Awesome find! My uncle has one and my grandfather has always referred to it as a piece of junk that jams all the time, but every video I've watched I've yet to see a failure to fire or cycle, I'm guessing either my uncles needs cleaning or there's a problem with one of the springs or my grandfather just prefers nothing smaller than his .380 ppk 🤷♂️ which is another favourite of the assortment my relatives have
Here's a bit of trivia. There was a fire and the Raven plant completely burnt down, It was rebuilt, and the name changed to "Phoenix Arms," after the mythical bird that rises from its ashes.
15 years ago, I worked at a gas station part time. I carried one of these in my pocket at work. Unfortunately it got stolen. You can't believe the joy and surprise when I found one three years ago in a local pawnshop. It was under $99 in mint condition and shoots like a charm. I have a couple of heavier firearms but this is my favorite carry gun! I know people down it but I'm a crack shot and I think a head, chest, or groin shot should slow down the average Joe Blow.
Like you, my MP-25 is one of my favorite pistols to shoot! For the size it is just insanely accurate. That being said, for carry I did upgrade to a more potent Ruger LCP which I also love. But every now then I take out the Raven for a spin. I love it so much that I think I'm going to invest in as many replacement parts as I can find. It's a cheap gun, but the fun factor shooting it makes well worth maintaining and fixing if it breaks.
My grandpa passed last week, went to his house tonight to pick through his gun collection with my uncle and he had this exact model so I snagged it. Amazing video, everything I wanted to know about this pistol. Since I can’t ask my grandpa about it I’m very glad I came across your video. Thank you
My grandfather used to have this exact gun as well. He passed away years ago, but he used to ho every year and trade in his Lincoln town car for the new model, he always paid in cash, and he kept one of these in the car door for self defense. I had a chance to try this thing out and... it is a cool little gun. I can see why he kept it. Only thing was though, it needed a little maintenance maybe. It would jam a little after shooting a few times. Nothing bad just a little annoying.
Gave one to my Dad for Christmas in 1979. When he opened the box, his jaw dropped! I paid $35 brand new for it.After he died, I got it back. Was working in a dangerous area and carried it every day. If my 9mm wasn't strapped on, I had this in my pocket. I agree, this is a great little conceal carry weapon.
Back in the early 90s my grandma had a pink pearl gripped chrome one and my mom had a wooden gripped chrome one when I was growing up. They came in a little cardboard box, like a jewelry box. Back then everyone and (literally) their mom had one. My mom actually saved her own life with one.
Yes all firearms are dangerous and are deadly weapons, but in a self defense role, simply little holes in you would not stop you. But they can kill you. I would rather the bad guy stop before stabbing me than I be stabbed to death and then he die later at the hospital.
Brandon_ 7.62x39 True but popping little .22cal holes in someone and giving them the choice of going away or getting ventilated some more is far better than having only harsh language as your defense. A round or two to the face, neck or throat would end it pretty fast though. Besides, getting shot HURTS.
Tomken8d2 Sometimes "better than nothing" is not good enough, but i would rather be launching 25acp rounds into someone than a knife fight. and actually most people dont even know they got shot until after the fight has ended, especially with lower calibers. when they are fighting you, their adrynaline is up and cant feel pain. i would rather have a 25 or 22 than a pointy stick, but i would not bet my life on it stopping someone.
Brandon_ 7.62x39 Try for the face. A single .22 short in an eye or throat will end it. At least you have a fighting chance. Try running around as much as you can after you put a few holes in your assailant. Make him run around. His body will realize much faster that he's VERY hurt.
Sometimes? How bout all the time. My friend told me a story about a (prick) supervisor everyone hated being shot by one of these .25s in the face and chest down on the Detroit docks late night. He was a 6'6" bear of a man and it killed him all the same. The supposed shooter was arrested, charged with murder but beat the case. Fear any firearm. They were made to do one thing-kill.
@@rayhanes1347 not all they literally make ammo thats made not to kill and there are guns that are literally made for precision target shooting yes they can be used for killing but thats not the only purpose for all firearms also guns arent what needs to be feared people are cause without a person or something else manipulating it it can do no good or bad its an inanimate object
I searched far and wide this is the only video that I could find of the Saturday night special being broke down and put back together thank you brother 🙌
I enjoy your reviews of these kind of guns. ...everyone does the modern hk's, and shields and glocks etc. it's fun to see real reviews on obscure kind of forgotten or looked over guns...even crappy guns still need to be reviewed :)
I just bought this little gun and was shocked at how good it shoots. I paid $100 for it with a 100rds of .25acp-in today’s market I think that’s pretty decent. I sure don’t regret buying it!
Wow! Thanks fellas, I was thinkin the same thing. I paid $28 a box for PMC fmj but it really runs pretty good. Found an extra mag on eBay new old stock for $19 he’s got a few more.
friend of mine has one new in the box .. it was her dad's... I cleaned it a few years ago ... cool litt piece of history. . the king of Saturday night special lol
I carried one as a back up gun when I was with the Sheriff's office in the early 1980s, Duty weapon was a .357 Magnum. I have to say, it never failed and was decently accurate. Long live the Raven! 👍😁
Growing up, I'd always thought that the Saturday Night Special was a cheaply-made revolver, because that's what I was seeing criminals use on television from the late '70s to mid '80s, and the cops always seemed to use the term. Thanks for an interesting video.
