If you want to use a .22 for self-defense, then carry a Beretta 21A Bobcat. This user-friendly pocket pistol will surprise you with its accuracy and reliability!
RELATED: Gun Review | The Beretta M9A1 Defies Its Critics
The Best Mouse Gun: Beretta 21A Bobcat
Beretta 21A Review
The Bobcat is a subcompact pistol ideal for concealed carry. It has been one of the best pocket pistols in the last 30 years and continues to be one of the most sought-after handguns for deep concealment — thanks to its snag-free line suitable for all holsters and pockets.
Gun Specs
The Beretta 21A Bobcat is a blowback and semi-automatic pistol with a DA/SA trigger mechanism.
This stainless steel pocket pistol is comparable to the size of a smartphone and weighs 11.5 ounces only.
It is equipped with a frame-mounted manual thumb safety. To better understand what this pistol is made of, below are the specs of the Bobcat:
- Barrel Length: 2.4”
- Overall Length: 4.9″
- Operation: Blowback, Semi-automatic
- Weight: 11.8-14.5 ounces
- Hammer: External
- Calibers: .22 LR, .25 ACP
- Capacity: 7+1 rounds for .22LR & 8+1 rounds for .25ACP
- Trigger: Double-action/single-action
- Frame: Anodized Aluminum Alloy
- Finish: Black, Inox (Stainless)
- Grips: Checkered Polymer
- Sights: Blade front, notch rear
- Rifling: Right hand with 6 grooves
Ease of Use and Performance
The Beretta 21A Bobcat is very easy to use and accurate, thanks to its design that secures the barrel to the pistol frame.
The .22LR has the capability to pierce into the target and penetrate deep enough to hurt any perpetrator, but it doesn't mean you can bet your life on it.
A seven-round Beretta 21A magazine shall keep an attacker at bay. You'll be surprised as much as I am when shooting this Beretta model pistol within a 10-yard distance; the accuracy is simply exceptional.
It's definitely one of the most reliable small firearms shooters can use.
RELATED: Beretta Px4 Storm Full | Gun Carrier Handgun Review
Pros and Cons
The tip-up barrel is an awesome feature of the Bobcat. The shooter loads and checks the gun without having to work with the slide.
This makes it easy for everyone to operate, especially women and the elderly. Cleaning a misfire is much easier and quicker for these Beretta pistols.
The only thing I didn't like about the Bobcat is it is quirky when it comes to ammo. You have to make sure the ammo is suitable to your pistol because it is designed without an extractor and solely relies on blowback inertia to take fired cases off from the chamber.
Inertia Definition: The state in which an object remains at rest or in motion unless an external force will influence a change.
If a round fails to fire, you can't cycle the action to eject it. Rather, you have to tip up the barrel and manually remove the dud from the chamber.
For ammunition, I recommend Velocitors CCI mini-mags ammo because the bullet is heavier, thus offering better penetration.
Beretta 21A Price and Overall Verdict
The Beretta 21A Bobcat may not be particularly exceptional as a defensive weapon but when SHTF, it is better than nothing. It is a very fine alloy frame pistol, just make sure you're using premium ammunition to avoid misfires.
You can get this Bobcat for $270-$355 but there are pre-owned Bobcats you can get for a much lower price.
Watch this video by sootch00 and find out more about the Beretta 21A Bobcat pocket pistol:
The Beretta 21A Bobcat is one of the best mouse guns on the market today. Being a Beretta, we can be sure the quality is there along with its user-friendly design.
I often use this pistol as an alternative to my Kel-Tec P-32. It's surprisingly easy to hit your target with this pistol, and it's perfect for concealed carry or a backup gun.
The Bobcat is so easy to use, accurate, and reliable. It's built with the finest and toughest steel, so you can be sure it's corrosion-resistant and durable enough to withstand the test of time.
This convenient pocket pistol is available in a .22 Long Rifle and .25 ACP cartridge. When it comes to quality, value, and design, it's by far the best pistol in its class.
Do you have a favorite mouse gun you think is equal to or better than the Beretta 21A Bobcat? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
UP NEXT:
- Beretta 84FS Cheetah | Gun Carrier Handgun Review
- 40 Best 9mm Handguns For Women
- The Best Revolver For Concealed Carry Handguns | 5 Top Handguns
- Pink Handgun | Top 9 Pink Handguns for You
- Top 9 Best Glocks for Women
- Taurus Judge Ammo Types: Top 9 Best Types of Ammo Used in Taurus Judge
- Best 338 Lapua Sniper Rifle | Top 7 Best 338 Lapua Sniper Rifles 2023
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!
Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer here.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in June 2015 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
For about the same money, you can get the Beretta “Tom Cat” .32 and use the Winchester Silver Ammo which hits like a .380! IT IS THE SAME BASIC SIZE GUN AS THE 21A, BUT IN A MUCH MORE SERIOUS CALIBER. IT IS DOUBLE/SINGLE ACTION TOO! IT HAS A LONG DOUBLE ACTION TRIGGER PULL, OR YOU CAN COCK THE HAMMER AND IT BECOMES SINGLE ACTION. I HAVE OWNED ALL THREE, THE 21A IN .22 CALIBER, THE 21A IN .25 CALIBER, AND THE TOM CAT .32 WHICH I STILL OWN AND CARRY IT ON DRESS UP OCCASIONS! THERE IS NO COMPARISON!!! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/184c7e17fed6db16eccd40957032930bc240d7848385111ce63436c89ffaeb76.jpg
.
A HELL OF A LOT MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!!
Come on John! It’s a “Belly Gun!” And in Northern climates, with heavy clothing, not the best in either .22 or .25! More likely to piss come big guy off!
LOL
My wife had one of these when I met her and I scoffed at it. But, I’ve learned that it has its place. For all the valid reasons in the article its better to have this than nothing. You can empty the mag into a target pretty quickly and get the hell out of there!
Because its a blow back and not all .22 LR ammo reliably cycles the mechanism, I did some research and found that CCI/Speer “STINGER” ammo works best. 32 grain, 1640 fps, 191 ft/lbs at the muzzle.
STINGER ammo provides enough snap that I seldom have a FTE in a box of 50. Not real expensive either.
I purchased a Beretta 21A in 22lr because they’re fantastic little guns and they’re easy to run especially when you have arthritis can’t wreck the slide , just put one in the barrel.
Be safe 6/2020
Have worked hundreds of shootings from 22s and found that it may not be a “one shot kill” it will kill with 5-6 rounds in the face. It is a lose to contact gun, and it easy to carry.
With all due respect to HOFFHACK, I’m not sure where he’s getting his numbers. A typical .22LR load is around 135 ft lbs of energy at muzzle while a 32ACP is about 150. .380 is usually above 200.
Ironically, the Winchester Silvertip he mentions is a rather underperforming round at only 120-ish ft lbs at muzzle for either hollow points or FMJ.
.32ACP may be a better round because it’s centerfire and hence more reliable, but it barely outperforms .22LR.
For a moment just think about being stabbed 7 times with a screwdriver. I am pretty confident carrying a 21A when needed . I know of no heavy winter coats that will stop 7 shots from a 22LR fired in seconds at an aggressor. 🙂