I have a hankering for either a Beretta 21 or a Taurus 22B...I think the Beretta has the edge in finishing but if there are performance issues to consider, I'd like an informed opinion...I was looking hard at a Ruger LCR in 22 the other day, I'll probably get one of those too, but I am just wanting one of these compact .22LR's.
Mousegun Choices
- Thread starter mjkten
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PRM
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I've got a Beretta 21A. Had the gun for about 15 years now. Its a fun little gun that does what it is supposed to. Mine seems to function better with hotter 22s. Some say they are a little finicky if not kept clean? Never had a problem there, but I always keep my guns clean.
The tip-up barrel is a very safe design and easy to train a novice shooter on. Loading and clearing the chamber is a flip of the lever.
I have carried it when deep concealment trumped caliber.
Every collection should have at least one.
The tip-up barrel is a very safe design and easy to train a novice shooter on. Loading and clearing the chamber is a flip of the lever.
I have carried it when deep concealment trumped caliber.
Every collection should have at least one.
Texan Scott
Member
Let the mouse try several guns, and get the one that fits its paws best, with recoil it tolerates well.
Or, get the LCR. I kinda want one, myself.
Or, get the LCR. I kinda want one, myself.
Texan Scott
Member
OK, that was silly and flippant. 
. I'll elaborate.
My experience with .22 autos (Beretta cheetah, the Taurus tomcat clone, and small no-name pawn shop stuff) is that the little ones are hard for me to hold and possibly for this reason, less reliable in terms of function. I like .22s, but I go for revolvers (and the LCR looks good). In an auto, I'd go for an ever so slightly larger .32.
. I'll elaborate.My experience with .22 autos (Beretta cheetah, the Taurus tomcat clone, and small no-name pawn shop stuff) is that the little ones are hard for me to hold and possibly for this reason, less reliable in terms of function. I like .22s, but I go for revolvers (and the LCR looks good). In an auto, I'd go for an ever so slightly larger .32.
I on the Berettia and it is an excellent arm! It functions with a w2ide range of ammo though each will have a favorite. Mine prefers Winchester Wildcats for best accuracy.
I caqrried this gun for over a decade and alwayts felt safe with it along, HOWEVER I just bought a "J" frame Chief because I aqlways doubted the stopping capibility of the LR. Frankilly, I feel a lot better with the .38 Special.
Whenever ultr4a concealment is necessary, the Beretta will always fill the bill though!
Spend the extra few bucks and get the Model 21 over the tARUS.
zvp
I caqrried this gun for over a decade and alwayts felt safe with it along, HOWEVER I just bought a "J" frame Chief because I aqlways doubted the stopping capibility of the LR. Frankilly, I feel a lot better with the .38 Special.
Whenever ultr4a concealment is necessary, the Beretta will always fill the bill though!
Spend the extra few bucks and get the Model 21 over the tARUS.
zvp
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I've been debating that very thought- compact .22s.
I kind of like the Beretta over the Taurus simply for the "bigger" name and reputation for quality that the Beretta seems to enjoy.
PRM
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Thoughts on the .22
Check out this article: http://mouseguns.com/blast/top.htm
Already posted - I really like my Beretta . Over the years, I have owned a Beretta Minx (.22 short), Beretta Jet Fire (.25 ACP) and two of the Beretta 21As in .22 LR. Great little guns.
As far as the .22LR is concerned, I've seen a lot of post(s) talking about the round being unreliable. I can't say that either. I've been shooting .22 rifles and pistols for well over four decades and I have had no more problems with .22 ammo than I have with center fire. Rim fire .22s first came out in the 1850s with the .22lR coming on the scene as we know it in the 1880s. That's quite a production run and says a lot about the product.
I grew up in the rural South where just about every farmer had a .22 in his pick-up truck, and every teen age boy had either a Marlin, Savage or Remington rifle of their own. During hunting seasons we shot squirrels, and rabbits. Many a target shoot got started with old soda cans dancing as targets. The venerable .22 was used to protect live stock from feral dogs and coyotes, soybeans from ground hogs, ...
We raised and butchered our own meat. When it came time for a hog killing, or putting a beef up - Likely as not the old .22 rifle got brought out.
The .22 will do what it is designed to do if the shooter does their part. Are there better options for other tasks - sure. But, for cheap, practical fun that is both time tested and functional, you can't beat it.
