Restoration of .25 ACP Pistol: left to rot in a flooded garage

Thanks to Kamikoto knives for sponsoring this video! Here's a link to their store:
kamikoto.com/BackyardBallistics
Today I'm saving an old 25 ACP pistol that was recently involved in a garage flooding, refinishing and repairing it. I'll take the opportunity to show you in detail how hot bluing works, and what is the best way to do it on a small scale.
A special thanks goes to Michelangelo Neri Orliani for helping in the making of this project
If you can and want to help me making videos like this, you can directly support me on Patreon:
/ backyardballistics
with your help, I can keep making educational content without having to give up my freedom of speech to the advertiser's needs.

[@nicomeier8098]

Best restoration channel I've found. No fakes, lots of explanation, nice restoration objects, no irritating music.

[@highly_developed_bs_detect230]

if this is the resto channel found u need help !! hes crap i woudnt let him touch shit of myne my m8 4 real !

[@trithedoge8205]

@@highly_developed_bs_detect230 I think you need to retrain your bs detector

[@Pyxis10]

He admits he lightly faked a thumbnail.

[@aregulargenericname8794]

​@@Pyxis10but never guns themselves

[@ImRadarr]

@@Pyxis10which thumbnail? and i feel its justified as he does need to get more views bcuz views = money

[@fireblade95]

All machines , even guns are a part of our engineering history and a sample of each should be preserved

[@danielmcmahon6194]

“But the boom boom sticks are scary!” The people okay with historical guns being destroyed in a gun buyback.

[@pewpew9193]

@@danielmcmahon6194 Gun "buybacks" are pure stupidity. Not only is it tyrannical & shouldn't be tolerated under any circumstances, how can they "buy back" something they never owned?

[@tonyrome655]

Yep, they need to call it what it really is, “Citizen Disarming”.

[@letonyzur6284]

"even"? i think you mean "especially"

[@danielmcmahon6194]

Exactly, that’s what happened in the uk. Everything on par with what the military used has been banned and literally everyone thinks that’s ok. “If you wanna use them then join the army.” But what about when the military takes over and it becomes a dictatorship are we just gonna sit there and respond “how deep sir?” When told to suck it up? Those same people are gonna be like “if only we had the guns to defend ourselves.” And im just gonna be sitting there like “I said this several times and what did you do? Call me crazy now look what’s happened.”

[@testname4464]

Fun fact about the .25 ACP cartridge, it was designed to have very similar ballistics to .22lr, only in a rimless design so it works better in auto-loading pistols.

[@davidabest7195]

Yet in practice the .25 falls behind the .22 in every way 😂

[@scottdunn2178]

.25 ACP is semi-rimmed not rimless. Same for .32 ACP.

[@tweeleaf]

cool to know.

[@jerryseinfeld1345]

@David Abest No it doesnt fall behind 22lr. In a pocket pistol it penetrates more than 22 and leaves a bigger hole. Was designed to have 22lr rifle power in a pistol. Blame the ammo companies for underpowering the ammo so it doesn't blow up 100 year old guns. Reloads can get a 50 grain bullet at over 950 fps out of a pocket pistol. That is much faster than even the best 22lr out of a gun the same size.

[@benmaneson4420]

@@davidabest7195 How do you know? The .25 is slightly more powerful. In comparison to a "normal" .22 LR.

[@somecoder3054]

That is indeed the most unexpected and inconspicous way of transitioning into a sponsorship segment I've seen. Also, absolutely love the work you've done. .25 and .32s are adorable little plinkers and I'm actually glad this was saved.

[@danielleriley2796]

Yes but the knives are a total scam with everything said about them a LIE. You can buy the same knife off a supermarket shelf in Australia for about $20. One major supermarket gave one nice looking knife made of this steel away for free when you purchased $150 of groceries. So…. Also just watch reviewers of these scam knives.

[@kellynolen498]

@@danielleriley2796 yeah there a scam they do look cool in that wood case but as far as its edge just buy an easy electric sharpener and keep your knives sharp no nees to buy them sharp in the first place plus there nothing special

[@davidp.6871]

I have a soft spot for pocket pistols, fantastic work!

