Читать книгу Gun Digest Book of Beretta Pistols. Function | Accuracy | Performance онлайн

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Many years ago, a very good friend of mine who was quadriplegic and had only very limited use of his hands asked my advice on a carry gun. He couldn’t handle the recoil of even a .32 or .380, and he couldn’t draw back the slide of his Walther PPK. I got him into a pair of 950 BS pistols: a Jetfire .25 for carry, and the functionally identical Minx .22

Short for practice. It worked for him, and until his death he was confident that he had a gun that would work to protect himself and his wife. He knew the limitations of the .25 auto cartridge, but he also knew his own limitations. I knew his determination, and I wouldn’t have wanted to be the thug who tried to mug him or his wife.

Why a .25 for carry, and a .22 Short for practice? First, my friend didn’t reload his own ammo, and .22 Short rimfire rounds were a whole lot cheaper. Second, while the .25 ACP is pretty pathetic as a self-defense round, the .22 Short is even weaker. Third, while the 950 pistol holds six rounds in the magazine and a seventh in the chamber in caliber .22 Short, it holds eight in the magazine and a ninth up the pipe when chambered in .25 ACP. Finally, while the Beretta 950 is unexcelled for reliability in the world of .25 autos, the 950 in .22 Short jams often enough that I wouldn’t trust if for anything more serious than recreational shooting or small vermin eradication at close range.