Found this ANIB Beretta 21A-.22lr at Carolina Sporting Arms in Charlotte. It's a cool little package. Pocket pistols in .22 are not usually on my radar, but this looked sharp. Feels great in hand. Super concealable. I read mixed reviews on reliability. Certainly, ammo selection impacts reliability. Its a classy little gun. Probably a good deal at $275.

Cool gun, I shot one and it worked well with the two different .22 LR brands I used. Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Can be ammo sensitive: MiniMags (among others) work well...

Cheers!

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Sit Reloader Sentiret

Great gun. Good price. I only had the .22 short one back in the day. Not double action. Traded it to Larry Seecamp for a .25

They like higher velocity .22 LR. I have also found that if I "flick" the rim portion of the first round in the magazine back, with my thumb on the rim, lifting the nose up, and before inserting the magazine into the mag well, it allows for a more reliable first round chambering.

All good tips, no pun intended, and those little guns are just so doggone concealable!



Too bad that gorgeous, little Browning replica wouldn't shoot worth a tinker's dam!

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Come and take it!!

Fun Gun until it’s not!
Not sure if I have completely figured mine out,
But yes, good ammo , like MiniMags. And Stingers.
Not a range gun! When mine gets warm and dirty it jams!
At that point the ammo don’t seem to matter!

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

yup... don't use wimpy 22lr... and yes.. they are darned cute and convenient... mine came with crimson trace.. I got rid of those.. made it too fat... enjoy...

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I have the Taurus version. Fun little guns. Mine likes to be kept very clean and well oiled. It prefers 40 grain ammo over the 36 grain hollow points.

Owned a lot of the little 22s over the years. They have their quirks. Most had definite ammo preferences. Most like to be clean. I'm not sure I ever had one that was 100% reliable.

Mini-Mags worked great in mine. The case of the Stingers was too long to get consistent ejection.
Kinda wish I had kept mine, but the little Kel-Tecs made it obsolete for me.
Although, looking back, I've kept a lot more guns I no longer had a use for. One more wouldn't have hurt!

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Because of the metric system?

Have had one for years, carried as a back-up and undercover. Agree they can be ammo-sensitive, and I found I had to seat the first round solidly with a strong push of the thumb on chambering. Am aware of a UC officer pulling his when a dope deal went bad. The bad guy sneered and asked the officer if it was a cigarette lighter. Officer fired a round into the mattress to emphasize his (and its) sincerity. They are good little guns and a great value, underpriced IMHO.

Still have mine bought new in the 90's, also have a Walther TPH which I put right there with the 21A.
I used to carry the Baby Beretta in a wallet holster as a B.U.G. until those were deemed some sorta "other item" as if it was more deadly in the wallet holster than dropped in the pocket....
As stated there are other bug guns today that are about the same size/weight but fire .380 ACP making the little Beretta lower on the scale of CCW choices .
Never had any ammo issues with mine,
Interestingly these have no extractor claw in the slide face, when you think about it the tip up barrel feature wouldn't work if there was an extractor claw, as a result the case is ejected solely by the recoil force of the gases and bullet being fired so it is wise to keep the chamber clean.

I had one of those (a .22) with wood grips circa 2000. I tried to give it to my (late) mom, but she rejected it. I said, "you can carry it in your purse" but she said no. I later sold it. Wish I still had it.

So much for logic. She often ventured out at night. Logic called for it.


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So very Politically Incorrect

I have its two cousins the 950 in .25 & .22short. Both completely reliable and very concealable. I even have leather belt holsters for them which is silly for a pocket gun. Might be good on a trout stream

I may just be lucky, but mine works just fine with everything I’ve tried in it: my favorite 22 ammo - Remington standard velocity, various CCI, various Winchester ammo, and some other stuff I didn’t keep track of.

Since mine works well with Remington standard velocity, that’s what I use in it.

I've owned one of these pistols on and off for years and currently still do.
If you are on the fence about buying one, don't delay. Great little pocket pistol and mine has been reliable enough to CCW it.

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Regards
Paul

I’ve had several 21a in last 10yrs. Never fails that family or friend cries till I let them have it. The most dependable of all 22rf pocket size pistols. They functioned with everything stuffed in them and were reasonable accurate.
In fact shot better than the 32 frame 22s I was testing. $275 is good deal.
I’m sniffing around for another myself and haven’t run into one in that shape at that price.

