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Old August 21, 2017, 08:34 PM   #26
Kwik2010
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Smee,

If I ever win the lottery, that gold plated one will definitely make it's way into my collection. For now I'll probably stick to something under 500. Preferably considerably under. Hoping I can get enough trade to walk out with whatever I decide and a holster with a little change in my pocket.
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Old August 21, 2017, 08:36 PM   #27
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The 2 safety deal is easily remedied in less than 5 minutes with a you tube video. No special tools needed. Well worth it. The .22lr is a lot of fun to shoot. Can't beat them for the price and lifetime warranty.
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Old August 21, 2017, 08:37 PM   #28
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I'll have to look that video up and do a little more research. Thanks for the info.
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Old August 21, 2017, 10:05 PM   #29
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Zinc doesn't hold up well because it is weak and brittle. It has no "give." It works until it breaks.
It doesn't wear well.
It doesn't finish well. Even plating eventually comes off.
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Old August 21, 2017, 10:18 PM   #30
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The absolute best, IMHO, is the old Colt. Quality and reliability are superb.

Ones in top quality are high priced, but there are plenty with exterior "problems" but perfect inside where it counts.

Jim
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Old August 22, 2017, 02:56 PM   #31
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I have a Beretta 950BS and a 21A (though mine is in .22 LR) that are great little shooters. The 21A is probably more readily available.
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Old August 22, 2017, 03:57 PM   #32
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I have both a colt and a Beretta 950 and I prefer the 950 to the Colt.
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Old August 22, 2017, 04:42 PM   #33
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Ok so from all the suggestions I've narrowed it down. Either the Beretta 950, Beretta 21A, or the Colt. I most likely won't find one of the Colts in town. I've never purchased a firearm online so I'd like to avoid that route. That leaves me with the 2 Berettas. A pawn shop here has a 950 in stock. It's fairly beat up looking (finish is probably 50-75% left from what I can remember) but it seems tight and mechanically sound and operates fairly smoothly by hand. The barrel locks up tight and springs with a nice snap as soon as the release is pressed. The magazine has seen better days. It looks as though the lips were bent by accident and attempted to be straightened with a pair of pliers and the follower is missing. They want 395 for it. Claims he has the original box but no other magazines or paperwork or anything. Not sure that's a good deal but I've never bought one. Looking online I think I could get one in better shape for that price if I wait long enough for one to pop up somewhere. There is a shop in town that said he could order me a 21A by the end of next week. Price on that would be 350 and it would come with 2 mags according to him. Is there a pro and con for each that might make one a better choice? I like the thought if being able to carry the 21A with a dropped hammer and have a double action first shot than having to cock the hammer in the 950. And for the price I feel like the 21A is a better deal. But other than that I'm not sure.
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Old August 22, 2017, 05:54 PM   #34
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Well it looks like I'm pretty much S.O.L. for a while. Other than that 950 at the pawn shop no one in town or any surrounding towns have anything. And the shop that said they could order that 21A called me and told me none of their wholesalers have any in stock. Maybe I'll save my pennies and go with that Seecamp in the future. Seems like the best option since I gotta wait anyway. Thank you all for the input.
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Old August 22, 2017, 06:01 PM   #35
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Or I might just find someone to trade my ammo to and try another little mouse gun. Might even step up to a 32 after all.
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Old August 22, 2017, 09:54 PM   #36
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The model 21 has been discontinued, I believe.
You should be able to find a nice 950 online for $250 or less.
The 950 is much smaller, and it's very simple to cock it when drawing.
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Old August 22, 2017, 10:35 PM   #37
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I have a Mauser 1914 in 25acp, and I handload for it.

-TL
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Old August 22, 2017, 11:24 PM   #38
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I've got a first year Seecamp .32. And, just picked up a new Seecamp .25. Fit and finish is as good as ever. I've shot about 150 rounds of junk .25 I had laying around. Ran like a little sewing machine.
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Old August 23, 2017, 07:23 AM   #39
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I feel the best .25 ACP in my collection is the Astra 2000, all steel, forged frame, much better sights than many like the BB for instance, and a huge plus, exposed hammer.

