After two years problem solved

[DanGunner]

A couple of years ago I bought a gently used Beretta Model 21A Bobcat from a local gunshop. Beautiful gun but I could never get it to eject shells reliably. These Beretta tip-barrel models don't have extractors. Straight blowback. I have three other versions and all worked perfectly, but not the Bobcat. Even a gunsmith couldn't figure it out. Finally, after reading everything I could about the gun, I tried about 10 different brands and velocities of cartridges I had around and finally found one that worked pretty reliably - el cheapo Remington bulk hollow points. But I also read that some owners' Bobcats liked CCI Stingers so I tried a box of those today as well and lo and behold, they worked perfectly. Another example of .22 semi-autos being very picky about which ammo they prefer. By the way, the gun shoots those Stingers not only reliably, but very accurately.

[Calif Hunter]

I had an ISSC .22 pistol (operated as an SA but looked like a Glock) that jammed almost constantly. I sent it back to Legacy Sports, and they tested it and said it was fine, but told me that they recommend the regular Remington Golden Bullet ammo ( even in the bulk packs) or Mini-Mags, as the gun needed the velocity/pressure to function reliably. I have an old High Standard SportKing that only functions well with copper washed solid bullets - no plain lead or HPs.

Rimfires are particular about the ammo they like and shoot best, even among different firearms of the same make and model. I had a CZ Varmint 452 in .17 HMR that shot great with the 17 gr Hornady load...but it had headspace issues. I sent it back and they replaced it with another one just like the first. But the new one hated 17 gr bullets and shot 3 inch groups with them. It shoots the 20 gr HP and CCI Green Bullet ammo into 3/4 inch at 100 yards, though.

[DanGunner]

One of other tip-barrel Berettas is a Model 950 Minx .22 short. It loves Aguila shorts but won't cycle CCIs. Go figure.

[Mr. Beretta]

Glad you fixed the issue.

Love those CCI Stringers. Run great in all my 22LR guns.

Have fun.

[saki302]

Most pocket autos prefer stingers or mini mags.

[IVC]

One thing you learn when you start reloading is that the higher the quality of a gun and the more precise the fitting, the more it requires specific ammo, from power factor to overall length and bullet shape. The basic plinking fodder is quite different between brands and the looser the gun, the more it doesn't care about variations in ammo.

It's even more important with rimfire guns, where the power is so low that the design is a simple blowback. Any variation in feeding or extracting can affect the slide sufficiently to cause FTE or FTF.

[hambam105]

If it only took 2 years to figure it out then you are way ahead of the curve.

[avcrew]

I was able to make a Beretta 21A function reliably with bulk ammo like Federal Auto Match and Remington Golden Bullets.

There's not a lot of moving parts.

1. The feed lips on the magazines may need adjustment to keep the rounds from jumping too high above the feed ramp and bore. Bend the feed lips inward to prevent this from happening.

2. Since there is no extractor and blowback only, it is important to keep the bore super clean to prevent brass from not blowing out smoothly.

3. Polish the feed ramp.

4. Oil the slide and barrel.

5. Make sure to use HV ammo sufficient to cycle properly. No SV.

The only bulk HV ammo that did not function reliably was Winchester 333/555 etc. I attributed it to poor inconsistent construction; deformed bullets, bent bullets and loose bullets.

[NeilMo]

The Bobcat has two strong recoil springs and why they won't reliably run with anything but high velocity ammo, at least when they're new. With mine, I would lock the slide open using a dowel between range trips to keep the springs compressed. After a few years and a few thousand rounds, it finally became reliable with most bulk ammo, or as reliable as a 22 can be. I've read where some guys cut a coil or two off the springs and got them to run reliably but why bother when patience will eventually pay off.

[Steve G]

Mine was such an unreliable POS I sold it. I’ve sold very few guns but the tip up Beretta needed to go. Never could trust it to function.

[LEAD LAUNCHER]

[ojisan]

Me too.

[JTROKS]

We’re the problems failure to eject causing stovepipe, feed jams due to spent case partially in chamber, failure to extract case out of chamber???

[DanGunner]

Failure to extract which meant next round got stuck. But not with Stingers, and I think advice about keeping chamber clean is wise

[DanGunner]

By the way, as Lead Launcher noted .25 ACP ammo can be expensive. I've found that hard-to-find, pricey ammo such as .25 and .32 ACP, .32 S&W Long etc is best bought in bulk from Target Sports or other Internet vendors. .32 ACP is about $17 a box in local stores when you can find it but I bought a case on-line for less than $10 a box. And if you buy in bulk, shipping is generally free. Target Sports is still shipping to FFLs, but you'l have to go through the new rigamarole when you pick it up and pay tax. If you shoot a lot, as I do, it's worth it.