The real saturday night special is laminated steel framed revolver. Look it up is cool a shit. However this gun and few other cheap ones started the whole"saturday night spacial" trend
@@wizardofahhhs759 The term came to prominence around the passage of the firearms act of 1968 that made it difficult to import small and non-steel framed firearms into the U.S. Predictably, domestic companies filled the void for affordable handguns. SNS was widely used for these domestically produced arms including both "Ring of Fire" pistols made in California like the Raven and cheep revolvers assembled in Florida. Many of these revolvers were chambered in .22 lr and .32 S&W long, with .38 special being the high end.
Hey, that was an awesome video, thanks. You were straight to the point, you highlighted important issues and didn't put me to sleep. You didn't hick up once and waste time on unnecessary BS. Had a Raven back in 87, was able to find one at a gun show last weekend. Your video brought me back to speed on the Raven, Thanks again, Edward
@@allenbowers1970 I just traded into the original with the 6 serial numbers and slide safety (that always flips to safe after each shot), but it says "Model MP-25" on the side of the slide.. It doesn't say "P-25"
Thanks for the video, back in the 80's carried one on duty for awhile as a last resort backup. Hadn't thought about that firearm in quite some time. Thanks again
The very first gun I ever bought was a Lorcin .25 acp in a pawn shop in Presque Isle, Maine for $60. It's long gone, but I still have a soft spot for Ring of Fire .25's.
I acquired one earlier this year. Early model p-25. Your video was instrumental to learning how to field strip it and clean it. Thank you very much for posting this.
Wow!! Today I took off the wooden grips so that I could stain them and it had a date of November 2nd, 1975. Now that I'm looking at the safety, it is an original slide safety. Thanks for all of the information!
I fixed a few of them. The biggest problem with malfunctions you can find under the right side grip cover. A little piece of flat medal that pops out and causes it to misfire and sometimes jam. A couple pieces of duct tape on the grip to hold that piece of medal in tighter solves it. A good polishing of the chamber slide ramp to a mirror finish helps a lot to smooth out the feeding
In the 1970's my dad had a friend who had one of these pistols. He said that it was cheap, accurate and looked good with the faux mother of pearl grips. Thanks for the vid...
Hey this video is really cool. You did a good job. I was very interested in this review because my aunt bought this pistol over 30 years ago as her first gun and now I know more about this pistol.
I had two of these pistols back in the ‘80s and wish I’d kept them. Great little guns, and I’ve always been a fan of the .25 ACP. I think one of the things that makes the .25 so lethal, as evidenced by the case study you mentioned, is that I would guess most times when it’s employed for defense it’s up close where the chance of missing is slim and most people will shoot til it’s empty. And it doesn’t matter how big and bad someone is, if somebody does a Mag dump of 7-8 rounds of 50gr FMJ at point blank range on you, you’ve got that many 1/4” holes you’re leaking out of and 350-400gr of hot metal bouncing around inside you breaking bones and tearing thru organs. At that point most humans are done, and if you have to run away they definitely won’t be in any shape to chase after you. Say what you will but it effectively puts metal into bodies, which is the main objective in a self defense situation. Great video, thanks. 👍
Back in the 90s bought a Phoenix 25 auto , first pistol ever owned, my wife, 2 kids loved this little pistol shot it probably 1000 rounds all us shooting it never jammed great little gun, 99 dollars lol 👍 course my son and myself went to a lot larger calibers, but it was fun sold it for what I paid for it.💯
I had one of these when I was 16. Got it for $100. Loved it. Sold mine for $90 and a pair of brass knuckles. Would love to get my hands on one legally this time for nostalgia.
I picked one of these up for $30 today. It was just really cool to see it in the showroom and it’s just going to sit in my safe as a fun antique. It does function fully.
My first gun, I love it, someone could say that this gun is a trash gun, but in a danger situation (and correct situation for use it, like an knife attack) gonna be your best friend!
This was very helpful. My landlady knew I liked guns and was about to get rid of her dead mom's Raven MP-25 when she asked me if I wanted it. I really just looked this up on YT to figure out how to clean it. Thanks for the takedown instructions. It's easier to clean than my last purchase - a Ruger LC9s (which was a pain in the ass to clean but had this cute lil muddy girl pink camo design. ;) ) Anyhoo, thanks!
Really appreciated the bloopers at the end. Points me in the right direction. You produce great content and it's informative to see some of your equipment. I have to produce a video some day soon.
The day I turned 21 (1973) I bought a Raven .25 A.C.P. for $39.99 plus tax! And CCW carried it say Life was more important than Laws. It worked when properly cleaned and lubed. I also in later years bought a Jennings .22 L.R. for $49.99 and like the Raven properly maintained worked most of the time. I saw an incident when someone was shot with the .25 a.c.p. at close range. That person was hit in the ankle just below the bone, it passed through one side of his sock, flesh missing the bone and stopped by the other side of his sock! Took him about 5 minutes after walking away to start going into shock and almost passing out before the help arrived. The shooter took 1 shot and jumped out a second story window retreating as fast as he could never to be seen again.
Great review! I had the pleasure of meeting George Jennings and his wife Lotte back in the '70s; they were close friends of my buddy's parents. Really nice folks, but even then, they were embroiled in lawsuits from people who'd been shot by guns George had made.I later acquired a Raven MP-25 as well as a Jennings J-22, and found both of them to be more reliable than my little old Bauer .25. Mouse pistols are kinda cool!
