.25 ACP
.25 ACP | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Type | Pistol | |||||||||||||||||||
Place of origin | United States and Belgium | |||||||||||||||||||
Production history | ||||||||||||||||||||
Designer | John Browning | |||||||||||||||||||
Designed | 1905 | |||||||||||||||||||
Produced | 1905–present | |||||||||||||||||||
Specifications | ||||||||||||||||||||
Case type | Semi-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 twist | 1:16 | |||||||||||||||||||
Primer type | Small pistol | |||||||||||||||||||
Maximum pressure | 25,000 psi (170 MPa) | |||||||||||||||||||
Maximum CUP | 25,000[1] CUP | |||||||||||||||||||
Ballistic performance | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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 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 .25 ACP was designed for semi-automatic pistols, various .25 ACP 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]
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FN 1905/6
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Modern jacketed hollow point loads for 6.35mm/.25 cal.
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The Walther Model 9 pistol uses 6.35mm
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Raven MP-25 .25 ACP chrome with faux mother of pearl grips and push up safety
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Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket used .25 ACP
See also
- 6 mm caliber – Firearm cartridge classification
- Table of handgun and rifle cartridges
References
- ^ Saami pressures. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://leverguns.com/articles/saami_pressures.htm
- ^ *Wilson, R. K. Textbook of Automatic Pistols. Plantersville, SC: Small Arms Technical Publishing Company, 1943. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-935632-89-7.
- ^ Hogg, Ian; Walter, John (2004-08-29). Pistols of the World. David & Charles. ISBN 0873494601.
- ^ Bowen, Hamilton. The Custom Revolver. Privately printed, 2001. ISBN 978-0-9713366-0-5.
- ^ Jerry Ahern (2010), Gun Digest Buyer's Guide to Concealed-Carry Handguns, Gun Digest Books, pp. 19–20, ISBN 978-1-4402-1383-0