dsf
Member
I have the 21A and in a pocket holster the thing is invisible and weight barely noticed. Having said that, I'd wonder how much larger/heavier the 32 ACP version is by comparison.
Pocket 22 pistol
- Thread starter JFthunder
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I'm surprised no one has mentioned the S&W 2213 or 2214. I have a 2214 and it is just as reliable (100% with Mini-mags or Stingers) as my 422 or 622, although I do not have nearly as many rounds through the 2214. Understand they are hard to come by and pricey, and that magazines are borderline ridiculously priced. They are also larger than Beretta 21's but still fairly lightweight with an aluminum frame. I would like to get one of the Ruger LCP2 .22's but they're unobtainium around here.
Not trying to start anything here on calibers, but why not a KahrP380, Ruger LCP II, or Ruger LCP Max or that size. Less than 10 ounces and can pocket carry all day. I've had about 5 pocket guns and the KahrP380 is the easiest,lightest of them. I've actually been considering the LCP22 but then I talk myself out of it. Ha. Just my thoughts
before you buy, take a look at the Ruger LCR, I like mine...pull trigger=fire,IIRC it can be had in .22mag also
The Taurus PT-22 can be a wonderful gun, but there are dogs so it comes down to getting a good one. There are two major variants, the "old" and the "poly". Either one is fine - I'd try the poly first if I had a choice. Trigger is long but smooth. Sights are tiny and pathetic, a little paint helps.
They definitely have a more hand-filling grip than most small guns.
Previous poster is right about the slide - you probably won't be able to shoot it dry and then reload quickly. So the key is to swap the mag before you run out, if you can. "Did I shoot 9, or only 8? Do I feel lucky???"
You can remove the finger-rest pad off the mag, makes it a little more pocketable.
They definitely have a more hand-filling grip than most small guns.
Previous poster is right about the slide - you probably won't be able to shoot it dry and then reload quickly. So the key is to swap the mag before you run out, if you can. "Did I shoot 9, or only 8? Do I feel lucky???"
You can remove the finger-rest pad off the mag, makes it a little more pocketable.
DGNY
Member
Beretta 21A. High quality. Has always run nicely. No issues.
Good luck in your search.
Good luck in your search.
The Beretta 21 is small enough it's not a bother to carry, that's a big plus.
It's capable of accuracy level that makes it a serious choice. Also dependable and durable. I suppose there are lemons but I think far and few between.
What I don't know, has the quality of the 21 dropped due to cost cutting?
It's capable of accuracy level that makes it a serious choice. Also dependable and durable. I suppose there are lemons but I think far and few between.
What I don't know, has the quality of the 21 dropped due to cost cutting?
Grayfox
US Veteran
I sorta have a thing for Mouse Guns and have several. For a pocket gun I much prefer .25acp over .22LR. Much more reliable ignition of the centerfire cartridge over the rimfire. Especially since the great .22 shortage a couple of years ago. I've found current .22 LR ammo to be somewhat unreliable with several FTF in every box. 
I had a IV TP-22 some years ago. Good little gun until the day I racked the slide and it slam fired on me.
Its gone.
The Beretta 21A is a fine little gun. But as mentioned, count your rounds and reload before it runs dry.
My favorite .22 pocket gun is the Walther TPH. However, they are expensive and the .22s are known to be extremely finicky. I had to send mine to an expert Walther gunsmith to get it to run reliably.
I had a IV TP-22 some years ago. Good little gun until the day I racked the slide and it slam fired on me.
Its gone. The Beretta 21A is a fine little gun. But as mentioned, count your rounds and reload before it runs dry.
My favorite .22 pocket gun is the Walther TPH. However, they are expensive and the .22s are known to be extremely finicky. I had to send mine to an expert Walther gunsmith to get it to run reliably.
This is bigger than the other guns but very shootable, accurate, and a lot of fun. If your going to use a .22 for defense you better be accurate with your shots. I'm talking about a Bersa Thunder which is about the size of a Walther PPK but with better ergonomics. It has a steel slide so you have to use powerful .22 ammo and I buy bricks of CCI Blazers and its 100% reliable and I love it and doubt I will ever part with mine.
I guess I'm not understanding the concern for running the Beretta Model 21A to an empty chamber and then loading another magazine. My Model 21A will chamber a round from a full magazine and empty chamber with no difficulty at all. Maybe they've changed the design since I bought mine some time around 1993? By the way, mine is chambered for .25 ACP, but the instruction manual that came with mine states that it is for either chambering, .22 LR or .25 ACP. The manual describes two methods of loading; via the tip up barrel, or by inserting the magazine (Beretta calls it a clip) and racking the slide.
Mine has had somewhere around a thousand rounds fired through it in the last 28 years or so. It has never misfired, and has never jammed. I have two original Beretta magazines, 8 round, and two MecGar magazines. 9 round. They all work perfectly.
Some time around 1994 on a range practice day, I loaded the Model 21A with 10 rounds of Winchester 50 grain ball and shot offhand at one of my IPSC targets that was set up 50 yards away for practicing Standard Exercises. All 10 rounds landed in the "A" zone. My eyes used to be a lot better than they are now.