I have come so close to picking one of these up several times. The closest thing I had to one was a Raven ( don’t laugh&#128514 25. It was reliable but the accuracy at 10’ was terrible. I traded a cheap camera flash for it so probably has $15 in it. I bought a box of ammo and shot it then sold it. The biggest danger with it was pinching your finger in the slide.

I bought a Fredom Arms mini revolver in 22LR with the belt buckle and holster that looks like a knife sheath and a year or so ago bought the North American Arms version. File little guns but the may need a companion Beretta.

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I had one years ago. I loaned it to a GF, and she never gave it back!

Great little gun. Mine worked best with CCI Stingers. Very rarely a hitch. The reviews so far let you know you'll want to test it with a myriad of ammo.

I have a Beretta 950 Jetfire (.25 ACP), a 950B Minx (.22 Short), a 3032 Tomcat (.32 ACP) and a 21A Bobcat.

My mother in law carried the Minx. All of them are fun to shoot.

My Tomcat has the slightly longer threaded barrel and it’s been very reliable as is my 21A. I’ve carried both on occasion as a back up in a pocket holster.

The earlier single action 950 pistols are a bit more problematic.
The 950 and 950B lack a manual safety but have an inertial firing pin and are designed to be carried hammer down on a loaded chamber. The 950BS added a manual safety and could theoretically be carried in Condition 1.

The DA/SA Tomcat and Bobcat are much more practical.

Good looking gun.

I've owned a few over the years in .22 lr & have dealt with reliability issues. When the opportunity arose, I jump on a .25acp version. I've only put around 50 rounds through it (4 different loads), but it's performed flawlessly.

A local shop has the .22lr version in Nickel I've been eyeing.

I also got my hands on one of the older .32 Tomcats recently. But I'm cautious of my ammo selection due to the frame cracking issues.

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Watch & Pray

Some seem to work well and others not so well. I had one that wouldn't feed anything reliably, but have known others that worked well with high velocity rounds.

You definitely got a good deal. I have several of the Beretta small autos - fun guns! Generally like them better than full size Berettas.

About 30+ years ago, my best friend and I saw an advertisement in the newspaper (some of you young whipper snappers might not know what those are) for a Beretta 950BS at the Fast Cash Pawn Shop. IIRC, it was for a price we couldn’t turn down $125. Neither of us needed one of course, but we both picked one up. I really liked the tip-up capability. I remember shooting them a few times without any problems, and actually carrying mine in the glove compartment of my vehicle at the time for a few years. I haven’t shot it in years, and hadn’t even thought about it until seeing this post.

Other than caliber, I’m not sure what the difference is between mine and the OP’s 21A. I know the 950BS isn’t being made anymore. Beretta makes quality firearms, but occasionally a “lemon” can make it through quality control.
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

When my dad passed I ended up with two of the 950BS .25 autos. One was older, made in Italy and didn’t have the safety and the other was newer with the safety, box, and papers. Dad was not a gun guy. He kept one and my step mom kept one for personal protection. I gave one to my brother in law for helping dad in his last year.

Neat little pistols. Tip up barrel makes it easy for someone who doesn’t have strong hands as the slide is somewhat hard to rack for such a small pistol. The .25 was reliable when I shot. Good pocket pistol.

Beretta does make the 21A in .25 ACP as well as .22LR. The center fire round is more reliable than a rimfire round, but the .22LR actually has better terminal performance and is much cheaper and easier to feed.

The major difference between a 21A and the older 950BS is the 21A is a double action single action design, while the 950BS is single action only.

Had one for a bit. It was fun, ammo picky, and didn't really do anything I needed but it was neat.

All of these little pimp guns look great, so great, that I swung by the LGS to see what they had. I was hoping nothing, but sure enough, I found this little Jetfire in the original box for $375 OTD. I doubt it's had a box of ammo through it. I carried one of the 21-A's in .22 as a back-up, but now retired, I think I could use a small handgun for in the house, going for a walk, whatever. Oh you guys!!!!

