Colt 1908 Vest Pocket .25 auto

[DB62]

Hi all,

This is my first post here, and I have read that some older handguns cant shoot & chamber hollow point rounds, is this a fair statement?

As you can see in my title I have an old (1916) Colt .25 pocket auto (6 rd magazine).

I have shot a few rounds of Hornady .25 XTP hollow points, without any bad results, in fact I was very impressed with these rounds. I had also read that I needed to run at least 200 of these rounds through the .25 to be assured they would be reliable.
Do you agree with this?

I'll have other questions regarding my new Ruger SR40. But want to stick with the Colt .25 info for now!

Thank you for any answers you can help with, and all opinions are welcome!

 

[1KPerDay]

I personally don't agree with the 200 rounds thing. If I don't get any malfunctions in a box of 25, I personally would be okay with carrying it. 50 would be better, but I'm cheap.

However, you're probably going to get a lot of people telling you that the .25 ACP is only slightly better than a sharp stick, that people have been known to take 10 rounds directly to the brain with only a slight feeling of itchiness afterward, etc.

Cool pistol; I have the FN version. My kids enjoy shooting it a lot.

Welcome to THR.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Mouseguns.com has A LOT of info on those beauts, wish I could find one that I can afford.
as for the nay sayers

Eh, this isn't a caliber war
.25 will kill you just as dead as a sharp stick or a .45
it's all in how you use it.

 

[DB62]

Thanks for the input guys! This gun has been passed down through my Dads side of the family, since his Uncles Whiskey running days in Detroit, back before the 2 big WW's, so I'm very lucky to have it. It's still in great condition, and though I could sell it to a collector, it's just not worth it to me.

But my main SD weapon is my SR40
Loved it from the first shot.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I have one of those and after seeing how it's made internally I wouldn't carry it with one in the chamber. Small calibers like .25 aren't improved by a hollow point bullet, you want all the penetration you can get.

Keep it for occasional grins at the range, but I wouldn't recommend it as a carry gun (though people certainly once did).

 

[Fred_G]

I will have to try that ammo in mine. My 1908 is a jam o matic with every hollow point I have tried in it. The FMJ's, it will shoot all day.

 

[rich642z]

I have a FN Browning .25 auto and it was made in 1955. Has a nickel slide and a aluminum frame. Also,has the orig box and manual.

 

[DB62]

Thanks for the input guys!

To Dr.Rob:
Nope, I don't use it as a carry weapon, and always keep the chamber clear, unless I intend on using it.

Out of the rounds I've fired through it, the Hornady XTP HP has the hottest round I've used, and is great for accuracy.
The rounds have very good penetration as well. It leaves a nice damage trail in a Hog, so I'm very happy with the level of penetration & damage the Hornady round inflicts.

My main weapon is a SR40.

 

[1KPerDay]

I'll bet that's a "Baby Browning" and is a different model. Post a pic if you can.

 

[2wheels]

Just curious, if you don't plan on carrying it (or do you?) why are you shooting JHPs through it? I'd just run FMJs through it and call it a day.

Heck, even if you did plan on carrying it I'd still recommend running FMJs. With something that small I'd want to do my best to make sure they penetrate.

 

[Gordon]

The 1908 .25 is at 6 oclock. The Lightweight baby Browning and the Colt Juniors are in there too. The 4 1908 .25s I've had have all been very reliable, at least as much as the good Italian Beretta Jetfires were. I trust the grip safety plus the side safety on the 1908 for loaded chamber carry, but others may not. Geco shiny nickel ball is very nicely warm and a good penetrator.

 

[DB62]

To 1KPerDay:
Nope, It's a Colt pocket .25 auto
The original owner (Dads Uncle), passed away before the brownings were made.
Plus I checked the serial number 147XXX & identified the gun here: http://www.coltautos.com/1908vppd.htm

It also has the hard rubber handle that says Colt.
& it has Colt Auto stamped on one side,
and about 5 patent dates stamped on the other side.

To 2wheels:
No, I don't use it as a carry. Just shooting in the back yard. I've used many FMJs and all were slower. I use these rounds because the muzzle V is 900 fps, which is a lot higher than the FMJs.
To put it simply, it's just a nice little gun, and fun to shoot.

Again, thanks for all of your input.

 

[1KPerDay]

Sorry DB... My post was in response to

I have a FN Browning .25 auto and it was made in 1955. Has a nickel slide and a aluminum frame. Also,has the orig box and manual.

and I forgot to quote the post.

 

[DB62]

Not a problem at all 1KPerDay!

Seams as though there are a lot of very strong opinionated people here!

This may not be the right forum for me?

 

[Hondo 60]

DB62 - I'd hate to see any one leave just because some have a strong opinion.
I have found htr.org to be a veritable treasure trove of information.

A friend of mine had a Colt 25acp Pocket Model 1908.
She never used it & handed it to me.
She said, "Here clean this & then just hang on to it".

I had it & used it for about 6 months.
I had seriously thought of reloading for it, but she needed some cash, so I sold it on gunbroker.
Never tried hollow points - just used some round nose ammo.
Never had a FTF or FTE - it worked great.

 

[jfrey]

My little 1908 was made in 1912 and locks up very tightly and the grip safety is very strong. I have carried it locked and loaded with never a hint of an issue. The only ammo I've ever shot in it is the original box of Federal my wife's uncle gave me when he gave me the gun. Mine looks to have been carried a lot but shot very little. The innards were prestine when I got it.

 

[22lr]

Im not a fan of the 25auto, but the 1908 is a gentleman's pocket gun if there ever was one.

 

[1KPerDay]

If you think the opinions here are too strong for you, you may not want to stray too far on the internet.

This is the most respectful, open-minded, and civil-tongued firearm forum I've run across; that's the whole point of "the high road."

Stick around... just because people voice their opinions doesn't mean they don't respect your choices.

 

[DB62]

Thanks for the advice 1KPerDay, but thats really not what I meant.
I've been reading a lot of post, and it does seam that if you disagree with a Glock owner, your gonna get grief for it.
But in my situation, thats really not a consideration.

This is the most respectful, open-minded, and civil-tongued firearm forum I've run across; that's the whole point of "the high road."

Thats very good to hear, as I like to hear from open minded people, as well as constructive criticism! IMO all points of view count!

Thanks Hondo 60!
Yes, this little .25 has a lot of family history for me, & that would be the biggest reason why I'm not looking to sell it to a collector. & I've put almost 1000 rounds through it (of all brands, but mostly the Federal FMJ), & it's been nothing but dependable. But like I said, it's more a "just for fun" arm, and with it's history, I'm glad I got it!

I only started shooting the Hornady HPs through it because of the reported Hot load, and in my case, it's been true. They are surprisingly powerful little rounds, and are fun to shoot.

To 22lr:
I agree with you on that, and if it wasn't already in my family, I wouldn't go looking for one!

To jfrey:
Same here. Mine does look like it's been used a lot, before I got it, and still works like a champ for me. It's a nice keepsake!

Oh ya, I'll be sticking around, and do like this forum.
Lots of info to pick up on!

So don't take my statement above as a prelude to quitting.
It's more of a statement that I'll be steering clear of discussions regarding Glocks...lol

A good friend (local county sheriff), and his whole department uses the Glock 22. He got his for just over $300.00 (years ago).
I like it. except for the way it feels in my hand.

So again, Thanks Guys!

I just got done cleaning the Colt .25 and packing it away.
Air tight case with dry packs.
In another 20 years or so, I want to be able to give it to another family member!