wrong ammo won't cycle new Beretta Bobcat 21A ??

OLDSTER · Mar 6, 2021

I don't rely much on "on-line" gun reviews, so asking forum members for your opinion.

My Daughter-in-law bought a new Beretta Bobcat 21A in .22LR. She is experiencing numerous fails to cycle the pistol. She doesn't live near me, but called to asked my advice. I told her it sounds like an ammo problem. When she bought it the gun shop "threw in" a "bag" of .22 LR. So I told her the gun needs HV stuff like CCI Mini-Mags to operate properly.

What say you about my advice to her. ??

Sgt911 · Mar 6, 2021

True, but the two I have wont run on anything, some are just duds. The .25 version seem to be reliable. I have a tomcat .32 and 950 .22 short that have never malfunctioned though.

ive tried many different ammos and mags. One is new last year and one is about 25 years old

murphydog · Mar 6, 2021

I would make sure she has the gun clean and lightly lubricated. Then be a good father in law and gift her several different brands of .22 LR to try if you have them.

Oldfrt · Mar 6, 2021

My wife has a 22 Ruger that only cycles reliably on 40 grain mini mags, since its a range gun I keep a supply for her.

tops · Mar 6, 2021

I had a Beretta Bobcat 21A .22 and it wasn't dependable with anything including Mini-Mags. I got rid of it. I have posted before that they don't have ejectors so if a cartridge doesn't fire the barrel has to be raised and punch out the cartridge with a ramrod then lower the barrel and rack the slide. That's very time consuming if you are in a self defense situation. Larry

dmn57 · Mar 6, 2021

Agree with all the above, and Mini-Mags have always been my fall back rounds to resolve ammo-related issues. Perhaps after a break-in period with the Mini-Mags the Bobcat will broaden it's palate for other ammo a bit.

Funflyer · Mar 6, 2021

When new, my Bobcat would only run reliably on CCI Mini-mags. After several bricks it started to loosen up enough to run standard velocity ammo.

THE PILGRIM · Mar 6, 2021

My almost new Bobcat likes MiniMags.
As posted, it needs to be cold and clean.
Easy on that lube!
If you have several mags, and shoot them in rapid succession, it will fail to eject. You don’t have to ask how I know that.
Guarantee!
I see the Bob as a mini pocket gun.
Pull it out and shoot a snake, varmint, etc.
Here’s mine with a 70s.
The 70s is ultra reliable.
A version was used by the MOSSAD.

RGPM1A · Mar 6, 2021

I have had one of these guns since the late 80s. Minimags work ok but if you want it to be as close to 100% reliable as possible you must use CCI Velositors or Stingers (I prefer the Velositors). When I use them never a hiccup. With Minimags I will get an occasional problem. With standard velocity I get nothing but problems.

Rpg · Mar 6, 2021

I bought mine used.

It’s been flawless with a variety of 22 high velocity ammo.

scoobysnacker · Mar 6, 2021

I have an old, worn in 21A. I tested a bunch of different "standard" .22lr in it awhile back, and came to the following conclusions:

1) it will run on CCI Blazer well
2) it will NOT run on Winchester, Federal, Remington or any other bulk box, and will not run on Aguila standard velocity (or below), or any other brand I have.

I did not have any Stingers, Velositer, or Minimags. I suspect that since they should be hotter, they should run.

The gun appears to like really high velocity ammo, and I'd say CCI brand at that.

I have an older Hi Standard Sportking that I don't put any HV ammo through, as well as a Ruger MkII that shoots anything.

Nevada Ed · Mar 6, 2021

Some new pistols need about 200 rounds through them to start to loosen up, or.........

you need to take the new weapon apart and take off all the burs and smooth out the slide and body with a stone or steel wool, to help it operate, with the new strong spring, as well as checking out the magazine for defects.

New weapons are the pits at first but will break in over time and lots of ammo that is full power, if you can find it.
Most pistols will not function will low power target ammo until it is well broken in or a lighter spring added.

Good luck.

Sgt911 · Mar 6, 2021

THE PILGRIM said:
My almost new Bobcat likes MiniMags.
As posted, it needs to be cold and clean.
Easy on that lube!
If you have several mags, and shoot them in rapid succession, it will fail to eject. You don’t have to ask how I know that.
Guarantee!
I see the Bob as a mini pocket gun.
Pull it out and shoot a snake, varmint, etc.
Here’s mine with a 70s.
The 70s is ltra reliuable.
A version was used by the MOSSAD.

Very true, my 70 never met a .22 round it didn't like.

Gary M · Mar 6, 2021

I have an older 21A (late 90s???) that I keep around for whatever reason and found it didn't make a lot of difference what I used, I would get an ejection failure. Got better after a couple hundred rounds, but never completely went away.
To dry was the worst, but too wet wasn't much better so have not found the sweet spot for lube.
I thought about messing with the recoil spring tension, but really not worth the effort.

I think I hang onto it because I can't in good conscious sell it to anyone knowing it has issues. Maybe wait for a "gun buyback" where I can off it for more than it is worth and put the money towards something else.

squidsix · Mar 6, 2021

Mine really likes 60 grain Aguila SSS ammo. Groups great and cycles reliably.
Every other type I have used gives mixed results.

BearBio · Mar 6, 2021

In my experience, keep trying until it breaks in. Not too common a problem at first with new guns. Once it starts to function, find the right ammo.

Jimmyjones · Mar 6, 2021

Carried a 950 for years, but the 21 was my grail, till I got one.

The first one was unreliable with anything, but would work more or less with Mini-Mags. I took it apart and noticed witness marks on the frame where the recoil bars were rubbing and a few other places. They are stamped and had flash on the frame side. I stoned them smooth, cold blued, then went through the action and cleaned up everything I could find. That one will now run anything I put in it now, Wildcats or what ever. I ran 2 boxes of Wildcats through it, doing 'tactical reloads' with 5 mags (reloading the mags when empty), not a hick-up. I now have 3 in .22. Used what I learned to clean up the others I'd gotten deals on because they wouldn't run before even firing them, they all run now.

Seems the early ones were pretty hit or miss. It's a shame I had to do what the factory should have done and clean up the manufacturing defects. I still keep my 950 as a BUG, but I love my 21s.

max503 · Mar 6, 2021

I love the looks of those berettas but threads like this keep me from buying one. My lgs had one last year for 349 and I passed on it.

kaaskop49 · Mar 6, 2021

I'm a fan of small guns, but am leery of .22RF models. My range/pro shop has two off-brand .22 'mouse guns' in the consignment case but I wouldn't touch them. Were they chambered in .25ACP, I would already have bought them.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

RobertJ. · Mar 6, 2021

I had one years ago and it was most reliable with CCI Stingers.

wrong ammo won't cycle new Beretta Bobcat 21A ??

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