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This is the thread that just keeps on giving! Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Never owned a 21 but I have three of the 950Bs. Mine are the pre safety 950Bs, which I prefer over the BS with the unnecessary thumb safety. Two in .25 ACP, one in .22 Short. They are very reliable and I have never had a malfunction with either. I have a small lot of imported .25 ACP that delivers the true velocity of the old specs for the .25 before US ammo was watered down, 835 FPS chronographed with 50 gr FMJ. Impressive results in my penetration tests. 29 gr plated HV .22 Short is the best ammo for that caliber. A bit faster than the .25 at around 865 FPS. Not the best round for SD but a long way from being unarmed. Enough penetration to perforate the vital organs in the chest and probably stop at the back of the chest cavity. A fast six rounds at close range is going to probably prove fatal to any perp. The 950 B has an inertia firing pin so with the hammer just off of the firing pin at half cock the gun is easy to fully cock with one hand. Great guns!

The 21a Bobcat is a great little gun. Congratulations. Mine loves Stingers.
Here is a fun picture of my 950 bs Jetfire
That's a standard playing card behind it.



My 3032 Tomcat

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NRA Life Member, GOA Member

[QUOTE=.38SuperMan;141956108.

I bought a Fredom Arms mini revolver in 22LR with the belt buckle and holster that looks like a knife sheath and a year or so ago bought the North American Arms version. File little guns but the may need a companion Beretta.[/QUOTE]

A number of years ago, I was waiting in court for my case to be called when a lad walked into court wearing one of those buckles. This was when concealed carry permits were available only to the politically preferred.

I alerted the bailiff, he got the courthouse police to escort the lad out of the courtroom without his belt. He was a skinny fellow and had a lot of trouble keeping his pants up.

That's half what a new one goes for here.

Once upon a time, I also had the .22 Short version. It was a fun little poodle shooter!

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

WOW, didn’t realize that they were going for near that much! I assume that is for a new 21A. I don’t think 950’s are being made anymore.
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

I carried one of those loaded with Mini-Mags until it misfired when I needed it not to.

Never again…

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Richard

I wouldn’t bother with any .22, mostly for reliability, but my 950 in .25 ACP has never missed a beat.

No, it’s not a magnum, but I can’t imagine anyone getting 5 or 6 to the face wanting to do anything except seek medical attention.

At least, that’s the theory.

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Richard

The nonsense about shooting someone in the face in a SD shooting started some years ago with a gun testing magazine that is now long out of production hopefully. 5 or 6 rds of good .25 ACP FMJ to the upper chest area would give complete penetration and two holes for every shot. Any perp on the receiving end of that would be beyond seeking anything.

I never saw that, but if you really think it’s nonsense we can try it out on you when you have some free time…

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Richard

Sure, we'll take turns. I'll test my theory about 5-6 rds to the upper chest area and then you can test your theory that 5-6 rds to the face are more effective. If you're still capable of thinking anything after the rds to the chest. Ok?

Wait, why do you get to go first..?

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Richard

Seniority. I've been here longer than you and undoubtedly much older than you and therefore much wiser

Yes. There's a 21A under the glass with a price tag of $579. It's been there at least a year. Looks like it's brushed stainless.

Too rich for my blood.

Beretta had a $150 rebate going last year. Considering the rebate (which could take nearly 4 months to receive), shipping, tax and transfer, it was possible to buy the INOX (stainless) version for about $320 OTD.

I picked a Beretta 3032 Tomcat Covert.They were blowing them out for $400 in December.
With $150 Rebate the Net cost was $250 +tax and transfer. I opted for the paper check for my rebate. Received it in 5 weeks.
FYI a new updated version of the Beretta Tomcat is just coming out. Mags are not compatible with the 3032 Tomcat.

Beretta 30X Tomcat Just in Case Pistol | Beretta

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NRA Life Member, GOA Member

I have 2 Beretta 21-A's and a Walther TPH. Been using CCI Stingers to break them in. Not one issue yet on any of them. Easy to hit a 5" target at 7yds considering they don't have "real" sights.

Don't have the specs but the barrel on the Beretta looks to be 1/2" shorter than the TPH. The grips on the Beretta are fatter and longer than the TPH making it easier to hold. I've been clipped a few times by the slide on the TPH.

I've had people ask me at the indoor range what I was shooting. Their jaw drops when I show them. Those Stingers do pack a punch.

I had a TPH years ago.

Beautiful little gun, like a piece of jewelry, and really accurate for what it is, but kind of nasty to shoot.

One I let go that I don’t miss.

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Richard

I purchased one on a whim and I was pleasantly surprised how much fun it is was to shoot! Neat little pistols.

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