Who carries a Bobcat?

[SOCO]

I picked up a Beretta Bobcat in .22lr the other day for two reasons: I like having a pocket gun option, and I wanted something for my daughter to shoot at the range.

I'm just curious if anyone out there actually carries a .22 pocket pistol. Yes, i know there are better calibers available. I had a Ruger LCP, and hated it for many reasons: couldn't stand the trigger, couldn't find ammo, recoil was a bear, ammo was expensive when I could find it, etc.

In my situation, I can comfortably conceal my Glock 27 about 95% of the time. If I were to carry the Bobcat, it would be as a BUG only, or in the rare instance I couldn't carry the Glock. I'm just curious if any Bobcat owners ever carry these things.

 

[Quiet]

Back in the 80s to mid-90s, my dad and his friends use to pocket carry the Beretta Model 21A. They kept it loaded with CCI Stingers. It was fairly reliable and it was better than carrying a sharp stick.

However, back then there were not that many choices for reliable pocket guns.

My dad has moved on to pocket carrying a Kahr Arms PM9.

I pocket carry a Kel-Tec P32.
It's about the same size as the Beretta Model 21A, but lighter and is in .32ACP.

 

[grimjaw]

While I owned a Bobcat I carried it. I actually traded a Ruger LCP for a Bobcat. There wasn't anything wrong with the function of the LCP, but the position of the magazine release meant that I always had to slap the butt of the gun every time I drew from concealment to make sure it was seated correctly. Also the ammo was becoming hard to get and relatively expensive to practice with.

Since the sights on the Bobcat are pathetic, worse even than the Taurus clone, I considered it a point-and-shoot gun only and max range was about seven yards. I practiced quickly emptying the magazine into 8x10 sheets of paper at that range. The recoil was very low so it wasn't hard to master that.

I knew the caliber was marginal at best, but it's what I could afford at the time that was better than a pointy stick. When circumstances allowed, I switched to a Kahr MK9 and sold the Bobcat to a friend who uses it as a companion to his wife's/daughter's Tomcat.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I'm just curious if any Bobcat owners ever carry these things.

Before concealed carry was strictly legal I carried the little gun a lot.

I still have it, equipped with a Crimson Trace laser for inexpensive low light practice.

The gun is less than 100% reliable and is a bit ammo sensitive.

and I wanted something for my daughter to shoot at the range.

I taught my friend's three kids to shoot with the little Beretta before they were old enough to pull the slide.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I have a .22 LR Model 21A that I used as a training "understudy" gun to a Beretta 3032 Tomcat .32 ACP I carried as a BUG on patrol.

Whenever I experienced a misfire I always had to use a tool to pry the unfired cartridge from the chamber. The firing pin indentation swaged the rim of the case to the barrel breech. I never carried it for protection for this very reason because I wouldn't be able to quickly get the gun running if I experienced a failure to fire.

 

[CZF]

Carried on for a summer.

went to this:


Not much heavier- and fires a more powerful round with improved reliability.

 

[searcher451]

I picked up a Bobcat in the early 1990s, have taken it to the range many times, have had it worked on by superb gunsmiths (two in all), and have tried many different makes of quality ammo. I've never been able to get it run reliably, and I've never sold it because I don't want to stick someone else with a handgun that isn't totally functional or reliable. These days, it sits in the far, dark reaches of the safe and no doubt contemplates its existence and reason for being. So do I, when I think about it at all.

 

[Oro]

I like having a pocket gun option, and I wanted something for my daughter to shoot at the range.

First, there are much better guns to teach a person to shoot with. Any S&W K or L frame loaded with 38s is more pleasant and manageable than a 21. And vastly more accurate. Part of getting someone to enjoy shooting is also accuracy - one of those guns will give them good feedback; a Bobcat does not.

That said, a 21 is a fine carry gun. I used to carry one in the 90's. I could carry it even in the summer on the beach. People can disparage the .22LR all they want, but at the end of the day, there's always the First Rule of Gunfighting:

First, Have a Gun.

If you aren't carrying your gun because it won't go with your clothing or it's uncomfortable, then you've violated that rule. The Bobcat is a great gun for that purpose. Some of them are finicky to ammo. We bought three at once. Two run with about any .22lr and without fail, one was more problematic. Just make sure yours is one of the reliable ones or find ammo it likes, and then enjoy it.

 

[SOCO]

Regarding my daughter learning better on a K frame revolver ... she's 9. I say believe we should teach our children about gun safety as early as possible. I specifically chose the Bobcat for her because she's afraid of her brother's "big" Browning Buckmark

Now, assuming she learns to handle it well and enjoys shooting I'll be ordering some after market pink grips for her when she's a few years older! Lol!

 

[Ben86]

These days, it sits in the far, dark reaches of the safe and no doubt contemplates its existence and reason for being. So do I, when I think about it at all.

That's hilarious, it sounds like my Taurus 970. I don't have an issue with it, it's just that a .22 revolver with a 6.5" barrel has very limited reasons for existing. Unfortunately I did not see that when I bought it 6 months ago.

I've considered getting a bobcat or like gun just as a pocket pest control gun. I do hate having to waste my centerfire ammo these days.

 

[cleetus03]

My dad does, but he recognizes the 21a for what it is. A mouse gun convenient and easily pocketed carried for the sole purpose of inflicting a "GET OFF ME" response as you get the hell out of dodge!

You know that saying, “Carrying a gun is not supposed to be comfortable; it’s supposed to be comforting."

Well the 21a can be pocketed in any attire I can imagine and is extremely comfortable to carry, even if the power levels of a 22lr leaving a 2.4" barrel are far from being remotely desirable.