[@xnnxjdzuhxxnzjz2836]

Same for some reason I just loved them over other guns

[@PhilJLF]

What’s your favorite caliber?

[@testname4464]

Pocket pistols are just so darn cute.

[@unlearningcommunism4742]

Zastava used to make a lovely P-25 Crna Dama (check dumdum channel)

[@davidpalpatine243]

Yeah, they are a more elegant weapon than a rifle

[@whitwyatt415]

There is a saying here in America, "you can't polish a turd" but that's about the best polishing job I've ever seen! Love your videos, and your knowledge of chemicals and chemical processes is incredible. Thank you so much for your efforts to preserve and continue generations old artisanry and craftsmanship that is dying out all over our globe.

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

I had a galesia Brescia 25 acp years ago and had a little flap holster with a lanyard too was a bring back from Italy I've never seen another like it

[@loganosmolinski4446]

Boop

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

They are quite common here😉

[@elpaso5947]

How common are the 22 short versions

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

@@elpaso5947 commercially I would say that 22 short could be common but I don't know much about them enough to know I know mine was in pristine shape had a flap holster lanyard and was 25 acp and I liked it for a fun pistol

[@jeffjeannette9364]

The badge is unique. Great job. Stovepipe jams are common in most mouse guns, no matter what condition there in. The fact that you were able to save it speaks on the quality of the original manufacturer, as well as your skills to revive that quality.

[@joep6706]

Exactly. These pistols were known for their exceptional quality, very impressive accuracy and can command prices of over $1,000.

[@Anonymous-ks8el]

Restoration content does very well on KZbin. Consider using a story format and don't be afraid to elaborate with explanation and your reasoning in the process, especially in regards to the firearm components (for the viewers who watch restoration content and not much firearms content)

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Thanks for suggesting, I appreciate feedback

[@salted6422]

Indeed, I don't usually watch these sorts of videos, but the detailed explanations on what and why captivated me.

[@matthewellisor5835]

While these are techniques which many know, your clear and concise presentation is the sort that is helpful for both someone who's restored dozens and for someone who would otherwise be too nervous to try. Outstanding work! Thank you.

[@MrTheBigNoze]

Dicing the ballistic gel was a great way to incorporate the sponsor segment 😂

[@johnners911]

When you live in a place where guns are not accessible, this little beauty looks to be 100% worth restoring! Very interesting video and well detailed processes. Thank you.

[@zacharytribou2728]

You know you are a good tinkerer, when you have something that even you want to throw away, and you end up taking it apart and fixing it anyway, and that is a skill that I envy more people had, as it would make the world a better place

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

That's a fair point😉

[@MatSpeedle]

Excellent job! It's so refreshing to find a firearms restoration video that's actually real and shows many real world processes. Fantastic stuff!

[@broadstken]

It's nice to see a video like this where it doesn't immediately go to wire wheels, electrolysis and drain cleaner. I've seen so many old guns ruined on youtube by people who clearly have no idea what they are doing. Keep up the good work!

[@arthurmoore9488]

I'll have you know all of those things (except the drain cleaner) are awesome when I'm restoring something like a vise or an ax! Primarily because I don't feel like building a large enough container for the metal, and I'm too lazy to find a good chemical supplier. Seriously, if you own a home never use drain cleaner! It's not just bad for pipes, if you ever have to call a plumber you're hosed!

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

I love watching these thank you for making cool videos with guns

[@galenw2339]

I was given one of these by a widow after her husband passed away. How neat to see one make an appearance on one of my favorite KZbin channels.

[@matteckert6676]

Ive seen so many of these where the person all of the sudden has a brand new looking gun. Its nice to see how it actually looks

[@1969triumph]

I too found this to be one of the most informative videos I have watched on stripping & re bluing . This was the first time I have seen someone using boiling water before starting a rebuild. Thank you for posting . Paul.