I refuse all white metal framed guns, which includes "alloy" (aluminum alloy).

Zinc alloy framed guns were designed for limited use, if you've ever tried to repair a Zamak part you know what I'm talking about.

Zinc guns> GSO, or "Gun shaped object".

I have many much more expensive .25's but none better utility than the Astra Cubs.
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Old August 23, 2017, 09:43 AM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carmady
I also think I read that the 950BS (with safety) should be carried on half-cock with the safety ON.
The safety of the 950BS cannot be engaged with the pistol at half-cock.
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Old August 23, 2017, 12:18 PM   #41
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Sorry, tangolima, but I have to disagree on the Mauser except as a collectors' item. They are notorious for broken springs and broken firing pins in both the .32 and .25 versions.

Some folks seem to believe that it is OK if the smaller pistols are less reliable than "real" guns. That is poor thinking. If one has to carry a .25 pistol, either out of need for concealment or because that is all one has, there is no room for failure on the part of either the gun or the shooter. The extremes in pistols (e.g., .44 Magnum and .25 Auto) are for experts who are willing to spend time and money in practice. Otherwise, both will be problematical.

Jim
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Old August 23, 2017, 01:35 PM   #42
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Jim,

I agree with you. I wouldn't carry it. But as an addition to collection, it is a good choice. Unusual and quirky, it is the only thing I have in that caliber. In fact I probably wouldn't have 25acp at all if not for this pistol.

-TL

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Old August 23, 2017, 02:49 PM   #43
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Really though, while the .25s are decent guns, today we have guns like the Ruger LCP that is just as small and light but fires a much more powerful round. There isn't much room for a .25 in 2017. No wonder Beretta stopped making them, their Pico is a much better deep concealer defender.
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Old August 23, 2017, 03:47 PM   #44
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I owned a model 21 in .22 CAL. and a 950 in .25, years ago. I sold both of them for some reason, I think I wanted a stainless pistol and bought a Walther TPH in .22. I never had the first problem with either one, carried them in my rear pants pocket most of the time when on the farm, when I didn't want to carry a heavier pistol. Even though they were not power houses they were better than a Case pocket knife. I shot a few snakes now and then with them.
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Old August 23, 2017, 03:55 PM   #45
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Really though, while the .25s are decent guns, today we have guns like the Ruger LCP that is just as small and light but fires a much more powerful round. There isn't much room for a .25 in 2017. No wonder Beretta stopped making them, their Pico is a much better deep concealer defender.
You guys think the Beretta Pico would be a pretty good choice for a lite weight carry gun? There are times I can't always carry my regular 9MM guns or .357 revolvers due to heavy duty physical work, running chainsaws and equipment.
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Old August 23, 2017, 05:07 PM   #46
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The Ruger LCP is quite a bit bigger than a Browning .25!
The American "bigger is always better" attitude is the only reason .25s are not popular.
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Old August 23, 2017, 05:28 PM   #47
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I believe my Fanner 50 was zinc. My first actual step down the Single Action Army path. Still carry a SA to this day.
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Old September 9, 2017, 06:30 PM   #48
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I can speak for the quality of the Astra cub .25 as I own one. It is a great shooter and all steel. They can be had for decent prices. The fact that Colt would put their name on a pistol that they had Astra make for them speaks volumes for the quality that was put out by Astra, IMHO.
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Old November 11, 2017, 07:36 AM   #49
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I bought the 950B (no safety) with 3 magazines for $85 US. They normally sell for around $210 US in Canada but the seller got it in a trade and said it wasn't working right. I disassembled it and it was just the left side recoil spring was installed wrong. Now it works fine and is a very nice little pistol.

Two of the magazines insert but they don't feed so I suspect they may be Beretta 950BS magazines which I have read are different from the 950B magazines.

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Old November 11, 2017, 11:16 AM   #50
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I recently got a Star Model CO that I like a lot. It is steel and seems well-made.
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