Much maligned Beretta Bobcat 21A

[Pilot]

For some strange reason, I have always wanted one of these little buggers in .22LR. I've read all the negative reviews and extraction problems. (It doesn't have an extractor) Also, I would never carry .22LR as a primary defense caliber, so why get one. Well here's my story with the little Beretta.

On a whim yesterday I bought a Bobcat 21A in 22 LR. As I said, I've wanted one of these, so I caved. I'm not a huge Beretta fan, but do think they make some very nice products and overall believe they are fine firearms. The little Bobcat seems to be well made with good fit and finish. The trigger is surprisingly good in single action, and a little stiff but very manageable in DA, but it is a new gun. The tip up barrel is interesting and allows you to load a round in the chamber with a full mag and not rack the slide. The safety can be engaged with hammer down, hammer at safety notch and hammer cocked. Why you would want to carry this little BUG cocked and locked is beyond me, but it is possible.

Range Session:

I took the little Beretta to the range yesterday with a few other guns I normally shoot. I brought CCI Minimags and had some Federal Lightnings also. I started with the Minimags. Seven in the mag and one in the tip up barrel. Boy, this is cool I thought.

I fired the first round DA, the gun jammed and the slide popped off, not all the way, but enough to render the gun absolutely useless. I thought, great, everyone is right and I'm an idiot for just wasting $200. Typically, when fireing a new gun I load one at first and see hoe it functions then progress to two and then more as I gain confidence. Well, I reassembled the gun loaded a few in the mag this time and on the first shot the gun again jammed, but at least the slide stayed on. Progress. The next mag I was able to get a few rounds down range before the next jam. After a few more mags like this the gun amazingly settled down to function flawlessly. Well, surprise, surprise. I actually started amiming at this point and at 7 yards was able to keep all the rounds in about a five inch circle. The sights are minimal and it was dark at the range so I just really point shooted. For a gun of this size and purpose, accuracy was fine.

I put about 150 rounds of CCI Minimags throught it. After the first few mags, the gun was flawless with this ammo. I then tried the Lightnings. Big mistake. They will just not work in the Bobcat, so I went back to the Minimags and put another fifty down range with no problems.

Overall, I am happy with the gun and will use it as a plinker and back up gun. Its a neat little pistol and due to its diminutive size, just a cute little BUG.

 

[Mad Magyar]

Some years ago, I received a 21A as a gift...Out of the box, I experienced a jam or 2 during the first 25. I sent it back to Beretta in Maryland., it was returned and I can't remember what was done to it; but it works with an occasional FTF every 100 rds. I use it for varmints and a hidden back-up in my vehicles...IMHO, failure in most cases are not due to "limp-wrist", but with the nature of this small calibre & types of ammo. (Forgot to mention, no charge for servicing from Beretta)

 

[wally]

Main problem with mine is mis-fires from light primer strikes.

--wally.

 

[denfoote]

Small Beretta.

I have been thinking of getting one of these. However, if they are this finicky, it may give me reason to rethink the project!!

 

[Shear_stress]

I really like the tiny dimensions of the Bobcat--sort of resembles a pre-natal 92FS. Though these guns seem hit and miss, the one I shot ate CCI Mini-mags like candy with respectable accuracy. The only trouble I had was with Stingers. For some reason the fifth one--and only the fifth--refused to eject.

The smaller the 22LR, the more finicky it's going to be, especially in a gun that lacks an extractor. I am glad you stuck with it and experimented with a couple of different loads. At first I was afraid this was going to be one of those range reports where someone complains that his pocket pistol won't feed the handful of Wildcats he found rolling around under the seat of his pickup!

 

[Pilot]

I have been thinking of getting one of these. However, if they are this finicky, it may give me reason to rethink the project!!

Well, after the first few mags, mine settled down into one darn reliable little auto. And fun to shoot! I would never carry this or any .22 as a primary defense weapon, but as a back up or plinker its fine. Yes, one of my Makarovs would be a better choice, but the Bobcat is so small, I can just toss it in any pocket, sack or brifecase.

 

[scubie02]

huh, actually I have never heard anything bad about them. I've had two, and the one I had more like 10 or 15 years ago was better made, but the one I had 2 or 3 years ago wasn't bad. Never had a jam with either one except once when a gf held it funny w/out me noticing it one time and painfully caught the slide in the web of her left hand (don't know what she was thinking there). Otherwise both were flawless, and you certainly couldn't blame the gun for that one. With the crap most ammo makers put out and call 22 ammo thats amazing (pay attention to how much different the sound is from shot to shot, and its pretty obvious many makers aren't too careful with consistency with their 22 ammo). Anyway, I usually like minimags, but neither of mine liked them particularly as I recall. Do yourself a favor and get a bunch f different kinds and try them out--22 ammo's cheap--and I'm betting you will find one of two that do much better than others. Both of mine were amazingly accurate for such little guns.

I ended up getting rid of my second one because of a problem I had with a beretta product and the bad taste I had in my mouth after the year and a half of terrible customer service until I finally gave up and unloaded the offending product. But can't say anything bad about the 21's.