Beretta Model 21A Problem
- Thread starter bipe215
- Start date
You didn't metion the caliber of the pistol. Is it .22 long rifle, or .25 ACP? I'm inferring from your post, that the problem is not a failure to chamber, (i.e., the cartridge is stripped from the magazine but jams against the chamber mouth), but instead the slide is not going back far enough to catch a rim and feed a cartridge from the magazine. If that's the case, then I would guess that it's an ammunition problem. What you are firing does not generate enough momentum to cycle the slide. That would mean that either the bullet's mass or velocity needs to increase. If you're using standard velocity or a lightweight .22 rimfire (e.g., .33 grain hypervelocity), then try a 40 grain high speed .22 long rifle. If you're using a .33 grain .25 ACP, then try the 50 grain FMJ. Assuming of course, that the owner's manual recommends that type of ammunition.
Coltman 77
New member
Hi Steve. Sorry to read of your problems with the Beretta. 
I'd take it back to the gunshop Monday morning and exchange it, rather than try to trouble-shoot it myself.
Good luck.
I'd take it back to the gunshop Monday morning and exchange it, rather than try to trouble-shoot it myself.
Good luck.
Why, I don't know, but I own two of these guns. They aren't good for anything - range or defense - they're just kinda fun. One of mine only functions reliably with CCI Mini-Mags and the other one with CCI Velocitors.
You can't realistically expect the thing to be a reliable gun with all .22lr ammo. And I hope you're not carrying the gun for self-defense.
You can't realistically expect the thing to be a reliable gun with all .22lr ammo. And I hope you're not carrying the gun for self-defense.
I have bought 2 of them this month. The one I bought yesterday I shot a 100 rounds today of plain CCI lead. No mini mag . Not one jam or miss fire.
The other one has performed the same way. Is this best SD pistol No. But it will deliver 8 rounds very fast. My teen age daughters like to shoot them and 22 is still affordable . I also have 3 of the 25 autos. 2 950BS and one model 20 . I just like the little Beretta's I do not have the frame cracking 32 or any other Beretta . I only like the small caliber ones.
The other one has performed the same way. Is this best SD pistol No. But it will deliver 8 rounds very fast. My teen age daughters like to shoot them and 22 is still affordable . I also have 3 of the 25 autos. 2 950BS and one model 20 . I just like the little Beretta's I do not have the frame cracking 32 or any other Beretta . I only like the small caliber ones.
Superhouse 15
New member
Does it happen only with a fully loaded magazine? Some 21 magazines will hold an extra round, but not reliably feed it. See if it's reliable with a downloaded magazine. Next step is to give it more break-in time with a variety of ammo.
I had the same problem. I hope you weren't the guy I sold mine to in the aisles of a Gun Show. Sent it back to Beretta in MD, not once, but twice; it would come back with a few check-marks here & there; no written explanation and it repeatedly did the same thing. I tried tinkering with it; used Stingers & Yellow Jackets that helped; but jamming frequently still occurred...Hence, back to the part where I'm at the Gun Show.....
+1 on CCI Stingers and Velocitors. They are the only rounds that are powerful enough to cycle the slide on these guns reliably - even if the gun is limp wristed. The 21A has no extractor so just because the empty ejects doesn't mean the slide is cycling all the way. Also these guns are usually carried in a pocket and pick up a ton of lint - especially if too much lube is used on them. If you use the Stingers or Velocitors and keep the gun clean and very lightly lubed with a good gun oil it should work very reliably. Also the magazines for these gun will hold 8 rounds but never load more than 7 or the gun will jam every time.
Following the above my 21A works every time and if a misfire happens pulling the trigger again it always fires - but only with CCI ammo.
As far as 22 gun/ammo reliability and stopping power in general. Carrying one of these is better than nothing.
Following the above my 21A works every time and if a misfire happens pulling the trigger again it always fires - but only with CCI ammo.
As far as 22 gun/ammo reliability and stopping power in general. Carrying one of these is better than nothing.
Seems to be hit or miss with these guns. I've owned mine over 20 years now, carried it while backpacking mostly where weight was an issue, while I lived in California. I've literally put thousands of rounds through mine and I don't ever remember a ftf.
I'd definitely have it sent back, it should work properly and they can be made to do so. There's no reason to accept less.
I'd definitely have it sent back, it should work properly and they can be made to do so. There's no reason to accept less.
machiasmort
New member
Posted By TJHANDS: "Why, I don't know, but I own two of these guns. They aren't good for anything - range or defense - they're just kinda fun. One of mine only functions reliably with CCI Mini-Mags and the other one with CCI Velocitors.
You can't realistically expect the thing to be a reliable gun with all .22lr ammo. And I hope you're not carrying the gun for self-defense."
With all respect, Brother, you must be kidding!
The 21a is one of my favorites! You can't ask for better safety features in a small cal. and if you have a misfire, yank the hammer back and whack the shell again!!!
Not only do I sleep with mine in my pocket upon occasion, (tribute to the safety features, like 1/2 cocked), but it's very accurate! I whistled a cci mini-mag through a woodchucks ears at 65ft.!
Took some fooling around with mine, but I also rested upon cci mm, cci stingers feed ok, but are not nearly as accurate! Hope he didn't sell that gun and got it straightened out!
You can't realistically expect the thing to be a reliable gun with all .22lr ammo. And I hope you're not carrying the gun for self-defense."
With all respect, Brother, you must be kidding!
The 21a is one of my favorites! You can't ask for better safety features in a small cal. and if you have a misfire, yank the hammer back and whack the shell again!!!
Not only do I sleep with mine in my pocket upon occasion, (tribute to the safety features, like 1/2 cocked), but it's very accurate! I whistled a cci mini-mag through a woodchucks ears at 65ft.!
Took some fooling around with mine, but I also rested upon cci mm, cci stingers feed ok, but are not nearly as accurate! Hope he didn't sell that gun and got it straightened out!
Sharpsdressed Man
Moderator
I'm sure you have "fixed" the problem by now, but I just wantedto say that I just spent an afternoon with a stainless 21a .22LR, and I could not get it to jam. I used Remington Thunderbolts exclusively, today, and they are high velocity, which this little gun likes. Yesterday, shooting a mix of standard velocity did not do as well, so I will say avoid anything low powered, and stick with any quality high speeds. Cool gun. Hard to see the sights on the stainless, but head shots at 15-20 yards were possible when I held it right. Great fun to shoot!
LewSchiller
New member
If you like the 21a you'll love the .25 acp Jetfire/950 series.
More expensive per round but more reliable as a result.
Both my wife and I carry one. She's positively deadly with hers at 5 to 7 yards.
More expensive per round but more reliable as a result.
Both my wife and I carry one. She's positively deadly with hers at 5 to 7 yards.