I have just discovered, and joined this group, so hello to all! First, I typically keep with me (CCW) a .45 Kimber Ultra CDP II. But for all those times when you just going to run the store real quick I got a Beretta 21A -.22lr. I have been eying one of these for years (15-20) and finally went for it. Originally I looked at the .25 & .32 but at $26.00 50rds forget that! That's the reason I gave my .380 PPKS to my son, he doesn't mind the cost or 10lbs of weight. I love the feel and the ease of just sliding it in my pocket. Now Some will say "Why didn't you get..." I know, but I'm old enough now (been shooting 50+ yrs.) and already own or have owned, or something like that, what your going to suggest. I have studied ballistics and round characteristics, so believe me I know what I bought (clean simple back up for my Kimber). I would like to draw on the experience of this group as to what they have found cycles best with this weapon. I would like to save some $ and not experiment more than I have to. I already tried Remington YJ Hollow point, NG! feed and ejection both problems. What has EXPERIENCE taught you folks? I thank you in advance.
Beretta 21A Ammo of Choice.
- Thread starter SouthernYankee
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Personnally I would have gone with a .22Mag as a mouse gun but to each their own.
I have never had any issues with CCI Stinger or Velocitor rounds. I usually keep a few bricks of it to feed through any .22LR I can.
I have never had any issues with CCI Stinger or Velocitor rounds. I usually keep a few bricks of it to feed through any .22LR I can.
I've had good luck with CCI MiniMags
You may have to experiment some anyway, as reliability in your gun will be key...as the Beretta doesn't come equipped with an extractor. That is one reason I shied away from the Stinger...it's longer case is just one more thing to go wrong when the gun starts fouling
You may have to experiment some anyway, as reliability in your gun will be key...as the Beretta doesn't come equipped with an extractor. That is one reason I shied away from the Stinger...it's longer case is just one more thing to go wrong when the gun starts fouling
JN01
Member
dagger dog
Member
Welcome to the forums !
I own and shoot a 21A.
High velocity lightweight hollow points are a wash in the very short barrel of the Beretta,shot some Stingers at a refrigerator door at 7 feet and they would not penetrate, functioned fine, they flattened out about the size of a nickel.
Had the best luck with standard velocity 40 gr solids they would split the metal of the "frige", and were about 1/4" diameter.
One thing about my 21a it will function with any ammo, want to try the Agulia SSS with the 60 gr bullet in the 22 short case, run some over my Chrony.
Mouse guns are better than knives , 7 rounds (280 grs of lead) to the eye sockets and nasal cavity are bound to make one heck of a headache !
I own and shoot a 21A.
High velocity lightweight hollow points are a wash in the very short barrel of the Beretta,shot some Stingers at a refrigerator door at 7 feet and they would not penetrate, functioned fine, they flattened out about the size of a nickel.
Had the best luck with standard velocity 40 gr solids they would split the metal of the "frige", and were about 1/4" diameter.
One thing about my 21a it will function with any ammo, want to try the Agulia SSS with the 60 gr bullet in the 22 short case, run some over my Chrony.
Mouse guns are better than knives , 7 rounds (280 grs of lead) to the eye sockets and nasal cavity are bound to make one heck of a headache !
Most reliable rounds for my Bobcat, include Remington Vipers or Yellow Jackets-you indicated that your gun doesn't like them, so what works for us may not work for you.
I also run a lot of regular old Blazer through mine without any problems.
I also run a lot of regular old Blazer through mine without any problems.
My 21-a likes mini mags the best, followed by the Remington. It did not function well at all with Winchester or Federal or Fiocchi
You might want to give that one some thought and research.dagger dog said:
At the distance than a mouse gun, not already in you hand, becomes more effective, it generally lacks the precision to consistently hit an eye or nasal cavity. At contact distances a knife is faster to deploy and able to inflict more disabling wounds
Try a bunch of different loads.
Pick the one that is :
1. Reliable
2. Accurate
Disregard :
bullet type
velocity
everything else
Pick the one that is :
1. Reliable
2. Accurate
Disregard :
bullet type
velocity
everything else
PRM
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- Apr 14, 2008
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- 2,114
The 21As are a little picky on ammo. Mine smoothed out after a couple of hundred rounds. It does seem to like the hotter ammo like the CCI Mini Mags - however, I have had good results with the Federal bulk ammo.
Just from talking to other owners - the 21s are kind of individual guns. Some seem to have more issues than others. When you do find what works, they are pretty sweet.
When I do get an occasional hiccup, a good cleaning usually corrects this. Not frequently enough to make me give up on the gun or not trust it. Its not Browning High Power in terms of running - but like the OP stated, there are times and places where the little 22LR fits the need.
There are some good videos on You Tube about this. The guy that posted the below video (link) has several on the Model 21A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GBKL6Mbqvo
Just from talking to other owners - the 21s are kind of individual guns. Some seem to have more issues than others. When you do find what works, they are pretty sweet.
