The .25 is pretty weenie for sure. I retired my Colt Model 1908 after many years in favor of the Kel Tech P3AT for deep concealment duty.

I've enjoyed playing with the .25 ACP over the years. THe .25 pistols I've owned have always fed and functioned reliably. Assuming similar sized handguns, the .25 offers just a bit more than does the .22 Long Rifle.

I'll add a link to a cartridge discussion on the .25 ACP.

http://proguns.proboards92.com/index.cgi?board=testing&...=display&thread=3022

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bmcgilvray,

quote:

Originally posted by gunfan:
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.

Check the pistol's markings. If I recall correctly, some Excam's came in prior to the GCA 68 and were made by Tanfoglio in Italy. In that case the gun should basically be a GT27 - still made in Europe, but no longer importable - which was imported in several versions and later made up out of "kits" in the U.S. post '68. The same basic gun came in from FIE and probably other importers. There's sometimes parts breakage issues, but most users are pretty happy. If you can, disassemble it and check for any cracks, peening, or other warning signs. If the gun is marked made in Italy, and left the Tanfoglio factory, it is likely to have had more care in its assembly than the versions made up out of the kits here in the U.S.

The old trick with the Tanfoglio used to be to have a gunsmith deepen the half cock notch a bit and carry them condition two. Note that this was before my time and might well be frowned on by modern safety standards. The safeties were generally considered to be neither intuitive to use nor easily manipulated under stress. However, most users familiar with manual safeties of a contemporary nature to that era were using BHPs or 1911s.

If money is an issue - which I'm suspecting it might be if an Uncle Mikes clip on is a difficult purchase to swing - be wary of a false economy. .25 ACP ammunition is rather pricey. Each box will run you about what an UM holster will. I had a Beretta 21A in .22LR that I used extensively, small autos with tiny sights can deliver a surprising amount of accuracy, but the key is practice. That becomes expensive with a .25.

My 2 cents are that I have a .32 Keltec and a NAA .22mag that I carry a great deal. I have carried and shot both a good bit and they have proven to be accurate enough at close range and reliable enough to depend on. I usually carry one or the other on a pocket holster in addition to a serious handgun.
I am now 53 and started daily carry of a concealed when I became a police officer at age 24. I have almost always carried since then. I think the fact that .25 autos are not made today says something about their effectiveness. In my younger days they were common. I never carried one as a primary weapon or backup gun. Most of the ones I shot were hard to shoot well and not very reliable. In addition, most were single action autos and the only safe way to carry them was with an empty chamber. I would NEVER carry one of those in a pocket in cocked and locked mode.
I will say that if you have ever actually used a gun to defend yourself, you would know that it is ALWAYS worth it to carry and adequate weapon. I have carried serious weapons all these years and have NEVER had anyone spot it. Don't bet your life on such a weapon as a tiny .25. If you just want it because its cheap and you want to play with it, thats fine. If you ever wind up fighting for your life, you will regret not having a better weapon...Just my opinion...Good Luck

Well, I've come to a decision. I'm going to buy the .25. If I feel that things may get extremely "hairy" (read: imminent jeopardy) I'll opt to grab either the Bersa .380 or the Beretta Tomcat. For walking down to the local grocery store, or the nearest "stop and rob" I'll just drop the .25 in my pocket and pray that nothing happens. Since we're a "bedroom community" to Portland, Oregon, the lower income people frequently move here. Unfortunately, it brings some of society's dregs with them. This causes Vancouver, Washington to to be viewed with derision and called "Vantucky." (No offense intended toward those members from Kentucky, please! I am not trying to start a "flame war." This word is a local colloquialism, meaning rural and unrefined. Personally, I'd rather be around Kentuckians than leftist Portlanders.)


Scott

quote:

Well, I've come to a decision. I'm going to buy the .25.

I have a Browning .25. I used to carry it around in a jacket pocket. One day, I decided it was too puny and replaced it with a Seecamp .32. I still have both, but never use them anymore. I always thought they were a click better than nothing. They probably are, but one of the "dangers" of having the little things is that I would forget it and walk into the post office and/or school with it, before I realized what I was doing.

After doing that once or twice, and considering the possible consequences, I decided to go back to a Chief's Special or Centennial. The last thing I want is to be publicly strung up for some ridiculous violation that was more mindlessness than willful. When I bought the Browning many years ago, we didn't have to bother with such drivel. One's license was valid anywhere in the state, except for boarding commercial aircraft. I guess that was too simple...

Years ago, I had one of the tip-up Beretta 25s. It was nice to be able to just drop it in a pocket if I didn't want to carry anything bigger. I figured it was a last-ditch weapon, anyway- if somebody tried a carjacking or street robbery. Since it would be arms-length at most, I figured emptying a magazine into the bad guys face would be pretty easy. And, I did carry a spare mag!

I been kicking around getting a Ruger LCP .380 to carry during the summer. What do you guys think about this little toy. Or would it be better to fill my pockets full of rocks? Just wished Smith made a small auto to carry. Later - John

I believe that I am buying a pistol that is in good shape. It looks as if it is well-preserved. After it comes home, I'll do my best to provide a "range report" as soon as possible. Remember, this is "breaking the bank" for a while, so I don't know when I'll be able to take it out.

Scott

You will find that feeding that .25 is no where near as cheap as it used to be.

the Beretta Mod 20 could be carried with a round in the chamber, and not cocked, as it was double action for the first shot and had a pretty good hammer block safety.

The tip up barrel made it easy and safe to unload. It was also good for people with weak hands or athritis.

I'll still go with a Smith J frame. They can be found in pretty good shape for $200-$300.

I've got J-frame S&W's (.38's), a Kel Tec P32 (.32 ACP), a Kel Tec P11 (9mm) and a "Baby" Glock 26 (9mm).

But at times, I opt to just carry my little Colt .25 ACP.

A little gun is better than no gun.

If I knew I were going to a gunfight (well, I wouldn't go!), I would take a 12 ga shotgun and a .45 on my hip.

But since we don't know what we'll encounter as we go about our daily lives, I believe the little guns DO have a place.

That said, I would suggest a Seecamp .32ACP or Colt Mustang .380ACP (or similar) for those times when deep concealment is in order.

(But those old Colt .25ACPs are kinda cool! Just limited in usefulness.)

I'll say one thing for the Colt Model 1908 .25 pistol. It is very dependable. I've never had one to malfunction. It's a good design that's as reliable as the sun coming up. I only wish the P3AT was all steel and as flawless in its function.

Cocked & Locked, our Colt .25s serial numbers aren't all that far apart. Yours has checkered walnut grips while mine has the hard rubber grips. The checkered walnut looks so nice with the pretty blue finish of the era. Thanks for posting the nice photos.

Thanks for the nice photos, gents. The .25 should be little but a "be armed at all times" pistol. I understand the little .25's limitations, as well as it's strengths. When I pull the trigger, the little pistol should give a rapid, short report. A brief fusillade of rounds should make a bad man either very sick, or possibly dead.

The .25 ACP is at it's best at a maximum of 1-2 yards, and no more. "waltzing distances" as many of us like to all them. All of the rounds need to either be planted squarely in the face, upper thoracic area or the groin. This should permit me to run away and get help.

Thanks to all,

Scott

This message has been edited. Last edited by: gunfan,

Remember the look on the North Koreans' faces when Frank Burns pulled out his .25 on the bridge when they were making the prisoner exchange?