Yeah, I know. It's so darned small that it is relatively ineffectual. That said, I am considering purchasing a small, single-action .25 Auto that can slip into my pants pocket while I'm doing everyday chores such as, taking out the trash, walking around the outside of the apartment complex for a couple of minutes, etc.

The way that I have it figured, 6 rounds of 50-grain, FMJ .25 ACP in the face of the bad guy will give me sufficient time to get help, call the police, the coroner, escape, or whatever seems apropriate for the occasion.

Any salient comments or observations?

Scott

If under the stress and adrenaline rush of an "event", you can keep 5 shots from a tiny .25 caliber gun in the size of someones head, more power to you.

I met a person who shot an intruder 6 times with a .25 and never knocked him down.

I think I'd try to carry a Kel Tec P3AT (380), Ruger 380 or a Colt Mustang at the very least. Almost anyone can carry one of those in a shirt or pants pocket.

quote:

Originally posted by depicts:
If under the stress and adrenaline rush of an "event", you can keep 5 shots from a tiny .25 caliber gun in the size of someones head, more power to you.

I met a person who shot an intruder 6 times with a .25 and never knocked him down.

I think I'd try to carry a Kel Tec P3AT (380), Ruger 380 or a Colt Mustang at the very least. Almost anyone can carry one of those in a shirt or pants pocket.

The problem that I have is that my Smallest handgun is a Beretta Tomcat. Dropping that into a front pocket can be cumbersome and downright clumsy. When out shooting my CZ-70 last saturday, I realized that it wasn't going to "fill the bill" either. The closest that I have come, so far, is tucking my Charter Arms "Undercoverette" into the small of my back. It can work (as it wears the factory Goodyears.) The .25 Auto is just small enough to "disappear" into my front pocket (I usually wear slacks.) We have "open carry" in this state, but the "sheeple" generally urinate all over themselves when the see a civilian exercising his/her 2nd amendment rights. I just want a chance to escape and reach a bigger gun!

Scott

I've in the past investigated 2 self-defense shootings with the .25acp one from a Beretta-tipup barrel and the old Raven,both of these shootings where made by women and all shots were placed in the chest cavity at less than 10 feet,both assailants lived but each carrying 6 50 grain fmjs in the chest but stated they did'nt want anymore,so i say if it's all you got carry it and shoot it.
Equalizer

Last resort gun/caliber.
But I've packed one for 35
years. I like the Beretta 950SA
No longer made.

One problem might be with simply finding a good SA.25 auto that is still made. The Beretta 950 is out of production, though the DA 21A is still made. My only .25 was an original baby Browning. Ravens and such can still be had off Auction Arms of course. I'm told that the FIE Titans as made by Tanfoglio (more so than the later US assembled versions) were also serviceable. The Ravens aren't really all that light though.

I've never had a problem with carrying an Airlite or Airweight J frame in even relatively thin dress pants using a simple Uncle Mikes or Desantis pocket holster. Another option would be to fit a revolver with a Clipdraw hook or Barami hip grip, tuck it in the waistband, and pull a shirt over it.

I've carried a Beretta Model 20 .25 myself, and it's just right when you want something really little. Maybe in a shirt or vest pocket, though I carried mine in a IWB holster.

Admittedly, the shooting I referenced was in winter in Boston, and all shots were to the body which was covered by a thick coat.

I think if a .25 was very close, and an accurate hit made, it can sometimes do the job. I now carry .38+, and feel it is adaquate. I wouldn't carry a .25 as my main carry gun.. Especially if I lived in a free state where I could buy whatever I wanted, I'm sure there is a better gun. The Tomcat is thick compared to the Beretta 20 or 950, I don't know why it had to be that thick.

I think I'd prefer a .32 or .380 Seacamp using Silver Tips or another good personal defense round if I wanted a similar sized gun

Just a thought the only .25 acp i own is a Bauer made on the Baby Browning pattern,it's extremely accurate with Win. and S&B 50 grain fmjs and is fairly accurate withe the Speer 35 Golddot loading and ridespretty good in a pocket tshirt,but i'll take my kel-tec p-32 any day of the week
Equalizer

I would get a Kel Tec. They are small and very concealable. You can get a .380 or even 9 mm that can easily slip into your back pocket. They even make a holster that looks like a wallet. I personally can't carry anything less than .38 SPL +p for defense but that just me.

