Fiocchi .25 ACP 50 Grain FMJ

Over the past year, since my last review in April 2017, I have been keeping my own hands, as well as two of my kids hands, practiced at running our pocket pistol, a "Mauser", model 1910/14, semi-automatic, chambered in 6,35mm (.25ACP). This "Mauser" was a WWII, bring back my Dad brought home. The weapon's value is in our Family History and in keeping each new generation aware of their "ancesters" place and actions in history. I tried several brands over the years and since the American brands are no longer supporting these chamberings, I found the europian brands are more available. I found that among the europian brands, "Fiocchi" brand ammunition is top tier in quality and value. They offer two (2) loads in this caliber, the training load of 50 grain Full Metal Jacket - Round Nose (FMJ-RN) and the defencive load of a 35 grain, eXtreem Terminal Performance-Jacketed Hollow Points (XTP- JHP). Several times each year, I bring out the 5 generation,108 year old, pocket pistol and run several magazines of each load throught the weapon. Being this old, the weapon has simple sights; a notched bar rear and a small blade in the front. Since the small size of the weapon, it only has five inches (5") from rear to front. I've found "Fiocchi" ammunition to be very reliability ignighting, clean burning, reliably extracted and ejected. Also, I experiance very few failures to fire. The 50 grain ball, training rounds are a bit slower, about 70 feet per second from the three inch (3") barrel then the defensive, 35 grain JHP. Additionally, the 35 grain XTP expanding bullets in the performance rounds, perform as well as can be expected from a quarter inch (1/4") wide bullet coming from a three inch barrel but it does expand. These pistols are used in very close quarters and must be deployed under the most extreme conditions, where putting five rounds to the face and/ or neck at point blank range to gain you time to escape or fight to a better weapon or cover! That's it, not pretty, but real world. You choose to fight your way out of a situation that you should not have been in, or one where you are desperate to bring someone else out of a deadly situation. I know how that sounds, but that is the functionof these small "mouse guns". Please join me in thanking the "Ammunition Depot" for making a range of choices, even in calibers and chamberings that most other suppliers dont! Please think about the reality of why you train and think through your options. Stay safe, stay aware and please train to keep you and yours safe and sound.