I’ve shot both and I liked the wood stocked one a little better.
The panels are a little thicker.
There’s very little difference in them, though.
Beretta 21A on the way
- Thread starter scoobysnacker
- Start date
I’ve shot both and I liked the wood stocked one a little better.
The panels are a little thicker.
There’s very little difference in them, though.
OP
scoobysnacker
Member
So, from the photos, the wood grips look intact and no big dents or scratches, but the finish is peeling off. The medallions are in place and appear fine.
What would be the best way to strip that, acetone? I've got some nail polish remover pads, I figure I can use those and rub the remainder off, and then refinish with BLO.
I want to make sure I don't hurt the medallions with whatever approach I use.
here's some shots from the auction, detailing the grips
The overall appearance of the gun is worn, which is why I think I got it for the price I did. But the grips look completely salvageable.
I have owned two of them. First one went to the oldest daughter and the second ended up with the youngest daughter.
When I find another for the right price, I will probably have one for me.
I found HV ammo shot and functioned well out of both guns.
When I find another for the right price, I will probably have one for me.
I found HV ammo shot and functioned well out of both guns.
I've had three 21a all were in like new condition and all shot extremely well for a pistol that small. With better sights there's no telling what you could do with one. Most small pistols even the well made ones are only good for their intended purpose, SD at close range. The 21a is one of the few accurate enough to be practical to plink with. I've never had or shot the Tomcat 32 version but I hear same thing about them. I fired all kinds of 22lr in them including bulk and had no problems with the pistol. Most shooters that are use to shooting full sized 22s will need a little trigger time to get use to a small light gun. It is common that people think that the little pistols have no practical use other than a gut buster. I am one of those and every so often one will come along that will change your mind and the 21a is one of these. That's why I don't own one know. Everyone I've had belongs to one of my buddies know. When they see them shoot they pester you until they get it.
OP
scoobysnacker
Member
The Bobcat came in yesterday, I'm waiting for a FEG AP 7.65 to arrive so I can put both on the same form.
My FFL is also my range, I get a discount on transfers for being a member, and they let my fondle and shoot whatever I get immediately (even if I get delayed; I can shoot but just not take it home afterwards).
So, first impressions:
Appearance- fine. Yes, there's some wear on the blued steel, and yes the grips have blotches. But the gun is much smaller than the pictures, so the imperfections are, also. I look back up at those photos of the grips, and realize: I'm looking at that on my desktop. In reality, those photos are maybe 3x the size of the actual grip. I barely notice it and don't feel anything.
Shooting: I took a box of 50 CCI Blazers up, fed and fired all 50 without a hitch. I've got plenty of that around, as well as other stuff, I will now experiment with the others to see what else does and doesn't feed. Got high hopes for the Winchester M22, have some Norma Target, and heck, I have a lot of the cheap bulk stuff.
Accuracy- this was as good as my eyes... the other one I shot had white paint on the front sight, this didn't. I noticed the notch turning white when I was lined up with that, my 50 yr old eyes struggled with the sights on mine. But I have white paint at home
...
Very pleased indeed. I just got some spare mags in, Roberton's Trading Post had Mec Gars for $15, buy 3 for free shipping. They look brand new, hopefully they run as good as they do for other models.
My FFL is also my range, I get a discount on transfers for being a member, and they let my fondle and shoot whatever I get immediately (even if I get delayed; I can shoot but just not take it home afterwards).
So, first impressions:
Appearance- fine. Yes, there's some wear on the blued steel, and yes the grips have blotches. But the gun is much smaller than the pictures, so the imperfections are, also. I look back up at those photos of the grips, and realize: I'm looking at that on my desktop. In reality, those photos are maybe 3x the size of the actual grip. I barely notice it and don't feel anything.
Shooting: I took a box of 50 CCI Blazers up, fed and fired all 50 without a hitch. I've got plenty of that around, as well as other stuff, I will now experiment with the others to see what else does and doesn't feed. Got high hopes for the Winchester M22, have some Norma Target, and heck, I have a lot of the cheap bulk stuff.