[@creamcheeser2465]

Man, I get to watch beautiful guns get restored AND he fires them? This is wonderful

[@SpecialEDy]

I have one of these in my pocket right now! The .25 is really pleasant even in such a small package. It will hit a torso sized steel target at 25 yards extremely reliably

[@someguy2741]

The firing sequence at the end reminded me of an old show "Sledgehammer". The lead character carried a huge pistol and it was a spoof of dirty harry. One show is gun was stolen and he was given a tiny gun. He pulls it out to shoot at a mugger and fires a bunch of shots. The guy runs away. He swears that he had the guy in his sights. They walk towards to spot where the mugger was and halfway there (3m maybe) they find the bullets just laying on the ground. "Ooooohhhh they didnt even make it there". Everytime I see the tiny Baby Browning sized pistols I think of that.

[@REXOB9]

Thanks, great video. It amazes me that you can turn a pile of rust back into a firearm. Your explanation of the chemistry behind rusting and bluing is much appreciated, as well as the advice to avoid the geyser of flesh-eating solution! I didn't know about re-zincing brass, so that is very cool.

[@jerryseinfeld1345]

Oh please it was in a flooded garage for a few days... That is nothing.

[@G273Outdoors]

Thanks for sharing and as a gun enthusiast myself, I believe ALL guns are worth restoring! I can only imagine the stories that gun could tell!

[@NachozMan]

Not really worth restoring for use, but totally worth for history preservation and putting on the shelf! Wonderful show piece, the tiny bullets are so cute lol.

[@jamesreynolds852]

Those tiny bullets have been known to kill some people before.

[@jerryseinfeld1345]

All these people saying its good to put on the shelf but not use... No its very good to use, you can kill a hog in a trap with it. You think its weak? Volunteer to get shot in the foot with it. I'll give a man $200 and only an idiot would take it.

[@felixcat9318]

I've always liked the .25 ACP Baby Browning Clones, which, with appropriate shot placement, are capable of providing self defence protection. The owner of Cold Steel speaks of this calibre repeatedly putting down armed home intruders in South Africa, in the capable hands of someone he knows, whom is very pleased with his tiny pistol. It was really nice to see this little gun be given another chance of life. The FBI shooting statistics established that a surprisingly large number of people lose their lives to .22 Rimfire and .25 ACP rounds, with the real eye opener being the numbers of recorded one shot stops...

[@pewpew9193]

You also have to see the enormous jump in percentage of failures to stop (attacker wasn't physically incapacitated regardless of number of shots) when you look at any caliber weaker than .380 ACP. The tiny calibers can save your life, but they are decidedly less effective than "service" calibers.

[@felixcat9318]

@@pewpew9193 Shot placement is everything when dealing with small calibre personal defense weapons.

[@zhongkui5073]

The 25 Ortgies is a thing of beauty;

[@williamr1499]

You are my favorite restoration content Creator. Thank you for speaking through your process and not doing the silent film junk. I literally wish there was a function for me to block every silent restoration film. Just wanted to say I appreciate your work all the way from Oklahoma City Oklahoma.

[@JustAPersonWhoComments]

No annoying music, plenty of info, beautiful shots, masterful work.

[@Regmou5]

i have to applaud you for coming up with this type of content, combining guns, restoration, science, history and even a knife sponsor like this is something i haven't seen before and very original.

[@Chainsaw2373]

This is absolutely the best restoration channel I’ve seen. You teach the audience as you go with great detail and then fire the firearm to prove that it functions properly again. Great job.

[@ronaldheak1637]

As you say it is a fire arm not worth restoring. But it is a piece of history saved for future generations to appreciate. Excellent work. Well done

[@TheBanania49]

Thanks fo sharing ! I'm amazed at how well your restaurations turns out. Keep up the good work !

[@emmanuelmonge6965]

its so nice to see a series of these where it is a real restoration effort and not just a brand new item that somebody deep fried. keep up the great work.

[@jamessotherden5909]

You took a piece of junk and turned it into a shooter. Well done, Sir.

[@Iskalawagz24]

That gun is worth restoring. it may be worthless, but still it is a adorable little pistol.

