Is a 22LR or 25ACP Better for SELF-DEFENCE?

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  • calicojack

    American Sporting Rifle
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2018
    5,348
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    A centerfire is more reliable than a rimfire as well. How many times have people reported here of so many misfires in a box of .22? Not to say centerfire ammunition doesn't have the occasional misfire but they're still more reliable than a rimfire.

    Neither is optimal for self-defense but a face full of either will likely deter an attacker. It could also enrage the attacker if he's high and you can't short circuit his CNS. There's no magic bullet.

    This X 100. ^^^^ Rimfire is never as reliable as center fire - period.
     

    Brickman301

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 23, 2015
    2,530
    FREDERICK, MD
    The only pistols I've ever fired using the .25acp were junk. The cartridge may be reliable but the pistols that fire them aren't. Are there any quality .25acp pistols?

    Add another one to the “good list”.
    I have a FIE titan. it’s cheaply made but it’s never jammed, and it’s accurate.
    Years ago I shot this pistol a lot! I mean a lot, a lot, with no issues ever.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    My take on the stopping data out there is that there are two situations.

    One is where the attacker is stopped by just about any round, not because it puts them down, but they react to the psychological, "I'VE BEEN SHOT," and stop attacking.

    The other situation is where they do not stop from realizing they have been shot, or do not realize that they have been shot (rage, drugs, etc) and then you have to physically stop them. And the data shows that you need a 9mm of better to do this.

    I am more in the Jeff Cooper camp on .25ACP and would have the same opinion about a .22LR.

    If the choice is no gun or a .25, then I will take the .25. If the choice is between the .25 and my 9mm P365.......
     

    Sirex

    Powered by natural gas
    Oct 30, 2010
    10,380
    Westminster, MD
    My dad has a little old .25 pocket pistol he got from his dad or uncle, can't remember. He loves the gun, and had some issues but the gunsmith solved that. I posted a thread a long time ago about .25 defensive ammo, because of his age, and sentimentality towards the gun, didn't want another pistol. I even offered him a 9mm pistol, but he wanted the pocket pistol, so I searched out some ammo. I did find a box of .25 Hornady a while back I bought and gave to him, but if I recall, expansion wasn't guaranteed, nor that large so the dominant feeling thru searching Google was to use FMJ for maximum penetration, which is lacking at that anyway. The only benefit .25 has over .22lr is the ignition reliability, and I think now, there are better pocket guns in .22lr, so if I had to choose, I'd get a .22lr pistol with the best ammo I could get over the .25, but dad loves his gun, so be it.

    Here's the thread where I asked about .25ACP
    https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=216654
     
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