9 m&m
Member
Has anyone ever got a .25 to expand? If so I would like to see pics please. I am especially talking about the 35 gr. Gold Dots, but any bullet will do. Thanx!!!
.25 ACP Expansion
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WilderBill
Member
If it did, it would penetrate even less.
If you intend to defend yourself from anything bigger than a rat , then get a bigger gun.
If you intend to defend yourself from anything bigger than a rat , then get a bigger gun.
critter
Member
Only way to get it to expand is to take a SPENT bullet, lay it on an anvil and 'whoop' it with a large hammer!
Col Cooper said something to the effect of--If you ever had to shoot somebody with a .25 (and they found out about it!), they would be very upset!
Col Cooper said something to the effect of--If you ever had to shoot somebody with a .25 (and they found out about it!), they would be very upset!
WonderNine
member
Ya whatever. Anyways back to reality...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=599113&highlight=.25#post599113
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=599113&highlight=.25#post599113
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Badger Arms
Member
Very true. Why would you want to take something that already underpenetrates and get it to penetrate less? That's some right good expansion out of a snubby in the photo above. It would sure hurt, but I want it to go a little deeper than that. What are the penetration figures for an FMJ bullet? That would be an interesting comparrison.
Critter wrote:
"Col Cooper said something to the effect of--If you ever had to shoot somebody with a .25 (and they found out about it!), they would be very upset!"
Like much of the good colonel's pontificating, this is crap. A lot of people have been shot with the .25 auto and they found out about it by dying. I knew one of them, and he died just as fast as he would have had he been shot with a .30-'06. I wish supposedly intelligent people would stop making stupid statements, joking or not. The .25 ACP is a deadly weapon; it may not be the weapon of choice for most folks, but it can and will kill. Anyone who makes light of that has beans for brains.
Jim
"Col Cooper said something to the effect of--If you ever had to shoot somebody with a .25 (and they found out about it!), they would be very upset!"
Like much of the good colonel's pontificating, this is crap. A lot of people have been shot with the .25 auto and they found out about it by dying. I knew one of them, and he died just as fast as he would have had he been shot with a .30-'06. I wish supposedly intelligent people would stop making stupid statements, joking or not. The .25 ACP is a deadly weapon; it may not be the weapon of choice for most folks, but it can and will kill. Anyone who makes light of that has beans for brains.
Jim
I had a friend killed with a .25 fired into a crowd. He was a big muscular kid who probably would have scoffed at the "killing power" of a .25.
I still think an FMJ is better than an HP in a small caliber like that.
I still think an FMJ is better than an HP in a small caliber like that.
Badger Arms
Member
To second what Jim said, the 25 is certainly down low on the power list, but it is still a deadly caliber. If anybody's ever heard me rant about this, I'm sorry, but here goes again.
ANY gun is a 99% stopper. If you look at statistics, 99% of the time you do not have to fire a shot to stop the hostile action. HAVING the gun is the important part here. Even the THREAT of having a gun probably prevents 10 times that number of incidents as bad guns pre-screen their victims. For instance, what nutcase would, in his right mind, rob me? I'm 6'3" tall and weigh 235 pounds. Even unarmed I'm probably not going to get attacked. If they try anything, I carry a 32 auto pistol. 99% of the time when I have to present that weapon, said BG will cease his hostile activity before I have a need to pull the trigger.
Now, a 25 will probably stop a BG 40-50% of the time when you shoot them COM. What's funny is that a cap gun will probably stop 30-40% of BG's and you don't have to aim that. A 32 is slightly better, and then you climb into calibers that break bones, smash tissue, and rip holes in the Heart and Lungs. Calibers like the 40S&W, 45ACP, 9mm, 357 Mag or Sig, etc. are all going to bring a confrontation to a stop quickly so long as you can get a COM shot off.
But remember that you're talking 1% of the cases when a gunshot is required and then you're really only dealing with .5% of all firearms engagements where a 25 is any different than the king of personal defense handguns, the 357 Magnum. Given that I'll probably leave my 357 at home when I've got my 25 or 32, I'd say that they are going to be more effective. Soapbox dismount in progress...
ANY gun is a 99% stopper. If you look at statistics, 99% of the time you do not have to fire a shot to stop the hostile action. HAVING the gun is the important part here. Even the THREAT of having a gun probably prevents 10 times that number of incidents as bad guns pre-screen their victims. For instance, what nutcase would, in his right mind, rob me? I'm 6'3" tall and weigh 235 pounds. Even unarmed I'm probably not going to get attacked. If they try anything, I carry a 32 auto pistol. 99% of the time when I have to present that weapon, said BG will cease his hostile activity before I have a need to pull the trigger.
Now, a 25 will probably stop a BG 40-50% of the time when you shoot them COM. What's funny is that a cap gun will probably stop 30-40% of BG's and you don't have to aim that. A 32 is slightly better, and then you climb into calibers that break bones, smash tissue, and rip holes in the Heart and Lungs. Calibers like the 40S&W, 45ACP, 9mm, 357 Mag or Sig, etc. are all going to bring a confrontation to a stop quickly so long as you can get a COM shot off.
