25 ACP vs. 22 LR: Bigger Isn’t Always Better

By Wes Littlefield

Last Updated: Jul 21, 2025

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Wes Littlefield

Guns have fascinated Wes since pulling the trigger on his BB gun as a kid. He built a private gun range over a decade ago to keep his skills sharp. He loves breaking down complex ideas into understandable pieces for readers, with expertise in hunting and all aspects of shooting.

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Wes Littlefield, "25 ACP vs. 22 LR: Is One Better Than the Other?"
(https://ammo.com/comparison/25-acp-vs-22lr)

25 ACP vs. 22 LR isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison. The 25 ACP (aka 25 Auto) is a centerfire cartridge, whereas the 22 LR is a rimfire cartridge. The 25 ACP was designed to replace the 22 LR … so why hasn’t it?

25 ACP vs. 22 LR: At a Glance

What's the Difference Between 25 ACP and 22 LR?

The primary difference between the 25 ACP and the 22 LR is this: the 25 ACP is a centerfire cartridge, whereas the 22 LR is a rimfire cartridge. These cartridges also have different dimensions.

Now that we have a grasp on the differences in design, let's discuss how they affect real-world performance.

Which Is Better for Self-Defense?

Shop 22 LR Ammo

One might assume that the 25 ACP's larger bullet and conception as a concealed carry cartridge make it the better option for self-defense – but that's simply not the case.

The primary reason some people choose to carry the 25 ACP over the 22 LR is that the latter promises more reliable ignition (more on that in a bit). The 22 LR exhibits greater striking energy and deeper penetration. More pistols chambered for it are also available. On the downside, 22 LR bullets tend to expand less following impact. Worse yet, rimfire primers generally aren't as reliable as centerfire ones.

Neither of these cartridges is my go-to for self-defense. Both fail to satisfy FBI standards for terminal ballistics. Bearing that in mind, I believe 22 LR to be the better of the two by a slim margin. If you're looking for a more capable pocket pistol option, our 25 ACP vs. 9mm comparison shows just how much stopping power you gain by stepping up to the 9mm.

Ignition Reliability

Shop 25 ACP Ammo

In my experience, 25 ACP firearms don't cycle reliably. I never made it through a full magazine with my grandpa's pistol without a jam, even if I'd just cleaned it. This could very well have just been a quirk with his pistol, but it definitely turned me off of the 25 ACP.

I've also had many jams and failures to fire with 22 LR, so I wouldn't consider it very reliable, either.

That said, the 25 ACP is the more dependable of the two by sheer virtue of the fact that centerfire primers are more reliable by design.

Gun Variety

I prefer to have lots of options. This is especially true regarding guns.

The 22 LR has been chambered in more firearms than any other cartridge. I own multiple 22 LR rifles and pistols and have fired 22 LR revolvers.

Shop 22 LR Ammo

The 25 ACP remains limited to pocket pistols and a handful of revolvers. It has not been chambered in nearly as many firearms as the 22 LR.

The 22 LR has a much greater variety of guns to choose from. It therefore wins this section.

Stopping Power

Many arguments have been had over the meaning of "stopping power." This is primarily due to the term having different meanings to different shooters. Some place an emphasis on penetration, wound channel diameter, or energy transfer. Others believe the term encompasses all three aspects of terminal performance. What they all can agree on is this: shot placement counts for nearly everything.

25 ACP bullets tend to expand wider and more reliably than 22 LR bullets. Even when a 25 ACP bullet fails to expand (which is usually the case owing to its relatively low muzzle velocity and light weight), its wider diameter enables it to inflict a wider wound channel.

That's where the benefits of the 25 ACP end. The 22 LR bullet tends to penetrate deeper, as well as transfer more energy to the target. It can therefore be argued to have greater stopping power.

The 22 LR might be the smaller round, but it packs more punch and wins this section.

Cost & Availability

The 22 LR is the most prolific cartridge in the world. That, plus its small size, means it is very affordable and readily available. 22 LR firearms and ammo are some of the cheapest you can find.

The 25 ACP has become largely obsolete since its introduction to the market in 1905, and is far more difficult to find as a result. Though some places (such as Ammo.com) still carry 25 ACP ammunition, it's far more expensive than 22 LR ammo. Firearms chambered for it are also much more expensive and harder to find.

The 22 LR is less costly, more readily available, and easily wins this section.

Ballistics

The team at Ammo.com has gathered ballistic data for both cartridges so you can quickly compare their velocity, energy, and trajectory.

25 ACP Ballistics

Note: This information is provided by ammunition manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from advertised ballistics. Additionally, ballistics can vary from lot to lot, even with the same brand and type of load.

22 LR Ballistics

Note: This information is provided by ammunition manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from advertised ballistics. Additionally, ballistics can vary from lot to lot, even with the same brand and type of load.

Parting Shots: 25 ACP vs. 22 LR

The 22 LR outperforms the 25 ACP in most instances, including self-defense, variety of available guns, stopping power, ballistics, and cost/availability. The 25 ACP only outperforms the 22 LR in terms of ignition reliability (and it's not all that much better in that regard).

It's clear why the 22 LR has remained the world's favorite cartridge while the 25 ACP has drifted into obscurity. It's arguably better for defense, but its indisputable greater utility for target shooting and small game hunting are what really account for its incomparably greater popularity. For small game specifically, our 22 LR hollow point ammo page narrows things to the expanding loads.

Written by

Wes Littlefield