The Beretta 21A (Bobcat) Inox — my new BUG.

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I would suggest the 25 ACP as a first choice but nothing wrong with the 22 LR either.

 

[Rimfire Fanatic]

Don't trust the factory mags or the MecGar branded on that one. You can't load the mags to capacity and the top round likes to hit the front of the magazine instead of chambering. I've had over 30 years of experience with that gun.

 

[Imissedagain]

The jam-o-matic Bobcat, was due mostly, to the nose of the round, pointing up, and hitting the top of the chamber.
Cure was to squeeze the lips of the mag, at the front, a wee bit, so the round entered the chamber, at the correct angle.
Spoke with Beretta, about 15 years ago, about the problem, and sent the gun and mag to them, to see the issue.
Supposedly they addressed that issue.

I bought two more, once the first gun was returned.
Another blued one and an Inox, for my boy.

Always fun, with one in each hand, firing at a target, as fast as you can, and counting the hits, on a B27.
The only downside, is the reliability of 22LR ammo.
CCI mini-mags, 40gr solids, is my choice, for carry, so I bought a Ruger LCP, for around the house chores/lawn, but carry a post recall, S&Walther PPKs/380, after spotting a mangy Yote, 30 yards away. Easy shot SA, with the PPKs.

 

[rockquarry]

Anyone question the practical value or utility of a backup gun for civilian carry? It would seem a practice informally relegated to law enforcement only. I'm inquiring here and not doing so disparagingly.

 

[flagaman1950]

Had a Jetfire, I believe that is the correct model, many years ago. It was the single action model in 25 cal. Sold it to a good friend of mine, big mistake. It was 100% reliable and was surprisingly accurate. Carried it in an ankle holster at work. Have contacted my friend many times to see about getting it back. Seems he will sell it back to me if he can find it. He has moved a couple of times since then and the little Beretta has gone missing. I do miss that little gun. I now have a NA guardian in 32 for my fun carry.

 

[Imissedagain]

If you served Honorable, in the Military, you are no longer a civilian.
It's a life long responsibility.
There are times, I carry two.

 

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I had a 21a in .22lr. It was a good gun but it would occasionally jam no matter what brand of ammo I tried. Ironically it jammed, as in failure to feed far more often than getting a dud round. You can see it here compared to my LWS32. I ended up using it as trade fodder.

However, being enamored with the little Beretta guns, I ended up getting a 950bs in .25acp. While it is still ever so slightly larger than my LWS32, it has been 100% reliable. It's loaded with Buffalo Bore which gives me the same muzzle energy as the .32.

I have three versions, a stainless, blued and a two tone one. Got one in .25 also along with a few Colts and one of these! The .25 beats the .22 LR hands down in these little guns. I won't volunteer to stand in front of one. With Mec-gar mags for the .25 you get 9 plus 1.
I reload my .25's. For the .25's, stick to FMJ's or hard cast bullets. .22 solids went 302 pages the hard cast lead .25's, almost 500 pages.

https://www.defensivecarry.com/threads/22-vs-25.175649/







The .25 version.

 

[walkin' trails]

I bought my first 21A back when they first came out. Bought my second a couple years later when pins on the first one kept working their way out. I shot the first one a lot with Vipers, Yellow Jackets, snd Golden Bullets. The Goldens were my go-to for carry load. neither of mine ever liked Mini Mags. Had them both refurbished when I retired. They again had teething problems afterwards. I should break down and buy some new mags.

Anyway, I bought them originally for CCW when few states offered permits and "concealed" was the prime directive. Later carried for a spell with an entity that didn't allow BUGs, so again, that word, "concealed." They were finally relegated to being used for teaching youngsters to shoot (tip barrel, load round, aim and fire, repeat). Now they're safe queens though may get carried more in the future.

With regard to modern ammo, the Golden Bullet ain't what it used to be. They still don't like Mini Mags primers. My desired Federal Punch won't work because of case length - it's too long to eject reliably from a gun with no extractor. Stingers seem to work reliably and accurately. I've got my eye out for some CCI Velocitors, as penetration is reportedly as good as Punch.

jframesj's advice is on the money. Keep the chambers squeaky clean for carry. And the sights do suck, especially in low light. Mine have thin stripes of orange nail polish on the front blades. And don't take anything apart any further than the manual says unless you are a Beretta certified smith, ie know what you're doing.

My dad also has one from the 80s he mostly carries in retirement. Though it hasn't been shot as much as mine; it's been carried so much one side is bare metal - sort of a Batman Universe" "Two Face" two tone.

I don't much care for the recent evolution of the Bobcat, but the originals could use better sights. That's about all I'd do to them (maybe figure out how to make them eject Punch reliably). They weigh slightly more than my Model 43c, but the Bobcats have only ever been to the shop once, while the 43c is less than a year old and enjoying its third stay back in warranty.

The Beretta Bobcat is an under appreciated classic. Good luck with it.

 

[skwchock]

I am a strong Beretta fan. I agree with your comments of the Beretta 21 vs the Ruger LCP. I fired the Ruger a number of time. It was uncomfortable to aim properly and shoot. The Beretta shoots well and is accurate. Good Choice.

 

[DRankin]

Looking for small with maximum power for size?

 

[jframesj]

I bought my first 21A back when they first came out. Bought my second a couple years later when pins on the first one kept working their way out. I shot the first one a lot with Vipers, Yellow Jackets, snd Golden Bullets. The Goldens were my go-to for carry load. neither of mine ever liked Mini Mags. Had them both refurbished when I retired. They again had teething problems afterwards. I should break down and buy some new mags.

Anyway, I bought them originally for CCW when few states offered permits and "concealed" was the prime directive. Later carried for a spell with an entity that didn't allow BUGs, so again, that word, "concealed." They were finally relegated to being used for teaching youngsters to shoot (tip barrel, load round, aim and fire, repeat). Now they're safe queens though may get carried more in the future.

With regard to modern ammo, the Golden Bullet ain't what it used to be. They still don't like Mini Mags primers. My desired Federal Punch won't work because of case length - it's too long to eject reliably from a gun with no extractor. Stingers seem to work reliably and accurately. I've got my eye out for some CCI Velocitors, as penetration is reportedly as good as Punch.

jframesj's advice is on the money. Keep the chambers squeaky clean for carry. And the sights do suck, especially in low light. Mine have thin stripes of orange nail polish on the front blades. And don't take anything apart any further than the manual says unless you are a Beretta certified smith, ie know what you're doing.

My dad also has one from the 80s he mostly carries in retirement. Though it hasn't been shot as much as mine; it's been carried so much one side is bare metal - sort of a Batman Universe" "Two Face" two tone.

I don't much care for the recent evolution of the Bobcat, but the originals could use better sights. That's about all I'd do to them (maybe figure out how to make them eject Punch reliably). They weigh slightly more than my Model 43c, but the Bobcats have only ever been to the shop once, while the 43c is less than a year old and enjoying its third stay back in warranty.

The Beretta Bobcat is an under appreciated classic. Good luck with it.

What's wrong with your 43C?