Beretta 21A feeding problems

[Hopback]

HELP! I posted this on the Rimfire Handguns forum, and thought I would copy it here as well. I've got a new Beretta 21A in 22LR, and in the last month since I've purchased it, it fails to feed, stovepipes, etc. It's rare that a mag will run all the way through. I've tried using WW Power Points, Rem Yellow Jackets, Blazers, Rem HS HP's etc. All seem to have their problems in cycling the action. CCI's Stingers have functioned perfectly, however, leading me to believe the extra power is compensating for some manufacturing glitch. Oftentimes the slide will push back, but either not eject the fired case, or the fired case will eject but the next round won't feed. Sometimes, especially with the WW Power Points, the case will eject but the next cartridge won't feed, preferring to ride up on the feed ramp and jam between the slide. I've stripped this down to the pins, smoothed everything up, clean it religiously after firing, even tried different mags (Beretta and a Mec-Gar). I'm not seeing much improvement. I've already put over 500 frustrating rounds through her. Has anyone else had similar problems with this little Beretta, and what have they done to solve the feeding problems? My next step is to send it back to Beretta under the warranty, but I hate to be without it for too long.

[dawei]

HELP! I posted this on the Rimfire Handguns forum, and thought I would copy it here as well. I've got a new Beretta 21A in 22LR, and in the last month since I've purchased it, it fails to feed, stovepipes, etc. It's rare that a mag will run all the way through. I've tried using WW Power Points, Rem Yellow Jackets, Blazers, Rem HS HP's etc. All seem to have their problems in cycling the action. CCI's Stingers have functioned perfectly, however, leading me to believe the extra power is compensating for some manufacturing glitch. Oftentimes the slide will push back, but either not eject the fired case, or the fired case will eject but the next round won't feed. Sometimes, especially with the WW Power Points, the case will eject but the next cartridge won't feed, preferring to ride up on the feed ramp and jam between the slide. I've stripped this down to the pins, smoothed everything up, clean it religiously after firing, even tried different mags (Beretta and a Mec-Gar). I'm not seeing much improvement. I've already put over 500 frustrating rounds through her. Has anyone else had similar problems with this little Beretta, and what have they done to solve the feeding problems? My next step is to send it back to Beretta under the warranty, but I hate to be without it for too long.

I've had several of these guns over the years & CCI Stingers® were the ONLY LOADS that would function flawlessly.  FWIW in talking to a Beretta® Rep several years ago he stated they used Winchester® at the factory. He DID NOT KNOW what particular load of Winchester® however.

Stinger is THE BEST ROUND; & THE ONLY ROUND TO USE for the Beretta® Mdl 21A IMHO.

[Mikey]

Hopback:  when I broke my 21A in I used remington Golden Bullet solid nose high speeds - it worked my pistol every time.  The other thing I did was to get rid of any non-functioning magazines.  I tossed two Beretta mags and an aftermarket mag and haven't had a problem since.

Once I got the thing broken in I went to practicing with standard velocity ammo and carry the high speed solids.  No functional problems since.  

Try some new Beretta magazines.  HTH.  Mikey.

[kidolds]

I just bought one for the wife. over a cheaper Bersa, what a mistake!
I have shot federal,Remington,Winchester and a host of others. I ask my dealer and was told not to shoot CCIs or stingers they were not rcomeded. But it looks like I am going to try them. The next step is to sell it and buy a cheap Phoniex 22LR that does except any ammo.

[Old Griz]

S&W makes a great light weight revolver in .22 LR. Good thing about a wheelgun — they'll shoot anything and not jam!

[INresponse]

I have had my 21A for about 12 years and it fires anything I put in it.  I carried it as a back-up for many years until I bought a .357, and also carried it off duty for many years.  I seldom had any problems with it.  Even after it got some light rust pitting on it from being sweaty everyday.  I didn't clean it as often as I should have, letting lint and baby powder build up on it, and when I pulled it out to shoot it worked.  I have 3 beretta mags for it and all work fine.

I do not know why your is not working right.  I suggest sending it to Beretta and they should go over it for free under warranty.

Although it is a small caliber it is much preferred over the .25 and .32 and I have recommended it to many, who inturn have not mentioned any problems.

Before you use it for a boat anchor send it in for a look over and I hope you wont be disappointed.

[Newton]

S&W makes a great light weight revolver in .22 LR. Good thing about a wheelgun — they'll shoot anything and not jam!

Ever heard of "bullet pull"?

Ammunition based problem that jams up a lot of lightweight revolvers.

[nodlenor]

I bought mine about a month ago and my dealer recommended stingers or other high velocity ammo. It does not work well with std. velocity ammo, however I hope after some breaking in it will. If not I will still like it as long as it works well with stingers and the like.

[dave375hh]

Newton,
Bullet pull, aka bullet creep happens in large centerfire rounds not .22s. I've never seen or heard of it in a .22 revolver, and I've been at this game for 39 years now.

I had to get my wife a S&W model 317 8 shot 2" light wt. to replace her model 21A. She started limp wristing it until it jammed every round. She was quite unhappy with me when I told her about her limp wrist. So I would load it up and let her shoot it and it would jam on the first round, I'd clear the jam and run the rest of the mag with no problems. It didn't help I was still wrong??. So she carries the 317 all the time without complaint(I put a set of Crimson Trace grips on it also). The 317 only weighs 9.9 oz and the CT grip added another oz. Better a mouse gun than no gun, she already has a Colt Det Spl .38sp that's "to heavy", that she likes to shoot but won't carry.