Most reliable 22 pocket pistol

[mainmech48]

FWIW, I've had a lot more trouble with stoppages due to feeding failures than ignition failure in 'vest pocket' sized RF semiautos. The .22 LR has to be about the worst cartridge to try and engineer a really small pistol for: It is rimmed. It's OAL to diameter ratio makes timing super critical, so even small changes at any of several points in the cycle can cause a malf. Sheesh! In my old Beretta 21A even a different lot of the same ammo could change things enough to start causing problems.

I had the best luck with an old Astra Cub in .22 S. It didn't hiccough unless it got really grungey and ran well with both standard and HS ammo. As long as it wasn't overlubed you could put a couple of hundred rounds through it before it needed cleaning. Not bad for a blowback RF that small.

Loved the idea of the little Walther TPH, but it bit me on the web of my hand every shot. Same thing with the older PPK/PPKs. The 'new' S&W version of the PPK doesn't, but I don't think that anyone has addressed the 'baby' yet.

About the coolest teeny .22 I ever shot was a Casull CA 2000 revolver. A 5-shot, hammerless DAO with a folding trigger that reminded me of some of the old European pocket guns from the beginning of the last century. Unfortunately, by the time I decided to get one they were gone and I couldn't get the one person that I knew who had one to part with his.

 

[rcmodel]

IMHO: The most reliable pocket pistol currently being made is the S&W 317 8-shot revolver.


rcmodel

 

[strangelittleman]

Yep I'll agree w/ rcmodel about the S&W317. As far as autopistols go I think the Beretta M70s is very hard to beat. I've had one in .22lr for nearly 20 yrs and feel the M70 series are among the best small autopistols in either .22ir, .32acp or .380acp. Great guns, locked-n-cocked! If you can run across one, get it, you'll not be disappointed, but beware the .22lr magazines are a bear to find!

 

[makarovnik]

Most reliable would be the mini revolvers. I don't think that makes them the "best" though. I like the Walther TPH and the Beretta 21.

 

[MAURICE]

I'm glad to see this thread. I'm kicking around the idea of getting either one of the Berettas or a small SW in .22 cal for a BUG.

Even though Stingers are very good rounds might I suggest CCI Velocitor.

Velocitors-while more expensive than the bulk stuff make an unreliable .22 a very reliable .22 in my experience. I had a Remington 597 that would didn't like the bulk pack stuff, but everytime I pulled the trigger when loaded with Velocitors it went bang, and accurately. Good stuff.

 

[Jomax]

I had the dual cylinder NAA mini-magnum and it was indeed a lot of fun to shoot. But, it was also impractical for any use other than as a "belly gun". Hard to hold onto and shoot with any reasonable accuracy. I'd be inclined to buy either the Beretta 21A/Bobcat or the Taurus PT-22 pistol new. As for a CC .22Magnum revolver, take a look-see at Taurus' 941. It's a lot less expensive than the S&W 317 but still a sturdy revolver.

 

[357fan]

I kick myself about once a month for getting rid of my Beretta 21a. At 10 yards it grouped well enough for defense, it didn't mind some bulk ammo but it really loved CCI Velocitors.
If I come across one again, it will definitely follow me home.

 

[Steve C]

Maybe it's just me, but I can't remember the last time I pulled the trigger on a rimfire and the gun didn't go boom, AND it was due to the ammunition. I know everyone says that rimfire is unreliable, but I haven't seen it be less so than the centerfire stuff I shoot.

You are just not shooting enough of it. I shoot a .22 bullseye pistol league and run about 2000 rounds through my .22's. With match ammo at $7 a box of 50 I'll get a failure to fire perhaps every other year. With less expensive ammo 3 or 4 failures per 500 round brick. I've disassembled many of these and find that the primer compound is either missing or only distributed around part of the rim. This is why if you reload a bad round it will often go off when the firing pin its a different area of the rim. Of the brands I've found CCI to be some of the most reliable with very few FTF.

I have one of the old S&W Escorts like Robert shows but I also have a Beretta 21 that gets carried occasionally when clothing or circumstance doesn't allow a larger pistol. Its usually stoked with CCI Stingers.

 

[Galil5.56]

My little pre lock Firestorm 22 (Bersa made) is 100 reliable with Rem Golden Bullet bulk, CCI Mini Mags, WW Wildcat, and Stingers. Federal lightnings were not reliable at all.

This little auto is surprisingly accurate (fixed barrel), feels great, has a very smooth DA pull, but SA is a little mushy. Mags are priced high, but for a lifetime warranty, and $189 paid I have no regrets.



And a review of it from Gunblast:

http://www.gunblast.com/Firestorm.htm

 

[copper4262]

i had a Beretta .22 that was fun to carry but i didn't trust it as far as i could throw it - It jammed more then -- well - i would be leary of getting another - iv heard really good things about the taurus version of the 21A - personally i would get a S&W revolver -
or go up to the .380

 

[VA27]

+1 on the Beretta 950 in 22 short. Not made any more, but you should be able to find one. I recently picked up a 'Camper' 950 with the 3.5" barrel...for long range shooting.