I love this little gun, honestly, mainly because of what it stood for. It may have been total crap during its time, but it provided working-class folks with a small self-defense firearm that they could carry on a daily basis that was simple to service at a time when the US government was more or less attempting to restrict firearm ownership to the rich and white.
Kim Alatore Yeah, it was an incredible plan. Convince adult black men to sell crack to black children. And those black drug dealers, who were just following orders of President Reagan, were held responsible for stealing the future of so many black children. The injustice of it all. Those Adult black crack dealers were the real victims. They should be given reparations!!!!
its honestly a waste of time even trying to understand the logic of cat ladies. people like them are just pathologically obsessed with hating themselves for being white, its like some weird masochist fetish for them to destroy and weaken themselves. she is probably some single mother who raised her son to be submissive in all social situations. its all so tiring how they think that saturday night specials were a good thing for the black community
The nice thing about the older models with the sliding safety was you could rack the slide and if you pull it back far enough it would disengage the safety but an issue is if you don't you could chamber a round but not turn off the safety
My grandfather carried one of these ('71 p-25) in his pocket for 25 years. he knew it was illegal in CA, but he lived in Lynwood and took the bus every day to McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach.
I have one myself great little pocket gun.I also have larger caliber guns also.The one bit of advice I would give to someone wanting one of these guns is that as long as it hits it target any gun will do
GODBLESS AMERICA AND THE ARMED PUBLIC........SMALL PISTOLS I ALWAYS TAKE HIDDEN TO MY SURF TRIPS TO MEXICO....YOU ARE DEAD WITHOUT PROTECTION...EVEN ,25!!!!! BETTER THAN NOTHING ELSE!!!! AMERICA .....FEAR THE PUBLIC...WE WILL ATTACK WHEN NEEDED!!!!!
My grandpa passed away this pass week my mother gave me this fire arm after watching this video and the fact it was my grandpa’s I appreciate the fire arm so much more
I've had one of these for about 33 years..bought it for something to carry while out hiking in boondocks, mountain biking, cross-country skiing or what have you and I didn't want to carry something more expensive and worry about dropping it in mud or snow or whatever. Say what you will about 'cheap Saturday night specials'..never had a misfire or malfunction with mine and it goes off every time I pull the trigger. Keep it clean and oiled and it works fine. Since have replaced it with a .380 ACP pistol for a 'carry piece' but still have my Raven just because it's a cool little pistol.
I used to want one of these little Ravens back in the mid 80's just as a neat little range toy. I have never thought of. 25 acp as a great defensive round. I do think it's better than a stick or bare hands.
It's amazing that so many of them still look so well. They actually held up over time than many guns of far better quality. Half the time I ever see these, if they're not destroyed from abuse and years of use, they are in excellent condition. That Zamak and pot-metal and whatever the hell they coat it with just doesn't seem to corrode or oxidize like the steel used in most higher quality guns.
I love this little gun for just plinking targets. Partially because it's so hard to hit anything with it. You feel like you accomplished something when you do! LOL!
Mine is nickel finish with black grips. Keep it loaded with Glaser frangible ammo. Accurate, fun to shoot and fills a niche to have a Saturday Night Special. Paid $40 new from a guy selling them out of his car trunk at a gun show in 2006.
I used to love buying guns out of people's trunks at gun shows! I have found many great deals like that. You brought back a lot of good memories with that comment.
My dad had one when I was a kid growing up pretty sure he let it go with a few other odd guns. Gonna try to go pick one up cause from what I remember it’s a fun gun to shoot
I worked in convient store in 1981, had a Tauras Mod. 66 (old style) hidden under the counter. Sometimes you're stocking a cooler and you're away from the counter, so I bought a Raven P-25 and a wallet holster as a back up. It was a good little shooter. Thank God never needed to use either.
I used to carry these in the very old days. Then went to a 2 in .38 snubby. NOBODY believes me that I have never had any jams! Whats great about the Raven is the short barrel makes the gun very loud for a .25 ACP so if I point and shot human nature would seem to make people run. Thank god I never have used any gun. It tends to make you very mellow because if you get in a normal fight you might end up killing the other guy and going to prison, not worth the hassle. Also as a young man I understood that even if I "won a case of self defense shooting" in court I would effectively bankrupt my family with legal bills. CA is always been tough on gun owners. Also I never want to kill another human. Thanks for the great video!
I missed the part where the slide comes back and gouges out the top of your hand, the only problem this gun had. The Colt 1908, .25 did not have that problem. The Colt also had two safeties. I liked and carried the Raven for a time, good cheap gun, a fun gun to buy... I carried one for that miserable time when your six shot revolver needed to reload, and they would rush you, that little .25 filled that gap...
Thanks for the accurate comment on these little guns. I have had one since 1986. I have recently seen a few videos again. Mine has been very reliable. I as you said have not shot it a lot. I don't carry it because I have better options now but we didn't have much money at the time my Stepfather had purchased 2 of them as stow away guns for us.
I used to work at a restaurant / bar and I found a few Ravens in the garbage in the restroom when I did my clean up on nights that the police decided to take a stroll in the bar.
I have a P-25 with the wood grip and slide safety that was passed down from my 100 year old great grandmother who died. It was recently cleaned and the slide had degraded to the point where it likely hadn’t had an active safety feature in over a decade. Great little pocket monster though.
