What 25 auto just because?

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mr.trooper

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Im loking to get a .25 auto pistol to keep around.

Im well aware of the cartridges ballistics, and im not looking to debate that. I own over a dozen handguns in cartridges from 44 mag down to 22lr, and have carried many different pieces in the decade that i have had my carry permit, so i dont need "schooled" on what guns are appropriate to carry, or whos rectum will be violated should i ever fire a 25 in anger.

I want a 25 just for the sake of being able to utilize the ammunition. My personal experiences lead me to believe that it will be readily availible in the event of ammo shortages (thanks in no small part to the negative attention it gets on intrrnet forums). Guess what was all over the department store shelves 4 years ago? 25acp and 22mag - conveniently hiding in everbodys blind spot.

Im considering 3 different guns. The Beretta 21, Taurus pt25, and Pheonix hp25. Im a beretta fan, but in this instance im leaning toward the Pheonix because spare parts are super easy to get, and it is the cheapest outright cost.

What would you choose just to keep around, and why?
 
I'd definitely get the Beretta 21, or a 950. They're good, high quality guns, and fun to shoot.
 
The Beretta or the Taurus. I have an HP22. I've had lots of wear problems do to the zinc. Great gun when it works. Right now it's working, but I haven't shot it much since I fixed the last malady. :D

Actually, I had a Beretta Minx that didn't work, either. I'm not sure I like the Beretta/Taurus design. I'm thinkin' I'd look elsewhere for a .25, tell ya the truth. Not sure what else is available as I don't pay attention to .25s, but I'd avoid zinc guns. At least the Taurus and Beretta guns are cheap and .25 tends to work better in small guns than rimfire.
 
I have an old Astra CUB that is a solid, reliable gun too. Those, or the Colt Junior, are worth checking out.
 
I've got a 1908 Colt Vest Pocket from my wife's Granddad made in 1928 and a nice Mauser 1910. Still shoot just fine when I do shoot them. The Mauser is actually pretty accurate. But for a 25 to shoot on a routine basis a Beretta 950 is good too.
 
I have an old Astra CUB that is a solid, reliable gun too. Those, or the Colt Junior, are worth checking out.
Click to expand...

I have one too except mine is a .22 Short. It feeds like #$%^ through a goose. I can't make it hiccup even when firing as fast as I can pull the trigger. If you see one at a good price at a gunshow, buy it! Very good quality all the way around and many more were made in .25 ACP than .22 Short. ;)
 
In the "I have these pistols just because..." category I currently have an Astra Cub (in .22 Short), and a Baby Browing. Years ago I also had a Beretta Model 950BS and a Beretta Model 20. I guess I have always been fascinated by miniature guns and am still constantly amazed at the amount of engineering that went into these extremely sub-compact pistols. Both the Astra Cub and the Baby Browning are very well designed and constructed and would make for an excellent choice (along with the Beretta Model 950BS), in a .25 caliber gun.
 
I used to have the Beretta. Surprisingly accurate and 100% reliable. It was the DA model.
 
It would have to be the little Beretta Bobcat, even though it would for no reason other than as a curiosity. They feel great in my hand and would be a hoot to try at, say, 15 yards.

I don't think I can see well enough to reload .25 Auto, so I'd have to find a good ammo source.
 
cant say much for the other, but i have a beretta in 22. Better in a 25, but no extractor makes misfires a big deal in those guns. Theyre also very ammo picky.
 
I had forgotten about the baby browning clones. When Last I saw a PSA example, it seemed pretty well built, but they are just so dang small! At some point that becomes counter productive.
 
Beretta 21 gets my vote. Heck, you can carry them condition one even (not recommended, but possible). But one of its best features is the ability to pop open the barrel and check/load/unload the chamber.
 
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I have a Spanish copy of the best pocket. Plan on adding a Baby Browning and a Beretta 950 one day
 
mr.trooper said:
Im loking to get a .25 auto pistol to keep around.

What would you choose just to keep around, and why?
Click to expand...

Beretta Jetfire all the way! Especially the older ones with NO thumb safety. Cock it to fire, uncock it to make safe.

Simple, no?

And very very reliable!

Deaf
 
Hard to beat the Bauer or PSA stainless copies of the Baby Browning for a .25 ACP. I've had a couple of the Bauers for 25 years or so, they've been great. PSA took over the tooling years ago.

http://www.precisionsmallarms.com/
Above from 45 auto




I have Bauer---broke the plastic grips twice--now have wood grips from
Gun Parts.
If you don't place your hand properly this cutie will rip open your hand as the slide comes back--ouch

bauer.th.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
The Beretta is a dang good gun. Had two of 'em. Its only drawback is the lack of an extractor. I've also been intrigued by the Taurus Poly, however. Interesting shape/design.
 
The lack of an extractor in the Beretta applies to the Taurus as well.

I have the .22LR versions of both the Phoenix and the Taurus. Each is dead-on reliable, quite accurate, and fun to shoot. The Phoenix, though, is remarkably heavy for its size and caliber, and has three (count 'em!) safeties (slide-mount, frame-mount, and mag-disconnect.) On top of those, the only way to clear the chamber of a loaded round, other than to fire it out, is to insert an empty magazine in the well. So, to unload the gun, you must remove the magazine, empty it, and re-insert it first. This is because the slide cannot be retracted without a magazine in place. Neither can that of the Taurus, but I don't see the need there because of the barrel's tip-up feature.
The lack of an extractor in the Taurus (and the Beretta) means that any misfire must be cleared by opening the barrel, not by racking the slide. Doing the latter will result in a double-feed because that slide is so thin it's hard to hold onto. When you let it go, it will feed the next round into the rear of the chambered one.
But, when you're considering a .25 as a "just-to-have-it" gun, these are probably qualities that are not necessarily deal-breakers.
 
L.W. Seecamp

Buy a L.W. Seecamp .25 auto.
There are plenty of used good ones on the market.
 
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