Although rare, .25 ACP revolvers were produced in the early twentieth century by Belgian, French, and German gunmakers such as Adolph Frank and Decker.

[8] The .25 ACP is viewed by some, including Gun Digest magazine, as a solid choice[clarification needed] for personal defense handguns due to its small size, low recoil, centerfire primer and effective penetration.

However, more modern ammunition offerings from manufacturers such as Buffalo Bore hard cast lead, Federal "Punch" and Hornady Critical Defense are designed to be closer to the cartridge's full potential.

[17][18] However, urban legends about the .25 ACP's inadequacy (such as claims that a .25 will bounce off a skull or be stopped by thick clothing)[19] are inconsistent with the cartridge's historically proven track record.

Vasily Blokhin, Joseph Stalin's chief executioner, killed 7,000 people in the Katyn massacre using only a Walther Model 2 pocket pistol chambered in .25 ACP.

This short barrel length limits the velocity and energy that a .25 can offer and contributes to the myth that the .25 ACP is less powerful than the .22 Long Rifle.