Beretta 21A on the way

[American1776]

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?

squidsix covered this well.

I found that I couldn't just pluck out the round with my fingers or nails. Also, the gun is hot, dirty, and it seemed that the round just wouldn't come out once the gun tried to fire it, but failed.

 

[scoobysnacker]

squidsix covered this well.

I found that I couldn't just pluck out the round with my fingers or nails. Also, the gun is hot, dirty, and it seemed that the round just wouldn't come out once the gun tried to fire it, but failed.

I ran into this with some of the cheap bulk stuff (it seems like the CCI in the individual boxes of 50 were good enough to run it).

Along with guns, I also have a fondness for multi-tools. I keep a Gerber MP600 in my pocket most of the time, especially when I go to the range. I've had to tighten grip screws up before, and pry out casings from rifles etc. I used it to dig out a Winchester bulk that was stubborn, and it wasn't hard to avoid marring the barrel chamber.

I got great strike, and if it doesn't fire it's not on the gun, it's on cheap ammo.

Like I said, I left mine a week at the range waiting for the other pistol to come in, but did shoot it. It was pretty dirty but not dry when it came in, and I put maybe another 200 through it without cleaning. CCI Blazer is Good To Go in this.

As for ultimate reliability, this gun falls way into the "fun gun" range, so I'm not that panicked about an occasional mishap. I have a bunch of centerfire pistols that I'd much rather count on for defense.

 

[Funflyer]

Nice job on the grips, they look great.

 

[Revo]

Beware the crack!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I like them. Have one in .22 and one in .25. Both with their box, papers, and two magazines each.

.22 matte black finish

.25 gloss blue/black finish

 

[JcMack]

I've got a 21a in .22. I've been looking for a decent 21a in .25 for a long time. The 21a predecessor was the model 20. Those are nice but hard to find. They have wraparound plastic grips like a PPK. 950's only came in .22 short and .25. .22 short mags are tough to find. Some of the Italian bobcat/minx guns have no thumb safety. I've been told to always load the chamber these guns using the tip up feature. The idea being drawing the slide back and letting it pick up a round on the way home may overcome the FP spring tension and cause an AD. Why then during normal operation don't they chain fire. I've had two 950's I've left C&L'ed and it cracked the grip plastic panel. There's something about the torsion springs under the panels contacting the grips inside. If you put the gun away dirty a live round can stick in the chamber. Visually check the bore when you unload one of these tip up's.

 

[JaseC]

Love mine. First gun I ever bought. Had to be in 1987-88. I’ve shot it thousands of times. I sent it off to Tornado Technology and had the barrel threaded for suppressor. It’s pretty sweet shooting the Avila 60 gr. bullets. Single shot of course. Pretty much shoots any HV ammo.

 

[Tyree1867]

Ammo advice for the 21A needs repeating. If you will ever carry it for SD you need to load Mini-Mags. That is the only load I found that functioned without fail.
I loved the 21A Bobcat but last year upgraded to a Tomcat. Same size but 32ACP. Happy with it too.

 

[scoobysnacker]

Beware the crack!

Not sure I understand this message??? I haven't seen a crack anywhere.
Are these prone to cracking somewhere?
I see someone said don't leave cocked/locked, good advice to note.

Ammo advice for the 21A needs repeating. If you will ever carry it for SD you need to load Mini-Mags. That is the only load I found that functioned without fail.
I loved the 21A Bobcat but last year upgraded to a Tomcat. Same size but 32ACP. Happy with it too.

If I were seriously looking at a tiny conceal, the Tomcat in .32 would definitely be my choice.

As it stands, I am satisfied with what else I have for SD. If I want to go small, I have a P-64 in 9x18. Moderate, most likely choice would be a Daewoo DP-51, although my experiences with the Star BM don't leave me feeling too worried.

Re the Mini-Mags, I've read that is the gold standard for the Bobcat as far as reliability, but I went to the range again last night, did another test, and the Blazers again 100% function. Everytime I test them, I do a box of 50, and we're in at least 200 rds. So, I think that's MY go-to.

Winchester M-22. No joy. Didn't extract first case, stuck in there every shot.

Aguila Pistol Match, Norma Match, probably close to 50% failure to eject.

CCI Standard Velocity- one case stuck about every other mag, enough to notice.

Didn't try the Colibri or CCI Quiet, I figure those not even worth fiddling with.

I have some Aguila Super Extra that sounds hot, but then says subsonic... what an odd combination of adjectives.

 

[ACORN]

I just bought a 21a with thoughts of gifting to my daughter. I’ve had couple of these over the years, and, you know. This morning I stopped at the local pushers shop and they had this used matte 21a with plastic stocks for $175 plus fees. If I can escape tonight I’m going to run some Stingers and others through it to check for reliability.

 

[scoobysnacker]

I just bought a 21a with thoughts of gifting to my daughter. I’ve had couple of these over the years, and, you know. This morning I stopped at the local pushers shop and they had this used matte 21a with plastic stocks for $175 plus fees. If I can escape tonight I’m going to run some Stingers and others through it to check for reliability.

That's not a bad deal at all.

Just for fun, try some of the Blazers through it too.

 

[ACORN]

I’d like to find a leather pocket holster with an mag. carrier to keep from beating it up. I’m like a kid carrying all kind of stuff in my pocket. Keys, change, nail clippers, screws etc.