But remember that you're talking 1% of the cases when a gunshot is required and then you're really only dealing with .5% of all firearms engagements where a 25 is any different than the king of personal defense handguns, the 357 Magnum. Given that I'll probably leave my 357 at home when I've got my 25 or 32, I'd say that they are going to be more effective. Soapbox dismount in progress...
I agree... a .25 is not the best "manstopper" out there... but it can still kill you just as dead as a .50 BMG
I have a beretta 950 "Jetfire" in .25 ACP. I carry it fairly often (most of the time along with my Makarov). It's small, accurate, and most importantly reliable. It has a capacity of 8+1. It's a good little pistol and I'd recomend it to just about anybody looking for a "mouse gun".
That said it can be hard to find JHPs in this caliber that will expand. I tried the gold dots and they didn't expand. Or at least I couldn't get them to. My expansion test consits of shooting a water jug and recovering the bullet.
Anyway, I decided that .25 ACP factory ammo was too costly and on the weak side, so I started hand-loading for the caliber.
.25 ACP Load Data
So far the only load I've used has been 1.7 gr of Bullseye with 35 gr Hornady XTP bullets. This load gives 975 FPS (74 energy) and they DO EXPAND, to .32 caliber or so.
I might try so other loads latter but this combo seems to work well so I'll probably just stick with it...
I have a beretta 950 "Jetfire" in .25 ACP. I carry it fairly often (most of the time along with my Makarov). It's small, accurate, and most importantly reliable. It has a capacity of 8+1. It's a good little pistol and I'd recomend it to just about anybody looking for a "mouse gun".
That said it can be hard to find JHPs in this caliber that will expand. I tried the gold dots and they didn't expand. Or at least I couldn't get them to. My expansion test consits of shooting a water jug and recovering the bullet.
Anyway, I decided that .25 ACP factory ammo was too costly and on the weak side, so I started hand-loading for the caliber.
.25 ACP Load Data
So far the only load I've used has been 1.7 gr of Bullseye with 35 gr Hornady XTP bullets. This load gives 975 FPS (74 energy) and they DO EXPAND, to .32 caliber or so.
I might try so other loads latter but this combo seems to work well so I'll probably just stick with it...
russlate
Member
My concern is with ball ammo, which has a tendency to not penetrate the skull if fired other than at a 90 degree angle. I want a JHP for it's "cookie cutter" effect, rather than for it's expansion.
Badger Arms
Member
This is an urban myth and, at any rate, is not supported by any studies I've seen. Besides that, you are shooting center of mass, not at the head.
My Dad was in a bad car wreck and spent two months in intensive care. The man in the room next to him had been shot through the head with a small 25 auto. The bullet had entered just above one ear went through his brain crossways and then back out just above his other ear. He was in a deep comma for about three weeks before they stopped life support.
I carried a very good little 25 auto for years until I replaced it with a Kel Tec 3AT. It was a single action exposed hammer FIE Titian made in Italy. If you ever come upon one they are good pistols.
The 25 I carried had way more stopping power than my 40 caliber, 5 1/3 inch barrel, tactical Glock 35 due to the fact that the Glock is back home in my safe.
I carried a very good little 25 auto for years until I replaced it with a Kel Tec 3AT. It was a single action exposed hammer FIE Titian made in Italy. If you ever come upon one they are good pistols.
The 25 I carried had way more stopping power than my 40 caliber, 5 1/3 inch barrel, tactical Glock 35 due to the fact that the Glock is back home in my safe.
SapperLeader
Member
.25 caliber is certainly not my first choice of defensive pisols, but If I was carrying one I would carry fmj for the penetration. .380 is the smallest caliber I use hollow points with. My .32 I use fiochi fmj, and I would consider the same load for the .25.
bad_dad_brad
Member
The .25 ACP in hardball is a deadly penetrator. Consider that I have killed large raccoons instantly with head shots using .20 air gun driven pellets at about 600 fps, albeit at very close range (within 20 feet). A large raccoon is not that different than a human.
If I had a Beretta Jetfire 950 with eight .25 hardballs, at close range, I would feel comfortable to defend myself if I could get a head shot, particularly an ocular shot.
You can piss all you want on the .25 ACP and wish it away, but it has saved many a life, because the vehicle that launched the tiny caliber has been small and light, so most likely to be carried.
Still everything can be improved upon, and now when I grab a pocket pistol, it is the featherweight .32 ACP KelTec P32 I take. My Jetfire stays in my drawer. But I still would not hesitate to rely on it if I had to.
If I had a Beretta Jetfire 950 with eight .25 hardballs, at close range, I would feel comfortable to defend myself if I could get a head shot, particularly an ocular shot.
You can piss all you want on the .25 ACP and wish it away, but it has saved many a life, because the vehicle that launched the tiny caliber has been small and light, so most likely to be carried.