Check out this article: http://mouseguns.com/blast/top.htm
Already posted - I really like my Beretta . Over the years, I have owned a Beretta Minx (.22 short), Beretta Jet Fire (.25 ACP) and two of the Beretta 21As in .22 LR. Great little guns.
As far as the .22LR is concerned, I've seen a lot of post(s) talking about the round being unreliable. I can't say that either. I've been shooting .22 rifles and pistols for well over four decades and I have had no more problems with .22 ammo than I have with center fire. Rim fire .22s first came out in the 1850s with the .22lR coming on the scene as we know it in the 1880s. That's quite a production run and says a lot about the product.
I grew up in the rural South where just about every farmer had a .22 in his pick-up truck, and every teen age boy had either a Marlin, Savage or Remington rifle of their own. During hunting seasons we shot squirrels, and rabbits. Many a target shoot got started with old soda cans dancing as targets. The venerable .22 was used to protect live stock from feral dogs and coyotes, soybeans from ground hogs, ...
We raised and butchered our own meat. When it came time for a hog killing, or putting a beef up - Likely as not the old .22 rifle got brought out.
The .22 will do what it is designed to do if the shooter does their part. Are there better options for other tasks - sure. But, for cheap, practical fun that is both time tested and functional, you can't beat it.
Tex, no offense taken, all in fun! To the recoil issue, I don't really care for the little Kel-Tec 380, but the LCP suits my hand pretty well. The Kel Tec seems to always hit my middle finger no matter how tight the grip, so I understand a little about tiny pistols. The snubbies are all pretty comfortable to me (S&W) and the LCR looks like an improvement to them also. Just like the looks of the little auto, and wondered if one was more reliable than the other.
98Redline
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Given the choice over a 22 or a 380, I would have to lean to the 380. While not a full house .357, the diminutive .380 does pretty well.
I really like my LCP. When it comes to deep concealment, I can take it, drop it in my pocket (in a proper pocket holster) and it will literally disappear, regardless of what I am wearing. In most cases my wife has to either ask or touch my pocket to see if I am carrying.
Reliability wise, it has been 100% reliable.
While there are larger guns in my collection and those more traditionally carried as EDC guns my LCP has been pulling the lions share of EDC duty since it's purchase.
I really like my LCP. When it comes to deep concealment, I can take it, drop it in my pocket (in a proper pocket holster) and it will literally disappear, regardless of what I am wearing. In most cases my wife has to either ask or touch my pocket to see if I am carrying.
Reliability wise, it has been 100% reliable.
While there are larger guns in my collection and those more traditionally carried as EDC guns my LCP has been pulling the lions share of EDC duty since it's purchase.
Nebuchadnezzar
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For a small easily conceliable 22 revolver check out North American Arms.
Recently picked up a pug in 22WMR and it is surprisingly accurate 10in @ 25yrds, recoil isn't bad, and a tritium front sight. One of my friends I go shooting with was a convert on the spot and is currently trying to locate the model that folds into the grip and has a pocket clip. The only thing I would of done differently is order the package that came with both a 22lr and 22WMR cylinders.
The Beretta 21a is on my radar and would be my choice out of the three you listed, but that is pretty far from an informed opinion.
Recently picked up a pug in 22WMR and it is surprisingly accurate 10in @ 25yrds, recoil isn't bad, and a tritium front sight. One of my friends I go shooting with was a convert on the spot and is currently trying to locate the model that folds into the grip and has a pocket clip. The only thing I would of done differently is order the package that came with both a 22lr and 22WMR cylinders.
The Beretta 21a is on my radar and would be my choice out of the three you listed, but that is pretty far from an informed opinion.
David E
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I can't picture how the KT-3AT can hit the middle finger of either hand.
The 21A is a fun gun, but for deep concealment/defensive purposes, there are better choices.
MedWheeler
Member
I have the Taurus. It's actually marked as a PT-22, but it's an older one, made in 1998 according to the Taurus web site's serial number lookup feature. There, it's listed as the 22B. I've only owned it for a few months, and I love it. Like other small rimfire pistols, it can be finicky with lesser-quality ammunition; I pretty much stick with CCI MiniMags. I don't think it was shot a whole lot in its life; probably did some personal defense duty or something.
The slide is difficult to grasp because it's so thin, but that's where the tip-up barrel comes in. Keep in mind that pistols that have this tip-up barrel will not have an extractor. That means you must not try to clear the chamber by racking the slide. If you do, you'll release the slide (since it's so hard to hang on to), and the next round in the magazine, if there is one, will be fed into the rear of the one already in the chamber.