Back in the 70's, I bought a case of them and gave them out one Xmas. Some are still with us to this day.I got them for about $30. A gun- not bad for a case of 12. Just saying. Love ya, mean it. Rev Dr Jeff
Omg I found one of these in the back of my aunts closet this week when I was visiting her. I cleaned it up and bought a ton of ammo and shot a ton of ammo through it. It's a fun cheapo gun with a slightly cool history. I like .22lr but in a pistol the 25 is WAY better. And yes .25 ACP pocket pistols are super cool for range fun but not self defense.
I am truly in love with these guns. But I am surprised and happy to see you shoot a full mag without a jam. And furthermore I am happy that you didn't get a broken firing pin like all of mine suffered from.
The side profile of this gun reminds me of a High Point Compact due to the size and shape of the slide compared to the frame and grip. Anyhow..quality video as usual!
I bought my little 25 at a flea market in the early 1990's paid like $69.00 plus tax ,Still have it today ...I love shooting it but the rounds are expensive...This ole pistol has never given me any problems
My dad had one way back in the day in the 70s, I remember one time the police chased some robbers into a house a few blacks down from us on the other side of the railroad tracks. He walked around the house continue the check the doors and windows to be sure their locked. He carried it everywhere in his pocket or on a holster he had. one time he took us all outshoot cans (My MOM wasn't thrilled about it), one time we was target shooting and then the slide broke, it was the you show in the small window that was blued.
I worked as a Forensic Anthropologist (UMass 1975) in the Norfolk and Plymouth Counties in the late 1970's. The P-25 was responsible for several one round homicides.Organized crime used these as well. Good review.
I just found one of these tucked in a corner at work. Loaded, sitting behind an old tv from the 80’s. What a find!
Cool a murder weapon!
Awesome find! My uncle has one and my grandfather has always referred to it as a piece of junk that jams all the time, but every video I've watched I've yet to see a failure to fire or cycle, I'm guessing either my uncles needs cleaning or there's a problem with one of the springs or my grandfather just prefers nothing smaller than his .380 ppk 🤷♂️ which is another favourite of the assortment my relatives have
Here's a bit of trivia. There was a fire and the Raven plant completely burnt down, It was rebuilt, and the name changed to "Phoenix Arms," after the mythical bird that rises from its ashes.
Clyde Wary but still raven is cooler name
Clyde Wary yeah but then they kept changing their company name..
I heard that at one point the owner of the company got his cheeks busted open and shortly thereafter they renamed the company mudlark arms.
ok_brandon98 the story is cooler than the name
So poetic.
15 years ago, I worked at a gas station part time. I carried one of these in my pocket at work. Unfortunately it got stolen. You can't believe the joy and surprise when I found one three years ago in a local pawnshop. It was under $99 in mint condition and shoots like a charm. I have a couple of heavier firearms but this is my favorite carry gun! I know people down it but I'm a crack shot and I think a head, chest, or groin shot should slow down the average Joe Blow.
Like you, my MP-25 is one of my favorite pistols to shoot! For the size it is just insanely accurate. That being said, for carry I did upgrade to a more potent Ruger LCP which I also love. But every now then I take out the Raven for a spin. I love it so much that I think I'm going to invest in as many replacement parts as I can find. It's a cheap gun, but the fun factor shooting it makes well worth maintaining and fixing if it breaks.
Head shot…3 rounds will render the dirt bag senseless…..
I love my little Raven. I carry it just for fun every now and then.
It sure will . Not just slow them down but put them in the grave lard. This little gun is not a toy. People need to understand.
Wouldn't a headshot end the day 🤔
That's my main carry! I keep a Desert Eagle .50 AE strapped to my ankle as back up.
😂😂😂 I like mine 25 is plenty to defend myself had one of these baby’s since middle school days 😂😂
Saturday night specials turn people into the 9pm news coverage
.50 strapped to the ankle? 🤣
@@javarispurnell7772 Hulk sized calves would do it! 🤣...with baggy bottoms
My grandpa passed last week, went to his house tonight to pick through his gun collection with my uncle and he had this exact model so I snagged it. Amazing video, everything I wanted to know about this pistol. Since I can’t ask my grandpa about it I’m very glad I came across your video. Thank you
My grandfather used to have this exact gun as well. He passed away years ago, but he used to ho every year and trade in his Lincoln town car for the new model, he always paid in cash, and he kept one of these in the car door for self defense. I had a chance to try this thing out and... it is a cool little gun. I can see why he kept it. Only thing was though, it needed a little maintenance maybe. It would jam a little after shooting a few times. Nothing bad just a little annoying.
Sorry for your loss friend. I got mine the same way. Very reliable gun. This comment is 3 years old, have you shot yours much since then?
My grandma left me a black one a few years ago. Can’t find ammo for it… I’d love to use it and carry it as my first EDC…
@@szudy76go to places like wikiguns from time to time and look for deals. I seen 25acp for around $14 a box of 50. Not too bad.
Same happend to me recently
My mom still has hers, I just cleaned it for her the other day. She's had it for at least 25 years, still runs like a clock. Fun gun to shoot.
My mom is 92 .she has a ruger lcp 380.