When I do get an occasional hiccup, a good cleaning usually corrects this. Not frequently enough to make me give up on the gun or not trust it. Its not Browning High Power in terms of running - but like the OP stated, there are times and places where the little 22LR fits the need.
There are some good videos on You Tube about this. The guy that posted the below video (link) has several on the Model 21A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GBKL6Mbqvo
Mine likes CCI minimags, also. It seems kind of odd that the next best ammo for mine are Blazer standard velocity 40gr. rounds. It digests others also but I have fired more of these than anything else with no problems.
Thanks to all of you for your time and information. You have proven to be dead on! I got the CCI's, two boxes of each and the pistol shot flawlessly! The stingers were a little hotter so I think they will go in the Carry mag & the Mini's I'll use for the range (my backyard), rural does have its advantages. This puppy is great under 10yds, no surprise it is a gut gun, beyond that I think your supposed to throw the gun (better accuracy-joking ). But, I am thrilled I got it and think it will be a great follow up to my Kimber .45 if I need it. BTY I use the Hornady Critical Defense for the Kimber. If you haven't tried it take a look, good stuff! I fill gal. milk jugs w/jello put them in the Fridge to make my own gelatin blocks, it's a great way to see what the round your shooting will do (sometimes I put a 1/4" sheet of Plexi glass inserted in the middle of the jug after the jello is set, to get a bone impact/stress result). You can also put jugs back to back held on the side and last jug by boards and truly capture your round and check its penetrating and expansion qualities. Again, Thanks to all and I'll check to see if there are anymore responses later!
). But, I am thrilled I got it and think it will be a great follow up to my Kimber .45 if I need it. BTY I use the Hornady Critical Defense for the Kimber. If you haven't tried it take a look, good stuff! I fill gal. milk jugs w/jello put them in the Fridge to make my own gelatin blocks, it's a great way to see what the round your shooting will do (sometimes I put a 1/4" sheet of Plexi glass inserted in the middle of the jug after the jello is set, to get a bone impact/stress result). You can also put jugs back to back held on the side and last jug by boards and truly capture your round and check its penetrating and expansion qualities. Again, Thanks to all and I'll check to see if there are anymore responses later!
Gordon
Member
I use Stingers in mine as the higher pressure seems to increase the ejection. It also chronographed almost sonic -1080 fps, where Minimags were 150 fps slower.
bannockburn
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- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,320
I have 2 and they are fed CCI standard velocity 40 gr solids . Run like a fdream on it , We did 500 rounds on afternoon and both pistols never missed a lick.
For a sometimes carry , I still perfer the Beretta 950 25 auto over the 22LR
For a sometimes carry , I still perfer the Beretta 950 25 auto over the 22LR
Beretta 21 A Ammo
I have one and was having some feeding problems.....I went to CCI Minimags and a high velocity Remington.....fixed the issue completely.
You need to get a cartridge with a velocity over 1000 fps....a lot of the .22 is much lower than that.
I have one and was having some feeding problems.....I went to CCI Minimags and a high velocity Remington.....fixed the issue completely.
You need to get a cartridge with a velocity over 1000 fps....a lot of the .22 is much lower than that.
Shawn Dodson
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- Dec 28, 2002
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- 3,233
If you can get them to feed in your Beretta then I recommend the flat nose CCI SGB (Small Game Bullet).
No HP bullet, not even Stinger, will expand when fired from your Beretta. The flat nose contour provides slightly increased wounding effect than a round nose contour.
See - http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/detail.aspx?use=2&loadNo=0058
Good luck!
No HP bullet, not even Stinger, will expand when fired from your Beretta. The flat nose contour provides slightly increased wounding effect than a round nose contour.
See - http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/detail.aspx?use=2&loadNo=0058
Good luck!
I just ordered 3 boxes of the ammo (CCI SGB), After they come I'll test a box and let everyone know the results.
I have the Taurus version (PT-22) and it runs flawlessly with, uh, wait for it... CCI MiniMags.
But, yes, remember that, without an extractor, this gun should not be "cleared" by racking the slide. Doing so with a round in the chamber will result in your accidentally feeding the next round into the rear of that one. I don't know about the Beretta but, in the Taurus, that's a tough jam to clear. Changes your "combat-jam-clearing" drill quite a bit.
I wouldn't have any qualms about carrying my Taurus if it was the only gun I had. I don't carry it simply because it's not (and I do have a .32 caliber pistol that's even smaller.)
But, yes, remember that, without an extractor, this gun should not be "cleared" by racking the slide. Doing so with a round in the chamber will result in your accidentally feeding the next round into the rear of that one. I don't know about the Beretta but, in the Taurus, that's a tough jam to clear. Changes your "combat-jam-clearing" drill quite a bit.
I wouldn't have any qualms about carrying my Taurus if it was the only gun I had. I don't carry it simply because it's not (and I do have a .32 caliber pistol that's even smaller.)
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