Beretta Model 21

[Yukonstorm]

Can anyone offer their opinion in regard to the Beretta 21 in 22LR. Stingers were suggested as ammo of choice. This will be carried in an uncle mikes pocket holster in a tropical location. Thanks in advance.

 

[Manedwolf]

Can anyone offer their opinion in regard to the Beretta 21 in 22LR. Stingers were suggested as ammo of choice. This will be carried in an uncle mikes pocket holster in a tropical location. Thanks in advance.

22LR, being a rimfire cartridge, IS more prone to misfires than anything mechanically comparable (same quality gun) in centerfire, as a sort of traditional rule of thumb. The "tropical location" mentioned is also a worrying factor, since (at least I was taught) that 22 rimfire rounds are more susceptible to primer fouling from moisture and oils than centerfire rounds are.

And if you have a misfire with an automatic, you're stuck, because you'd have to flip up the barrel and get it out, hope it doesn't squib off while you're doing that, re-rack it to load another round, and by that time the BG would have kicked your behind. At least with a revolver, you could turn it and try the next.

Personally, I'd not trust my life to a rimfire automatic pistol. If you don't own it yet and want one of the baby Berettas, which ARE nice, I'd suggest either .25 or .32, centerfire.

 

[Mad Magyar]

I had some lousy firing episodes with my Beretta 21A until I switched ammo to Yellow Jacket & Stingers. I'm also meticulous in the cleaning & lube. I now experience an occasional "nose-up" FTF 2 out of a box of 50...Before, it was always causing a problem...I certainly don't use it for self-defense or BUG; just a plinker to shoot at paper after the "big-bores" had their turn...

 

[ACP230]

My Beretta 21 did not like the old box of Stingers I had on hand. Bad accuracy and keyholing.
It did OK with other high velocity .22s. I used to practice shooting the whole mag into a target at 10 meters or so, as quickly as possible. It seemed the best way to use the little gun.

I discovered that if a round doesn' fire and you let the barrel flip up quickly the loaded round will most often fly out of the chamber. Close the barrel, rack the slide and it's good to go again.

I have carried mine off and on in a pocket and an ankle holster. It's better than no gun at all. If I was going to carry it a lot somewhere warm and humid, I might look into a hard chrome, or electroless nickel finish. The Tomcat in .32 comes in stainless and I've thought about buying one to carry instead of the .22. I like stainless for a pocket or ankle gun.

 

[Yukonstorm]

Thanks or the responces. Th gun is stainless, and Id much prefer to carry a 1911, although for 10 months of the year, weather doesnt permit. I thought the 32 tomcat was a little wide, thus my purchase of the 21. Im very curious as to the reliablity of Kel-Tec 32, and 380's. I dont knw much about them, and have heard 2 trains of thought. If there junk, I'll stick witht he Beretta 21, and change ammo weekly. Thanks again.

 

[John C]

Yukonstorm;

I bought a stainless 21a a few years ago for a steal of a deal. I intended to use it as an on-duty backup to my Glock.

In the process of 'working it out' to find the best ammo, check for reliability, etc. I did find that stingers worked best in my pistol. However, while I never had a failure to fire for any reason with stingers, the lack of an extractor in the beretta 21a bothered me. The 21a relies on chamber pressure to kick the case out, and while it works great, you have no ability to eject a cartridge that failed to fire or case that failed to extract. This made me nervous, so much that I bought a S&W 642. Now I also have a kel-tec P11 and P3AT. Also, the grip of the 21a is pretty thick, for what it is, although that makes it more comfortable to shoot.

I like the 21a, I just felt there were better options. For a carry pistol in a reasonably low threat area, they would work fine.

Good luck.

-John