Beretta Model 21A
Mine has had somewhere around a thousand rounds fired through it in the last 28 years or so. It has never misfired, and has never jammed. I have two original Beretta magazines, 8 round, and two MecGar magazines. 9 round. They all work perfectly.
Some time around 1994 on a range practice day, I loaded the Model 21A with 10 rounds of Winchester 50 grain ball and shot offhand at one of my IPSC targets that was set up 50 yards away for practicing Standard Exercises. All 10 rounds landed in the "A" zone. My eyes used to be a lot better than they are now.
Beretta Model 21A
I had a 21A many years ago and liked everything about it. I just got the
crazy notion that I needed to carry a bigger caliber, so I traded it off. The
biggest advantage is the tip up barrel. No slide racking necessary. Very
good feature for those with weak hands, arthritis, etc...
crazy notion that I needed to carry a bigger caliber, so I traded it off. The
biggest advantage is the tip up barrel. No slide racking necessary. Very
good feature for those with weak hands, arthritis, etc...
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This was my thought, albeit a little on the pricey side.
PeterJ, did you have any issues when you first bought it? Mine seems awfully ammo-sensitive,
Both the Beretta and the Taurus have one issue worth considering. With the tip-up design, there's no extractor. So if you get a misfire, or a case that sticks enough to not eject, you're in for some fooling around before it's back in action. Racking the slide won't do it. Flipping the barrel open might fling out the dud, but you better have a loose round to replace it with (or be able to rack the slide).
Baltimoreed11754
Member
I carry a .22 Woodsman when I'm working on the 33 acre property I own but a .38 spcl or .380 when in town. .22s are fine in the field but potentially too easy to jam or misfire to use for ccw imo.
jjmIII_Ruger
Member
Fun thread to read. Hard to not love 22lr guns!
I had hoped to hear more comments about the LCP2 in 22lr, but now you guys have me watching a few 21A's for sale.
I recently bought a Taurus 942 2" 22lr. My first Taurus and didn't know what to expect. Proving to be a good little revolver and was priced right when I got it. Prices are up now that they are harder to find. (MSRP $406.47) Build seems very good and it goes bang every time for me so far. Ameriglo has a nice upgraded front sight for $30 that I installed. It does have a case of "sticky extraction" but hopefully the cylinder reamer helped that...still needs test fired. Of coarse in a revolver if a round doesn't fire, you just pull the trigger again.
I had hoped to hear more comments about the LCP2 in 22lr, but now you guys have me watching a few 21A's for sale.
I recently bought a Taurus 942 2" 22lr. My first Taurus and didn't know what to expect. Proving to be a good little revolver and was priced right when I got it. Prices are up now that they are harder to find. (MSRP $406.47) Build seems very good and it goes bang every time for me so far. Ameriglo has a nice upgraded front sight for $30 that I installed. It does have a case of "sticky extraction" but hopefully the cylinder reamer helped that...still needs test fired. Of coarse in a revolver if a round doesn't fire, you just pull the trigger again.
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THE PILGRIM
Member
Ruger LCP 22 you say - shot mine yesterday.
It functioned fine with all ammo tried including new to me Federal Punch.
Finally got some Punch, cost 30 cents a round. Ouch!
Had a fail to fire, Federal Auto Match. Have experienced several fails to fire , with different Ammo, including CCI.
Then there's the 21a. It wouldn't feed the blunt nose Punch.
I had loaded Mags to try the Punch in the 21a, but that was a No Go from the Git Go!
I have 6 - 21a Mags and I had 2 loaded with Punch.
The 21a did fire Federal Auto Match and MiniMags without incident.
It functioned fine with all ammo tried including new to me Federal Punch.
Finally got some Punch, cost 30 cents a round. Ouch!
Had a fail to fire, Federal Auto Match. Have experienced several fails to fire , with different Ammo, including CCI.
Then there's the 21a. It wouldn't feed the blunt nose Punch.
I had loaded Mags to try the Punch in the 21a, but that was a No Go from the Git Go!
I have 6 - 21a Mags and I had 2 loaded with Punch.
The 21a did fire Federal Auto Match and MiniMags without incident.
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PeterJ
US Veteran
Mine seemed to be able to use any ammo I could find with no issues. The only real problem I have had is if you run 3 or 4 cylinders of ammo real fast, the cylinder will get pretty tight and harder to swing out.
DWalt
Member
I also had one of those, back in the early 1980s. For the relatively short time I owned it, it seemed to perform excellently. One employee's wife was having harassment problems from men (she was highly harassable), and she wanted a gun. He talked me into selling mine to him. I wish I had kept it.
smoothshooter
Member
I will never buy another Kahr, partly because the factory insists that you fire at least 500 rounds thru it to break it in so that it works properly. Really? At the price and a ailabilit of ammo nowadays?
Kahrs are not exactly cheap, and if Glock, S & W, Ruger, Bersa, and others can send a gun out the door for the same or less money that is ready to go, then why can't Kahr?
I like the feel, size, and looks of the Kahrs, but I swore off them 12 years ago after persistent reliability issues even after well over 500 rounds. Over several years I owned at least 4 different models and sizes.
And another thing: their magazine springs are WAY too long and strong. Clipping at least 25% of each magazine spring off usually helped reliability, but was never enough to eliminate feeding problems, even with FMJ.
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max503
Member
I'm going to watch for one of those. I like the sights.