Still everything can be improved upon, and now when I grab a pocket pistol, it is the featherweight .32 ACP KelTec P32 I take. My Jetfire stays in my drawer. But I still would not hesitate to rely on it if I had to.
Badger Arms
Member
Yes, I've heard that story before. No doubt it happened, but I do doubt this is a typical case. There is no magical law of physics that only the 25 is allowed to follow but other bullets aren't. Ball ammo is ball ammo. Sure it will deflect, but not beyond the laws of physics. It is a round chunk of metal traveling at a pretty good velocity. The 25 auto stops many an encounter, kills many people, and barks really loud. I'll be happy with my 99.4% stopper when I choose to carry it. Of course, it really is a matter of opinion and peace of mind. Those who disagree with me SHOULD carry larger calibers. I feel fine with my 32 KT, don't feel the need to get the 380. Some feel undergunned with a 9mm.
Sorry to all the .25 ACP defenders, but personally, I'd take a .22 LR any day, and for certain a .22 WMR.
I've done penetration tests with .25 ACP hardball on a 1" pine board. It won't at point blank range fired out of a Baby Browning - just they type of pistol people have been talking about in this thread. My .22 pellet rifle does better than that.
I've done penetration tests with .25 ACP hardball on a 1" pine board. It won't at point blank range fired out of a Baby Browning - just they type of pistol people have been talking about in this thread. My .22 pellet rifle does better than that.
Badger Arms,
I'm guessing that your post is in reply to my story.
I actually agree that the .25 has been used many times doing just what it should... defending the person using it. It probably has it's place, and it would be much better than having nothing. My point really is that while others can listen to the stories and shrug them off as just "those few weird cases" for me it was made personal, for me it isn't just a story in a magazine, or on the WWW. So for me it's harder to just shrug off.
I'm guessing that your post is in reply to my story.
I actually agree that the .25 has been used many times doing just what it should... defending the person using it. It probably has it's place, and it would be much better than having nothing. My point really is that while others can listen to the stories and shrug them off as just "those few weird cases" for me it was made personal, for me it isn't just a story in a magazine, or on the WWW. So for me it's harder to just shrug off.
Zircon, I like your Local... "Orygun" LOL...
I'd take a .25 ACP over a .22LR anyday however... at least in a pocket pistol.
The .25 has a slight balistic advantage (50 gr bullets instead of 33 gr) but what really makes it better is the reliability factor. A .22 is much more likely to jam...
I'd take a .25 ACP over a .22LR anyday however... at least in a pocket pistol.
The .25 has a slight balistic advantage (50 gr bullets instead of 33 gr) but what really makes it better is the reliability factor. A .22 is much more likely to jam...
WonderNine
member
As far as I know, the most powerful .22 pellet rifles are about half the fpe as a .22lr or .25ACP out of a 2" barrel.
Badger Arms
Member
This must be in that mysterious place in the Universe called the "Browning Vortex" where the laws of physics are suspended to allow the 25 ACP to do all sorts of anemic things like bouncing off cellophane and falling on the ground once it leaves the barrel of the gun. Why it's been told that you can spit one out after you put it in your mouth and pull the trigger.
To prove(?) that the .45 ACP has no power, an "expert" once told me that the .45 would not penetrate a silk handkerchief (the handkerchief had to be silk!). He stated that if the handkerchief was held by the top corners, a .45 bullet fired at it would hit it, stop, and drop to the ground.
I said I very much doubted that, and suggested a demonstration, saying I would even provide the handkerchief and the gun. He said he was in a hurry and didn't have time to fool around, and that I was obviously an idiot for not believing him.
He did tell me he would be back the next day to provide proof. That was in 1958 and I am still waiting.
Jim
I said I very much doubted that, and suggested a demonstration, saying I would even provide the handkerchief and the gun. He said he was in a hurry and didn't have time to fool around, and that I was obviously an idiot for not believing him.
He did tell me he would be back the next day to provide proof. That was in 1958 and I am still waiting.
Jim
Gordon
Member
This thread is very entertaining! The king of the laughs being:"LAPD used to use it years ago to blow the kneecaps off of people.
They would put it behind the knee and use it as a truth serum, it worked great." BTW I just shot my .25ACP into a fir 2x4 stack 2 minutes ago . With Winchester 'pellet nose" my Baby Browning penetrated 2.5" of fir , and the 950 Berreta another 1/2" for about 3". The Bullet expanded to .33"
The king of the laughs being:"LAPD used to use it years ago to blow the kneecaps off of people.They would put it behind the knee and use it as a truth serum, it worked great." BTW I just shot my .25ACP into a fir 2x4 stack 2 minutes ago . With Winchester 'pellet nose" my Baby Browning penetrated 2.5" of fir , and the 950 Berreta another 1/2" for about 3". The Bullet expanded to .33"
Sorry, in my universe the pellet rifle penetrated the 1" board. The 25 ACP did not. Both fired at about 3' from the board. Please note well: I'm not saying a .22 pellet has more energy than the 25 ACP, but out of my two weapons, it indisputedly has more penetration.
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