Replacing my 25 Auto

Kwik2010 · August 20, 2017, 01:13 PM

I'm not trying to start a caliber war or anything like that nor am I trying to discredit or boast the 25 auto as a defensive round. I love mouse guns. I always have. I have several full size and compact size handguns I would carry long before any of these but I enjoy having, shooting, and on rare occasions, carrying my mouse guns. I had a Lorcin 25 a while ago that was gifted to me by someone who couldn't sell it. I shot it until one day the barrel cracked down the side of it. I'd like to have a quality 25 to replace it. I have a fair amount of ammo piled up from gun shows and the occasional trip to a small gun shop that keeps 25 in stock for some reason. So why not get another to put in the collection. I've looked at a couple and I was hoping for some input. I've looked at a Seecamp and a Taurus. Definitely leaning towards the Seecamp side of that comparison. But what others are out there that might not be too hard to get a hold of? Any suggestions on ones I haven't had the chance to see. If i find a Beretta 950 or a Colt 1908 I would probably buy it without thinking twice. Are there other options?

Bill DeShivs · August 20, 2017, 01:32 PM

Find a used Beretta 950 or model 20.
Others are Browning, Astra, and the Browning clones (Bauer, PSP, etc.)
The current Taurus and the recently discontinued Beretta 21 are too large.

Glenn E. Meyer · August 20, 2017, 01:40 PM

https://www.precisionsmallarms.com/x...me.php?cat=249

Expensive.

Kwik2010 · August 20, 2017, 01:45 PM

Thanks for the link. Them just might be a tad out of my price range.

Capt. Mako · August 20, 2017, 01:57 PM

Get a Milford, CT-made Seecamp.

TruthTellers · August 20, 2017, 02:21 PM

Colt or Baby Browning would be a nice replacement and they'd hold their value, but I think the Beretta 950 will increase in value over time and I think it's a better choice for carrying. Mags are still easy to get for the Beretta, not sure about the others.

Personally, if I had to buy another .25 pistol, it would be the Beretta 950.

kenny53 · August 20, 2017, 04:46 PM

Might want to look at the Taurus PT25.

Deaf Smith · August 20, 2017, 05:40 PM

If you want to go up in power and reduce weight I suggest a Kel-Tec P32 in .32 ACP. I've had one for years and it's an excellent little gun.

If not, Beretta 950.

Deaf

Kwik2010 · August 20, 2017, 05:46 PM

Thanks for the suggestion but I already have a .32. The reason I want another .25 is mainly because, believe it or not, I've amassed close to 900 rounds for it and I shot that Lorcin really well. Maybe not as well as my Glock 21sf but I was really happy with it and I already have the ammo, dies, a couple loads that work well, and all the bullets, primers, brass, and powder I'd need to reload for a few decades. I've been around town a bunch today and I really like that Beretta 21a. Depending on how much i get for trade in, I'll probably end up coming home with it by the end of the week if I don't find or have something else suggested that strikes my fancy.

Model12Win · August 20, 2017, 06:06 PM

Sure wish Beretta would make the 950 again. They are getting expensive, and parts and mags are not particularly available.

TRX · August 20, 2017, 07:34 PM

It would be hard to go wrong with a classic Browning. There were many variants over more than a century of production by various manufacturers, including Colt.

http://www.littlegun.be/
http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/

Some of the old German .25s look interesting, but parts would be an issue if anything ever broke.

There were also some .25 revolvers. Most of them are pretty old, and usually not of the best quality to start with, but if you can inspect it and the timing is okay, one might be worth considering.

Bill DeShivs · August 20, 2017, 09:12 PM

Bernardelli of Italy made a very nice little .25, too.

Deaf Smith · August 20, 2017, 09:54 PM

I swear by the 950. Especially the first ones with no manual safety. Just simple as can be to operate. Cock it to shoot, uncock it to not. Pop open barrel to load chamber.

Deaf

JC57 · August 20, 2017, 10:41 PM

I had a Beretta Model 20 come into my hands for a while, inherited from my mother-in-law who passed several years ago. It was a fine shooting little pistol, and with Hornady XTP rounds it had a satisfying snap to it. Very accurate when using the sights, and the tip-up barrel made for easy loading.

DA/SA, or you could carry it cocked and locked and get normal SA function from it.

The relative effectiveness of the 25 ACP round notwithstanding, that was a good gun.

Model12Win · August 21, 2017, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC57

I had a Beretta Model 20 come into my hands for a while, inherited from my mother-in-law who passed several years ago. It was a fine shooting little pistol, and with Hornady XTP rounds it had a satisfying snap to it. Very accurate when using the sights, and the tip-up barrel made for easy loading.

