[friscolatchi]

Hi,

I just found a Beretta 21a, 22LR, used, 99%, that was, according to the salesman, that was kept in a little old ladys purse. More on impulse, I plunked a down payment towards the $265 cost. I figure that it may be a good pocket gun for plinking when in the woods, getting the wife adjusted to shooting a low recoil autoloader, a back up gun, or a gun that can be concealed easily in one's pocket. Consideration as a SD gun is not a reason for the purchase.

My question is, is it a fair price, and are there any negatives regarding this handgun? I reviewed a few YOUTUBE videos and it doesn't seem too bad, although it has a few limitations.
Right now my main carry pieces are a M&P 9C (that is dead accurate and reliable), a 1911 pro raptor in 45 acp and lastly as a summer pocket gun, my trusted M&P 340, so there are no gaps to fill.

Any advice is well appreciated. The gun seems to list in the 300 plus dollar range.

[Tomcat47]

I have had a couple of them. That seems like a pretty fair price if it is in good shape.

They are fun to shoot in my opinion, and I never had a single problem out of mine. I now have a Tomcat 32 which I love as well.

I also had the .25 auto version Beretta as well. All have performed very well.

[friscolatchi]

Tomcat, thanks for the reply. Yes, it is in really good shape and not a scratch on the gun. It feels really nice in my hands I think that it would be easy to carry around for a quick plinker when on State land. I figure that it could be something that the wife can use to get accustomed to carrying when we hike together, just put in a pocket holster take a box of cartridges and have some fun.

[Rob1109]

I too have both the .22 and .25 in the 21A. The .25 is Nickle and the only reason I got it was that I felt that the .25 might be more reliable. Operative word is might since neither one has ever choked. Best.

[wrench]

I've had a few of these, the latest one I picked up last summer. They're fun little guns.
Keep the chamber clean, as they have no extractor, and can be a little ammo picky. Try several kinds, and you'll find some it likes.
I think $265 is an OK price, not great but OK.

[friscolatchi]

You all sold me. Here in NY I have to get the gun on my permit at the sheriff's office, which I will get to do this week, before I pick it up at the dealers. Thanks for the input. I would never have considered this gun as a buy ordinarily, but it was in the used gun display and looked pretty nice. It reminds me me of my Grandfather's old 25 Colt that is long gone. What are the availability of extra mags?

[wrench]

Midway's got mags,
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/221379/beretta-magazine-beretta-21-bobcat-22-long-rifle-7-round-steel-blue

[Tomcat47]

I would never have considered this gun as a buy ordinarily, but it was in the used gun display and looked pretty nice. It reminds me me of my Grandfather's old 25 Colt that is long gone.

And there it is everyone.....the best reason for buying this Beretta!

Did not really need our advice after all.... :cool:

And as mentioned above....they can be somewhat ammo finicky! I always shot cci stingers in mine. Not reccomended for most pocket pistols in .22 cal. but there users manual does not mention it. I shot them all the time in mine.

Also you can go to Beretta website and download the users manual!
http://www.berettausa.com/products/model-21-bobcat/

This will take you straight to the download page.

[Onward Allusion]

friscolatchi
Beretta 21a
Hi,
I just found a Beretta 21a, 22LR, used, 99%,

Biggest negative of this make/model is the lack of an extractor. It has a tip up barrel. The main purpose of this design is for those who lack the hand strength to rack the slide to chamber a round. Tip the slide up and drop a round in the chamber. I would not use a tip up barrel design chambered in 22LR for any type of SD unless I had absolutely no other choice.

BTW, these guns typically go for the low 200's used in good to excellent condition...and yes, I've had a couple of these in the past so I do know what I'm talking about.

[TennJed]

I want one. How does the nickle finish hold up on these.

[Tomcat47]

The Inox versions are simply awesome to me.....

This pic is of the 3032 Tomcat, but they have the 21a in Inox also in .22 and .25 ACP

I had the 21A in .25acp and .22 with the Walnut grips. Also Hougue and Pachmyer makes a slip on finger grip for these guns that is awesome.

[stanmo]

Prices are a regional thing usually, I got a two tone for $250, which I thought was a decent price. I didn't really have any use for it, just a neat little piece and matches my Tomcat. I like Stingers in mine too, sounds like a 9mm. :D

[friscolatchi]

Well, looks like the Bobcat is an "under-served" commodity. I ran it by the wife again and she offers no resistance to the purchase. It will be on both our permits. (here in NY you have to register all your handguns before you can posses them and are only available to individuals that have that particular SN on their permit.)



I really appreciate all the reviews.

[Hondo 60]

I have one & found it's very picky about ammo.
Hopefully yours will be less so.

CCI Stingers or Velocitors work well, but they cost $5-$10/ box of 50.
I've found that Fiocchi 22HVCRN works well if you can find it.
Locally it's about $2.75/box of 50.

As you can see I fancied mine up a bit.
http://www.jbabcock.net/guns/21a.jpg

[Leathermarshmallow]

I have had one for many years. I have put thousands of rounds through it, but like it has been mentioned, due to lack of extractor, you have to make sure that the chamber stays clean. I usually can fire a few magazines of ammo through mine before it starts misbehaving and needs to be cleaned.

Also, mine is very accurate. I used to win bets with it shooting against some of my friends with bigger guns.