[@katyushaslab7635]

Fantastic work, and very helpful video documenting the process!

[@BloodFourBlood]

I love these videos so much. So relaxing to watch and the finished results is always satisfying.

[@500_niko]

Every one of these in this condition are worth restoring! They don’t make them anymore and they are hard to get I would have gladly bought that rust piece 🤝😂

[@leveractiongypsy1848]

Thats really amazing results you get thanks for sharing this knowledge. I cold blued a vintage barrel before and while it came out nice looking, you can tell its not the same durability as a hot blued with how easy it scratches in comparison. I look forward to learning more about this process...thank you!

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

Always didactic and educational. Loved that little gun and the restoration process. Thanks for sharing, mate.

[@bradleywaters8857]

Extremely impressed with how knowledgeable you are. Excellent job!

[@Vtfilamguy]

Super satisfying presentation thank you very much, looking forward to the next one.

[@stevefamfive]

Would you ever consider doing a video on de-chroming or removing nickel plate from a gun? Thank you for the videos. They are well-produced and quite informative.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

I will definitely do it, I just need to wait for another rustbucket that needs re-plating😉

[@miledgaming4762]

@@Backyard.Ballistics I once found a really rusty rifle, but I couldn’t find it after a while

[@chrisgutierrez4877]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I feel the same way, I share and teach as much as I can about firearms to anyone who shows interest. Knowledge should be shared by all. Keep up the great work love your content.

[@crookedthomray7273]

I never thought a channel surrounding ballistics and guns would sell me on kitchen knifes.. Btw your the only channel i watch consistently restore gun , simply because you explain every step very well and give the reasons as to why that step is taken and applied 💝 keep it up

[@REVOLVER_NOIR]

Excellent work! That Brescia looks beautiful 🤩

[@mathy4605]

I hope you can find more rusty old pieces to restore. I love this series!

[@bpdqbpdq]

This was super interesting to learn! Bluing is amazing!

[@tongravity5668]

Very nice job,thank you for sharing your knowledge and practical hints!

[@kajetandziebaj6405]

I really like that you show how to get out of a messy situation. Not everything goes according to plan and that's something you don't see too often how to fix it.

[@TimParker-Chambers]

This was a fantastic video, chemistry and metallurgy used as art, thankyou very much 👍👍👍👍

[@WSmogpule]

Not only do you show and tell, you even give the concentrations for the various components of the solutions! I was wondering where you'd gone, so it's great to see you back!!!

[@LarryDeSilva64]

Very nice techniques and processes you show on how to restore even this little .25 caliber back to successful operation. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@beanhavok2287]

Excellent incorporation of that sponsor!! 10/10

[@scottcates]

Nicely done. I appreciate your knowledge of the bluing chemistry, too.

[@TheMatbrown]

I have never, and probably will never rebuild a rusted hand gun, but I was fascinated by this video.

[@JoeyP322]

Excellent job !! I could watch these types of videos all day!

[@Knobs4u]

Between backyard ballistics, and mark novak, I'm pretty happy with the info I'm learning

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Mark Novak is a proper gunsmith, I just studied some theory😉

[@Knobs4u]

@Backyard Ballistics you provide more education in a time where these things are hard to learn. There aren't smiths in every city these days and apprenticeships are almost gone. I will take what i can get.

[@petersanders5321]

Clear presentation. Defining concepts and techniques many know, just more concisely. Good job.

[@supraman221989]

All guns are worth restoring. Just found your channel so far quite impressed that these look like real restorations. Not 90% of the other stuff looks fake. You got yourself a subscriber 👍

[@hawkings22]

You make it seem like the finished product isn't museum quality, but I bet a collector would love to have one that looks that good

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Don't worry, it won't go to waste😉

[@duqam7422]

That sponsor transition was flawless, love watching your videos, keep up the great work!

[@itsmejak7888]

it might not have been monetarily worth restoring but the history preserved by this restoration was 100% worth it

[@dwayneelizondomountaindewh6073]

all guns are worth restoring.

