"All that the South has ever desired was that the Union, as established by our forefathers, should be preserved, and that the government, as originally organized, should be administered in purity and truth." – Robert E. Lee
I have a Walther PP in .32 that wouldn't be my first choice, but wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of it either. It's so accurate and easy to shoot, and just fun to carry, that's it's in my rotation. It was my Grandfathers choice of carry many years ago, so I still like to give it some love.
My opinion based in a large handful of real world experiences is summed up as short as possible for this topic is as follows.
1. Everyone's real world is different. 2. Needs are different. There's not a "best" for everyone. 3. Weapons are force increasers, sometimes multipliers. It all depends.... 4. I'm more interested in the average person who uses weapons for self defense far more than most LE. 5. Whatever weapon is used, chemical irritant, noise, mouse gun , blade, blunt trauma, large caliber, etc. training is more important than weapons. However, the vast majority will never believe that and get adequate training with their chosen self defense tool. Experience is a poor instructor unless outside instruction has already been followed.
The .25 Beretta worked great for 007 in some of the books.
I thought the Beretta jammed so he moved up to the Walther.
"All that the South has ever desired was that the Union, as established by our forefathers, should be preserved, and that the government, as originally organized, should be administered in purity and truth." – Robert E. Lee
Ruger LCP with Crimson Trace laser fits in the shirt pocket, weighs 10 ounces when loaded.
Mine pushes a 90 gr Gold Dot 1100 fps with handloads.
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. -Ernest Hemingway The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.-- Edward John Phelps
I've shot the little Beretta 950 in .25 ACP and it's a cool gun, finely made and very small. But it's not that much smaller to carry than a Ruger LCP in .380, so I would go with the .380 if I needed to carry a really small pistol. An S&W J frame is a step up in size, but is more powerful, reliable and easier to manipulate. That's generally my carry minimum. But this is really all about individual situations and personal preference.
There is no doubt that the 22, is superior ballistically, to the 25. The 25 has hung on through the years, due to its perceived advantage in reliability.
The 380's "advantage" over other traditional pocket pistol calibers, really hinges on ammunition choice. For instance, there are 32 ACP loadings that really up that cartridge into the 380 range on most loadings. People think in terms of caliber when they need to be thinking more in terms of load and before either, they need to think in terms of reliability.
With 25acp handloads, I start at double loads and work up to triple loads. [300% of published loads] The recoil is painful. 22LR is wimpy compared to hot loaded 25acp
This is in a Colt 1908 or Beretta 950BS.
Low quality 25acps like a Vesta have a poor fit firing pin to firing pin hole. They can only go to 150% loading.
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. -Ernest Hemingway The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.-- Edward John Phelps
There’s a lot of variables. A pocket pistol chambered in .25 ACP is probably decent defense if attacked by an unarmed but stronger attacker. On the other hand if attacked by multiple attackers or a single attacker armed with a Glock 19 you’re at a huge disadvantage armed with a pocket pistol.
While I agree that everyone’s needs are different, AND, any gun is better than no gun.......
With modern, relatively micro 9mm choices that are out today, there’s little need for a .22LR, 25ACP, 32ACP or 380ACP defense handgun. A Glock 43, a Sig P365, or a Springfield Armory Hellcat will get the jo done betterer :-)
For about 20years, I always wanted a Seecamp .380ACP in the worst way. Then I shot one, snappy little bastarrrrd.
While I agree that everyone’s needs are different, AND, any gun is better than no gun.......
With modern, relatively micro 9mm choices that are out today, there’s little need for a .22LR, 25ACP, 32ACP or 380ACP defense handgun. A Glock 43, a Sig P365, or a Springfield Armory Hellcat will get the jo done betterer :-)
For about 20years, I always wanted a Seecamp .380ACP in the worst way. Then I shot one, snappy little bastarrrrd.
I always wanted a Seecamp too but never owned one or got to shoot one. Ross Seyfried was my favorite gun author as a kid and he seemed to be a fan. I’d still like one just to have it but there are definitely better choices out there today.
