WB
Very interesting, the selections. Few teeny options then.
Tuesday, December 20, 2022, 13:58

It’s very interesting, the thread on little mouseguns. My very first handgun I bought with my own money was a little Beretta M1919 6.35mm with German markings on it. I cannot fathom a German officer being issued such a weapon for duty. It functioned 100% in my experience. I traded for it, a cheap Italian switchblade and $7 cash. The firing pin hits were light at first before I stretched the spring out and re-installed it. Sadly, I sold it at a gunshow for $85. Today they run $350-500.

I too have carried the little Beretta 950 SA in .22 short and M21 SA/DA in .25 ACP (.22 LR also available). I tested the Glaser jacketed pellet core ammo at $2 a shot, said velocity was to be 1300 fps. It would not penetrate a 2-liter soda bottle filled with water and shot about 12” low to POA at 20 ft. I went back to the 50 gr. RNFMJ. It sailed right through. I surmised it would be like stabling someone with a pencil, John Wick style.

.25 ACP JHP are a total waste of time, ditto for .32 and .380 ACP JHP. Sorry Hornady but it’s not all that. I shot an ailing Goat with a .380 and the fancy defense ammo and it did not penetrate or expand as well as it should. A full bore deep penetrating slug would have been better. FMJ are notably more reliable too, in anything. FMJ in ALL my smallbore autos (most big ones too). If you want t do something file a flat tip on the end that does not foul with feeding.

I tried the little NAA mini-revolvers, and they are quite pleasing and novel. However, I don’t think they are as effective as a good .25 design. The small autos are just easier to use. The Kel-Tech .32/.380 and Kahr P380 are about the same size as some of the larger .25’s of old. We have a fantastic selection today compared to years ago. I think the pocket .380’s largely eclipses .25 auto viability these days. Other than the hat tip to tradition. All the small autos shoot a bullet 900-1000 fps, it only changes in weight and slight diameter. The 50,71,90 gr. being classic weights. I like the hydraulic displacing solids they offer these days but feel the velocity available minimizes the effectiveness in this application. The strange bullet shape feeding concerns far outweigh any gains. IMO.

I currently have a wonderful little Astra M200 Firecat that has almost filled my desire for a vintage Colt 1908 .25 ACP. It was totally reliable and is tiny, smaller than the Colt, just a little bigger than the Baby Browning/Bauer.

Humorously it’s easy to keep all 6-rounds on a pie plate at 25 yds. with it! Of late my mag split at the top backside. I have bids on a couple factory replacements ($50 a pop!).

I would dearly HATE to use the small autos in a defensive situation. Likely a well wielded knife or bat might have an advantage. But few people WANT to be shot. Being armed in some capacity is a comfort to less likely be a helpless victim. As Jim said “it’s better than a harsh word”.