So.............Although there is definitely a trade off in power projection to consider when choosing to carry a 21a over a larger sized handgun, it nonetheless obeys rule #1 of a Gun Fight.

p.s. if you do carry this pistol and are concerned with reliability, Use CCI minimags or stingers and make sure to keep it clean and the slides wet/greased at all times!

 

[VA27]

I've had 3 different Bobcats and never found one that shot where the sights looked.

The Beretta Minx is a different story. Over the years I've owned 5 or 6 and all were accurate and reliable. Too bad they don't come in a trigger cocking model.

 

[smartshooter.45]

i carried my 21A off and on for a few months during the hot of summer. ive found mine to be accurate up to about 12+ yards without a rest. it is reasonably reliable when clean and lubed. i keep it loaded with 33gr remington yellow jackets rated at 1500fps. 165 ft-lbs at the muzzle.

it really doesnt see much use unless my attire doesnt allow for anything else. if the worst of situations were to occur i would be glad i had it. like others have said, 8 rounds of .22 hp is better than nothing at all.

these days it has basically been replaced by a sig p238 with night sights. bigger round, better self defense sights.

cheers

 

[Jed Carter]

Nice little pistol, my wife carries the Beretta 950 jetfire, cocked and locked. It is a .25 auto, I think it is way under powered but it is reliable and accurate. I would not trust a box magazine fed pistol using rimfire ammunition with soft lead bullets. the rims can hang up on the next round or the soft bullet can deform on the feed ramp and both cause malfunctions, not a good thing at the range, total disaster in a real life situation. Beretta's pocket pistols are high quality little guns, but there are compromises one has to accept when using pistols this size. My first and hopefully last subcompact pistol is a SIG P238 .380, it is better than a sharp stick, maybe even a rock.

 

[JR47]

If you think your .25 ACP Beretta 950 is weak, look at it's other chambering. .22 Short!!

 

[chicharrones]

Whenever I experienced a misfire I always had to use a tool to pry the unfired cartridge from the chamber. The firing pin indentation swaged the rim of the case to the barrel breech.

Mine will do the same thing. Having no extractor makes this gun questionable for me.

I did carry it a long time ago in a pinch and I still own it. It is still a fun shooter, plus the grip size is actually quite excellent in a gun this size. However, I have moved onto larger calibers and more reliable pocket guns.

 

[chicharrones]

p.s. if you do carry this pistol and are concerned with reliability, Use CCI minimags or stingers and make sure to keep it clean and the slides wet/greased at all times!

+1 on the round nose Minimags. The hollowpoints of any .22 ammo gives my Bobcat fits, though.

 

[chicharrones]

Also, don't believe the ballistics given on the box for .22LR ammo is true coming out of short barrel pistol like the Bobcat. Those claimed 1200 fps to 1600 fps speeds and related energy levels are out of rifle barrels.

See this link with .22LR ammo shot out of the Bobcat's twin, the Taurus PT22.
http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/22lr/gel22lr.htm

 

[Fat_46]

Odd. Mine is absolutely reliable with anything I've fed it. However, the neighbor girl tried is and it failed to feed every round. I'm hesitant to say that a 22lr can be limpwristed, but I believe thats whats happening. I pocket carry mine on occasion loaded with Aguila SSS

 

[chicharrones]

The Bobcat is one of the few guns I've personally fired that can be limp wristed. That thing will just rotate back in your hand if not gripped right.

 

[chicharrones]

BTW, I didn't mean to come across as negative, just realistic. I still really like my Bobcat though. It's a gun that everyone I know wants to shoot when they see it.

 

[CZF]

I'll add that unlike the Beretta .22/ my MDE can be carried safely with a round in the chamber.

Something I never felt safe with when carrying the .22.

The Micro's mag release is also easier for me to use.

 

[jackstinson]

I have a 21A Bobcat .22LR, a 1957 Beretta 950 Jetfire .25acp, and a Taurus PT22 in my collection of pocket pistols. I've carried each of them on occasion. But the plethora of thin & tiny .32/.380 pocket pistols available now are as easy to carry, lighter, and more potent. Unless you need the tip-up barrel feature or prefer steel to polymer, the 21A would not be advantageous over, say, a Kel-Tec P32 or P3AT (slimmer & lighter).

But both of my tip-up Berettas have been 100% reliable with their preferred ammo. I use Mini-Mag solids in the 21A. My Taurus is also 100% with Mini-Mags, but can be a bit sensitive with some other ammo brands.

Interesting to see some of these comments from different owners.
The Beretta 21A Bobcat is designed to be absolutely safe with one in the chamber. What makes a CZ safer?
I have never once had a cartridge deform and hang up in the chamber...sounds like something is amiss. Never had to pry or poke anything out. When I flip the barrel on my 21A, whatever may be in the chamber is flung forward and up...about five feet in front of me. I shoot these three pistols quite often..as they are fun plinking guns and I am a pocket gun junkie. I have put thousands of rounds through my 21A without problems. Maybe I am just really lucky?

 

[Shawn Dodson]

When I flip the barrel on my 21A, whatever may be in the chamber is flung forward and up...about five feet in front of me.

This is exactly my experience with a Beretta model 20, .25 ACP, I had for 23 years, and a Tomcat. But any misfire with my model 21A, .22 LR, the case rim is firmly swaged to the barrel breech and stays put when the barrel flips open.

The 21A also doesn't have an extractor.

 

[benderx4]

SOCO: If you like the Beretta Bobcat, you may want to take a look at a Beretta Jetfire, It's even smaller than the Bobcat and gives you the extra punch, capacity, AND reliability of a 25acp vs the 22LR.

You still have the tip up barrel so no cocking required if you have weak/arthritic/etc hands. Trigger is SAO so it's crisper and tighter than the Bobcat. Gun can be carried cocked and locked ala a 1911.