My wife has one, bought about 30 years ago. I like shooting it & would carry it as a pocket pistol, but the safety seems to be awfully easy to manipulate. I'm concerned it would get accidently knocked off safety. I guess, carried in an otherwise empty pocket, would be safe enough. It is strictly an 'up close & personal' type weapon though.
Good advice on storage--you can also use a Gun wax cloth (available from most gun shops or sporting good stores) to coat and a gun sock for storage--also people make VCI bags and corrosion inhibitors.
I owned a Raven .25 and did not think very much of it--deepest apologies to fans--it had a heavy trigger pull (VERY heavy) and was in a marginal caliber as well as not very well made, small sights, not very accurate. I did not think it dangerous although it is striker fired and it is possible for the safety to be inadvertently engaged or disengaged. For the gun's failings it DID, however, go bang consistently and several people have used this inexpensive gun--as well as others--to save their lives when they could not afford or get something better.
If you have the ability I would get a different gun in a different caliber for self-defense (quality .38 or 9mm, .40, .45, etc.) but if this is all you have it can do once you safely learn to operate it. Were I you I would safely clear it, polish it up and keep it for sentimental value and leave it at that. Not trying to be mean or callous just the combination of the caliber, trigger pull, sights, etc. for me would not make this a good self-defense gun if you had the ability to get something better (and I'd being doing a disservice to say any different). You can get a quality .380 (Sig 238, or the lower priced Ruger LCP or Kel-tec) which is actually smaller, better made, more reliable, more accurate, and much more powerful. Although ANY gun beats no gun.
Boy, I'm glad I came back to check this thread! So much good information.
It's been a while, but I've found a range close by that has a ladies night once a month, and they said they'd help me disassemble and clean it the first time, and check it over. My husband and I went to rent a pistol to target shoot a few weeks ago. He picked a 9mm, I forget now what it was but it wasn't a Beretta. It kicked so hard it hurt my hands and wrists so I only fired it once. I don't remember the Beretta kicking that hard. My husband suggested next time we try a .22.
My Dad had one about 35-40 years ago...Could not it the broadside of a barn with it from 21 feet away. It was not a dependable handgun......There are so many dependable/accuarte handguns out there and one of these would suit you and your needs, way before that little Raven.....I would how ever tell you to keep it on the grounds that it belonged to your Father.......If you get rid of it you might regret it.......
Boy, I'm glad I came back to check this thread! So much good information.
It's been a while, but I've found a range close by that has a ladies night once a month, and they said they'd help me disassemble and clean it the first time, and check it over. My husband and I went to rent a pistol to target shoot a few weeks ago. He picked a 9mm, I forget now what it was but it wasn't a Beretta. It kicked so hard it hurt my hands and wrists so I only fired it once. I don't remember the Beretta kicking that hard. My husband suggested next time we try a .22.
While the .25 would be a good caliber, .22lr is much less expensive to train with, and a lot of fun to shoot
The Raven, unfortunately, has Earned a very bad reputation...deservedly so due to poor workmanship & QC...
so it is the perfect Trade-In pistol...meaning, when you buy yourself another pistol, you can trade it in and avoid the Brady Wait...
It might be worth about $50 off whatever pistol you do choose.
See if you can find a Taurus PT22, they can be ordered with Pink Grips...or mother of pearl...several colors to play with...
Taurus makes a pretty good selection of small girl-guns, as does Charter Arms...those are solid inexpensive pistols...
Look around at a few shops, take your time, find something that feels good in your hands, and get rid of that Raven
The fun in shooting isn't just in the tin-can/whatever target you use plinking fun,
its in knowing that you can pick up a tool and use it proficiently, and you may save a life one day with that knowledge...
even if its just saving someone from a snake...or a rabid possum/coyote/etc...every little bit helps
its about all been said above I would also say keep your Dad's gun as a rememberance. my question is; do you also have his prized shotgun and what is the make model and gauge? it might be a valuable old shotgun if he prized it so much.
I had a .25 auto many years ago and hated it. Got rid of it after I read the police report where I worked as a dispatcher that described how a counter worker at one of the local Burger Kings had his heavy winter shirt stop a .25 when he was shot at point blank range. Traded it in a few days later for something a bit better, like a .22. All the advice I've read is spot on. I'm on the side of those that say just clean her up and keep it as a keep sake, you'll never regret it.