Also, many people, myself included, report that the safety on the Taurus is pretty stiff and hard to manipulate. But, being a DAO-action gun, the long trigger pull necessary to fire it negates the need for a manual safety. I never use it. Others are able to loosen them up simply by playing with them while watching TV or something.
Great, reliable gun, shoots well, and fun to handle.
Naturally, the subject of using one for defense will come up. I have no qualms with carrying a quality .22LR pistol as a defensive weapon as part of a broader personal-protection strategy, and will never disparage anyone who does. I'd have no problem carrying this one (I don't simply because I have other choices already available, including an even smaller mousegun in .32ACP.)
The slide is difficult to grasp because it's so thin, but that's where the tip-up barrel comes in. Keep in mind that pistols that have this tip-up barrel will not have an extractor. That means you must not try to clear the chamber by racking the slide. If you do, you'll release the slide (since it's so hard to hang on to), and the next round in the magazine, if there is one, will be fed into the rear of the one already in the chamber.
Also, many people, myself included, report that the safety on the Taurus is pretty stiff and hard to manipulate. But, being a DAO-action gun, the long trigger pull necessary to fire it negates the need for a manual safety. I never use it. Others are able to loosen them up simply by playing with them while watching TV or something.
Great, reliable gun, shoots well, and fun to handle.
Naturally, the subject of using one for defense will come up. I have no qualms with carrying a quality .22LR pistol as a defensive weapon as part of a broader personal-protection strategy, and will never disparage anyone who does. I'd have no problem carrying this one (I don't simply because I have other choices already available, including an even smaller mousegun in .32ACP.)
kerreckt
Member
I have had Beretta 21A for about 10 years. Fun gun to shoot. Amazingly accurate for what it is. Only problem was when I was shooting old dirty ammo I had laying around to see how well it would cycle this kind of stuff. With new ammo especially ammo on the "hotter" side never any problems. Seems to be a little picky about aftermarket magazines which is pretty normal for many guns. Stick to Mec-Gar and originals(which are probably Mec-Gars) and you shouldn't have any problems. I carry a Kel-Tec P3AT and it too has been very reliable. Never has had a failure of any kind or I wouldn't be carrying it. For defensive purposes with a .380acp I only use ball ammo. I prefer reliable penetration to to expansion. Heavy clothes and such can make the use of hollow points iffy with this caliber IMHO. For what it's worth I will take a 22LR to a .25auto or .32auto any day when it comes to defensive use. I believe that penetration is the single most important quality for personal defense and the 22LR has great penetration all things considered.
momano
Member
I really like my Beretta Bobcat; but in my experience, it's not very reliable. It must be kept very clean, and is very picky about the ammo its fed. It is one of my very favorite .22s to take to the range; but only 1 time have I been able to shoot an entire box of CCI mini-mags without a failure of some sort. Now I really love my Ruger LCR; love the trigger, love the sights, love the reliability, and love the accuracy. Good luck!
critter
Member
I've had too many misfires from .22 rounds to want a .22 mousegun. I DO have a NAA Guardian in .32 ACP-in my book, a definite 'mousegun'. The lil .32 is and has always been 100% reliable in all areas and much more accurate than it has a right to be. It does, however, have a little kick to it.
It is, however, my preferred 'go to' when a true mousegun is called for.
It is, however, my preferred 'go to' when a true mousegun is called for.
rodinal220
Member
Beretta 950,Astra Cub/Firecat,Baby Browning,Seecamp,NAA .32/380,Star DK
Just my personal opinion, but if you go with the Berretta, get the .25 acp version. The ammo seems to be a bit more reliable than the rimfire. Mine's been carried many places a larger gun just couldn't go. Yes, it's not an elephant gun, but remember the first rule of a gunfight, "Have a gun".
Great advice here, and I'm thankful for those sharing their experience with the little pistols... I am really just looking for another 22, not necessarily a carry gun. I have a couple MK II's, and just like plinking with the round. So if I bought a Beretta or Taurus, I would be fine with finding the most reliable ammo and stocking it in quantity. I have a couple J frames and an XD sub compact 9 that offer seasonal carry options...so self defense is not really the primary or even secondary purpose. Just looking for another 22 that doesn't break the bank. I'd like to own a S&W 41, and a Model 17 also. When Smith put a full underlug on the 617, I knew I'd never buy one.
