Beretta 21A-.22lr, an Impulse Buy

[Dump1567]

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.

 

[diyj98]

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.

 

[huthike]

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

 

[boykinlp]

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

 

[VaTom]

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.

 

[BB57]

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

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.

 

[waffles]

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

 

[Dave Baird]

Oh you guys!!!!

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!!!!

 

[murphydog]

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!!!!

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

 

[alwslate]

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!

 

[Furrball]

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

 

[Rpg]

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.

 

[max503]

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

 

[Muley Gil]

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!

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

 

[boykinlp]

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

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

 

[RMFnLA]

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.

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

Never again…

 

[RMFnLA]

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!

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.

 

[alwslate]

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.

 

[RMFnLA]

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…

 

[alwslate]

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…

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?