Primer-only or low-power ammo in a small semi-automatic gun?

[Anna's Dad]

Is there any primer-only or low power (CB, Colibri, etc.) .22LR ammo that will function in a very small semi-automatic handgun like a Beretta 21A Bobcat?

Of course it would be great if it would cycle, but I'd be OK with manually cycling as long as its not going to jam or cause any other problems.

Thanks!

 

[rcmodel]

Any of the LR case length CCI CB or Colibri will hand cycle & feed just fine in a semiauto. The CCI short CB will function in a Beretta 950.

None of them will cycle the slide by themselves.

But none of them will be exactly quiet in a short barrel either.
The CCI's are louder then the Colibri. The Super Colibri is about like the CCI stuff.



rcmodel

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I've never tried this, so I am just speculating. But, I see no reason why a round could not be hand-fed into the chamber and fired as a single-shot. How far it would be able to blow the slide back, I can only guess. It might not move at all, or it might just move enough to partially eject the case and "stovepipe." Whichever happens, you will have to hand cycle the slide for each shot, though of course clearing a "stovepipe" -- if it happens -- will be a bit of a nuisance. I see now way it can harm the pistol.

 

[Geronimo45]

Some of the ammo marketed subsonic may run the slide. The CBs won't. They'll feed from the mag, but it'd be easier on the hands just to tip the barrel, let the empty drop free, and drop in the new round. Leave the magazine out if you want to eliminate all trouble areas. Bring a rod with you to poke out empties, just in case. Doesn't have to be anything special - I used the plastic nozzle extension tube from a can of breakfree to poke out dented empties (regulars usually fell right on out). No difficulties.

Matter of fact, with the barrel the way it is, you could use CB shorts, if you felt so inclined.

I really can't see any way they'd cause a failure, aside from possible squib loads.

 

[Novus Collectus]

I wonder what would happen if a really light spring was installed for firing the low power rounds? Would the slide be able to cycle properly?

 

[sm]

So I know how to show a gal a good time or what?

*grin*

Bobcats in .22 LR...well I have been suggesting these tip up barrels are just neat...

Colibris and stalking little pest critters is just too fun much at times...

"My turn to shoot mice, your turn to move the junk in the barn".

I recommend sitting atop a hay bale, seems to assist in baffling the little heathens...

By the light of oil lamps we did...*grin*

 

[StrikeEagle]

I wonder what would happen if a really light spring was installed for firing the low power rounds? Would the slide be able to cycle properly?

This might work.

I have a kit for my Ruger Standard model. It's a bolt and spring and magazine. The idea was to install it, then use the special magazine to fire .22 Shorts out of the pistol.

But in playing around with it, I found that it would fire subsonic .22 LR, using the bolt and spring, and the normal magazine.

I'm not sure if this information does you any good, but there it is.

 

[Anna's Dad]

Any of the LR case length CCI CB or Colibri will hand cycle & feed just fine in a semiauto.

I noticed that the CCI CB were either Long or Short, none said LR. I read that the Long is the same case size as LR but with a slighly smaller bullet. I guess it's close enough to manually feed?

I wonder what would happen if a really light spring was installed for firing the low power rounds?

That's an interesting thought. Any suggestions on a spring I could try?

 

[Novus Collectus]

Well if you have a spare spring you can experiment with, then I hear cutting off coils off the end makes a spring weaker, but I have never tried this.

 

[rcmodel]

I noticed that the CCI CB were either Long or Short, none said LR.

You are correct. The CB's come in either S or L case length.

I said "LR case length" in order not to confuse the issue any further.

There are folks here young enough to not know what an L is!


rcmodel

 

[Geronimo45]

That's an interesting thought. Any suggestions on a spring I could try?

You'd need two, the Beretta 21A's have dual recoil springs. You can try and knock a coil off, and see what that does - just make sure you do it to both sides, otherwise you might have issues.

In theory, you could just remove one of the two springs and see how things work that way, and not need to do any grinding/cutting of the springs.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/products.asp?chrMasterModel=1150z21A&MC=
Numrich has recoil springs in stock.

 

[Anna's Dad]

Thanks all. I'll try to get some extra springs to play with.

RC--my appologies. I missed the "case length" in your original post! Thanks for verifying/clarifying, however.

Best regards...

 

[hqmhqm]

I have used the colibri .22 in a Browning Buckmark pistol. Works fine, doesn't come close to cycling the action. Also not very quiet, a little louder than an air pistol.

 

[PointOneSeven]

The remington subsonics don't feed in my 21a (well, it cycled probably 4 out of 100). Not as quiet as through a rifle, but still fun shooting.