Friday, January 8, 2010

Riverwalker's Gear - Raven Arms MP25 Pistol




One of the items I have is a Raven Arms Mp25 automatic pistol. It uses .25 ACP ammo and has a 6+1 capacity. It is what is commonly referred to as a "pocket" pistol. It is quite small and fits rather neatly into the palm of my hand but lacks any significant power in my estimation. It will put a dent in 3/4 inch plywood at 20 feet but lacks a serious ability for the type of penetration rate to make it an effective defensive weapon.

While a good pocket pistol may be of some value as a "stealth" backup, this particular one doesn't really fill that gap. I do plan to find something that is smaller than the average pistol with a little more power but that can be effective as a backup.

While I consider it of little practical use, it has a great deal of sentimental value since it belonged to my father when he was alive.

Got pocket pistol?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, beats the threat of a poke in the eye. It being your fathers is especially valuable.

The only thing I have chambered in .25acp is a chamber adapter for my .250 Savage 99 lever. But I do have a couple of .22 / .32 / .380 hide-outs.

Pocket autos are definitely must haves, at least for deep carry.

Chris W said...

I remember those little Raven's being a good seller even 15 years ago when they were $60 new.Those and the Jenning's J22's both sold a LOT. They aren't the best quality by any means, but as the other comment said, its better than nothing. The only real problem I ever saw with these were all too frequent breaks of the firing pins. I'd get a spare or 2 when you can. They were extremely cheap.
For my "pocket gun", I still carry my Walther TPH that I've had for a long time. It definitly cost a lot more than the Raven or Jennings, but it's been extremely reliable. Personally,I'd rather have my little 22 with CCI Stingers over a .25.

Ryan said...

There are so many pocket pistols (I hate that term) out now. A Kel Tech P3AT is on my list. .380 is no powerhouse but with very good bullets I imagine it will do as well as anything in that size range.

Machinist said...

The Ruger LCP is about the size of the P3AT but has a slide lock and is better made, showing better quality. Mine is reliable and controllable and is lighter and probably thinner than the .25 auto. If you want effective accuracy at greater range then a midsize like the Walther PPK or the Bersa are good but they offer little smaller size than your Taurus. I like the LCP as a backup or deep concealment gun. If I carry it as a backup it is unnoticeable, yet I can hand it to my wife if I wish to arm her and it gives her effective protection.

Mayberry said...

My Heritage .22 won't fit in my pocket... I'd like a concealable semi auto, but it's a "some day" kinda thing. I know what you mean about sentimental value...

riverwalker said...

To: anon 7:25

It's main value is sentimental but I do keep it in working order. Looking for something a little more reliable. Just waiting for something decent to come along at a good price.

Thanks anon.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: Chris W

I don't have any spare parts for it and no extra mags. Even if it quits working I'd keep it just for the sentimental value. I've got a .22 Mag revolver but it's way too big for any type of concealed carry.

Thanks Chris.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: theotherryan

RW, Jr. has a small .380 auto that he picked up cheap. He's still looking for something that he could consider a little more reliable. That Kel Tech P3AT might be something he needs to check out. I should probably take a look at them myself.

Thanks.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: Machinist

That Ruger LCP sounds like it would be a good choice also...one more to check out.

Thanks Machinist for the heads up on that one.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: Mayberry

My .22 revolver is also too large for concealed carry but does pack a lot more punch than the .25 auto. I also have an old Case trapper of my grandfather's that I keep tucked away in a drawer, still functionally but I don't use it or carry it anywhere. Just hate to lose it or have it break.

Thanks.

RW

Anonymous said...

I had one of these year's ago....got the worst slide bite ever from it! If you have anything bigger than normal hand's,it will grab you!
Dean in az

riverwalker said...

To: Dean in AZ

Now you tell me! LOL

RW

Adam said...

Talked to my bro-in-law just yesterday, he showed me his Raven mp25. It also has a broken firing pin. Replacements pins are cheap though. It's not a bad pocket pistol for when you really don't want anyone to know you're carrying.

I own a jennings j-22, it jams with everything but federal ammo, but with federal it's fairly reliable. Wouldn't trust my life to it, but it IS better than having nothing. And it's heavy, so worst case scenario you can club someone to death with it!

chinasyndrome said...

RW,checkout keltec pf-9 bout size of a lot of 380's,but it's 9mm.

riverwalker said...

To: Adam

I'm aware of the firing pin problem but mine doesn't see a lot of use as it's value is more sentimental than strategic but that could change depending on the circumstances.

Thanks Adam.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: chinasyndrome

That keltec pf-9 may be what I need. A secondary backup that uses 9mm would go well with my pt-111 which is also 9mm. Thanks.

RW

Anonymous said...

RW
I don't have big hand's! The grip on these is what,3 inch? A normal hand might get 3 finger's on it!
But,if I recall correctly,the isreali's train the assasination group's with similar gun's.Of course,it's more like a stick it in the neck and shoot type of thing.
Dean in az

riverwalker said...

To: Dean in AZ

I don't have big hands either and have to watch my grip carefully to keep it from biting my hand.

Thanks Dean.

RW

Anonymous said...

While they are not the most inexpensive available, I am a big fan of the Kahr semi-autos, have a 9mm and a 40. They are quite small and have a tin and flat profile. Easy to keep under cover. Do heed their proscribed 200-round break-in period, however. Which is a good amount for getting familiarized with any new pistola. Personally, I prefer either of them to my 380 PPK/s which is likely going to have a new home in the relatively near future.

Anonymous said...

Edit that last to read "thin and flat profile", not "tin" and flat.

Jason Yancy said...

To: Adam I'm aware of the firing pin problem but mine doesn't see a lot of use as it's value is more sentimental than strategic but that could change depending on the circumstances. Thanks Adam. RW

Related Posts with Thumbnails