Beretta 21a Bobcat 22lr

American1776 · Jul 20, 2018

Decided to pickup this pocket pistol. New from the Beretta TN factory.

Nice little pistol. I thought my jframe was small. This is a new level of small.

Got some CCI high velocity copper rounds. 1800 ft. Sec. on the label.

The only thing I’m disappointed with: at the pivot that tips the barrel, the assembler missed with the hammer and struck the frame. There were other models at the store with the same marks. I picked this one because the other models had worse problems ( one was rusted on the barrel.)

I don’t THINK this will affect integrity of the 22. And, in that area of the frame, the aluminum is very thick.

I have to wonder what gun makers are doing these days. I bought 2 new Colt 1911s with defects from the factory (damaged crown and a gouge in the frame rail), and now this hammer peened frame on a Beretta.

Maybe I’m being too picky.

Anyway: seems to be a nice little pocket gun. Anyone have one?

loc n load · Jul 20, 2018

I own one, bought 15 years ago or so. It is a well made, functional little pistol. I load mine normally with WW super X. I don’t carry mine as a defensive weapon, preferring larger calibers for that role. But it is fun to shoot, accurate enough for what it is, and being a Berreta, it is a quality product.

Ivan the Butcher · Jul 20, 2018

My brother has the 22, I have a 3032 Tomcat in 32ACP. it's just a hair bigger. I like both of the Berretta's feel in ankle holsters. The steel J-frames are a little heavy in the ankle holster.

Ivan

THE PILGRIM · Jul 20, 2018

As I have posted - got a Beretta 70s on a trade.
Remembered that the first handgun I shot was a tip-up Barrel Beretta.
So I bought a 21a. It is small!
Mine likes Minimags.

petepeterson · Jul 20, 2018

I had one, probably shoulda kept it. It was well-made. My mother carries one daily.
I replaced it with a Kel-Tec .380. If you think the Beretta is small, try one of those suckers!

GeoJelly · Jul 20, 2018

That heavy-handedness is a shame on an otherwise very nice looking little pistol. I have the .25ACP version - with Accokeek markings. I have been lusting after a stainless .22 version, like yours, but those marks would bother me too much ...

The pin appears to be off-center in the hole too - which would add even more misery for me ...

italiansport · Jul 20, 2018

Their "final inspection" person apparently also owns a white cane! I have an
older example without these assembly issues.
Jim

OKFC05 · Jul 20, 2018

I've been wanting to buy one but no luck finding one.
How did you get yours new from the TN factory?

American1776 · Jul 20, 2018

OKFC05 said:
I've been wanting to buy one but no luck finding one.
How did you get yours new from the TN factory?

Local gun store had a bunch in stock.

American1776 · Jul 20, 2018

Thanks for the input.

I’ve looked at pics online of various bobcats. Looks like this pin installation mark is not uncommon. I even see some where the edge of the hole is deformed. I guess it’s a peculiarity with this model. It doesn’t affect function of the mechanism. I imagine if I contacted Beretta they’d tell me it’s in spec.

Here are other examples of this heavy handed mark.

H Richard · Jul 20, 2018

Be sure and check the rifling in the bore. I had one that I could never hit anything with. I took a close look in the bore, and the rifling was decent on one side of the bore, but almost non-existent on the other side. I got rid of it. I liked the little gun but the accuracy was so bad I couldn't stand to own it.

dr. mordo · Jul 20, 2018

Years ago I had the .25 ACP version, and it's one of the guns I deeply regret selling.

Mine was flawless, and recently I shot a buddy's 22 Bobcat and it was perfect, which kind of surprised me because I figured 22 would be problematic in such a small auto.

That's one gun I'd buy in a second if I found one for the right price.

smoothshooter · Jul 20, 2018

I have had two of the Taurus versions of that gun for several years, and consider them superior to the Beretta version, surprisingly. They are in the Carry Rotation of the pocket guns I pack around every day along with my .380 S&W Bodyguard.
The Tauri are great little guns, with what I refer to as " rabbit hunting accuracy ", meaning pretty darned good.
It is not unusual to have to send them back to the factory/warranty place for a point of aim adjustment to get them to shoot to the sights.
I really like the little things and may even pick up another one some time.

smoothshooter · Jul 20, 2018

American1776 said:
Thanks for the input.

I’ve looked at pics online of various bobcats. Looks like this pin installation mark is not uncommon. I even see some where the edge of the hole is deformed. I guess it’s a peculiarity with this model. It doesn’t affect function of the mechanism. I imagine if I contacted Beretta they’d tell me it’s in spec.

Here are other examples of this heavy handed mark.

Are you sure it's not supposed to be there?
The mark could be there for the purpose of staking the pin in so it doesn't work out on it's own.

RobertJ. · Jul 20, 2018

I had one years ago. It was most reliable with CCI Stingers. Had a Tomcat, too. Both long gone, no regrets.

American1776 · Jul 20, 2018

smoothshooter said:
Are you sure it's not supposed to be there?
The mark could be there for the purpose of staking the pin in so it doesn't work out on it's own.

Some have the marks, others don't. I think it's just some ham-handed nitwit at the Beretta assembly line smacking the frame after tapping the pin into the hole.

It seems to be purely cosmetic.

GeoJelly · Jul 20, 2018

This thread has prompted me to expunge

my stnls Tomcat to check for a similar mark. Looks like neither of my Accokeek pistolas have the mark ... but the Tomcat pin does look off-center. Having more time to think about it - I guess I could learn to ignore the mark if the pistol was reliable with a brand or two of .22 ammo ...

Added: just noticed the difference in finish quality, on the barrel itself, between the Gallatin .22 and Accokeek .32. Wow - what a difference a couple of years make!!

apollo99 · Jul 20, 2018

I have an older blue model with the wooden grips. It never fails to surprise me with it's reliability and accuracy. Every time I shoot it someone always wants to buy it.

American1776 · Jul 20, 2018

There’s a picture on Beretta’s Official website, advertising the Bobcat. In that picture, the pivot pin hole looks to be deformed by the tapping hammer as well. Not as obvious as mine, but it’s there. We can be sure the company hand picked the best Bobcat they can find.

I’m thinking this is not unusual, and if I call Beretta they’ll tell me it’s in spec and there’s nothing to fix or replace.

I think I’ll just shoot it and keep it.

hardknocks · Jul 20, 2018

21A

I picked one up today at the FFL that I purchased here last week.
1994 model looks perfect at the pivot pin.
Had one a while back 500 rounds of mini mag no malfunctions. Impressive to me.
Plan to hold onto this stainless model.
Regards
Mike

Beretta 21a Bobcat 22lr

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