instructor.

I had a PPK/S and sold it, it didn't fit my big hands well was real good at taking flesh off the web of my hand.

 

[Ron James]

dromel, don't apologize for carrying a .25. In the days before Kel-Tec and NAA I carried a .25 when I needed deep concealment. They are dependable little guns and yours, the Colt Junior ( also known as the Astra 2000) is a very good reliable gun with no feeding problems. You are carrying it for defensive reason, not to put down a gangland fight or stop a Cuban invasion . I find Winchester Silver tips work very well but I like S&B solids. FWTW, the rim on .22 cartridges make them much less reliable in a small auto than a .25 ACP, no opinion ,just the nature of the beast.

 

[seeker_two]

The brick thing was actually a quote from my CCW class instructor.

Sir Ian Fleming was your instructor?....

Just what kind of license do you have?....

 

[Jimmy Newman]

I think he meant when he said that a brick would probably do more damage, not the brick through a plate glass window thing.

 

[meef]

I knew a guy who got shot in the abdomen with a .25.

I was there shortly after it happened.

And he was pissed.

If the person who shot him hadn't taken off running like Speedy Gonzalez, he would have beaten him to a pulp.

He grumbled the whole time his girlfriend was removing it with the tweezers.