I am looking at a .25 that I can pick up for a "song." It is well-built and of the single-action, exposed-hammer variety. It seems to be in excellent condition.

After reading magazines from 1984 (Guns and Ammo's Pocker Pistols special.) It appears that this would be the route to go. It isn't a primary pistol, it's just something that can be dropped in the pocket at a moment's notice. Besides, it is more powerful than the .22 long rifle cartridge in such a short barrel. Such a pistol will be a welcome addition in the hot summer months, when wearing a holster gun would be prohibitivly obtrusive. What I am attempting to avoid, is "telegraphing" the fact that I am carrying a firearm. Concealment is the primary objective.

Scott

Are you going to carry it condition three? It wasn't clear whether or not you intend to carry this pistol loose in your pocket, or whether you are planning to use some sort of pocket holster. While there were exceptions - the Baby Browning and various Berettas come to mind - many .25 autos made over the years were lower end weapons and won't necessarily have reliable mechanical safeties, even on those that do, there is the problem that the safety will often be small (almost vestigal). This often makes condition one or two carry problematic. There's also an issue with carrying *any* handgun loose in a pocket without the trigger being covered by a holster when that firearm is in a ready to fire condition.

I usually walk around with a Glock 27 in my front pocket, but today went to various appointments and on assorted errands with a 3914 in my pocket, which stayed there while I hefted my 25ish pound infant around, shopped, cleaned up around the house, etc. I never found this pistol - which is larger and heavier than most alloy frame small revolvers - to be obtrusive and it did not print in any meaningul way. I used a simple Desantis pocket holster which cost less than $20 to conceal it. A variety of clip on holsters - also usually in the 20 to 30 range - can also be used to carry guns IWB and simply inserted/clipped on and a shirt pulled over.

While I don't necessarily suggest doing so, I've even simply stuffed my full size USP .45 in my waistband and pulled a shirt over it and then gone about my business. It's unlikely that anyone would notice or care about a bulge.

If you're most comfortable going to a weapon that small/light (i.e. a .25) and your threat level is minimal, then by all means go for comfort. However if you're asking if there are other ways to carry a larger weapon without much hassle (and discretely), there certainly are options.

Since I am going to carry in my front pocket, I am planning to carry this little Excam pistol "cocked and locked," much as one would carry a 1911-A1. If I can afford to eke out the money, I am planning on finding an Uncle Mike's IWB "clip-on" holster, or a simple pocket holster made of synthetic materials. Direct, straightforward, thumb up the safety and fire. Empty the magazine and hope that I have "chewed him up" enough to make an escape. If I can place at least 3 rounds in his face and three more in his chest, I doubt that he will be in a hurry to fight. Some bad guys are just young and stupid. If I can stop him permanently, so much the better.

Scott

If I want something crazy small, I opt for revolver reliability with a NAA .22 lr. mini. The NAA Black Widow with the smaller magnum frame wood grips is also very easy to hide, is scary accurate plus has .22 mag. power. NAA cylinders are not much thicker than a P3AT and their butts are smaller and not as printy. A NAA in a pocket holster with a hanky, or keys in the bottom of the pocket are the last thing that screams "gun". That said, I prefer a Kel-tec over anything smaller so you can count me in with the P3AT crowd, Scott. I almost never carry only a NAA. They are last ditch weapons IMO.

I've written this before, so at the risk of boring some of the readers, here goes: A large stray dog was trying to dig one of my barn cats from under the smoke house as I pulled in from the day job one afternoon. I rolled down the window of the pickup and shot it in the butt with my Beretta 25 at 15 yards. IT DIDN'T NOTICE!!! And, no, I didn't miss. The 25 went away at the next gun show.

quote:

Originally posted by gunfan:
I am looking at a .25 that I can pick up for a "song."
Scott

re: Excam
Recommend you test fire 25 rds or so before committing .