Beretta 21A

[JN01]

This little gun comes up in discussion now and then with reliability being an issue. I know that there can be a big difference between specific examples of the gun, particularly with different kinds of ammo being used.

Just wanted to note that mine has always run quite well. Took it out today for the first time in a long time. Fired 100 rounds of Federal 36 grain plated "Box o bullets" with only 1 malfunction- round #96 (last round in the magazine) stove piped on ejection.

It's not something I would carry for defense, but mine is reliable enough to provide a fun time at the range without a lot of hassles.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Neato little Beretta!

I have found that mouse guns cycle better when they are gripped extra tightly. Since they arent working with a ton of energy to begin with, they need a solid platform to work against. If the wrist or elbow arent stationary, much of that energy is wasted.

 

[geologist]

And if it's the same as my 950 .25ACP Jetfire, the action springs are held in place by the grip panels so the grips have to be in good shape, not cracked and screwed in properly for the pistol to cycle correctly.

 

[trackskippy]

I had two of them over the years. They worked OK, as long as they were kept spotlessly clean. Once they started to get dirty, they didnt work as well. I think the lack of an extractor was the problem there.

 

[Old_Grouch]

I know that there can be a big difference between specific examples of the gun, particularly with different kinds of ammo being used.

The first time I took mine out I put part of a box of Federal 40gr through it. I gave up a little more than half way through the box because it wouldn't go more than two or three rounds without either a feed or ejection failure. I remembered I had a box of CCI Blazer in the glove box. I put the whole box through it without a single malfunction.
Yes, they can be a bit finicky.

 

[Tallball]

Mine works fine. I just can't hit anything with it.

 

[jar]

My Bobcat works wonderfully when used with a favored ammo.

I have found my Taurus PT22-Poly is equally reliable with ammo it likes and it holds one more round in a near identical package.

If either brought back a 25acp version I'd like jump on it.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Wife's Bobcat functions flawlessly. Even after 200 rounds on the range a week ago. I use CCI Mini-mags.

 

[tommy.duncan]

Love my 950!! Fun to shoot, better then the 44 that's in your safe.

 

[snowman357]

I have 2 of these both work very good with federal auto match or any hot CCI round, the bulk 22lr works ok but will cause jams, with no extractor you should be looking for the highest 22lr velocities to get reliability.

 

[sean m]

Mine has been reliable when kept clean after a 100 of so shots. The chamber will get a little sticky if I don't brush it out occasionally.

 

[mavracer]

I've had 3 Bobcats and 2 Tomcats all have functioned well. Pretty much have only shot Blazer and mini mags in the 22s, the one I have now's sights are regulated absolutely dead on. My first two were off an inch or so at 10 yards.
They can be really accurate if a guy can see the tiny sights.

 

[JN01]

Mine works fine. I just can't hit anything with it.

I've had 3 Bobcats and 2 Tomcats all have functioned well. Pretty much have only shot Blazer and mini mags in the 22s, the one I have now's sights are regulated absolutely dead on. My first two were off an inch or so at 10 yards.
They can be really accurate if a guy can see the tiny sights.

I had a real hard time with the stock sights, so I modified the front with a jewlers file, creating a vertical face that will hold a bit of neon orange paint. Much easier to get a sight picture with.

 

[JN01]

View attachment 1004358

Love my 950!! Fun to shoot, better then the 44 that's in your safe.

I have one of those also, in .25 ACP.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I've had 3 Bobcats and 2 Tomcats all have functioned well. Pretty much have only shot Blazer and mini mags in the 22s, the one I have now's sights are regulated absolutely dead on. My first two were off an inch or so at 10 yards.
They can be really accurate if a guy can see the tiny sights.

My Tomcat was 100% reliable and surprisingly accurate........until the frame cracked.

 

[bannockburn]

Have had a couple of Model 21As over the years and like many here found they ran best with high velocity ammo; typically CCI MiniMags.

 

[mavracer]

My Tomcat was 100% reliable and surprisingly accurate........until the frame cracked.

I didn't shoot mine that much and sold it because of the frame cracking reports even though mine was a Stainless which supposedly didn't have as bad of problem

 

[chicharrones]

I've had a Beretta 21A for a long time. I've wanted a Beretta Tomcat for a long time, and I have a thing for .32 ACP, but I just can't bring myself to buy a Euro designed gun that can't handle Euro power level .32 ACP ammo.

Now, if that frame crack above the trigger bar isn't critical to the function of the gun, someone please tell me their long term experience with that.

 

[Old_Grouch]

I didn't shoot mine that much and sold it because of the frame cracking reports even though mine was a Stainless which supposedly didn't have as bad of problem

I don't know why having a stainless slide would make a difference. The frame is the same aluminum alloy as the the others, just anodized a different color.

 

[chicharrones]

I don't know why having a stainless slide would make a difference. The frame is the same aluminum alloy as the the others, just anodized a different color.

Beretta made the stainless slide wider and heavier, which is supposed to soften the recoil impact to the frame.

 

[Old_Grouch]

Beretta made the stainless slide wider and heavier, which is supposed to soften the recoil impact to the frame.

Okay, thanks. I was under the impression that they had done that with all 3032s.

 

[mavracer]

Okay, thanks. I was under the impression that they had done that with all 3032s.

They did change the blue guns and made them "wideslide" all the stainless guns were "wideslides"
I have seen reports of both cracking though.

 

[chicharrones]

They did change the blue guns and made them "wideslide" all the stainless guns were "wideslides"
.

Interesting. I did not know that.

 

[GarrettJ]

They did change the blue guns and made them "wideslide" all the stainless guns were "wideslides"
I have seen reports of both cracking though.

Yep. I’m not sure when they started putting the fat slide on the blued guns. I just bought a blued (parkerized, actually) Tomcat Covert with the threaded barrel. It’s noticeably fatter than the original gun. I bought one of those in the mid-90s shortly after they were introduced.

 

[mavracer]

Yep. I’m not sure when they started putting the fat slide on the blued guns. I just bought a blued (parkerized, actually) Tomcat Covert with the threaded barrel. It’s noticeably fatter than the original gun. I bought one of those in the mid-90s shortly after they were introduced.

View attachment 1004652

Dang I've never really seen a side by side. I just remember the footnote on the Crimson Trace website.