.25 ACP ammo question

Sirex · Nov 7, 2017

So let me start off by saying that I know that 25 ACP is not a preferred self-defense round. But a relative of mine has a 25 ACP old pistol that was handed down and is using it as a backup pistol to his 9 mm. He's an older guy and not on the computer so I am asking for him, so as far as defensive ammo for 25 ACP, does one want a Full Metal Jacket bullet For maximum penetration, or are the xtp bullets in the Hornady and Fiocchi rounds better now? I was leaning towards Full Metal Jacket rounds but figured I would ask before offering him my suggestion. Thanks for any help. And again 25 ACP is not the primary self defense round, he just wants to know what would be a good choice for backup. It's a pistol he already has and does not have a handgun qualification license, so since he has it already he's keeping it. Thanks

Boom Boom · Nov 7, 2017

How old is old? If from the first part of the 20th century, the metal is not up to the standards for modern smokeless powder and you'll need to get ammo loaded to black powder pressure.

Sirex · Nov 7, 2017

Its an older one. The details I am not sure. He had it at the range with us test firing some green/white box Remington, which ran fine. I don't think he is going to shoot it regularly. Just keep it tucked way.

Buckeye_Nut · Nov 7, 2017

You do realize that this round has something like 60-75 foot pounds of energy? This is significantly less than a 22LR out of a pistol.

Biggfoot44 · Nov 7, 2017

All .25acp is ( & always was ) smokeless . SAAMI pressures are low enough to be suitable for any .25acp suitable to be fired at all .

And that said , FMJ is the way to go, if only for the feed reliability . Even at that penetration is marginal & inconsistant . JHP, etc rarely expands ( in .25acp) and feeding can be an issue in the 80% of pistols so chambered that were junk when new.

To give their due , I've shot a few that ranged from center mass to soda can plinking accurate. But also those that missed the entire target@ 3yds with entire magazine, when I was semi-seriously trying to shoot accurately.

To be properly placed for SD , you need to be able to hit the eye socket .

TheOriginalMexicanBob · Nov 7, 2017

John from MD · Nov 7, 2017

Sirex said:
So let me start off by saying that I know that 25 ACP is not a preferred self-defense round. But a relative of mine has a 25 ACP old pistol that was handed down and is using it as a backup pistol to his 9 mm. He's an older guy and not on the computer so I am asking for him, so as far as defensive ammo for 25 ACP, does one want a Full Metal Jacket bullet For maximum penetration, or are the xtp bullets in the Hornady and Fiocchi rounds better now? I was leaning towards Full Metal Jacket rounds but figured I would ask before offering him my suggestion. Thanks for any help. And again 25 ACP is not the primary self defense round, he just wants to know what would be a good choice for backup. It's a pistol he already has and does not have a handgun qualification license, so since he has it already he's keeping it. Thanks

European ammo used to be the fastest ball ammo you could get. These days, I think they are caught up in the legal BS and have dialed back on the power of the blowback cartridges.

I would suggest looking at some of the smaller ammo manufacturers like Doubletap, Buffalo Bore etc. and see if you can get something hot from them.

I wouldn't worry about shooting these out of any STEEL pistol. Don't use it if the pistol was build in CA or Nevada and they are mostly pot metal.

Don't use any kind of expanding ammo as it won't penetrate. I tested using gallon containers of water and the hollow points and even the Hornady's didn't get past the first bottle. My small catch of old Fiocchi from Italy when through 2 into the 3rd.

cantstop · Nov 7, 2017

You definitely want FMJ. The .25 ACP is a relic of a bygone era when the average Joe was 5'9" and weighed 150 lbs.

It's entirely an up close and personal weapon today. Almost as if you had a 6 inch nail with a trigger.

They can be a lot of fun to shoot. Fiocchi 50gr FMJ works pretty well.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...n-25-acp-50-grain-full-metal-jacket-box-of-50

davsco · Nov 7, 2017

sure everything on this planet up to and including elephants has been killed with a meager .22, but seriously if your life may depend on it, even for a backup gun to a decent gun, spend $600 and get a glock 17 for the backup vs a chance at only having a .25 to protect your life or that of a loved one. and certainly you/he need to make sure that .25 is 100% reliable before he resorts to whipping that out in a sd/hd scenario. and also pls suggest he take his 9mm and his .25 and do an idpa match or two with them. great way to see what works and what doesn't (including the shooter) under a little stress.

