Beretta 21a Bobcat range report

[American1776]

Last week I got a NIB Beretta Bobcat 21a. This is a tiny 22lr pocket pistol.

I first tried CCI copper only lightweight hp. Every round a fte. I thought I bought a jam o matic.

Then I tried CCI mini mags and stingers.

The stingers were perfect. All 50 fed and ejected without a single problem.

The mini mags caused two failures out of 100. One round was a dud, so it was ammo caused. One shell toward the end of the session failed to extract. The gun was getting dirty, so I figured the chamber was getting a little mucky.

So, I fired 150 rounds total. 2 failures, 1 of them ammo related, the other failed to eject. I don’t think one can ask for much more in a 22lr pocket automatic.

I plan to use the CCI stinger for carry, since it was 100 percent reliable.

 

[hardknocks]

CCI mini mag 40 gr

I never fired more than 100 rounds in a session my 21A ran 500 rounds without a failure. I never did carry that 22.
50 isn't all that reassuring to me.
It's a good start.
Probably dirty near the 150 round count.
Regards
Mike

 

[ISCS Yoda]

CCI Stingers tend to be VERY successful in small or medium sized .22s. I basically only buy CCI Stingers for that reason.

CCI's Copper is a new product designed for use in California. If you are not in California I wouldn't bother with them.

 

[MCorps0311]

Nice little mouse pistol.

 

[Pisgah]

In the past I have owned both a Bobcat and a Minx (.22 Short). Both were jamamatics -- until you learned their secret.

Always, always, ALWAYS load the mag using the tiny thumb button to depress the follower. Pull the follower down enough to allow a cartridge to drop in, repeat until full. Once full, pull the follower button down one more time and let it go, which will align all the rounds properly within the magazine.

Trying to load in a "normal" fashion by pushing the cartridge rim in and sliding the cartridge back will result in chronic misfeeds and jams. Loaded correctly, either of my baby Berettas would fire, feed and eject any load I put in them slick as grease.

 

[RGPM1A]

CCI Velocitor and Stingers work best in mine. Nothing else will cycle reliably.

 

[Pondoro]

Stingers and mini mags by CCI are my favorite 22 loads for jam free operation.

 

[waffles]

I very much enjoy mine.

 

[kennyb]

I like mine,not sure why I have it as its not much for defensive work

 

[345sire]

In the past I have owned both a Bobcat and a Minx (.22 Short). Both were jamamatics -- until you learned their secret.

Always, always, ALWAYS load the mag using the tiny thumb button to depress the follower. Pull the follower down enough to allow a cartridge to drop in, repeat until full. Once full, pull the follower button down one more time and let it go, which will align all the rounds properly within the magazine.

Trying to load in a "normal" fashion by pushing the cartridge rim in and sliding the cartridge back will result in chronic misfeeds and jams. Loaded correctly, either of my baby Berettas would fire, feed and eject any load I put in them slick as grease.

That sounds like a great way to go, I'll have to bear it in mind, thanks! I had a couple catch on the feed lip, this might help.

 

[daddy bear]

I used to carry a Walther TPH in a rear pocket loaded with Remington Yellow Jackets. They also worked every time. I was not a homicide detective, but I have seen enough dead guys to know that . 22s are dangerous. I know of one guy that survived being center punched with a .44 magnum.

Jack

 

[Drm50]

Is this jamming a function of newer production guns? I never bought a
Bobcat or Minx new but have had several of both. 3 21a in last year alone.
I have no use for that type of pistol but I always shoot guns I get on
trades before I sell or trade them. I use bulk ammo for this. I have never
put more than 50 through one but have never had one jam and they are
surprisingly accurate for what they are, even Minx.

In my experience they are the best 22lr pistol in their class for function.
As most makes offered 25acp also, they all tend to function ok with the
rimless rounds. 22s are a different story, some of the low end ones aren't
anything more than a novelty. When Jennings came out I bought a unit
of them (10 or 12) Out of that batch there were some that functioned
flawlessly, some that you couldn't run a mag through without a jam, and
one that would go full auto. Had nothing to do with magazines. That is
about average for all the small used 22 autos I've owned reguardless of
maker. --Never owned original Walther 22lr. to compare.