I really like the 25 ACP and some of the “ pocket watch” very high quality, little pistols from the past, that were made for that caliber. Thanks for the video.
Since the last .25 video proved to me that the cartridge could penetrate adequately, I've been looking forward to seeing you test hot .25 ACP FMJ! You report 772fps from this Aguila, and penetration is adequate. So it shouldn't be too hard to find inexpensive .25 ACP that performs (not boutique self-defense ammo). This is adequate penetration, and lets me know that the Buffalo Bore 50gr FMJ load, claimed 889 fps from a Beretta 21A (2.4" barrel), should penetrate a few inches further. Overpenetration shouldn't be a concern with .25 ACP. If I'm paying for Butfalo Bore, though, I'd go with the 60gr hardcast you tested in the last video since I think the flattened nose gives a greater wound track. But there are good reasons some would prefer a jacketed bullet. I still believe the best .25 ACP is a .32 ACP, since the guns aren't significantly bigger, heavier, and harder to control (the Kel-Tec P-32 is smaller and lighter than any production .25 ever made). But you've proved that .25 ACP meets penetration standards and is potent for self-defense with the right ammo. If I had a .25, I'd have some proper ammo for it thanks to your videos. I wouldn't feel like half-armed with it. The poor reputation of the .25 is primarily based on poor penetration, which you've shown can be avoided with ammunition selection. Some .25 ACP loads are indeed terrible underperformers. Thank you for your testing!
So many people talk Smack about .25acp and .22lr....Shot is Shot, and the body doesn't Care what caliber it was, it just knows IT'S SHOT and reacts Accordingly. SELF DEFENSE isn't about Killing, it's about STOPPING A THREAT. If it takes Death to achieve that, then so be it. But normally, someone who's been Shot that's able to leave is looking to LEAVE.
Great video James! Just took out my 21a in 22lr yesterday to try some different self-defense loadings. Amazing how much the bullets tumbled in the gel. I agree that fmj seems to work well with the 25acp
The aguila .25acp has performed okay for us...I won't say any brand of fmj is better than another, as all have been essentially very similar...as to the argument for hollow point rounds I'm on the fence, I think both arguments have merit...currently we're loaded with fmj, but my mind can be changed...the caliber is just so light any advantage is welcome, but it does have the one advantage of being so concealable...we are very big on concealability, as it makes the gun, of any caliber, much more prone to be actually carried...the .25 in my pocket beats your 9mm at the house...
I buy whatever I can find in 25 ACP as it is not always all that easy to find. I've used the Aguila 25ACP in 1 of my Baby Brownings and in the Beretta Model 20 I used to have and had no trouble with it. It seemed consistent and functioned perfectly in thos 2 pistols
I've sat through many a discussion of people saying that the .25 ACP would bounce off of the target and only an idiot would carry one. I think John Browning knew what he was doing. Just like the .32 ACP, penetration was about perfect and the bullet would dump all of its energy in the target out of the little 1906.
I always get comments of people saying to just carry fmj in .22 .25 .32 & .380. They say carry fmj in these calibers to ensure you get adequate penetration (I have seen as little as 7" penetration from well expanded .380 bullets). But I can't help to think that these little tiny wound tracks from fmj are going to stop a determinded attacker. Personally I'd rather have half the penetration from a well expanded hollow point and get some actual damage occuring. I realise this means that if you hit a large bone that it may not be a lethal shot, but who only fires one shot from these calibers in a life or death situation anyway? If your particular gun runs reliably with mixed ammo in the mag, then stack it fmj/hp/fmj/hp to get the best of both worlds. That said, fmj in .380 will over penetrate and could hit bystanders. But that's why I use the Extreme Defender bullet in .380- you get the damange and penetration without over penetrating...
you could have just stabbed the gel block with an ice pick and saved yourself some money. ;) I know a cop that claimed to have shot a suspect through the bottom of the chin with a 25 auto backup gun he was carrying, and he said the bullet stopped in the roof of the guys mouth. I was not there so dont know if thats true, but that sure does not inspire confidence.
Assume the dude that was shot in he chin and the bulletproof got stick in the roof of his mouth was STOPPED and did not proceed further. That’s the point STOP someone from proceeding further.