Schipperke · Nov 7, 2017

Delivered many pizzas

Biggfoot44 · Nov 7, 2017

Indeed, the above Bauer is a fine high quality piece, that's why I bought one in the day.

But when the first subcompact .32acp that cost less than a Seecamo came on the market, ALL .25acps lost any semblance of practicality, and became ( occasionally collectable) paperweights .

John from MD · Nov 7, 2017

Biggfoot44 said:
Indeed, the above Bauer is a fine high quality piece, that's why I bought one in the day.

But when the first subcompact .32acp that cost less than a Seecamo came on the market, ALL .25acps lost any semblance of practicality, and became ( occasionally collectable) paperweights .

I have carried many hide out guns over the years. 1908 Colt, Beretta 20-21, NAA Guardian, Beretta Bobcat. When the P3AT came out, all my .32's started collecting dust. I still carry the P3AT backup to this day. :thumbsup:

Biggfoot44 · Nov 7, 2017

I am outspoken on my opinions regarding .32acp vs .380 , but concead that is a real debate.

But existance of pistols of similar size and weight , in either caliber , with expotenally more effectiveness render ALL .25acp's cute paperweights .

Tracker · Nov 7, 2017

Buckeye_Nut said:
You do realize that this round has something like 60-75 foot pounds of energy? This is significantly less than a 22LR out of a pistol.

Its an up close gun for sure. And I do mean close

For the person who suggested a Glock 17 as a backup I ask, Backup to what? An RPG? That's a full sized pistol.

DoormanTNT · Nov 7, 2017

Granted ballistics are "questionable"....but the man owns it, and seems comfortable with it.

I would want a backup, ANY BACKUP, if a bad guy is around. Any gun is better than a cop on the phone.

Blaster229 · Nov 8, 2017

I truly love every single answer here that are no answers at all.

Biggfoot44 · Nov 8, 2017

No recomendations that weren't FMJ . Seems like an answer .

Not withstanding the obligatory retelling of the hikers & grizzly bear joke , frequent recomendations for somthing even slightly larger , with the strongest .25acp praise being to the effect of " anything for a BUG is better than no BUG " . Again seems focused and relevant.

*********

And for further equine necro-kink :

I get it about already own it . IF it is reliable, and IF it has better practical accuracy than the Raven I briefly owned , then it would make a better THIRD gun , than no Third Gun at all .

And it took me a lot of head scratching, but I thought of unequivocal praise for .25acp - Categorically better than .22lr derringers . Given the smoother deployment to getting off first/ subsequent shots, and higher capacity , a creditable argument can be made for a (better quality) .25acp over larger cal derringers also . ( Waiting to be struck by lightning for praising higher capacity as a deciding factor. But the difference between 2rds and 5rds IS meaningful.)

Blaster229 · Nov 8, 2017

Biggfoot44 said:
No recomendations that weren't FMJ . Seems like an answer .)

Oh. Guess you missed the "go buy a Glock" or the recommendation to go try some IDPA. I'm sure there is another or so but I'm not scrolling on my phone to look for them.

John from MD · Nov 8, 2017

Blaster229 said:
I truly love every single answer here that are no answers at all.

I got your point. There are some key board commandos who just like to build up their post count without giving any help. It's probably because they don't have any experience to draw from.

Blaster229 · Nov 8, 2017

John from MD said:
I got your point. There are some key board commandos who just like to build up their post count without giving any help. It's probably because they don't have any experience to draw from.

I don't really ask any general gun advice anymore. Some time back, I posted about my agency and off duty carry pistols. I had only 4 brand choices for options, HK,Sig,SW, and Glock. I was very specific saying no other brands are even an option allowed by the agency. Well, iirc one of the first responses someone said like Springfield or Ruger.
True eye opener. Lol

.25 ACP ammo question

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