.25 too large for hand launching?

Occasionally, we'll hand launch .40 trainers, and even Sig Seniors, usually when a nose wheel is broken and the person does not have a spare (One of the trainers has no problem landing in this situation). Have a buddy throw slightly down (to build airspeed) and directly into the wind at full throttle.

Don't do it yourself, as you need to control the plane as soon as it is out of the thrower's hands.
Also, the person controlling the plane in this situation needs to be experienced, as a wrong move can be dangerous.