 

[Kankujoe]

I have two .22lr pocket pistols. An Iver-Johnson TP-22 & an Taurus PT-22. I really like both. Wish I would have bought several Iver-Johnsons back in the '80s they are good reliable pistols.

I also have a Walther P-22 that is great fun to shoot (especially self-defense drills) but not pocket pistol size. My Ruger MKII and my High Standard are also great to shoot when I'm trying to shoot for accuracy and at target shooting distances.

Someday I'd like to pick up a Walther TPH and maybe a mini .22lr revolver.

 

[usp9]

Since this thread started a new pocket pistol has come my way to join my TPH. The new guy is a American Arms PX 22, Clone of the oft mentioned Iver Johnson TP22. It is amazingly accurate, requires a double strike now and again, but is a real hoot to shoot. Here's a family pic.

[/IMG]

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I bought a walther tph some time back. Outside it was beautiful. Inside were more tooling marks than the outside of a russian tank. The chamber was very rough. I polished out the chamber and the only ammo it liked was cci stingers. I paid a lot of money for that gun and it was a piece of crap. About 6 months ago I bought a phoenix arms .22 auto. I've fired it over 500 times with no cleaning and minor lube with zero malfunctions. It's more accurate than the walther ever thought about. The total cost of that pistol was $120. out the door. Granted it's made of cast zinc and I don't expect it to hold up for long term use, but it works just fine.

 

[MCgunner]

Beretta Minx, .22 short.

I had one of those POSs. Okay, they might not all be as bad, but this one wouldn't eject, wouldn't feed, and wouldn't fire any ammo on the first strike. It had so many problems I didn't know where to start. I didn't try any warranty, just sold it to a dealer at a gun show for 35 more'n I gave for it. I have heard bad things about Beretta customer service or lack there of. Not sure if that's true either as I decided to unload the little POS. Only bought it from a friend because he's not a gun guy, couldn't make it work, and I thought I could. I ain't THAT good with guns, LOL!

I walked away smilin' and the gun dealer was happy. Who ever winds up with it won't be. It sold on its all steel construction and good looks and of course a Beretta can't be bad and it looks good. But, guess what, I have a Phoenix Arms HP22 that is very reliable and cost me less. ROFL Phoenix Arms has fantastic customer service, I know, I've had to use it. LOL All in all, if I had to pick a little hideout for reliability, though, it'd be my NAA mini revolver. If you wanna do something serious with a rimfire and pocket sized especially, revolvers are the ONLY way to go IMHO.

 

[Pilot]

I have a Beretta 21A Bobcat. Its been 100% reliable so far with CCI Minimags.

 

[Okiecruffler]

One of the biggest mistakes I ever made was trading my Pheonix for a Charter Arms Explorer. I bought the Pheonix back when they were $79.95 and you could buy the "target" barrel and mag for $24.95. Little thing would eat whatever you fed it and was as accurate as the sights would allow. Made a great tackle box gun. Mine was blued and the only target barrel I could find was SS, so it had that cool two tone effect. I may have to buy another one of those.

 

[Pearl's Dad]

21A here was flawless with any high power ammo, i would sneak a magazine of bulk in there and it would nevr cycle.

works great with a nemesis pocket holster.

 

[GEM]

One person's experience isn't decisive - obviously but to share:

1. Taurus PT-22 - beautiful little gun - total jammer
2. Friends' Beretta - also
3. SW 317 very lightweight - terrible trigger
4. NAA Mini - just a last ditch bug. But it can be shot reasonably well for SD. I have the 1 5/8" barrel and shot the TX CHL protocol with it for grins. Got about a 220 ish out of 250. I shoot 250 with a real handgun - . However, with my NAA 22S - unbelievably small gun - about 150 - that is a nose to nose gun.

 

[clang]

I've got the following small .22s (not all are pocket guns):

Berretta Bobcat 21a - reliable with most of what I put through it. Primitive sights, but accurate and points well.

Beretta 70s - same as above - this gun is a lot bigger though, the size of a .380. Aftermarket mags will turn it into a jammo-matic and original mags are expensive and rare.

Ruger SP101 - Mine has a 4" barrel but they also made a 2" version. This thing is a small tank, they make their 5 shot .357mag on this frame. Decent DA and SA trigger. Fairly heavy.

S&W .22/.32 kit gun - "pre 34" - mine has a 4" barrel but 2" versions were also mage. Great little knock around gun, decent DA trigger great SA trigger. There was also an alloy one called the model 43.

Ruger Super Bearcat - I've got an old model that has not been converted by the factory. Great little SA gun and a hoot to shoot. The regular Bearcat was an alloy frame and is even lighter. New ones are SS.

If I could only own 2 (don't make me go less than that) it would be the S&W Kit Gun and Beretta 70s. But the Bobcat would be a fine alternative.

You might also want to go the derringer route. I had a friend with an old High Standard in .22lr and another in .22mag. 14lb trigger pull and only two shots, but reliable and pocket sized.

 

[GhostCat]

I agree with everyone about the North American Arms MINI .22 Mag........
Awesome little gun and you'll never know its in your pocket.....