Beretta Bobcat 21A will not run!

[KRN123060]

I picked this up new a couple of months ago. Just now getting it out. This thing will not run at all. I have not been able to get more than 2 rounds out of the thing before it jams. Usually just one. Seems to always be a failure to feed. Might as well be a single shot.

I have run CCI Mini-mags, SK Standard, CCI Standard and CCI Stingers and it's all been a no go. I have run it wet, dry and in between. Some people have said they need to be broken in but 1 shot at a time is going to take a while. LOL.

I could send it back to Beretta but I haven't heard anyone say they fixed crap. This little piece o' crap was too costly for it to not run. Any ideas before I give up?

 

[MrSmitty]

They are pretty light guns, with light recoil, but you might be limp wristing it, try a tighter grip, also try to see if the feed ramp is smooth, and clean. This does have tip up barrel, right? Also clean the chamber really good, with a bronze brush. Let us know if it keeps doing that… it shouldn't ( I know thanks Mr Obvious)

 

[KRN123060]

They are pretty light guns, with light recoil, but you might be limp wristing it, try a tighter grip, also try to see if the feed ramp is smooth, and clean. This does have tip up barrel, right? Also clean the chamber really good, with a bronze brush. Let us know if it keeps doing that… it shouldn't ( I know thanks Mr Obvious)

Yep. It's the tip up barrel. Feed ramp appears to be smooth and it is clean. No limp wristing here. I have a good hold on the thing.

 

[actaeon277]

How does it cycle.. manually.
Is it "catching" on anything as it cycles?


Are you using one magazine? Or multiple magazines?

Just a note: I have ZERO experience with a Bobcat. These are just generic questions.

 

[snorko]

Try a different magazine?

 

[Squirt239]

I'd be happy to take a look....

 

[WebSnyper]

Some 22's are very finicky on bullet profile. No experience with a bobcat either. I'd make an appointment with Squirt239 and get him to look at it.

 

[Jont22]

I’ve seen that issue with mine if the magazines aren’t loaded perfectly.

 

[Creedmoor]

I would run a 100 rd's of 40 grain HV ammo through it and see what it does during that run. If that fails, PM me and I will give you $75.00 cash for it.

 

[1775usmarine]

Obviously you haven't properly motivated it to run.

 

[smokingman]

You are not alone. Also at the link are some solutions, but I would trade it away. Your feed issues will likely never totally disappear, and some report ammo that works during the break in starts to fail shortly after break in. I would get rid of it asap and get a better pistol(Weatherby maybe, the one I have after break in shoots reliably).

5 Beretta 21A Problems You Should Know – GunAnalyst

But there are a few Beretta 21A problems you should know about.

gunanalyst.com

That said apparently rim lock on the ammo happens frequently and you must be very careful when loading them to avoid it. The angle the rounds sit in the magazine is very flat, leading to that issue.

 

[Methane Herder]

I've got one from the mid 80s. I think it's when Beretta first started mfg. In the US.
Runs like the Japanese rail system.
Kinda sounds like tolerance creep caused by tooling wear and not being kept in spec.

Just my 2e-2

MH

 

[gassprint1]

I have an older bobcat that had similar and rounds would stick in the chamber. Used regular cheap ammo up to cci stuff. I ended up polishing the crap outa the barrle chamber and area. I used a cotton barrel brush with light compound and the fitz polishing stuff. No issues in over 15 years.

 

[Colt556]

I had one years ago and it ran like a top. I usually used Mini Mags in it. I think Stingers were a little long for it. Just curios if you put one on the barrel and then close it and insert a full mag or try to pull the slide back to chamber the first round. I know it sounds crazy but it might help. I wish I still had mine.
I have a 950 in 22 Short and it’s fun. Good luck.

 

[KRN123060]

I had one years ago and it ran like a top. I usually used Mini Mags in it. I think Stingers were a little long for it. Just curios if you put one on the barrel and then close it and insert a full mag or try to pull the slide back to chamber the first round. I know it sounds crazy but it might help. I wish I still had mine.
I have a 950 in 22 Short and it’s fun. Good luck.

I have always put one in the barrel and fired DA for the first shot.

 

[indykid]

For what it's worth, I have a 21A that does not like to run dirty, as in no more than 50 rounds between cleaning. Once clean it runs another 50 rounds and goes into fail to eject mode. Not having an ejector doesn't help.

 

[snapping turtle]

Maybe buy it some Nike shoes.

 

[KRN123060]

Maybe buy it some Nike shoes.

Ha. Good one.

 

[GregD]

You guy do have me interested in finding a 21A

 

[KRN123060]

You guy do have me interested in finding a 21A

Eurooptic.com has them on a special for $359 and $13.95 flat rate shipping. Tomcat as well. Best price I have seen.