Accuracy- this was as good as my eyes... the other one I shot had white paint on the front sight, this didn't. I noticed the notch turning white when I was lined up with that, my 50 yr old eyes struggled with the sights on mine. But I have white paint at home
...Very pleased indeed. I just got some spare mags in, Roberton's Trading Post had Mec Gars for $15, buy 3 for free shipping. They look brand new, hopefully they run as good as they do for other models.
OP
scoobysnacker
Member
Brief update... the Mec Gar mags seem fine, a little tougher to load than the factory (doesn't have the little screw in the side to pull it down).
I did 1 mag each of Remington Thunderbolts, Remington Golden Bullets, and Winchester bulk (from a 333 box).
Winchester, one failed to eject, and I had to dig it out with my fingernail.
Another had a FTF on SA, failed again after rotating and trying DA, but then did fire on SA (I think that's got a little more umph to the strike than DA does).
Thunderbolts- had one and get hung on loading, didn't flip but just hung. This was with a mec gar mag.
GB, had a hitch with that too, a couple required adjustment to get into the chamber.
another 50 of Blazer, divided equally among the 4 mags, 100% function again. This was following the others, the gun still has not been cleaned yet. No issue with any of the mags with the Blazer, no feed or eject, no FTF.
This pleases me, I will try some more different rds, but at least I'm establishing that the Blazer ammo is plenty good enough to run it. I have around a case currently (1 500 rd unopened, 1 that has been), and it appears to be a cheap option for purchase.
Accuracy (again)- as I still haven't taken this home yet, the front sight remains blued steel and nearly invisible to my eyes (it's almost exactly at the point I can't focus on with my glasses). So it remains a blur. That said, I was able to locate that blur enough to keep a fist-sized group at about 10 yds, to which I attribute the following: the gun is a nice pointer, and with no recoil or flip to speak of, it doesn't move when firing. I'm shooting standing, offhand, sometimes with two hands, sometimes one.
I fully anticipate that painting the front sight white will greatly enhance visibility, as it did with the other 21A I shot. With a white front sight, that allowed me to see the rear sight, and when the notch turns white I'm on target.
I did 1 mag each of Remington Thunderbolts, Remington Golden Bullets, and Winchester bulk (from a 333 box).
Winchester, one failed to eject, and I had to dig it out with my fingernail.
Another had a FTF on SA, failed again after rotating and trying DA, but then did fire on SA (I think that's got a little more umph to the strike than DA does).
Thunderbolts- had one and get hung on loading, didn't flip but just hung. This was with a mec gar mag.
GB, had a hitch with that too, a couple required adjustment to get into the chamber.
another 50 of Blazer, divided equally among the 4 mags, 100% function again. This was following the others, the gun still has not been cleaned yet. No issue with any of the mags with the Blazer, no feed or eject, no FTF.
This pleases me, I will try some more different rds, but at least I'm establishing that the Blazer ammo is plenty good enough to run it. I have around a case currently (1 500 rd unopened, 1 that has been), and it appears to be a cheap option for purchase.
Accuracy (again)- as I still haven't taken this home yet, the front sight remains blued steel and nearly invisible to my eyes (it's almost exactly at the point I can't focus on with my glasses). So it remains a blur. That said, I was able to locate that blur enough to keep a fist-sized group at about 10 yds, to which I attribute the following: the gun is a nice pointer, and with no recoil or flip to speak of, it doesn't move when firing. I'm shooting standing, offhand, sometimes with two hands, sometimes one.
I fully anticipate that painting the front sight white will greatly enhance visibility, as it did with the other 21A I shot. With a white front sight, that allowed me to see the rear sight, and when the notch turns white I'm on target.
Last edited:
Since you didn’t clean it between boxes of different ammo the latter brands would be handicapped a little.
With it ejecting the brass from just residual pressure from firing, the crud build up will eventually affect extraction.
After all, .22s are dirty little things
With it ejecting the brass from just residual pressure from firing, the crud build up will eventually affect extraction.
After all, .22s are dirty little things
Last edited:
amazingflapjack
US Veteran
I've had two-like them a lot-found the service dept very good if you stick with them.
OP
scoobysnacker
Member
Yeah, I was thinking this. And the fact that I closed with Blazer and it functioned 100% again, in that state of dirtyness, has me happy.