MCgunner
Member
I had a Beretta Minx I couldn't make run, got rid of it. I don't really like the design, no extractor. In mouses, I prefer my revolvers built by NAA. They go bang every time. I carry one as a back up always gun, the .22LR, and I have a .22 mag Black Widow I like for ultra discrete carry when I need it. The .22 mag has quite a bit more pop than a LR, ballistically close to .32ACP, of course not a real powerhouse, but the penetration of the round is plenty adequate and I prefer it to the LR round if I have to settle for such a gun. Too, the Black Widow has real Novak sights, can groups under 4" at 25 yards off the bench which is better than most tiny autos I've tried.
Down side is you need a NY reload if you wanna reload, but hey, a mini revolver in each pocket and you have 10 rounds.
I just bought a new Ruger SR22, fantastic reliability and accuracy, but it's not as tiny as the Berettas. Pretty light, though, at 17 ounces and it will fit in some pockets. I bought it for plinking and to carry when I'm fishing. It will put 5 rounds into 2" at 25 yards off the bench and has nice adjustable sights. It's a far better gun than either of your choices for a plinker IMHO. Yeah, it is a little bigger physically, but it's a lot more accurate. I HAVE been thinkin' of getting one of the Taurus tip ups just because they're so danged cheap at Academy and I collect rimfires to an extent, just like you, I enjoy shootin' 'em. I just got burned on that one Beretta, but I might give the design another chance.
If you don't have a Ruger SR22, though, you should check it out. They're a dandy little pistol.
Down side is you need a NY reload if you wanna reload, but hey, a mini revolver in each pocket and you have 10 rounds.
I just bought a new Ruger SR22, fantastic reliability and accuracy, but it's not as tiny as the Berettas. Pretty light, though, at 17 ounces and it will fit in some pockets. I bought it for plinking and to carry when I'm fishing. It will put 5 rounds into 2" at 25 yards off the bench and has nice adjustable sights. It's a far better gun than either of your choices for a plinker IMHO. Yeah, it is a little bigger physically, but it's a lot more accurate. I HAVE been thinkin' of getting one of the Taurus tip ups just because they're so danged cheap at Academy and I collect rimfires to an extent, just like you, I enjoy shootin' 'em. I just got burned on that one Beretta, but I might give the design another chance.
If you don't have a Ruger SR22, though, you should check it out. They're a dandy little pistol.
whtsmoke
Member
LCR22 and you will be happy, 325 roundsof federal bulk from 10 yards were all it the 10 and x ring except for a handful.
I've owned a 21A for 25 years. It has experienced minor jams from time to time, but I haven't been picky about keeping it clean nor have I been selective about its diet, often feeding it standard velocity target ammo because as an old bullseye competitor I have quantities of it on hand.
In my opinion it's a very limited use firearm. I love it as a "first gun" teaching tool for young folks with small hands because of the tip up barrel that makes it essentially a single shot.
My personal use of the 21A is mainly confined to dropping it into a flapped shirt pocket when I wade and fish shallow rivers or creeks or when I'm canoeing. It permits me to be armed (kinda) without any inconvenience at all.
The little gun is accurate enough. The trigger is not bad at all, but it gets less trigger time than my several other .22 handguns. The .22 that I enjoy the most is a conversion unit for my 1911. Unless a person needs a very small .22 for whatever reason, I think a good conversion unit should be the first .22 acquisition.
In my opinion it's a very limited use firearm. I love it as a "first gun" teaching tool for young folks with small hands because of the tip up barrel that makes it essentially a single shot.
My personal use of the 21A is mainly confined to dropping it into a flapped shirt pocket when I wade and fish shallow rivers or creeks or when I'm canoeing. It permits me to be armed (kinda) without any inconvenience at all.
The little gun is accurate enough. The trigger is not bad at all, but it gets less trigger time than my several other .22 handguns. The .22 that I enjoy the most is a conversion unit for my 1911. Unless a person needs a very small .22 for whatever reason, I think a good conversion unit should be the first .22 acquisition.
I have both the Beretta 21a and the LCR. The beretta looks better, is a little smaller, and cheaper, but if I had to get rid of one, I would keep the Ruger. I have had no feeding issues with the beretta. It had been 100% reliable, but the Ruger is much more accurate and honestly more fun to shoot.
I will try to post comparision pics of the 2
I will try to post comparision pics of the 2
oneounceload
member
The Beretta 21 can be very reliable - IF you use decent ammo like CCI mini mags - those have been 100% in my gun. Promo 22s like Federal, Remington, Winchester are decent enough for plinking, but not, IMO, reliable for a SD gun
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