@Infandous Ktenology lollll
Gave one to my Dad for Christmas in 1979. When he opened the box, his jaw dropped! I paid $35 brand new for it.After he died, I got it back. Was working in a dangerous area and carried it every day. If my 9mm wasn't strapped on, I had this in my pocket. I agree, this is a great little conceal carry weapon.
Ron sheets sell it
I share a similar story. I obtained mine from my dad when he died. Perfect for my sports car that does not have much storage.
Ur An *old* man.
Ever kill anyone?
Back in the early 90s my grandma had a pink pearl gripped chrome one and my mom had a wooden gripped chrome one when I was growing up. They came in a little cardboard box, like a jewelry box. Back then everyone and (literally) their mom had one. My mom actually saved her own life with one.
Man.....this was one of my first firearms. It was good to me then and still is.
I like that little gun. Heck, even a .22 short will put holes in you.
Too many people don't understand how destructive firearms are.
Yes all firearms are dangerous and are deadly weapons, but in a self defense role, simply little holes in you would not stop you. But they can kill you. I would rather the bad guy stop before stabbing me than I be stabbed to death and then he die later at the hospital.
Brandon_ 7.62x39
True but popping little .22cal holes in someone and giving them the choice of going away or getting ventilated some more is far better than having only harsh language as your defense. A round or two to the face, neck or throat would end it pretty fast though.
Besides, getting shot HURTS.
Tomken8d2 Sometimes "better than nothing" is not good enough, but i would rather be launching 25acp rounds into someone than a knife fight. and actually most people dont even know they got shot until after the fight has ended, especially with lower calibers. when they are fighting you, their adrynaline is up and cant feel pain. i would rather have a 25 or 22 than a pointy stick, but i would not bet my life on it stopping someone.
Brandon_ 7.62x39
Try for the face. A single .22 short in an eye or throat will end it.
At least you have a fighting chance.
Try running around as much as you can after you put a few holes in your assailant. Make him run around. His body will realize much faster that he's VERY hurt.
Tomken8d2 well i carry a 9mm hollow point so i dont have to worry about it.
Some times small things still get the job done!
+Terminxman You must be angry at some female in your family. LOL
Sometimes? How bout all the time. My friend told me a story about a (prick) supervisor everyone hated being shot by one of these .25s in the face and chest down on the Detroit docks late night. He was a 6'6" bear of a man and it killed him all the same. The supposed shooter was arrested, charged with murder but beat the case.
Fear any firearm. They were made to do one thing-kill.
+SkinnyMedic It's the MOPED of the gun world. It gets no respect but If it's all you can afford it will get your ass where it needs to go.
@@rayhanes1347 not all they literally make ammo thats made not to kill and there are guns that are literally made for precision target shooting yes they can be used for killing but thats not the only purpose for all firearms also guns arent what needs to be feared people are cause without a person or something else manipulating it it can do no good or bad its an inanimate object
I searched far and wide this is the only video that I could find of the Saturday night special being broke down and put back together thank you brother 🙌
wow, my grandfather left me one of these pistols when he passed! Thank you so much for the review!
I bought one today for $50.00 came with a pocket holster 2 mags and a carry pouch #Winning 😎
Are you selling yours? I am cash ready
Still Got it???🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤪🤪🤪🤪
😆
M.A.G.A
Where did you. Buy your 25
I enjoy your reviews of these kind of guns. ...everyone does the modern hk's, and shields and glocks etc. it's fun to see real reviews on obscure kind of forgotten or looked over guns...even crappy guns still need to be reviewed :)
I just bought this little gun and was shocked at how good it shoots. I paid $100 for it with a 100rds of .25acp-in today’s market I think that’s pretty decent. I sure don’t regret buying it!
That's a helluva good deal
Wow! Thanks fellas, I was thinkin the same thing. I paid $28 a box for PMC fmj but it really runs pretty good. Found an extra mag on eBay new old stock for $19 he’s got a few more.
I bought mine in 97 for 35 bucks still shoots great
friend of mine has one new in the box .. it was her dad's... I cleaned it a few years ago ... cool litt piece of history. . the king of Saturday night special lol
I carried one as a back up gun when I was with the Sheriff's office in the early 1980s, Duty weapon was a .357 Magnum.
I have to say, it never failed and was decently accurate. Long live the Raven! 👍😁
I miss my little .22. It was reliable but it DID stovepipe occasionally. Maybe because I didn't clean it often enough.
Growing up, I'd always thought that the Saturday Night Special was a cheaply-made revolver, because that's what I was seeing criminals use on television from the late '70s to mid '80s, and the cops always seemed to use the term. Thanks for an interesting video.
The real saturday night special is laminated steel framed revolver. Look it up is cool a shit. However this gun and few other cheap ones started the whole"saturday night spacial" trend
I always thought the same thing, maybe a small .38spl. that could be carried in a pocket.
@@wizardofahhhs759 The term came to prominence around the passage of the firearms act of 1968 that made it difficult to import small and non-steel framed firearms into the U.S. Predictably, domestic companies filled the void for affordable handguns. SNS was widely used for these domestically produced arms including both "Ring of Fire" pistols made in California like the Raven and cheep revolvers assembled in Florida. Many of these revolvers were chambered in .22 lr and .32 S&W long, with .38 special being the high end.