I would definitely keep the Raven 25 if I were you. It was your Dad's gun. No the 25 ACP is not very powerful and the Raven was not a top of the line gun but everytime you handle that you will remember him and smile.
Good for you and your husband in going to the range to do some shooting. I only want to add that some guns seem to kick more because that particular gun just does not fit you. When a gun fits you right you will know it and will enjoy shooting it.
Boy, I'm glad I came back to check this thread! So much good information.
It's been a while, but I've found a range close by that has a ladies night once a month, and they said they'd help me disassemble and clean it the first time, and check it over. My husband and I went to rent a pistol to target shoot a few weeks ago. He picked a 9mm, I forget now what it was but it wasn't a Beretta. It kicked so hard it hurt my hands and wrists so I only fired it once. I don't remember the Beretta kicking that hard. My husband suggested next time we try a .22.
This is an excellent idea then work your way up to a .38 or 9mm. OR if you are recoil sensitive the .22 is better than nothing. The .22 LR is great for practice and plinking and can in a pinch be used for self defense--but most people would advocate something larger. Ruger makes the excellent MK3 series (very nice target trigger pull and larger autoloader) as well as the LCR-22 which is the .22 LR version of their LCR and a great training gun. EVERYONE should have some type of .22 LR in their armory--it is great practice and general use. The Ruger Single Six is also a great gun -- both .22 LR and .22 WMR--a convertable. It is a single-action sixgun and very well built; but a bit larger. It's smaller single action brother is the ruger bearcat--also a nice gun (.22 LR only).
If you are going to use the gun for small game or self defense and find you have trouble with larger calibers I would lean to the .22 magnum revolver over a .22 LR for this specific purpose. The disadvantage is .22 magnum ammo is significantly more expensive (around 11 dollars for 50) vice 11 dollars for 375 .22 LR. But the .22 magnum ballistics are enough of a gain that this round rivals the .380 at the low end. Again better to work your way up to a major caliber (9mm, .38 or up; Possibly a .380 ) but if this is a problem the .22 magnum can be a solution. ONE DISADVANTAGE of rimfire revolvers is their double action trigger pull is heavy compared with a centerfire. This is necessary to ensure reliable ignition of the rimfires which takes a good hit.
Boy, I'm glad I came back to check this thread! So much good information.
It's been a while, but I've found a range close by that has a ladies night once a month, and they said they'd help me disassemble and clean it the first time, and check it over. My husband and I went to rent a pistol to target shoot a few weeks ago. He picked a 9mm, I forget now what it was but it wasn't a Beretta. It kicked so hard it hurt my hands and wrists so I only fired it once. I don't remember the Beretta kicking that hard. My husband suggested next time we try a .22.
First off, welcome aboard! Second, your husbands' suggestion is a good one-.22's are fun to shoot with very little to no recoil, so you learn to be comfortable with the gun, then you can move up to larger calibers. Also keep in mind that there are many factors that affect recoil, including the weight of the gun (heavier gun=less recoil), ammo choice (heavier grain ammo or +P, +PP ammo has heavier recoil than standard ammo with lighter bullets). Grip shape\fit also affect perceived recoil as it can channel the recoil into a small area of your hand instead of spreading it out into your palm.
Try as many different guns as you can and see which one feels the best and don't let anyone try to talk you into one you don't like-if it's not comfortable in your hand or is too large a calber, it's going to hurt you and you won't shoot it.
FWIW, many women are more comfortable with .38 Special revolvers and\or .380 semi-auto's because of the lighter weight and reduced recoil, while still being effective self-defense calibers.
I think I saw the perfect solution on an episode of American Guns...get a NICE pistol by using the Raven as a Trade-in, and have it engraved...
commemorating your father permanently on that pistol, and it can be handed down with Pride & Honor
Carolan, That's exactly how I came by my .25 Raven which I never knew my father owned. that was years ago and it was my first pistol, kind of started me on the road so to speak. I keep mine because of sentimentality but when I'm gone I doubt the next generation will feel the same. If you do shoot it, after having it checked over, be careful of hammer bite on the web of your hand. Ravens have little protection from it, a reason it just resides in the safe anymore.
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