DA/SA, or you could carry it cocked and locked and get normal SA function from it.

The relative effectiveness of the 25 ACP round notwithstanding, that was a good gun.

Never use hollow points in a .25 ACP.

PSP · August 21, 2017, 07:38 AM

The Seecamp is an excellent and reliable choice. My sentimental favorite is the Walther TPH but they are rare and expensive. I've carried both and they fit the bill in every way.

Carmady · August 21, 2017, 10:18 AM

Quote:

I swear by the 950. Especially the first ones with no manual safety. Just simple as can be to operate. Cock it to shoot, uncock it to not.

Do you carry the 950B (no safety) with the hammer down or half-cock? I think I read hammer down was good on account of the inertia firing pin.

I also think I read that the 950BS (with safety) should be carried on half-cock with the safety ON.

Bill DeShivs · August 21, 2017, 10:45 AM

Always carry a 950 with the hammer fully down.

micromontenegro · August 21, 2017, 01:53 PM

The 950s are nice, but way too big. For me, the Browning Baby is still THE .25.

smee78 · August 21, 2017, 02:32 PM

The Beretta 20/21 are great little 25acp, I like the small mouse guns and own a few. I enjoy carrying one in my pocket around the house. The Baby Browning and Colts are very nice but mags and parts are getting expensive and harder to get, I played hell finding quality mags for my little Bauer (baby browning copy). Or you can step to something a little fancier http://precisionsmallarms.com/ this is where I got my mags from.

Carmady · August 21, 2017, 04:00 PM

What do you guys think of the Intratec Protec-25? I've never seen one in person, but like the no hammer no safety DAO pull-and-shoot approach.

Bill DeShivs · August 21, 2017, 06:53 PM

The Intratech is a copy of the old CZ 38 gun. Unfortunately, it's made out of die cast zinc and doesn't hold up well.

Smee- Bauer mags are all over Ebay and Gunbroker.

OneFreeTexan · August 21, 2017, 08:17 PM

Why doesn't die cast zinc hold up well? Are you talking 100 rounds, or 1000 rounds or what.?

larryh1108 · August 21, 2017, 08:18 PM

Check out the Phoenix HP25. Fun gun. Not top quality but that is reflected in the cheap price. Lifetime guarantee. Just a fun gun.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...stol+%28ACP%29

Kwik2010 · August 21, 2017, 08:29 PM

Well I appreciate the suggestion but the two safety deal is kind of a turn off. Had I the money for 2, I might get one in 22 as a plinker lookignat the price.

August 20, 2017, 01:13 PM	#1
Kwik2010 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2016 Location: Montana Posts: 184	Replacing my 25 Auto I'm not trying to start a caliber war or anything like that nor am I trying to discredit or boast the 25 auto as a defensive round. I love mouse guns. I always have. I have several full size and compact size handguns I would carry long before any of these but I enjoy having, shooting, and on rare occasions, carrying my mouse guns. I had a Lorcin 25 a while ago that was gifted to me by someone who couldn't sell it. I shot it until one day the barrel cracked down the side of it. I'd like to have a quality 25 to replace it. I have a fair amount of ammo piled up from gun shows and the occasional trip to a small gun shop that keeps 25 in stock for some reason. So why not get another to put in the collection. I've looked at a couple and I was hoping for some input. I've looked at a Seecamp and a Taurus. Definitely leaning towards the Seecamp side of that comparison. But what others are out there that might not be too hard to get a hold of? Any suggestions on ones I haven't had the chance to see. If i find a Beretta 950 or a Colt 1908 I would probably buy it without thinking twice. Are there other options?

August 20, 2017, 01:32 PM	#2
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Find a used Beretta 950 or model 20. Others are Browning, Astra, and the Browning clones (Bauer, PSP, etc.) The current Taurus and the recently discontinued Beretta 21 are too large. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

August 20, 2017, 01:40 PM	#3
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	https://www.precisionsmallarms.com/x...me.php?cat=249 Expensive. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

August 20, 2017, 02:21 PM	#6
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	Colt or Baby Browning would be a nice replacement and they'd hold their value, but I think the Beretta 950 will increase in value over time and I think it's a better choice for carrying. Mags are still easy to get for the Beretta, not sure about the others. Personally, if I had to buy another .25 pistol, it would be the Beretta 950. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

August 20, 2017, 05:40 PM	#8
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	If you want to go up in power and reduce weight I suggest a Kel-Tec P32 in .32 ACP. I've had one for years and it's an excellent little gun. If not, Beretta 950. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

August 20, 2017, 01:45 PM	#4
Kwik2010 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2016 Location: Montana Posts: 184	Thanks for the link. Them just might be a tad out of my price range.