[@Andrew-sv6zq]

I really enjoy your restorations of the firearms. Also, I really enjoy the science that you use and how you explain it. It's nice to come away with some knowledge.

[@carpma11]

I've always loved old guns and the neat history they represent. You've got me wanting to buy some rusty old guns to try my hand at restoring something.

[@papadoomguy7412]

Completely seamless transition to Product Plug, I didn't even know for a minute that this was the ad. Well shot, and well done.

[@mrwoo1]

The transition to the sponsorship was nice. Some thought went into it and it made sense. I appreciate that.

[@Adones09]

Awesome work. Thank you for this explanation!

[@_GoGo_]

I absolutely love restoration videos like this, it’s one of my guilty pleasures 🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️

[@ymg200]

Thank you for your videos. You pay a lot of attention to details and I love the explanation that you give at each step.

[@NotEnoughSound]

I was just conent seeing you restore the original look of it, but once you said you were going to fire it, I was on the edge of my seat seeing it. well done and amazing work. very impressive.

[@christopherwilson3242]

Thank you so much.That was most enjoyable! You are a true artisan.

[@davidthorne5715]

That thing is so adorable, was really cool to see more about the blueing (?) process. Gun restorations are always really cool too

[@ddoherty5956]

Really impressive skills and knowledge 👍 Amazed at the way you even replenished the brass emblems. Great work and a pleasure to watch.

[@AustinScottHoffman]

"A gun not worth restoring" My American heart is hurt...

[@fulano9629]

I just love small pocket pistols for some reason, amazing job making it look like new. this is art

[@martkbanjoboy8853]

What a handsome little gun.

[@an.opossum]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom, gun restoration man.

[@markmanning2921]

usually when someone does a firearm restoration i watch as far as step 1 and leave disgusted with what they were going to do. you are only the second person ive seen on youtube that knows the "boil in water first" trick. awesome restoration :)

[@dashingdave2665]

That turned out to be beautiful, well done!

[@robertjessen1554]

Excellent information. You explained a complex operation in plain language. Well done Sir 👏

[@BoozMcGroove]

Best birthday gift ever, another gun restoration from my favorite Italian youtuber. I actually own one of these .25 ACP Galesi-Brescia pocket pistols and like the way it shoots, even though it isn't very accurate or powerful.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Happy birthday! 🎉🎊🎂

[@paulalbertstern]

I just found your channel and love the information! Thank you for the work you put into these videos!

[@thijspluis9998]

thank you. someone who doesent pollich the parts to within an inch of its life. you do things the more civilised way, thank you

[@Smiffew]

Very nice, I'm liking these process explanation videos. Keep it up!

[@theaussiebush]

If there was a "Best KZbin Segue To Sponsor Award" it would go to you!

[@yourworstnightmare1488]

Your videos are impeccable!

[@drumhd1]

Absolutely brilliant job!

[@magaswitch212]

Great resoration!

[@MoldyStir-Fry]

Every gun left to trust like this deserves restoration if at all possible. Great work on this one!

[@308rep]

Remember that rags with left over linseed oil on them need to be disposed properly as they can spontainously combust if left out in air!

[@DrBonesFolo]

Good point! Giving them a lot of air solves that problem though. They only combust if packed tightly due to the heat generated by the drying linseed oil. So dont bunch them together in a sealed plastic bag or stuff like that, guys

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

With the tiny amounts I normally use it's not really a problem. If large amounts are used it will defintely go off though

[@cate01a]

I find small guns really neat so cheers for restoring this

[@nicolasbeachy4862]

Ive learnt more about science and chemistry in these videos than I learned in all of my school years it seems, best restoration channel I've ever come across

[@blahblahblah898]

cheers for sharing with us all these information!

[@user-bq5nl8xf3y]

Invaluable information, thank you!

[@timothyhayes9724]

That is amazing. Well done!

[@danieldelaney768]

This was a pleasure to watch. Nice job.

[@jimwiskus8862]

Dry nicely done! Congratulations!

[@brendanbongiovanni6394]

Thank you 😃 Brilliant video True labour of love 👏