When people think of having a backup pistol, “Dirty Harry” pistol usually comes to mind.

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 2/25/2019 | C Cocoles

[w1n1]

When people think of having a backup pistol, "Dirty Harry" pistol usually comes to mind.
With the decline in small caliber pistol for personal protection. There are some experienced gun instructors that still believes theres still a place for it. For example, Claude Werner of Tactical Professor. Claude is experienced in IDPA, NRA certified gun instructor and a retired military Special Operations Officer.
With all the weapons training that Claude has gone through and certified to instruct firearms employment. He still thinks outside the convention beliefs that a smaller .32 caliber can protect yourself.

He states it has to do with what we’ve been taught and conditioned into believing that a larger caliber with the knock down power will solve the problem. Claude goes on to explain that in law enforcement its their job to stop the threat and apprehend the perpetrator.
Having a larger caliber handgun helps stop the threat. So when we look at this application for personal protection, yes the firepower is necessary. But in most self-defense scenarios documented by law enforcement shows that when a bad guy gets shot from the defender. They usually run away, for law enforcement its their job to apprehend them.
But, for the private citizen, (Joe like us) once the shots have been fired and the bad guy runs away. The threat is gone, you can now call the police to get after them.

Its about the Indian not the Arrow
As you can see from this similar scenario but from two different view points. Having that larger caliber pistol may be the way to go but the goal of any life threatening situation is to stop the attack. Stopping the attack does not mean to end a person’s life with a big .357 magnum. It means to stop them from attacking you, even with a .25 caliber pocket pistol. Think it can’t be done? Yes these .380, .32 or 25’s are little pop gun, its about putting that pop in the right place, then it becomes a lot more effective. Again, Claude Werner is not saying caliber doesn’t matter. Claude claims its about the Indian not the arrow. However, the average gun shopper/owner is focused on the arrow. So yes there needs to be much training on.... Read the rest of 25 caliber pistol.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

There is no place for a .25 in my book. I have a 380 that can be hidden in a Speedo.

[wbarmy]

I always, when carrying, have a small 9mm KelTec which slides right into my front pocket and can be aimed and fired without removing it from the pocket. Not something I really want to ever have to do !!!!! but I like having the option.

[Texas resident]

.380. Ammo is readily available and it fits in my pocket and is about the size of a wallet.

[null and void]

Are you kidding? I can’r even hide my anatomy in a Speedo!

[MileHi]

Absolutely unreadable, in keeping with the standards of this lame ass blog.

[Lurkinanloomin]

Agree, the .380’s today are small enough to carry in summer.
I don’t wear Speedos, so I don’t think I’ll try that.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Slide it under your anatomy and it can double as a Bustier.

[chrisser]

We had a .25 pistol before it was lost in a tragic boating accident.

My experience? .25 ammo is not exactly common nor is it cheap. You can get it, but probably not at Walmart or any sporting goods store that most people use for the other common calibers.

[yarddog]

I always liked the little Beretta tip up barrel autos. Reliable and surprisingly accurate. I had a Minx in .22 short with a 4 inch barrel.

It was accurate enough for hunting but you had to really concentrate as it was easy to miss by just being a little careless with your hold. Also mine shot a bit to the left so I had to compensate.

Still they would be a good choice for concealment tho even for that, the Baby Browning is smaller.

One of the greatest fighters of all time, William Fairbairne liked the little .32 Colt and point shooting. For that matter it was John Browning’s favorite of all his inventions.

For a serious gunfight I guess it would be one of the full sized Glocks in 10mm. I have never shot anyone but from what I have read, the little .32 does a lot better than the .25, almost equal to some of the larger calibers.

[philman_36]

On that small of a caliber...

...hollow points.

[wjcsux]

I lost my Glock 43 the same way. It was a an easily concealed pistol that fired 9mm.

[null and void]

Not that. I’ve got folds of fat to hide Mr. Shyturtle. The the rest of my Incredible Bulk the Speedo doesn’t hide!

[null and void]

Think Russian sunbathers on the Black Sea coast...

[Reno89519]

I am sure a 22LR or a 25 or 32 caliber can be deadly and, if not, put the fear of life in an attacker, so it is a good backup gun. In a zombie apocalypse we’ll use whatever we’ve got. But for concealed carry and more immediate self-defense, if I ever have to shoot someone, I want to know that within one to three shots they are dead or will be momentarily. I am comfortable that my 9mm will suffice, even my previous .380 was fine.

[Roccus]

Was in a gin mill once when some ass wipe put four .25s through the window. The misshapen slugs were found on the window sill. They hadn’t made it through the cheap drapes.
Knew it was a .25 when we found casings outside on the sidewalk.

[Reno89519]

My wife made me give up my Speedo when my gut started rolling over it. Idea for spring, lose weight and buy a new Speedo.

[msrngtp2002]

I teach all the NRA pistol classes - from basic to the most advanced. During the more advanced classes the focus is on speed and accuracy. Students have to draw from concealment, then shoot AND HIT the target center mass during the final firing sequence. Hits count. I am often questioned about small caliber guns for concealment. They are easy to hide, generally easy to draw and with practice just as effective as something larger.

Small handed people have trouble with larger pistols. The grips don’t fit their hand well. After they shoot about a thousand rounds through a small pistol doing draw from concealment and put holes center mass I for one would not mess with them while they are carrying a .22. They are just as deadly.

Additionally if anyone has ever shot someone with any concealed pistol and had that pistol “knock them down” - I would like to hear about it. Simple physics says that in order to knock an attacker off their feet the recoil from that pistol will either knock the shooter off their feet or at the least break a wrist or shoulder. Attackers don’t get knocked down...they fall from lack of blood or because they are so mortally wounded that their brain finally tells them to fall down.

Carry what you are comfortable shooting 50 rounds at a time with. Practice and practice some more so when the SHTF you don’t have to think about all the steps you have to take. You just have to make sure you are in the right defensively and let muscle memory make accurate shots.

[Bell Bouy II]

nothing can be hidden in a Speedo,unless you are a babe or a Eunuch

[fella]

Sean Connery’s ‘007’ preferred the Beretta .25.