Raven P-25?

[thomasbrooks07]

I was at my shooting range and they have a flyer board where you can sell guns, ammo, powder, ect ect. I was looking at the new adds and a few guns caught my eye that I could afford. One of them was a Raven p-25 .25 ACP for $50. I have shot hand guns before but I dont own one. Does anyone have any input on this handgun and would it make a good starting pistol to use at the range for the next 5 or so months? I would have to see the P-25 before I buy it and I have a good eye for condition but ive never used this modle before or any .25 ACP for that mater so I dont know what to expect.

[Taurus Fan]

Good God.. no.. don't buy a .25 ACP, EVER, and certainly don't buy a Raven. Too many reasons to list. Why the .25 ACP exists is a mystery no one can answer.

[ClayMan]

I can't speak with authority on the Raven P-25 because I've never seen, handled, or fired one. But, I once had a Lorcin .380 that seemed to be very similar to the photos I've seen of the Raven, just a bit bigger. The Raven is very small, inexpensive, and of a simple blow-back design. The Lorcin, Raven, Davis, and similar guns are sometimes referred to as "Saturday Night Specials" because they are generally very cheap and usually the quality is not very good compared to other guns that cost much more. These types of guns are generally not that accurate and may be more prone to jamming and breakage. But, sometimes the price is a deciding factor for people. This is something I know from personal experience...the Lorcin .380 I bought was the second handgun I bought when I was 22 years old and I didn't have a lot of money. That Lorcin didn't give target grade accuracy, but it ran like a champ. I never had any jams or malfunctions. That inexpensive gun was infinitely better than no gun for me at the the time...I had a wife and baby boy to defend.

I personally would steer you away from such a gun and would recommend a better quality .22 from Ruger, Smith, or others if you can afford the extra money. A good used Ruger can be had for as little as $150.00 if you look around. And .22LR ammo is much cheaper than .25 ACP which would allow you to shoot it more. And, the .25 ACP ballistics are very similar to the .22LR.

But again, if cost is an issue, that gun might be better for you than no gun. I would definitely recommend that if you do buy the gun, have a gunsmith inspect it before you shoot it to ensure it is safe. Especially since the gun is used and is probably not of superb quality, it would be wise to have it inspected.

Good Luck,

ClayMan

[Taurus Fan]

Friend of mine had a Raven, it was awful, a real crapomatic, jammed every other round. I believe his experience was typical.

[thomasbrooks07]

If the p-25 is no good any ideas on a cheap to buy and feed handgun to practice with for the next couple months. I am getting ready to enlist in the military and I would like to get ahead start on marksmenship training. I am looking to spend about 100 dollars because im low on cash and im planning on mainly using it for a few months before I get shipped off to basic. I plan on picking up a 1911 after basic.

[Taurus Fan]

Originally Posted by thomasbrooks07

If the p-25 is no good any ideas on a cheap to buy and feed handgun to practice with for the next couple months. I am getting ready to enlist in the military and I would like to get ahead start on marksmenship training. I am looking to spend about 100 dollars because im low on cash and im planning on mainly using it for a few months before I get shipped off to basic. I plan on picking up a 1911 after basic.

Stop. You don't want a pistol, there are a number of inexpensive .22 rifles that cost just over $100 that will suit your purpose better, but I wouldn't even worry about it, they'll take care of your marksmanship training just fine without any advance practice. You won't be shooting a pistol at all in basic, and depending on your MOS, you probably won't ever shoot one at all. Good luck, what branch are you going in?

[thomasbrooks07]

I am not 100% sure yet. Its most likely going to be the army or marines. I want a combat mos like Infantry or recon. I already have a two .22 long rifles. I have a Ruger 10/22 carbine and a savage mark II F. My other rifle is a mosin nagant m44.

[Taurus Fan]

Originally Posted by thomasbrooks07

I am not 100% sure yet. Its most likely going to be the army or marines. I want a combat mos like Infantry or recon. I already have a two .22 long rifles. I have a Ruger 10/22 carbine and a savage mark II F. My other rifle is a mosin nagant m44.

