Mauser 1910 .25 ACP

k22fan · Jun 17, 2013

A Mauser model 1910 .25 ACP has caught my eye. Needless to say this would be a collector’s novelty item. I’m well aware that it is best to restrict the use of .25 ACPs to grizzly bear defense employed as described in the “official forum joke.” However, when a gun store closed out their reloading section I got a die set for next to nothing and I’ve been collecting brass off the ground ever since. Also among my stuff I have a couple boxes of Federal FMJ cartridges from a forgotten horse trade. In addition to being very different from modern pistols the antique Mauser is intriguing because it is the largest .25 ACP commonly encountered and might be the easiest to shoot accurately.

Before making the purchase I’d like to hear any experiences forum members have had reloading for these early Mausers. I’d also like to know if they are characteristically temperamental as far as reliability goes, prone to breaking a particular part or other things affect how practical it would be to reload for one and fire it at a range.

For those unfamiliar with early striker fired Mauser pocket pistols PALADIN85020’s article on their history and development is here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/314946-early-mauser-pocket-pistols.html

HKSmith · Jun 17, 2013

I bought one of these on Gunbroker about 5 years ago. They're very well made pistols and are fun to shoot - no need to apologize for the weak cartridge. I once bought 2600 rounds of old S&B ammo for $200; when it ran out, I bought a set of Lee dies and 2000 Magtech 50 grain FMJ bullets (Midway had them on sale for $26/1000!). I use 1.3-1.5 grains of Bullseye or HP-38 and have had no problems. I don't know of any weak points or problems with the Mauser 1910, but I've only fired 500-600 rounds through it. Most of my .25 ACP shooting is with a Colt 1908. I don't shoot as much of this cartridge as I used to.

You might also try the Mauser Forum - I haven't visited there in a while.

k22fan · Jun 18, 2013

Thank-you for the encouraging reply. I’ve had my Lee carbide die set for at least 10 years. It’s time I put it to use.

I have one question about the Mauser if you don’t mind. Its magazine is bright steel and has a coarser finish than anything else on the pistol. Does it sound like an original magazine to you? That’s a concern because its unlikely I’d be able to find an original magazine if one is required to make the pistol reliable.

I’ve only known one man who reloaded .25 ACP. He always found more components than he could use at close out prices. Otherwise the cartridge would be a natural for casting your own. He used to talk about having Thompson Center make a custom barrel to better justify his reloading efforts but never did.

The little Mauser will give me something interesting to do at the reloading bench.

bigjohn4 · Jun 18, 2013

I have not had a M-1910, but I did have two M-1914's which are its bigger brother in .32acp. The magazines for those Mauser's were all steel in the white and kind or rough in appearance. Nice accurate guns and well made. I would assume the same for the .25acp's as well. Original magazines do turn up here and there but of course aren't very common anymore. I had some aftermarket magazines for the .32's that were made by Triple K I believe and they fed and functioned reliably. Hope this helps some.

alwslate · Jun 18, 2013

Realize that these Mausers are somewhat complex designs that have
many leaf or blade type springs as well as several parts tempered to
be their own springs. All are prone to breakage and some parts are
basically unavailable. A good resource is " Troubleshooting your Hand-
gun" by J.B. Wood if you can find a copy.

2152hq · Jun 18, 2013

Probably the nicest shooting 32acp pistol I had was a Mauser 1914. One of those shoulda never sold it things.
I'd expect the 1910 to be just as friendly on the range.
The magazine on my 1914 was polished and blued, but the polish was no where near the degree the outer surfaces of the pistol had received.
Many of the Mausers I've looked at over the years did have magazines that the body was left finished 'in the white'. The polishing marks lengthwise on the body.

I had a Walther Model 8 and a Model 7, both in 25acp that were handy to use for me. The tiny mouse guns are just too small to operate safely anymore for me.
The Mauser would be the same I'd expect.

Parts breakage on any of these elderly classics will leave you with little option in repair. Mostly DIY in making & fitting small parts. Some parts are available if you search, many of those are worn already but can be rebuilt.
Part of the fun of it all!

David Sinko · Jun 18, 2013

I don't know the first thing about the Mauser but I do reload for a Beretta 950BS .25 ACP. My Beretta is flawlessly reliable and it has caused me to take a serious look at the .25 ACP cartridge.

I have considered casting bullets for the .25 but I hate casting bullets for any cartridge, let alone something as small as the .25 ACP. Instead I take #3 buckshot and gently tap them with a hammer to squash them a bit so that they are a tighter fit in the brass. I load them with 1.5 grs. of 231 and use a heavy crimp in my Lee die. To my amazement these cartridges feed flawlessly and are very accurate out to the 50' that I use them. But I use them mostly for practicing double taps to the face at conversation distance.

But like I said, I know nothing about the Mauser...

Dave Sinko

H Richard · Jun 19, 2013

My very first gun was a Mauser 1910. (At age 14). It was very reliable and easy to field strip. Accuracy was "decent". I would love to find another one just for memory's sake. I'll never forget the one that put a bullet through my left arm.

LEADNUTS · Sep 18, 2013

I picked up a working M-1910 Mauser in .25. A lady's husband passed on and she had it for sale. so I examined it and the barrel is shiny and bore is excellent. No rust, and it loads from magazine and extracts when opening slide. I have not disassembled it yet, but it has an excellent trigger and will no doubt shoot nicely ( I hope ).

I also have an old WWII Walther p-38 from 1941, and that gun performs splendidly out to 75 feet as I put 3/5 into a playing card at the range last week. It has a better trigger than many of my modern semi-automatics too! At least I say so. I enjoy old guns that function properly as it reminds me of the good old days before polymer guns became in vogue.

Rule3 · Sep 18, 2013

Grab it just because they are so cool looking!

They work very well for bear protection, shoot you hiking friend in the knee and run like hell.!

Mr. Wonderful · Sep 18, 2013

The best way I can describe the Mauser 1910 pistol is "elegant".

Each part is numbered/fitted to the pistol... and that CAN be an issue. There is some potential for swapping out components, but it's a case-by-case situation.

I've got two model 1910's and they are BEAUTIFUL. You may want to consider picking up a low-cost "shooter" in the future. Sometimes you can make the planets align, and get good parts.

Best wishes,

Roger aka Mr. Wonderful

Mauser 1910 .25 ACP

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