[arcticap]

The .22 model is a better shooter than the .25 model is at 25 yards.
I have the .25 Bobcat and it's an accurate shooter at the short range of about 10 yards or so.
But someone showed up at the 25 yard range with his .22 and I was impressed with it's level of accuracy as he plinked into the berm.
He did have some stoppages but he was rapidly firing a lot of shots with Remington Thunderbolts IIRC.
The stoppages wouldn't stop me from buying one if I wanted another pocket pistol, as mentioned just feed it the ammo it prefers.

[CZguy]

Mine runs perfectly on CCI mini mags, and pretty well on Federal bulk pac.

[WhittlersMama]

Minni mags, not hollow points...

This guy has a fan club!!! Grips? Check these out at whittlersmama.webstore.com

The point where the barrel tips up is what controls accuracy. Be careful and check for wobble when barrel is tipped up.

[Gunnut Ed]

Great Little pistol. Reliable! and even though it's small, you can really shoot it accurately if you put your mind to it. Stocked with stingers or the new winchester "super speed" ammo (which I find great, and like more than the stingers due to a heavier bullet) it makes a great "church gun" (i.e. one to carry when you can carry no gun at all). Before I get a hail storm against using .22 s for defense, if you have/like something of a larger caliber in this size package, by all means, use it!

[bannockburn]

I found the Model 21A seemed to run better when the ammo was on the hotter side. CCI MiniMags were fine, and fairly clean too, along with Stingers and Velocitors of the hyper velocity variety.

[Confederate]

My 21a wasn't reliable at all with the garbage Federal Thunderbolts I first tried it with. I switched to CCI MiniMags and my problems went away. I then tried Yellowjackets and they worked, too. I also have a Jennings J-22, and it's reliable for about four mags of ammo and then it begins jamm...er...the gun hacks call it "malfunctioning."

Little .22s that work are worth their weight in gold. The "secret squirrels" in the intel field use .25s as palm guns, but for assassinations the Israeli and other intelligence agents mostly use Ruger .22 autos and Beretta 70S .22s.

My 21A works, but it requires good ammo. A lot of companies are polishing their .22 ammo these days. I think this will add to the reliability. I haven't had a .22 failure in ages. I could bet my life on it.

.

[MICHAEL T]

I have 2 bought new was about 250 each with tax here in Ky.
Have not found them to be to ammo picky I use CCI Standard Velocity Led round nose . I shoot one every day 1 or 2 rounds I live in country and use it for my dog call . My GS hears the gun shot. He's either in woods or in field and heads for house Much better than yelling.

[Confederate]

I have a .25 cal. Beretta and a .22LR 21a. When used cocked and locked, it doesn't make much difference if it's single action or double action.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh198/jriler/Beretta21A_950.jpg


And my Jennings J-22. For the price, it was an astounding gun. If I could go back in time, I'd get ten of 'em! I don't put much mileage on this gun as I want it to stay the gem it is. Some people who have these guns shoot the living daylights out of them and say it's a fun plinking pistol.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh198/jriler/Jennings.jpg


This Sterling was garbage. I bought three of them at one time and none of them worked. It was maddening because once they increased the size of the ejection port, there was a rumor that they worked! Denis (DPris) has a friend who has one that apparently works.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh198/jriler/Sterling22LR.jpg


Hondo60: How did you gold plate the parts? Did you do it or did you have it done? How does it wear and do you shoot the gun?

[WhittlersMama]

For 21a owners, be careful with the tip up barrel... The pivot point that tips up actually controlls the accuracy of the firearm. You want it tight! Thanks for the other suggestions on ammo guys. I've only used Minni Mags in mine since finding that they don't jam.

Hey Confederate, don't give up on that sterling. Just a matter of finding what's wrong.

[friscolatchi]

Sorry for being away from the thread. Busy here. I'm getting it on my permit tomorrow. I will take advantage of the ammo reccomendations. Range report Friday.
PS, reccomendation for a good pocket holster?

[Confederate]

Hey Confederate, don't give up on that sterling. Just a matter of finding what's wrong.
They're all gone, though I have some clips for it downstairs.

I have a Davis .32ACP that won't work, either. It's beautiful and it has a shiny nickel finish. It just jams. I'm just waiting for some liberal turkey to sponsor a gun buy-back in Washington, D.C., and I'll go over and turn it in. (I've always been a conscientious citizen!)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh198/jriler/DAVIS_380_2.jpg

.

[GunNut]

Love this little thing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/stmcelroy/Guns/Beretta21A22lr.jpg

[WhittlersMama]

My 21 is my life line. I carry it behind my wallet, front or back pocket! I nor manufacturer advise, but I sleep with it in pocket regularly. I'm a late night security gaurd... :)

see vid!!! www.youtube.com/watch?v=agQm0WecCbc

[friscolatchi]

Now I understand. I took the 21a for a try today. It liked the mini mags the best. I cleaned the bore and chamber with a brass brush between trials. Is this the correct proceedure? I really like this gun. My shooting improved after a few mags. Probably put 100+rounds through it.

Afterwards I put a few mags through my M&P 9c and boy, did it seem big!

Thanks to all for your help!

[WhittlersMama]

This will help you guys understand what I was trying to say a little better! See post 23! There is no ejector on the 21A!!! The gun cycles by blow-back and it's springs are strong! There is less room for the smaller stinger bullet head to seal in your barrel than the minni-mags, a heavier/ bigger bullet! It drove me nuts until I put both side by side one day and noticed on accident!

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7707162#post7707162

[friscolatchi]

Thanks Whittler. That splains it simply. I really like this gun. No buyers remorse here!