Beretta 21a - Ammo Reliability Summary

[38SPL HV]

I’ve been putting my Beretta 21a Inox through its paces recently with more sent down range this morning.

I found that the most reliable ammo in my 21a (baseline = no malfunctions of any kind with at least 200 rds total per ammo type) are now Eley Target and Eley Club. Next tier are Federal Automatch/HV Match Hunter and Federal Standard Velocity (#714, now discontinued, but under Premium Match (711b)). Aguila Super Extra SV has been 100% reliable through 35 rounds (needs more testing).

Oddly, CCI Mini Mags, Federal HV HP (recently had some FTFs) and Federal HV RN were unreliable. CCI SV, GECO Semi Auto, Aguila Pistol Match, Aguila Rifle Competition and Norma Tac 22 all were disappointments.

I’ll stick with Eley believing that their consistency exceeds that of current CCI, Federal, etc rimfire offerings. Eley Target and Club are entry target level loads which pass rigorous quality guidelines prescribed by Eley.

Other considerations- keep your 21a clean and lubed. I clean the chamber and breach face after about 25 rds with a Qtip moistened with Mil Spec CLP (I like G96 Mil Spec)...takes seconds. The 21a is not a range gun but if you clean it in this fashion you’ll probably encounter much fewer malfunctions over an extended range session.

 

[38SPL HV]

Thx
A description of the unreliability of the Bobcat would be wunderbar.

“Oddly, CCI Mini Mags, Federal HV HP (recently had some FTFs) and Federal HV RN were unreliable. CCI SV, GECO Semi Auto, Aguila Pistol Match, Aguila Rifle Competition and Norma Tac 22 all were disappointments.”

Unreliable = ammo which exhibit a failure of any kind to function the pistol...FTF, FTE...ammo specific only.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

My experiences have been -
When my 21a malfunctions, it is a fail to eject. Or more accurately worded, failure to completely eject.
Don’t recall any fails to fire.

 

[38SPL HV]

Yes, my failures were failure to eject (FTE) and failure to feed (FTF).

 

[serger]

I use the Aquila 60 grain subsonic.
They give better penetration and
In my gun eject flawlessly. Part of
that is the shortened shell case.

 

[Drm50]

This test means nothing. You aren’t testing the 21a you are testing ammo.
For this test to mean much you have to set it up with at least one other pistol. Fire same ammo, out of same box.
I’ve had at least three 21a pistols and fired everything in them. No issues at all. Now there are two variables in this. The big one is all my 22ammo is preObama. Very seldom had ammo problems with any brand, even bulk.
The other would be age of the 21As I had. Are newer ones not as good as the older ones? I don’t know, I’m not a Berreta nut.
I do know 22 ammo is junk anymore. A misfire use to be rare but now you can expect a few in every box of bulk, like the prize in Cracker Jack. Only difference is Cracker Jack is made under quality control.

 

[38SPL HV]

...interesting

 

[kevin in nh]

I have had a 21 for years. It was no question for me. CCI Stingers

 

[38SPL HV]

New status:

Add the following to the failure to feed and failure to eject list of ammo which will not function reliably in my 21a:

Aguila Target (standard velocity)
GECO Semi-Auto
Norma Match 22

 

[38SPL HV]

...Eley (Target and Club) keep the 21a functioning well...no malfunctions of any kind. I’m up to 750 rds fired between these two Eley types. I believe that Eley must use a faster burning propellant and consequently a quicker recoil impulse to work the slide. Most of the slide tension on this Bobcat seems to come from engaging the hammer spring...

I’ve been shooting often and have the ability to do so living in rural Nevada...sometimes 2x a day to nearby ranges.

 

[H Richard]

Brought back memories of one I used to have. 21A with nice walnut grips, decent trigger, it functioned very well with CCI Mini Mags, BUT, the accuracy was terrible. Even bench-rested it couldn't keep but about 20 out of 30 on a standard 50 ft. bullseye target at 50 ft. After trying several brands of ammo, I took my bore light, after cleaning it, and closely inspected the bore. There was NO rifling on about 40% of the left side of the bore. Somebody offered me a cheap price for it and I sold it. I've never bought another.

 

[whittier]

I got my 21A way back in the 80's. We used to get a uniform voucher every year for around $150. You could use the voucher for anything in the uniform store. One year they had a bunch of 21A's on display so I picked one up instead of a new uniform. I always shoot the CCI mini mags and they always work perfect in my gun. I wasn't aware that there was an issue with the type of ammo used.

 

[Old Corp]

I'm not a mousegun fan, but years ago a friend gave me a "bag 'o gun parts" that turned out to be a Beretta M21 .22, minus a few key parts. It was a gift.

I sent it to Beretta, it came back properly assembled with new plastic grips. (OE were very worn wood).
Played with it at the range, and knowing that .22 autos as a rule can be very finicky about ammo, found that literally I could NOT put anything through it that would not feed and function with!
CCI Stingers, CCI LR, solids, HP's Velocitors, Remington Goldens, Yellow Jackets/Vipers (even Thunder Bolts), Federal Lightning, Federal AutoMatch, Aguila SuperMax, Armscor bulk junk, Win. Super X and Wildcats, etc, etc.

And the little tiny nearly-useless sights were actually ON at about 15-20 yards.
So, it's certainly not something I would CC unless given no choice - but have to say the little pea-shooter amazed me.
I'll hang on to it due to memory of that friend who passed away.

 

[max503]

I'm a sucker for small 22's. Right now I have a Jennings, (My second. The first ended up in the bottom of a lake.), a Bersa (which is a keepsake from a now-deceased friend) and an Astra 22 short. An LGS has an Inox 21A for $399. It's been calling my name but I've been resisting.
I don't like 22's with fixed sights and I don't like small jam-o-matics.
So I am grateful to all of you who post about your bobbles with the 21A. Helps me resist that one in the glass case. (Stingers are expensive.)
I'd be better off with something a bit bigger with adjustable sights.

 

[jaguargolf]

I couldn’t get my 21A to run reliably with any kind of ammo that I could find. Got rid of it

950 .25 runs like a top

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Max and others - as I have posted, I backed into the 21A.
I traded for a Beretta 70s and was surprised how much I like it.
Absolutely reliable with the several brands of ammo I have put through it.
I am a huge CCI Fanboy, like MiniMags Solids.
The first handgun I ever shot was a Pop Up Barrel Beretta.
So I bought the 21a.
As somebody already commented, Our results aren’t very Scientific.
Mine hangs up when it’s hot and dirty.
One guy says clean it while you shoot.
I have never done that.
But I might, and wait between Brands of ammo for the barrel to cool.
Do you remember the Old Hunting Rifle Cold Barrel Rule?
Take your sighted in Hunting Rifle out to the Range.
Shoot your hunting ammo at the distance you anticipate shooting game.
That’s your kill shot on opening day.
I believe my 21a will shoot the first and probably the entire Mag without fail.
Second Mag, third, etc.
Somewhere along here trouble looms!
And I’m not sure it’s entirely ammo related.