August 20, 2017, 01:57 PM	#5
Capt. Mako Member Join Date: March 4, 2017 Posts: 18	Get a Milford, CT-made Seecamp.

August 20, 2017, 04:46 PM	#7
kenny53 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2015 Location: My back yard Posts: 971	Might want to look at the Taurus PT25.

August 20, 2017, 05:46 PM	#9
Kwik2010 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2016 Location: Montana Posts: 184	Thanks for the suggestion but I already have a .32. The reason I want another .25 is mainly because, believe it or not, I've amassed close to 900 rounds for it and I shot that Lorcin really well. Maybe not as well as my Glock 21sf but I was really happy with it and I already have the ammo, dies, a couple loads that work well, and all the bullets, primers, brass, and powder I'd need to reload for a few decades. I've been around town a bunch today and I really like that Beretta 21a. Depending on how much i get for trade in, I'll probably end up coming home with it by the end of the week if I don't find or have something else suggested that strikes my fancy. Last edited by Kwik2010; August 20, 2017 at 06:03 PM.

August 20, 2017, 06:06 PM	#10
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Sure wish Beretta would make the 950 again. They are getting expensive, and parts and mags are not particularly available.

August 20, 2017, 07:34 PM	#11
TRX Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2008 Location: central Arkansas Posts: 400	It would be hard to go wrong with a classic Browning. There were many variants over more than a century of production by various manufacturers, including Colt. http://www.littlegun.be/ http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/ Some of the old German .25s look interesting, but parts would be an issue if anything ever broke. There were also some .25 revolvers. Most of them are pretty old, and usually not of the best quality to start with, but if you can inspect it and the timing is okay, one might be worth considering.

August 20, 2017, 09:12 PM	#12
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Bernardelli of Italy made a very nice little .25, too. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

August 20, 2017, 09:54 PM	#13
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	I swear by the 950. Especially the first ones with no manual safety. Just simple as can be to operate. Cock it to shoot, uncock it to not. Pop open barrel to load chamber. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

August 20, 2017, 10:41 PM	#14
JC57 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Posts: 375	I had a Beretta Model 20 come into my hands for a while, inherited from my mother-in-law who passed several years ago. It was a fine shooting little pistol, and with Hornady XTP rounds it had a satisfying snap to it. Very accurate when using the sights, and the tip-up barrel made for easy loading. DA/SA, or you could carry it cocked and locked and get normal SA function from it. The relative effectiveness of the 25 ACP round notwithstanding, that was a good gun.

August 21, 2017, 07:38 AM	#16
PSP Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2006 Location: Bowling Green Virginia Posts: 4,487	The Seecamp is an excellent and reliable choice. My sentimental favorite is the Walther TPH but they are rare and expensive. I've carried both and they fit the bill in every way.

August 21, 2017, 10:45 AM	#18
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Always carry a 950 with the hammer fully down. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

August 21, 2017, 01:53 PM	#19
micromontenegro Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2010 Posts: 647	The 950s are nice, but way too big. For me, the Browning Baby is still THE .25.

August 21, 2017, 02:32 PM	#20
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	The Beretta 20/21 are great little 25acp, I like the small mouse guns and own a few. I enjoy carrying one in my pocket around the house. The Baby Browning and Colts are very nice but mags and parts are getting expensive and harder to get, I played hell finding quality mags for my little Bauer (baby browning copy). Or you can step to something a little fancier http://precisionsmallarms.com/ this is where I got my mags from. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

August 21, 2017, 04:00 PM	#21
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	What do you guys think of the Intratec Protec-25? I've never seen one in person, but like the no hammer no safety DAO pull-and-shoot approach.

August 21, 2017, 06:53 PM	#22
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	The Intratech is a copy of the old CZ 38 gun. Unfortunately, it's made out of die cast zinc and doesn't hold up well. Smee- Bauer mags are all over Ebay and Gunbroker. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

August 21, 2017, 08:17 PM	#23
OneFreeTexan Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2002 Location: West, Texas Posts: 280	Why doesn't die cast zinc hold up well? Are you talking 100 rounds, or 1000 rounds or what.?

August 21, 2017, 08:18 PM	#24
larryh1108 Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2008 Location: NC Posts: 813	Check out the Phoenix HP25. Fun gun. Not top quality but that is reflected in the cheap price. Lifetime guarantee. Just a fun gun. https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...stol+%28ACP%29 __________________ Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

August 21, 2017, 08:29 PM	#25
Kwik2010 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2016 Location: Montana Posts: 184	Well I appreciate the suggestion but the two safety deal is kind of a turn off. Had I the money for 2, I might get one in 22 as a plinker lookignat the price.