Hey, that was an awesome video, thanks. You were straight to the point, you highlighted important issues and didn't put me to sleep. You didn't hick up once and waste time on unnecessary BS. Had a Raven back in 87, was able to find one at a gun show last weekend. Your video brought me back to speed on the Raven, Thanks again, Edward
I have the original p-25 wood plated handle and there really good guns. great video
so do i
@@allenbowers1970 I just traded into the original with the 6 serial numbers and slide safety (that always flips to safe after each shot), but it says "Model MP-25" on the side of the slide.. It doesn't say "P-25"
Thanks for the video, back in the 80's carried one on duty for awhile as a last resort backup. Hadn't thought about that firearm in quite some time. Thanks again
Be warned... When I took mine apart for the first time the spring and retainer flew across the room. The retainer traveled 12 feet.
lmao.. sounds like what would happen to me, if i took mine apart.... haven't in 30yrs and i don't plan too any time soon
I’m in the same boat. It happened to me actually while putting it back together
Now you tell me ... lol
Further then the bullet travels
Lmao yup
The very first gun I ever bought was a Lorcin .25 acp in a pawn shop in Presque Isle, Maine for $60. It's long gone, but I still have a soft spot for Ring of Fire .25's.
I acquired one earlier this year. Early model p-25. Your video was instrumental to learning how to field strip it and clean it. Thank you very much for posting this.
Wow!! Today I took off the wooden grips so that I could stain them and it had a date of November 2nd, 1975. Now that I'm looking at the safety, it is an original slide safety. Thanks for all of the information!
I fixed a few of them. The biggest problem with malfunctions you can find under the right side grip cover. A little piece of flat medal that pops out and causes it to misfire and sometimes jam. A couple pieces of duct tape on the grip to hold that piece of medal in tighter solves it. A good polishing of the chamber slide ramp to a mirror finish helps a lot to smooth out the feeding
In the 1970's my dad had a friend who had one of these pistols. He said that it was cheap, accurate and looked good with the faux mother of pearl grips. Thanks for the vid...
Hey this video is really cool. You did a good job. I was very interested in this review because my aunt bought this pistol over 30 years ago as her first gun and now I know more about this pistol.
An intelligent review by an intelligent man. No "bubbaisms" just common sense and truth!!! Keep up the great work!!! :^)
I had two of these pistols back in the ‘80s and wish I’d kept them. Great little guns, and I’ve always been a fan of the .25 ACP. I think one of the things that makes the .25 so lethal, as evidenced by the case study you mentioned, is that I would guess most times when it’s employed for defense it’s up close where the chance of missing is slim and most people will shoot til it’s empty. And it doesn’t matter how big and bad someone is, if somebody does a Mag dump of 7-8 rounds of 50gr FMJ at point blank range on you, you’ve got that many 1/4” holes you’re leaking out of and 350-400gr of hot metal bouncing around inside you breaking bones and tearing thru organs. At that point most humans are done, and if you have to run away they definitely won’t be in any shape to chase after you. Say what you will but it effectively puts metal into bodies, which is the main objective in a self defense situation. Great video, thanks. 👍
Palmetto State Armory has 25ACP ammo as cheap as $11.99 for a box a 50 rounds.
Back in the 90s bought a Phoenix 25 auto , first pistol ever owned, my wife, 2 kids loved this little pistol shot it probably 1000 rounds all us shooting it never jammed great little gun, 99 dollars lol 👍 course my son and myself went to a lot larger calibers, but it was fun sold it for what I paid for it.💯
I had one of these when I was 16. Got it for $100. Loved it. Sold mine for $90 and a pair of brass knuckles. Would love to get my hands on one legally this time for nostalgia.
I have had mine since 1995 .love it
A superb job, sir. Clear, professional and easy to understand.
I picked one of these up for $30 today. It was just really cool to see it in the showroom and it’s just going to sit in my safe as a fun antique. It does function fully.
Enjoyed this video. I own a Raven, the one with the sliding safety.
6 altercations with this boy ended up killing aggressors. That's good.
As they always say, " I'd rather be missed by a 44mag, than hit by a 25acp"... (I hear that all the time too) 😅😂🤣
My first gun, I love it, someone could say that this gun is a trash gun, but in a danger situation (and correct situation for use it, like an knife attack) gonna be your best friend!
I used to have one of these about 20 years ago. I really liked it, and wish I would have kept it.
My mother-in-law has that same gun in her nightstand. I jams/fails to eject on almost every shot. I have cleaned it thoroughly for her and still jams.
I've had a raven 25 for 20yrs.. I've shot alot thru it..never any problems
My first firearm, still have it, still works
Bought one from my Uncle recently. Wanted it to add to my collection plus another caliber to have. Neat little firearms.
This was very helpful. My landlady knew I liked guns and was about to get rid of her dead mom's Raven MP-25 when she asked me if I wanted it. I really just looked this up on YT to figure out how to clean it. Thanks for the takedown instructions. It's easier to clean than my last purchase - a Ruger LC9s (which was a pain in the ass to clean but had this cute lil muddy girl pink camo design. ;) ) Anyhoo, thanks!
Really appreciated the bloopers at the end. Points me in the right direction. You produce great content and it's informative to see some of your equipment. I have to produce a video some day soon.
Bought one from my brother before he died. Damn good little gun and something i can look at and remember him.
The day I turned 21 (1973) I bought a Raven .25 A.C.P. for $39.99 plus tax! And CCW carried it say Life was more important than Laws. It worked when properly cleaned and lubed. I also in later years bought a Jennings .22 L.R. for $49.99 and like the Raven properly maintained worked most of the time.