Then you're already ahead of the game, when I went in the Army, I'd never fired a rifle before and had no problems qualifying. Your best bet is to take up jogging and make sure you have enough wind to comfortably do a lot of long forced marches with a pack on your back. I think the standard physical fitness test at the end includes a mile and a half run at under 11 1/2 minutes or so, be sure you can do that before you enter basic and you'll have no problems. It wouldn't hurt to do a lot of push-ups and abdominal excercises too. People who had the hardest time in basic were the soft flabby tubs who were out of shape.
Think twice about being an infantryman, there's a lot of training available that may help you a lot more on the outside after your enlistment is up. Slogging around sweating with sand in your shorts and drinking warm water out of a canteen is not fun.

[Aarant]

Originally Posted by thomasbrooks07

If the p-25 is no good any ideas on a cheap to buy and feed handgun to practice with for the next couple months. I am getting ready to enlist in the military and I would like to get ahead start on marksmenship training. I am looking to spend about 100 dollars because im low on cash and im planning on mainly using it for a few months before I get shipped off to basic. I plan on picking up a 1911 after basic.

If your looking for a small inexpensive auto you might look at the Bersa line. I know a few folks that own them and all have said real good things about them. As for caliber STAY AWAY FROM .25 auto's!!!

[thomasbrooks07]

Thanks for the info Taurus fan. I am working hard on my exercising. I just picked up a gym membership and I'm going to be hitting that everyday. I am planning on going career military so im staying for at leaset 35 years. I want to serve and protect my country and for me I feel that combat is the way to do it.

[squirrelbaster]

i say heck no!! dont even touch or look at a raven and for that matter .25 is barly more powerfull than a .22 and is more expencive.

[stitchclimber]

Alright, crucify me! I'm going to recommend you get a hi-point C9 (9mm), they can be had brand new for about $140

They are ugly as hell.

Some people swear by them others hate them (most have never tried them)

They're probably the most controversial gun on this forum.

[Taurus Fan]

Originally Posted by stitchclimber

Alright, crucify me! I'm going to recommend you get a hi-point C9 (9mm), they can be had brand new for about $140

They are ugly as hell.

Some people swear by them others hate them (most have never tried them)

They're probably the most controversial gun on this forum.

The thread on this forum from the new C-9 buyer has me wondering if maybe Hi-Points aren't such a bad idea after all, he got his new for $119 and seems quite pleased with it. The pictures from another C-9 owner aren't that bad, they're big square and all black, their fugly look is growing on me. I'm going to stop being critical of Hi-Point.

[squirrelbaster]

bad taurusfan! bad! what have i told you about recomending hi-points! although they are better than a raven.

[lowercase]

Originally Posted by stitchclimber

Alright, crucify me! I'm going to recommend you get a hi-point C9 (9mm), they can be had brand new for about $140

They are ugly as hell.

Some people swear by them others hate them (most have never tried them)

They're probably the most controversial gun on this forum.

I'm going to have to go and buy myself a Hi-Point pistol just to satisfy my curiosity about them. They really are one of the most controversial gun brands on at least a few forums with people either liking or hating them. I have noticed that many of the negative comments revolve around the gun's looks.

[mitch_mckee]

Originally Posted by thomasbrooks07

I was at my shooting range and they have a flyer board where you can sell guns, ammo, powder, ect ect. I was looking at the new adds and a few guns caught my eye that I could afford. One of them was a Raven p-25 .25 ACP for $50. I have shot hand guns before but I dont own one. Does anyone have any input on this handgun and would it make a good starting pistol to use at the range for the next 5 or so months? I would have to see the P-25 before I buy it and I have a good eye for condition but ive never used this modle before or any .25 ACP for that mater so I dont know what to expect.

No. You might annoy someone if you shot them with it and they found out about it.

[privateer]

the raven is the gun you hope the bad guy brings to the fight.

[oldjarhead]

Ravens are pretty cheap in price and in quality. I would recommend you save up a little money and get a small .22 lr instead of a .25acp. The ammo for the .22lr is much cheaper and just as, or more, effective than a .25acp. The price you stated looks good but the quality for the Raven just isn't there.
If you must have a .25acp, look into Beretta for a quality gun.

[Pumpkinheaver]

Originally Posted by Taurus Fan

Friend of mine had a Raven, it was awful, a real crapomatic, jammed every other round. I believe his experience was typical.

Typical of the ones I have dealt with.

[Choco]

The Raven MP-25/P-25 I have used was fabulous.
Very accurate.