Gun_Shy
Member
If the problem with using .22 is it being rimfire, you might want to consider a centerfire .22 round such as the .22 Hornet. There are at least two handguns for this round, the Taurus model 22H "Raging Hornet" (10" barrel, 8 rounds; see:www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=86&category=Revolver&toggle=&breadcrumbseries=) and the Magnum Research BFR ("Big Frame Revolver", 7.5"or 10" barrel, 6 rounds; see: www.magnumresearch.com/bfr_specs.asp).
You might also look at the .218 Bee, another centerfire round. Taurus also made a handgun in this caliber, the .218 Bee model 217 Silhouette (12" barrel, 7 rounds; see www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=78&category=Revolver&toggle=&breadcrumbseries=).
I believe that either of these rounds will outperform the .25ACP (ie, move the steel target more). In any case, finding full-size .25 pistols is difficult. Offhand, the largest all-steel .25 pistol I can think of is the (French) MAB model E automatic, which has been out of production for about 50 years and would really be classified as a large pocket pistol (length = 159mm, barrel = 81mm, weight = 515g; 9 rounds). These are not target pistols (more like a reduced size MAB model D, primarily a police service pistol), but anything can be made better if you're willing to spend the money. Most .25 pistols are either pocket pistols (smaller than the MAB E) or vestpocket pistols (even smaller).
Bill
You might also look at the .218 Bee, another centerfire round. Taurus also made a handgun in this caliber, the .218 Bee model 217 Silhouette (12" barrel, 7 rounds; see www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=78&category=Revolver&toggle=&breadcrumbseries=).
I believe that either of these rounds will outperform the .25ACP (ie, move the steel target more). In any case, finding full-size .25 pistols is difficult. Offhand, the largest all-steel .25 pistol I can think of is the (French) MAB model E automatic, which has been out of production for about 50 years and would really be classified as a large pocket pistol (length = 159mm, barrel = 81mm, weight = 515g; 9 rounds). These are not target pistols (more like a reduced size MAB model D, primarily a police service pistol), but anything can be made better if you're willing to spend the money. Most .25 pistols are either pocket pistols (smaller than the MAB E) or vestpocket pistols (even smaller).
Bill