I saw an incident when someone was shot with the .25 a.c.p. at close range. That person was hit in the ankle just below the bone, it passed through one side of his sock, flesh missing the bone and stopped by the other side of his sock! Took him about 5 minutes after walking away to start going into shock and almost passing out before the help arrived.
The shooter took 1 shot and jumped out a second story window retreating as fast as he could never to be seen again.
I am cash ready if your selling
Great review! I had the pleasure of meeting George Jennings and his wife Lotte back in the '70s; they were close friends of my buddy's parents. Really nice folks, but even then, they were embroiled in lawsuits from people who'd been shot by guns George had made.I later acquired a Raven MP-25 as well as a Jennings J-22, and found both of them to be more reliable than my little old Bauer .25. Mouse pistols are kinda cool!
Love the mouse guns and Saturday night specials. Keep 'em coming!
I love this little gun, honestly, mainly because of what it stood for. It may have been total crap during its time, but it provided working-class folks with a small self-defense firearm that they could carry on a daily basis that was simple to service at a time when the US government was more or less attempting to restrict firearm ownership to the rich and white.
Kim Alatore ooooo burnnnnn spot on
Kim Alatore Yeah, it was an incredible plan. Convince adult black men to sell crack to black children. And those black drug dealers, who were just following orders of President Reagan, were held responsible for stealing the future of so many black children. The injustice of it all. Those Adult black crack dealers were the real victims. They should be given reparations!!!!
its honestly a waste of time even trying to understand the logic of cat ladies. people like them are just pathologically obsessed with hating themselves for being white, its like some weird masochist fetish for them to destroy and weaken themselves. she is probably some single mother who raised her son to be submissive in all social situations. its all so tiring how they think that saturday night specials were a good thing for the black community
Kim Alatore racist self hating b1tch
Kim Alatore "but, y'know" keep blaming it on white people. racist b1tch, wtf do you know about black people?
The nice thing about the older models with the sliding safety was you could rack the slide and if you pull it back far enough it would disengage the safety but an issue is if you don't you could chamber a round but not turn off the safety
I got one for my 12th birthday. I can remember only loading four rounds at a time because any more would cause it to jam.
Probably a magazine issue.
My grandfather carried one of these ('71 p-25) in his pocket for 25 years. he knew it was illegal in CA, but he lived in Lynwood and took the bus every day to McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach.
We still have it, only issue we've had was when my father successfully put it together with the striker backwards (long section forward)
I have one myself great little pocket gun.I also have larger caliber guns also.The one bit of advice I would give to someone wanting one of these guns is that as long as it hits it target any gun will do
I have a nickel plated M-25 with wood grip panels that I bought around 1980. It's in fine shape with only about 50 rounds through it.
Just bought one before 60 bucks, and bought a JA 9mm a week ago for 100 bucks. 2 pistols for 160 greenbacks? No complaints here.
GODBLESS AMERICA AND THE ARMED PUBLIC........SMALL PISTOLS I ALWAYS TAKE HIDDEN TO MY SURF TRIPS TO MEXICO....YOU ARE DEAD WITHOUT PROTECTION...EVEN ,25!!!!! BETTER THAN NOTHING ELSE!!!! AMERICA .....FEAR THE PUBLIC...WE WILL ATTACK WHEN NEEDED!!!!!
Tom Thompson wtf
I am considering concealed carry, and yes I do have the first version. This was a helpful video, Thank You.
My grandpa passed away this pass week my mother gave me this fire arm after watching this video and the fact it was my grandpa’s I appreciate the fire arm so much more
I've had one of these for about 33 years..bought it for something to carry while out hiking in boondocks, mountain biking, cross-country skiing or what have you and I didn't want to carry something more expensive and worry about dropping it in mud or snow or whatever. Say what you will about 'cheap Saturday night specials'..never had a misfire or malfunction with mine and it goes off every time I pull the trigger. Keep it clean and oiled and it works fine. Since have replaced it with a .380 ACP pistol for a 'carry piece' but still have my Raven just because it's a cool little pistol.
I used to want one of these little Ravens back in the mid 80's just as a neat little range toy.
I have never thought of. 25 acp as a great defensive round. I do think it's better than a stick or bare hands.
It's amazing that so many of them still look so well. They actually held up over time than many guns of far better quality. Half the time I ever see these, if they're not destroyed from abuse and years of use, they are in excellent condition. That Zamak and pot-metal and whatever the hell they coat it with just doesn't seem to corrode or oxidize like the steel used in most higher quality guns.
I love this little gun for just plinking targets. Partially because it's so hard to hit anything with it. You feel like you accomplished something when you do! LOL!
Mine is nickel finish with black grips. Keep it loaded with Glaser frangible ammo. Accurate, fun to shoot and fills a niche to have a Saturday Night Special. Paid $40 new from a guy selling them out of his car trunk at a gun show in 2006.
I used to love buying guns out of people's trunks at gun shows! I have found many great deals like that. You brought back a lot of good memories with that comment.
All these little pocket pistols are awesome!
My dad had one when I was a kid growing up pretty sure he let it go with a few other odd guns. Gonna try to go pick one up cause from what I remember it’s a fun gun to shoot
Bought one for $40 over 20 years ago. Still have it, still works like new. It's a cool little piece.
