.25/.32 ACP for self-defense?

[Bewaffnet]

I've been wondering about the .25 & .32 calibers for self-defense. There are a number of gun companies selling guns in these calibers saying that modern ammo manufacturering has made these calibers acceptable for SD. The issue is my wife who broke her wrist which never properly healed meaning that she has a hard time racking a 9mm slide or pulling a DA revolver trigger.

My question is, can these mouse-calibers be truly effective for SD? I'm already familiar with the adage that "a .32 ACP is good to have when you can't have a gun". I'm looking to hear from those who have more experience than myself to let me know their thoughts on these calibers. I'd appreciate any input on this.

[ProShooter]

A small caliber gun is better than no gun at all.....but, most people will tell you that a good self-defense gun should be nothing less than a .380.

[DaveJames]

If recoil and wrist damage are the issue, then go with the 32acp leave the 25 alone, at lest the 32 has had the advantage of some ammo improvement.

If you can find one the Berrate[sp] withthe pop up barrel was offered in 380, which IMO would be a step up and in the right direction.

With racking the slide, some times it helps to bring it in closer to the body, before pushing out and pulling back,ie the firing hand assumes the grip while the support hand holds the slide, bend the elbows allowing the weapon to come closer to center line, keep muzzel in a safe direction, as the support hand starts back on the slide the shooting hand shoves foreward, this might help her if she is trying to rack the slide by holding the weapon out in front of her, like you see alot of people do at ranges and such.

If she can and has the stenght to rack the slide in the push me , pull you type as above she may be able to handle a 9mm, of course as long as you use a weapon that has a polymer or lightweight frame, recoil will be an issue. Going with steel and or stainless framed models will help with recoil but could be a turn off for her in a carry piece

[gfost1]

The issue is my wife who broke her wrist which never properly healed meaning that she has a hard time racking a 9mm slide or pulling a DA revolver trigger.

Howdy,

If recoil is not an issue, maybe a good 'smith could lighten up the DA trigger pull on a revolver enough for her to pull it thru. By the same token, if you get a wheelgun with an exposed hammer, would she be able to cock it with her thumb, and safely uncock it?

Regards,

George

[GS78]

Personally I would stay away from both of those, mostly because of availability of ammo. I bought my wife a very nice beretta 22 21a 'nicknamed' a bobcat..... as far as stopping power? not so much , but I remember back in high school when a guy shot his girlfriend with a 22.........

[wally626]

How about getting her to learn to shoot with her other hand and get the revolver. It is really not that tough to shoot with the wrong hand just takes some practice. Tilting the gun a little to get the sights lined up with the dominant eye also helps.

[zephyp]

Other than availability of ammo there is absolutely nothing wrong with (IMHO) carrying either caliber or a .22 for that matter. Consider that most SD issues will be close range (within 6') and anything farther would be tough to explain in court unless there are extenuating circumstances. Either of those would bring a good deal of damage to an attacker at close range.

AND, if you need ammo for either (or .380) please check out Ammo to Go. As of this post (10 Dec 6AM) they have all 3 in stock.

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/ ... istol-ammo

[Bewaffnet]

Thanks for all the tips. They've given us some other options to consider. We'll be looking out for a tip-up barrelled .380 (didn't know they made them) and also get the wife to practice non-dominant hand shooting. Thanks again from the wife and myself.

[WRW]

Thanks for all the tips. They've given us some other options to consider. We'll be looking out for a tip-up barrelled .380 (didn't know they made them) and also get the wife to practice non-dominant hand shooting. Thanks again from the wife and myself.

You might want to research that a little before buying...I've read of problems with the frame cracking in that caliber. Smaller calibers of that design seem to work fine.

Personally, I'd take a .22 before a .25.

[SgtBill]

My turn, I would use any calibre that you can in fact place your shot's where you want them from a concealed weapon. That said a .22 will kill just as quick as a .380 it all depends on where you put the slug. Zephyp hit on it. Most self defense shootings happen from point blank range to about 6 to 21 feet ( 21 being the size of a nor. room.) if more people would learn to shoot from instinct rather then worry about sights for DEFENSE SHOOTING it would be to their betterment. I know for a fact that I can empty a semi auto into the kill zone long before someone that has only learned to look at sights. It makes no diffrence if it is a revolver or a semi auto instinct shooting works for both.

Bewaffnet, as to your wife's problem get her a good revolver like a Smith & Wesson that can be tuned by someone that knows what they are doing and your problem will be solved with this and after she learns to do instinct shooting.

P.S. My wife has carried a S&W mod. #63 in .22 cal. along with 2 spare speed loaders for several years. I got her a PPK/S in .380 several mos. ago and it still sits on the counter with it's Crimson Trace Laser. She likes her .22 cal revolver.
Bill

[BluemontGlock]

yea... any is better than none...

for an easy auto pistol in .22, have a look at the Walther P22...
with the new loads that have been discussed out here to some length ( Stingers, Velocitors, Supreme Winchester) i believe that it has the potential for a suitable counter, balanced with ease of carry... it is SA/DA, & very accurate...and the slide is EASY to rack...

and In the heat of the moment, no one is going to say "awe...its only a .22" when the rounds are coming fast, hard, and there is more where that came from...not to mention the extra clip in my back pocket...


and the pistol is just plain fun to shoot anytime....


at the end of the day, i would recommend going to a place where you and she can handle mutliple styles and sizes and see what she likes...and get it in a designer color for her, and if it is one that matches her shoes...she won't leave home without it


GOOD LUCK!