.25 ACP
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The .25 ACP (6.35 mm) centerfire pistol cartridge is a semi-rimmed, straight-walled pistol cartridge designed by John Browning in 1906.
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[edit] Design
The cartridge was designed for early blowback pistols that lacked a breech locking mechanism. The cartridge is of semi-rimmed design meaning that the rim protrudes slightly beyond the diameter of the base of the cartridge. A recessed extractor groove allows an extractor to grab the cartridge reliably. It is the smallest centerfire pistol round in production, and is commonly chambered in small, so-called "vest pocket" pistols. A line of revolvers produced by the German firm Decker were chambered for this cartridge [1]. However it is probably most popular due to use in the Colt Vest Pocket and the Raven MP-25.
[edit] Performance
The use of the .25 ACP allows for a very compact lightweight gun, but the cartridge is short ranged with regards to power, and lacks stopping power, putting it in the same class as the .22 LR rimfire cartridge. Although the .22 is slightly more powerful when fired from equal length short barrels, the .25 ACP is viewed by many as a better choice for personal defense due to its more reliable semi-rimmed centerfire case design. Manufacturers have loaded common commercial hollow point bullets to higher velocity than the standard 50 grain FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) load, but neither the .22 LR nor .25 ACP are considered adequate for self defense by certain authoritative sources. Both rounds are certainly an effective threat against attackers not armed with a firearm, and a modern loading of 50 grain FMJ twenty-five automatic is quite capable of lethally penetrating a human body. .25 ACP is quite common and is most often used in low-cost, low-quality firearms. As such, this cartridge has gained a reputation as one typically used in street crime.
[edit] Muzzle velocity
- 3.3 g (50 gr) full metal jacket: 232 m/s (760 ft/s); 64 ft·lbs.
[edit] Reloading
Boxer primed .25 ACP cases can be reloaded, although it is very difficult due to the small size of the components.
[edit] Synonyms
- 25 Auto
- .25 Auto
- 6.35 mm
- 6.35 mm Browning
- 6.35x15.5mmSR
