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==Design==
==Design==
The .25 ACP was designed because .25-caliber was the smallest John Browning could go while still retaining a centerfire primer pocket, which would be more reliable for self-defense than rimfire primers. As such, the .25 ACP allows for a very compact and lightweight gun, usually a semi-automatic [[pocket pistol]]. The cartridge is of semi-rimmed design meaning that the rim protrudes slightly beyond the diameter of the base of the cartridge so the cartridge can [[Headspace (firearms)|headspace]] on the rim.<ref name="wilson">*Wilson, R. K. ''Textbook of Automatic Pistols''. Plantersville, SC: Small Arms Technical Publishing Company, 1943. p. 258. {{ISBN|978-0-935632-89-7}}.</ref>
The .25 ACP was designed because .25-caliber was the smallest John Browning could go while still retaining a [[centerfire primer]] pocket, which would be more reliable for self-defense than rimfire primers. As such, the .25 ACP allows for a very compact and lightweight gun, usually a semi-automatic [[pocket pistol]]. The cartridge is of semi-rimmed design meaning that the rim protrudes slightly beyond the diameter of the base of the cartridge so the cartridge can [[Headspace (firearms)|headspace]] on the rim.<ref name="wilson">*Wilson, R. K. ''Textbook of Automatic Pistols''. Plantersville, SC: Small Arms Technical Publishing Company, 1943. p. 258. {{ISBN|978-0-935632-89-7}}.</ref>


Though the cartridge was designed for semi-automatics, various .25 revolvers were produced in the early twentieth century by Belgian, French, and German gunmakers such as Adolph Frank and Decker.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Hogg |first1=Ian |url= |title=Pistols of the World |last2=Walter |first2=John |date=2004-08-29 |publisher=[[David & Charles]] |isbn=0873494601 |language=en}}</ref> In the late twentieth century, [[Bowen Classic Arms]] produced a custom [[Smith & Wesson]] revolver in .25 ACP.<ref>Bowen, Hamilton. ''The Custom Revolver''. Privately printed, 2001. {{ISBN|978-0-9713366-0-5}}.</ref>
Though the cartridge was designed for semi-automatics, various .25 revolvers were produced in the early twentieth century by Belgian, French, and German gunmakers such as Adolph Frank and Decker.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Hogg |first1=Ian |url= |title=Pistols of the World |last2=Walter |first2=John |date=2004-08-29 |publisher=[[David & Charles]] |isbn=0873494601 |language=en}}</ref> In the late twentieth century, [[Bowen Classic Arms]] produced a custom [[Smith & Wesson]] revolver in .25 ACP.<ref>Bowen, Hamilton. ''The Custom Revolver''. Privately printed, 2001. {{ISBN|978-0-9713366-0-5}}.</ref>

Revision as of 09:34, 22 July 2024

".25" redirects here. For other cartridges in this caliber, see .25 caliber. For other uses, see 1/4 (disambiguation).
.25 ACP
.25 ACP cartridge with scale
TypePistol
Place of originUnited States and Belgium
Production history
DesignerJohn Browning
Designed1905
Produced1905–present
Specifications
Case typeSemi-rimmed, straight
Bullet diameter.2512 in (6.38 mm)
Land diameter.2429 in (6.17 mm)
Neck diameter.276 in (7.0 mm)
Base diameter.278 in (7.1 mm)
Rim diameter.302 in (7.7 mm)
Rim thickness.043 in (1.1 mm)
Case length.615 in (15.6 mm)
Overall length.910 in (23.1 mm)
Rifling twist1:16
Primer typeSmall pistol
Maximum pressure25,000 psi (170 MPa)
Maximum CUP25,000[1] CUP
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
35 gr (2 g) JHP 900 ft/s (270 m/s) 63 ft⋅lbf (85 J)
45 gr (3 g) JHP 815 ft/s (248 m/s) 66 ft⋅lbf (89 J)
50 gr (3 g) FMJ 760 ft/s (230 m/s) 65 ft⋅lbf (88 J)
60 gr (4 g) Lead 850 ft/s (260 m/s) 96 ft⋅lbf (130 J)
Test barrel length: 2"
Source(s): Guns & Ammo Magazine
Heavy .25 ACP - Buffalo Bore

The .25 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), also known as the .25 Auto, .25 Automatic, or 6.35×16mmSR) is a semi-rimmed, straight-walled centerfire pistol cartridge introduced by John Browning in 1905 alongside the Fabrique Nationale M1905 pistol.

Design

The .25 ACP was designed because .25-caliber was the smallest John Browning could go while still retaining a centerfire primer pocket, which would be more reliable for self-defense than rimfire primers. As such, the .25 ACP allows for a very compact and lightweight gun, usually a semi-automatic pocket pistol. The cartridge is of semi-rimmed design meaning that the rim protrudes slightly beyond the diameter of the base of the cartridge so the cartridge can headspace on the rim.[2]

Though the cartridge was designed for semi-automatics, various .25 revolvers were produced in the early twentieth century by Belgian, French, and German gunmakers such as Adolph Frank and Decker.[3] In the late twentieth century, Bowen Classic Arms produced a custom Smith & Wesson revolver in .25 ACP.[4]

Performance

The use of the .25 ACP allows for a very compact lightweight gun, usually pocket pistol. With quality ammo available on the market, the .25 ACP is viewed by some[who?] as a solid choice for personal defense handguns due to its centerfire-case design, which is inherently more reliable than a .22 LR rimfire cartridge.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Saami pressures. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://leverguns.com/articles/saami_pressures.htm
  2. ^ *Wilson, R. K. Textbook of Automatic Pistols. Plantersville, SC: Small Arms Technical Publishing Company, 1943. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-935632-89-7.
  3. ^ Hogg, Ian; Walter, John (2004-08-29). Pistols of the World. David & Charles. ISBN 0873494601.
  4. ^ Bowen, Hamilton. The Custom Revolver. Privately printed, 2001. ISBN 978-0-9713366-0-5.
  5. ^ Jerry Ahern (2010), Gun Digest Buyer's Guide to Concealed-Carry Handguns, Gun Digest Books, pp. 19–20, ISBN 978-1-4402-1383-0
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