Beretta 21?

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I have a Beretta 21A in 22lr. For a number of reasons this is a backup gun for CC. As of right now this gun has only about 200rds through it, but it jams about 10~12 times out of about a hundred rounds. Will shooting it more brake it in, or is this about the normal reliability? It will only shoot high velocity ammo, I am using Winchester Super X (gray box) is there any higher velocity 22 ammo out there that might give me better reliability? When this gun jams it is always a failure to eject, the slide does not move enough leaving an empty in the chamber, never does it double feed. When I looked at this gun I noticed that apparently there is no extractor, so how does it eject?

[joatmon]

Mine jamed bad when I got it new, I then read the manual and it stated standerd velocity only so I got some remmington and CCI standerd velocity and never another jam!
Aaron

[Silicon Wolverine]

i use mine for CCW carry as well and it only runs 100% with CCI stingers or velocitors. i use stingers with good results. lower power ammo is a crapshoot on cycling.

SW

[mtgrs737]

I have found that CCI Mini-Mags seem to feed and cycle well in everything I try them in, including the 21. Small pocket pistols require a firm grip to help them cycle reliably. Beretta 21's are an excellent pistol.

[725]

Find the right ammo it likes, polish the ramp and keep it clean. Should make it uber-reliable. Great gun.

[rockrat]

+1 on the mini-mags. Also use some Imperial (CIL) in mine also. No problems with either one.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Mine jamed bad when I got it new, I then read the manual and it stated standerd velocity only so I got some remmington and CCI standerd velocity and never another jam!
Aaron

Surprisingly I actually read the manual before I shot this gun. I gave standard velocity ammo a shot, but it jammed every single time.

Thanks for the info, will have to see what the local stores have for ammo next time I am in there.

[jack19512]

I don't have mine any more but it liked CCI ammo and never gave a problem as long as I did my part. The only time mine would jam is when I never held the pistol firmly. I could shoot it and never have a problem, my Granddaughter could shoot it and it would fail to cycle every shot.

[bobthenailer]

my 21 also gave me problems jambs & failure to extract, i got a spare factory mag and it worked better than the one that came with the gun ! i noticed that the mag follower had a different angle that the orgional mag so i took the mag apart and reshaped the orgional mags follower to match the new mags follower. now it works alot better . also the guns are ammo sentsive i tried federal and remington bulk , cci high and standard velocity ect, the best so far is federal auto match i only had 1 malfunction in about 50 rounds and cci stinger works well also ive only shot about 50 but no malfunctions

[Silicon Wolverine]

ive read on a couple beretta forums that these like a rather extensive break in period as well. i bought mine used, but LNIB, and it ran 100% with good ammo from day one.

SW

[Montana Ron]

I got one new and had the same no feeding issue and was going to dump it and tried 8 different bullets of regular velocity to no avail........then STINGERS and AGULIA
warp mode 22's......feeds perfect and only problem is shoots 8 inches high so I aim 8 inches low........

[Silicon Wolverine]

I got one new and had the same no feeding issue and was going to dump it and tried 8 different bullets of regular velocity to no avail........then STINGERS and AGULIA
warp mode 22's......feeds perfect and only problem is shoots 8 inches high so I aim 8 inches low........

youre not the only one thats happened to. ive seen a couple with front sights that have been built up to center the POA/POI.

SW

[joatmon]

I'll have to try the stingers! Mine runs a 100& with standerd vel ammo but I would like a little extra umph!

Aaron

[Rio Grande]

Little Berettas...made me remember, many years back I had a Jetfire, model 950 in .22 short.
Stuck it down into the top of my VietNam boot, very comfortable carry. Walked around all day and when I went to take off my boot I noticed I had cocked the hammer when I shoved it in there.
I bet I would have jumped if that thing had gone off!
That was a nice handgun, no issues with it's function.

[MikeSSS]

Mine needed the barrel brushed with CLP after every magazine when using bulk Rem and Fed ammo. Stingers work the best. Remington bulk Golden Bullets work well for practice. It takes some omph to cycle that little gun.

Brush the barrel and it runs a magazine full just fine, then brush it again. Repeat.

BTW, that 21 will dump a mag into the center of a silhouette.... rapidly.

[NickSS]

I have a Model 21A Berretta and love it. I did find that it is ammo sensitive and required a break in period to become reliable. The only malfunction I get with it now is with ammo. Bulk remingtons work well but I have more failures to fire with them than any other brand I have tried. I currently use Federal bulk from wal mart for practice. It is more sure fire than remington bulk but does occationally have a light charge which causes a failure to eject. When I use it for CCW I load it with CCI HP mini mags. They are super reliable in my pistol. I have been thinking about buying some of the hot rod Aquila ammo to try but have not found any yet. Stingers work but they shoot high and cost too much for me. My pistol does not like standard velocity ammo at all as it will fail to eject or fail to pickup the next round every shot.

[oldfart1956]

Yup..like most folks here I finally figgered out that the little Beretta liked the Stingers. I carry mine puddy much 24/7. If I have a problem with the Stingers it's that they're high velocity and probably won't give much penetration. If it's failing to eject check the chamber and make sure it's shiney smooth&clean. Like most folks I'd rather be carrying something bigger but it just ain't gonna happen in a bakery uniform. Heck this thing is so small I could tuck it away where only my proctoligist could locate it! ALONG with an extra mag, cleaning rod and a bottle of Hoppes! (the little bottle..) Audie..the Oldfart..

[rockrat]

Mine hasn't been too picky. WWSX,Rem Golden and minimags work just fine. Best round for mine is the old Dominion/CIL stuff I bought in the 70's. Best groups and seems a bit stouter.