25 ACP Pistols

[dsf]

I've searched my memory on this but so far as I can recall S&W never made a pistol in 25 ACP - am I correct? Maybe due to the "C" in ACP or the cartridge itself.

Anyway, the latest non-S&W addition to my accumulation -





An early Mauser Model 1910 "sidelatch" version. It's a "not for export" pistol. Keeping the slide to the rear was a bit of a challenge. Unlike later versions this one doesn't use the mag or have a hold open lever. Engaging the safety with the slide to the rear does it.

The mag is an original.

Very well made and easy to shoot.

 

[KEN L]

No, but they did make a model in .32 acp, and they do chamber a revolver in .45 Colt and others .45 acp, Just saying........

By the way, nice addition!

 

[Rpg]

I think Smith made a 25 acp: the Escort.

 

[Jimmyjones]

I think Smith made a 25 acp: the Escort.

Escort was .22LR, Model 61.

 

[NFrameFred]

Nope, never did. But . . . if you take a S&W 645 and modify the slide, barrel and springs you can cram almost a whole box of 25 ay-cee-pees into the magazine !

 

[DWalt]

Aside from the Colt, there were very few earlier American pistols made which were chambered for the .25 ACP. I think H&R made one, and of course there were the much later “Saturday Night Specials” such the Raven. Most were of European manufacture.

 

[Oldsalt66]

I think Smith made a 25 acp: the Escort.

The Model 61 Escort was in .22lr.

 

[PALADIN85020]

S&W did consider making a .25 pistol, but decided that .22 LR was close enough, and their Model 61 Escort was the result.

I find the .25 autos more curiosities than anything else, but I have two - a Mauser Model 1910 and a Colt Model 1908. The Mauser was produced in 1921. Both it and the little Colt (1919) are in perfect condition, and still fully functional.

John

 

[nutsforsmiths]

As mentioned, most early 25 ACP pistols were of European manufacture (FN, Astra, Beretta, Star, CZ, Mauser, J.P. Sauer, Walther, Galesi and many more). Then the likes of Raven, Davis, Lorcin, Jennings, Sterling and such started making the inexpensive ones in the U.S after 1968, after the European made ones could no longer be imported. I kind of wish the Model 61 Escort was made in 25ACP, like S&W was originally designing it for, but it wasn't.

Like John said, I am interested in 25 ACP pistols mainly for their curiosity more than anything else. I've been looking for a Mauser 25 ACP for a while, more the WTP model, but haven't found one a a decent price, but have not yet seen one!

Maybe someday.....

I do currently own a PSP Baby Browning (a great pistol), an FIE Titan, Colt Vest Pocket, Galesi, Raven and a Sterling. Never shot the Raven or Sterling.

 

[Buick]

I like the .25 acp for what it is, and there are a host of interesting pistols chambered for it. The Beretta .21A is my favorite.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Then the likes of Raven, Davis, Lorcin, Jennings and such started making the inexpensive ones in the U.S

in the 1980's and early 90's, I would buy these "Junk" 25's for $10, and they usually were broken but came with a partial box of ammo. Normally a spring was the problem and Firing pin was #2, repair parts ran $3-5, I would fire 3 shots to verify function and sell for $35 with the ammo. At that price one never lasted past payday!

Also had 2 or 3 left in apartment over the years, I came up with ammo and sold them the same way!

I have only met one person in my lifetime that actually reloaded 25 ACP!

Ivan

 

[Belt Fed 54]

I had a Raven arms 25 years ago and swear it would shoot around corners it was that inaccurate. Was more a danger to me or someone standing way to the side of it than what i was shooting at. wouldn't heavy enough to make a good trotline weight. i got rid of it in a hurry.

also having a 300 pound guy jokingly tell me if you shot me with that thing it would just piss me off. got me to thinkin, he probably is right.

 

[Benton Quest]

One simply must have a Baby Browning. Useless, but cool.

Sent from my SM-A025V using Tapatalk

 

[DWalt]

The .25 was not completely ineffective. Stalin’s personal executioner, Vasily Blokhin, used a battery of Walther .25s to liquidate many thousands of “enemies of the state.”

Back when I was a kid, we had a nextdoor neighbor who was a detective with the smallish local PD. All he ever carried was a Colt Model 1908.

 

[needsmostuff]

The .25 was not completely ineffective. Stalin’s personal executioner, Vasily Blokhin, used a battery of Walther .25s to liquidate many thousands of “enemies of the state.”

Yeah, but he probably did not mind them squirming around on the floor for an hour.

 

[DWalt]

Yeah, but he probably did not mind them squirming around on the floor for an hour.

I think they were mainly back-of-the-head shots. He is said to have used a .25 because anything larger would hurt his hand too much after performing an all-night-long mass execution. He had assistants to keep all his guns loaded just to keep things rolling along without interruption. And another crew to load the trucks used to haul the bodies off.

 

[racoonbeast]

Years ago I had some neighbors who were having some serious marital discord. To make a long story short, she came home one night and began to empty a .25 ACP at him. He put his hand in front of his face to protect himself. One went through his wrist and stuck right in the middle of his forehead. He says that they plucked it out with tweezers at the ER. Most of the other shots missed. He ended up with another superficial wound in an arm. Nothing very serious. Got released from the ER the same night he went.

That's my .25 ACP story. He still sports a perfectly round .25 caliber scar in the middle of his forehead to this day.

 

[Eddietruett]

I love the little 25’s. I have Colts, Brownings and probably a dozen of the cheaper Jennings, Ravens etc and even a Boa!. Probably the only Boa I’ll ever own. While they leave a lot to be desired for defense, I’d choose a 25 over a 22 any day. I know of 4 men around here that were killed with 25’s, so they can be deadly. All of mine will run like **** through a goose. Polish the internals and keep clean, they can be very reliable and surprisingly accurate at 7-10 yards.

 

[DWalt]

People have been arguing over the usefulness of the .25 ACP ever since it was invented, and even until today. There are tons of opinions on the internet if you look. But the fact is, depending on the barrel length and the ammunition used, the .25 ACP is capable of meeting or slightly exceeding the standard FBI minimum penetration performance in the denim/10% gelatin test. And that is with the typical 50 grain FMJ bullet. Whether that is adequate performance or not, it is up to the user to decide.

 

[zeke]

People have been arguing over the usefulness of the .25 ACP ever since it was invented, and even until today. There are tons of opinions on the internet if you look. But the fact is, depending on the barrel length and the ammunition used, the .25 ACP is capable of meeting or slightly exceeding the standard FBI minimum penetration performance in the denim/10% gelatin test. And that is with the typical 50 grain FMJ bullet. Whether that is adequate performance or not, it is up to the user to decide.

In some situations any gun that makes a loud bang and shoots a bullet will deter most people.