.25 or .32 acp, which packs more punch?

Question

WHich round would be better suited for plinking/self defence, the .25 or .32?
Even though the .32 is bigger, wouldn' the .25 go faster? Everyone alaways says velocity kills!
(Also, about how expensive is a pistol in either caliber?)
Thanks!

Answer 1

The 32 is by far stronger than the 25, Keep in mind though that you can pick up a Kel-Tec 380(9mm kurz) that is as small as a 32 and it has a lot more power than either the 32 or 25.

Answer 2

Strictly speaking, the only advantage the .25 ACP has over the .22 LR is that it is a centerfire and therefore somewhat more reliable than a rimfire cartridge.

The .32 ACP has more energy because it throws a bullet almost 50% heavier than the .25 ACP at an equal or higher velocity.

The best ammo choice for the .32 ACP is the Winchester Silvertip. With it's light aluminium jacket, the Silvertip will actually expand at .32 ACP velocities.

Another advantage for the .32 ACP is that some of the finest pocket automatics ever designed are chambered for the .32 ACP. It is not hard to find Walther PPK, or PP pistols chambered for .32 ACP, as well as assorted Colt, Browning, and other makes of good pocket pistols.

Thanks to the improved designs, and sights, .32's are generally more accurate than .25's and the ammo costs less for the .32 ACP.

Doc

Answer 3

32 Acp Stopping Power

Answer 4

actually, it isn't velocity that kills, it's energy transfer. It has been found that you need 80 lbs of energy to kill a human. ( don't know why that figure stuck in my head all these years) anyway, a .25 acp has about 75 ft pounds of energy at best. I always tell people, "if you shoot me with a 25 auto, and I find out about it, I'm gonna be pissed"!
The 32 acp is the minnimum calibur I'd use for close in self defense, and only then as a last resort. That's not to say that a .25 or a 32 wouldn't kill someone in the right circumstances, cuz they will, but the object is to stop a bad guy in his tracks, not hit him with a round that won't stop him right away. If you want an inexpensive, but reliable pistol, in a calibur that will work better than either the 32 or 25, buy a bulgarian made makerov pistol for around $150.00, this fires the 9mm makerov cartridge (9x18 mm) which falls in between the 380 auto (9x17) and the 9mm 9x19). you can buy cheap full metal jacket rounds for plinking and federal hollow points for self defense. It also a very accurate pistol. I have several of them. I use a .45acp for self defense. It is a well proven manstopper, accurate and reliable, but pistols in that calibur are expensive and so is the ammo.

Answer 5

The 32 acp is more powerful and less expensive than the 25. You would do much better all the way around with a 9 mm pistols are about the same price and 9mm ammo is the cheapest around and 4 times more powerful than the 32 acp.

Answer 6

Truthfully Jonathon, neither caliber packs a whole lot of punch.

If you read any of the early James Bond novels you know that Bond originally was armed with a .25 acp Beretta pistol. It was taken from him by his superiors after it jammed and he was issued what his superiors called a gun with 'real stopping power': A Walthers PPK .32 acp. (Ha, ha!)

Truth is, especially with the solid ball ammo neither one is a real stopper. They work basically because no one wants to get shot but otherwise they are only better than a stout stick.

Now of the two, the .32 acp is available in more of a variety of loads including the excellent Fiocchi 60 grain hollowpoint ammo that brings it up to standard .380 acp and even standard .38 Special specs. This is remarkable for such a small caliber and coupled with the fact that a .32 acp is extremely easy to conceal and you get seven or eight shots this makes it suitable for deep concealment.

I load the Fiocchi or Winchester Silvertips in my stainless steel Tomcat when I carry it for deep concealment. Other good .32 acp defensive rounds are the Gold Dot and even the hydra-shok. Again these are recommended only if the only alternative to self-defense is a club.

Best.

H

What's with all the 'thumbs down' for James J. n Air Bob? They're giving good answers.

H

Answer 7

The .25 would easily penetrate a human skull and a motorbike helmet. Skulls and motorbike helmets are designed to protect against low velocity blunt impact such as hitting your head against the ground or road , they are not designed for protection against high velocity point impact as delivered by a bullet. I have shot many fully grown cattle and hogs for home consumption on a farm where I worked for sixteen years , I used a .22 LR rifle and one shot from two yards into the brain killed them instantly. The skull of a fully grown cow or hog is thicker than a human skull. The ballistics of the .22 LR are very similar to the .25 so I have no doubt that the .25 would penetrate a human skull and go right through the brain and come to rest against the inside of the skull on the other side. As for taking calcium supplements that would make no difference to skull strength as once the skull is formed only a certain amount of calcium is needed for maintenance any extra is not absorbed by the body.

Answer 8

Both are very inexpensive compared to real guns. The .32 ACP is more powerful. Neither is suitable for self defence unless you are dancing with the intruder.
Col. Jeff Cooper says about the .25: "If it makes you feel better, by all means, carry one, but don't load it. If you shoot some one with it and they find out about, they will be mad as hell!"

Answer 9

The 32...is more than the 25

I saw a boxer shot 3 times in the shoulder w/ a 25. The vet X-rays reviled 3 bullets lodged in it's shoulder. The dog is still alive today.

A 22 long rifle will do more damage.

Answer 10

Well, man, neither, really.
The 100 year old .25ACP cartridge is anemic.
The also 100 year old .32ACP cartridge is superior to the .25, by some margin anyway,
but NEITHER makes a very effective self-defense cartridge,
and BOTH are too expensive for plinking.

My recomendation?
Consider a .38 special with a 4" barrel.
Get a used one, say, a Smith & Wesson model 10.
It's accurate, the ammo is affordable, (seriously, the larger .38 is cheaper than .25 or .32), recoil is negligable (with non-+p loads), and it DOES make a good self defense gun that is easily mastered. PLUS, a used S&W M10 can be had for 200.00 or less if you shop around. Civilian and Military Police used these guns (very effectively, I might add), for decades, and plenty are avalible for just that reason.