The other stuff is the cheap bulk, that comes dumped into a box or a bucket of bullets. Was HOPING, but not expecting, they'd run good.
I still have Winchester M-22 and Norma to test out, as well. I should be able to pick things up monday, and I will clean things up thoroughly.
THE PILGRIM
Member
You are a Bold Soul, scoobysnacker!
I just started with Mini Mags, and stayed with them.
I just started with Mini Mags, and stayed with them.
OP
scoobysnacker
Member
THE PILGRIM
Member
Hold on a sec-
Your down in Dear Old Louis- Ann !
You need to load up with Troy Landry CCI.
Those Gators will all buy a bus ticket to Kansas!
Your down in Dear Old Louis- Ann !
You need to load up with Troy Landry CCI.
Those Gators will all buy a bus ticket to Kansas!
OP
scoobysnacker
Member
Here's a play by play of the grip job.
Scuffed grip.
Soaking in acetone.
Almost ready, 3 and a half hrs in.
After a final wet scrubbing with scotchbrite pad soaked in acetone.
First coat of boiled linseed oil, and with the medallions reinstalled.
This, btw, is a first time effort for me, following what I have read mostly here on this forum. The medallions fell out while soaking in the acetone. I decided to glue them back in after the first coat, and then put more on and over them. I figure the BLO will bind them in even more as it polymerizes; if not I'll glue them down again
Scuffed grip.
Soaking in acetone.
Almost ready, 3 and a half hrs in.
After a final wet scrubbing with scotchbrite pad soaked in acetone.
First coat of boiled linseed oil, and with the medallions reinstalled.
This, btw, is a first time effort for me, following what I have read mostly here on this forum. The medallions fell out while soaking in the acetone. I decided to glue them back in after the first coat, and then put more on and over them. I figure the BLO will bind them in even more as it polymerizes; if not I'll glue them down again
Attachments
OP
scoobysnacker
Member
Again, apologies for the orientation of the pictures. Uploading from my phone, since i can't use Flickr anymore
American1776
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2014
- Messages
- 1,770
- Reaction score
- 4,269
I had one in Inox. The hot .22 lr ammo worked great. Make sure to get the high velocity stuff. Stingers work.
The only draw back to the gun was: If you get a failure to fire (a dud round), since the barrel is tip up without an extractor, you have to insert a wooden dowel into the muzzle end to extract the dud round.
Nice little guns though.
The only draw back to the gun was: If you get a failure to fire (a dud round), since the barrel is tip up without an extractor, you have to insert a wooden dowel into the muzzle end to extract the dud round.
Nice little guns though.
OP
scoobysnacker
Member
Y'know, I briefly saw those at Academy, and then they vanished.
Given the way it runs on CCI Blazer, I'd love to come across some more CCI and stock up.
cadmike
Member
I’m confused about this, maybe I don’t understand. Why can’t you just tip the barrel up and pluck the cartridge out with a fingernail?
Jim1392
US Veteran
Targert Sports USA all you want to buy. I have no connection to the company but I've been stocking up on these.
CCI Mini-Mag High Velocity 22lr 40 Gr. Copper Plated RN
5000 rounds
Special $279.50
$.06/round
FREE SHIPPING INCLUDED
Last edited:
squidsix
Member
Some of us dont have fingernails that can pull that off.
I made up a very short brass rod on a handle that goes with me when out in the woods with the 21A.
Shown in these pics is my 21A alongside my favorite 92, showing how fat the grips are on the little rimfire beretta, lending to the ease with which it is shot. I find the 60 grain Aguila stuff to cycle perfectly in my pistol and are very accurate.
Attachments
Chief Wiggums
Member
Those Bobcats are cool firearms.
The same as just about any other Beretta , they are quality made..
unfortunately - they are too dang small for my hands and i cant shoot them worth hoot.
I think they would serve a great purpose for 'fun-shooting" or a stash gun around the house , barn or wherever
The same as just about any other Beretta , they are quality made..
unfortunately - they are too dang small for my hands and i cant shoot them worth hoot.
I think they would serve a great purpose for 'fun-shooting" or a stash gun around the house , barn or wherever
Similar threads