Great video, I've owned many of them and they just work 😂😂
Since about 1987 I've owned numerous ones..very good little pistol.
Like these pocket pistol reviews. Thank you (like your other reviews, too!).
I carry one I don’t have a lot of money these days but having this makes me feel 100 percent better
I never had any cal of the Jennings, Raven, and Bryco family OTHER than the .22LR.
I have 3, and they all are very accurate with Mini Mags.
I was given a crap ton of .25 acp. I saw one for 129 I bought it cause it was the first one I have seen in a long time…
Just took over my grandfather’s after he passed now I just replaced the firing pin in it I’m excited for it now
I worked in convient store in 1981, had a Tauras Mod. 66 (old style) hidden under the counter. Sometimes you're stocking a cooler and you're away from the counter, so I bought a Raven P-25 and a wallet holster as a back up. It was a good little shooter. Thank God never needed to use either.
I used to carry these in the very old days. Then went to a 2 in .38 snubby. NOBODY believes me that I have never had any jams! Whats great about the Raven is the short barrel makes the gun very loud for a .25 ACP so if I point and shot human nature would seem to make people run. Thank god I never have used any gun. It tends to make you very mellow because if you get in a normal fight you might end up killing the other guy and going to prison, not worth the hassle. Also as a young man I understood that even if I "won a case of self defense shooting" in court I would effectively bankrupt my family with legal bills. CA is always been tough on gun owners. Also I never want to kill another human.
Thanks for the great video!
Very informative and i bought one off the street back in 93
I missed the part where the slide comes back and gouges out the top of your hand, the only problem this gun had. The Colt 1908, .25 did not have that problem. The Colt also had two safeties.
I liked and carried the Raven for a time, good cheap gun, a fun gun to buy...
I carried one for that miserable time when your six shot revolver needed to reload, and they would rush you, that little .25 filled that gap...
I turned one I got for free into a gun buyback program for $250.00, and then turned that into a GSG 522.
Thanks for the accurate comment on these little guns. I have had one since 1986. I have recently seen a few videos again. Mine has been very reliable. I as you said have not shot it a lot. I don't carry it because I have better options now but we didn't have much money at the time my Stepfather had purchased 2 of them as stow away guns for us.
I used to work at a restaurant / bar and I found a few Ravens in the garbage in the restroom when I did my clean up on nights that the police decided to take a stroll in the bar.
Did you keep them? Hell I would
I had one of these that's a twin to this one. I liked it, it seemed to always shoot as long as you clean and I'll it.
I have a P-25 with the wood grip and slide safety that was passed down from my 100 year old great grandmother who died. It was recently cleaned and the slide had degraded to the point where it likely hadn’t had an active safety feature in over a decade. Great little pocket monster though.
Back in the 70's, I bought a case of them and gave them out one Xmas. Some are still with us to this day.I got them for about $30. A gun- not bad for a case of 12. Just saying.
Love ya, mean it.
Rev Dr Jeff
25 acp punch by Federal is a good choice. Buffalo bore is too
Omg I found one of these in the back of my aunts closet this week when I was visiting her. I cleaned it up and bought a ton of ammo and shot a ton of ammo through it. It's a fun cheapo gun with a slightly cool history. I like .22lr but in a pistol the 25 is WAY better. And yes .25 ACP pocket pistols are super cool for range fun but not self defense.
quite a few dead people would likely disagree with you.
UnitCrane514 can you shoot 22 in it
Why were you going through your aunt's closet
I'm a fan of these...my ma passed one down to me a colt and now I look for them when they are at the gun shop used
Cheesey song, cool little blaster
I am truly in love with these guns. But I am surprised and happy to see you shoot a full mag without a jam. And furthermore I am happy that you didn't get a broken firing pin like all of mine suffered from.
I carry one of these nearly every day of my life, have been for just shy of 16 years now.
I sold a bunch of these back when I was FFL. Still have a couple.
+betatalk357 You talkin' to me?
+betatalk357 & STC Condo Hilarious..
Do you have any 10rd magazines I have one but I want it to poke out
You willing to let go of one of em?! If so, you've got a buyer! Get back to me, please and thank you!
Trying to sell?
The side profile of this gun reminds me of a High Point Compact due to the size and shape of the slide compared to the frame and grip. Anyhow..quality video as usual!
I bought my little 25 at a flea market in the early 1990's paid like $69.00 plus tax ,Still have it today ...I love shooting it but the rounds are expensive...This ole pistol has never given me any problems
I got a Jennings 25 cal used. Not a scratch maybe unfired..love it so much I put custom grips on it.
probably cost more than the pistol
This was my first gun
My dad had one way back in the day in the 70s, I remember one time the police chased some robbers into a house a few blacks down from us on the other side of the railroad tracks. He walked around the house continue the check the doors and windows to be sure their locked. He carried it everywhere in his pocket or on a holster he had. one time he took us all outshoot cans (My MOM wasn't thrilled about it), one time we was target shooting and then the slide broke, it was the you show in the small window that was blued.
I worked as a Forensic Anthropologist (UMass 1975) in the Norfolk and Plymouth Counties in the late 1970's. The P-25 was responsible for several one round homicides.Organized crime used these as well. Good review.
I had one in the late 70s,dependable as long as you clean it! Nice rear pocket gun!