Beretta 21A on the way

[scoobysnacker]

I just won one of these on gunbroker, for what seems to be a decent price ($231 shipped). It's an older, blued model with the wooden grips, the finish looks worn and the grips probably need to be refinished. It's the tiny subcompact 22lr, about the size of a cellphone or wallet.

I didn't know I wanted one, until somebody brought one to the range recently and let us shoot it. He set up a 5" steel target at 15 yds and we each shot a magazine through it. For something so small, his had no business being so accurate- I was able to put 2 of 7 on steel standing offhand, and the others were close (would have been on paper, I was shooting slightly to about 7 o'clock). I was grouping pretty tight based on the impact, and I think with a little practice I could dial it in more. No, it isn't like my High Standard or Ruger Mk II, but those aren't so tiny either.

I'm looking at some stuff for it, might have a decent deal on some extra grips etc. I'll post pics when it comes in.

 

[dmthomp32]

They are accurate little pistols and are super fun to shoot. I have shot ones that operated perfectly (especially with mini mags) and I have fired some that didn't make it through a mag without issues (sadly the one I owned). My thought for questionable pistols is if they look like they have been shot a lot then that is a good thing because they likely function well!! If they look to new then beware! Just my experience. If I could test one before buying and it worked, I'd buy it in a hot minute!

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

 

[dr. mordo]

I love the 21. I had one in 25 ACP that I stupidly sold years ago. Whenever I see them these days they are $300+, even sometimes in bad shape.

 

[squidsix]

I have one, and a 950 Jetfire in .25 ACP.
Its a great design, and I find it very reliable with the right ammo and quite pleasurable to shoot. Mine sits in a seacamp wallet holster from time to time.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Keep it clean!
Mine likes MiniMags.

 

[jimmyj]

I have one but have not shot it in years. IIRC they are picky about the ammo used.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Those tiny Berettas are top drawer, handy little guns. I have had a 950 BS in .25 ACP for over 30 years. There was a time, and it was a long time, when it was the only gun I carried and I took it everywhere. I used to call it my go everywhere pistol. Then they passed the CHL law and I switched to bigger guns for concealed carry but, sometimes, the little Beretta comes out with me, anyway. Wonderful, well designed little machine.

 

[cadmike]

I like my 21a, it’s a great little gun and mine seems to shoot any HV ammo just fine. It’s a great design, the tip up barrel means you should never have to rack the tiny slide in order to chamber a round. It can be carried hammer down for DA/SA operation, or cocked and locked, and even has a half-cock feature. A great deep concealment gun.

 

[robvious]

mine came with crimson trace grips... they worked but felt silly so I took them off... still have them... just sittin in the box... fun with any HV 22LR... mini-mags work best... enjoy...

 

[les.b]

I'll bet you love it!!!....

I've got the .32 version, the "Tomcat". It rode in my glovebox for many years. Very small for a .32, but a little larger than the .22lr version. Very well made little gun, and mine has been 100% reliable with the several types of ammo that I have tried with it.

Best Regards, Les

 

[JayFramer]

Great carry gun. .22 bounces around on the insides, during organs into Swiss cheese. Fantastic defendapistol.

 

[scoobysnacker]

I'll bet you love it!!!....

I've got the .32 version, the "Tomcat". It rode in my glovebox for many years. Very small for a .32, but a little larger than the .22lr version. Very well made little gun, and mine has been 100% reliable with the several types of ammo that I have tried with it.

Best Regards, Les

I considered the .32 version, but didn't come across one at nearly the same price point... I figure for $200 and based on my firsthand experience with the 22lr version, that was worth a go.

What really struck me the most, was that for as small as it is, it doesn't feel small in the hand- the grip felt very full and secure. Now, I don't have the largest hands around, but I do shoot, for example, a 92 quite comfortably; and this little 21 felt good. Almost reminds me of holding something like a lemon, with a trigger and barrel protruding in the appropriate place. I've shot bigger small pistols that didn't feel as snug in my grip.
And of course, the .22 doesn't do much of anything regarding recoil, so it was a very pleasant experience.

Regarding .32's, I was able to pick up a FEG in .32 for the difference in price range between the Tomcat and Bobcat, so that gives me the best of both worlds (hopefully). I already have a PA-63 in 9mm Makarov, it feels great in the hand, up til you shoot it, then you get carpal tunnel from the recoil. I'm hoping the .32 retains the same ergodynamics, but with a more pleasant shooting experience.

 

[RoninPhx]

we have had one for quite a few years. my wife was hiking daily in the phoenix mt. preserves, which with the phoenix heat meant shorts and a t shirt. there were and are some wierdo's in those mountains and on those grails, so i bought one for her. We call it the "bra" gun. fits basically in tat little space between the boobs, can't tell she has it from looking at her. I told her if needed, empty the gun at the problem, throw it at him, and run like the dickens. probably wouldn't chase her far. one thing i did notice was it worked perfectly with the high velocity ammo like stingers, not so much with the cheap stuff.

 

[H Richard]

I wish you good luck with it. I had one and unfortunately the accuracy was mot good. When I was cleaning it one day I took my inspection light and looked carefully at the bore, there was literally no rifling on the left side of the bore. I had trouble even keeping 30 consecutive rounds on a 50' bullseye target at 50 ft from a rest. I had really liked everything about it but just wasn't accurate, and was pretty picky about ammo. It needed at least High velocity.

 

[Old Corp]

A friend gave me a Beretta M21 in a 'bag o' gun parts'. He'd disassembled it in an effort to clean and evidently lost just a few parts .

I sent it to Beretta - came back assembled and new grips.
The little bugger is amazing - a little bitty .22 auto should not function and shoot that well. Sights are tiny, but if you're on - it hits. And not ammo-finicky at all.

Really don't have alot of use for a little .22, but am hanging on to it. That friend passed away not too long after him passing that on to me - I keep it because of him.

 

[scoobysnacker]

For those that handled both, is there much tactile difference between the older wooden grips, and the stock plastic? The one I shot had the plastic, and those felt good.

 

[5-Shot]

I had a 22 short version for decades. I agree completely with all the praise being heaped upon it. It was tiny, absolutely reliable and absurdly accurate. So why don’t I still have? After about 35 years I finally gave up. Every time I fired it the slide came back and cut a slice out that chubby area between my thumb and forefinger. It was literally a choice between wearing a glove or bleeding. Most embarrassing...either way.

Ed

 

[7tenz]

The oldest handgun in my collection, purchased in the mid '80s while living in Amarillo TX. Took it out once in mid nineties and was impressed with the accuracy despite it's size.

 

[tops]

I once owned a Beretta M21 and it was okay to shoot at tin cans but there's no way I would carry one for self defense. They don't have an extractor and if the cartridge doesn't fire the barrel has to be tipped up and something stuck down the barrel too eject the cartridge. Then put another cartridge in the barrel and close it or close the barrel and rack the slide. I don't want too be doing all that if somebody is beating on my head. Larry

 

[touchoneoff]

I have one, and a 950 Jetfire in .25 ACP.
Its a great design, and I find it very reliable with the right ammo and quite pleasurable to shoot. Mine sits in a seacamp wallet holster from time to time.

VERY nice! I'm jealous.