Most .22LR pistols aren’t pocket pistols. There are only a handful of modern .22LR pocket pistols around these days. Most pocket pistols are stuck in the .380 ACP variety. That doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. The little .22LR offers very little recoil, and the small size makes it easy to fit extra rounds in a teeny tiny gun. With the right ammo, it’s even adequate for self-defense. Not optimum, but adequate.
Two of the only modern semi-auto pocket pistols in .22LR are the Beretta 21A Bobcat and the Ruger LCP II in .22LR. These micro-sized pistols are pocket-sized and are the only two micro-sized pistols in .22LR on the market at the moment. Which is better? That’s the conundrum I had.
I wanted a pocket carry .22LR but wasn’t sure which to get, so I bought both. Now I can fully answer which is better, and if you’re in my dilemma, you’ll have an answer.
What They Have In Common
These two guns are similar but don’t have a ton in common. They are both pocket-sized sized pistols, and both use a straight blowback system. Beretta and Ruger’s little guns use single-stack magazines, and both guns have manual safety devices. The only other thing they have in common is the fact both guns have a slightly bigger centerfire brother. Beretta has the Tomcat in .32 ACP, and Ruger has the LCP II in .380 ACP.
Now that we know what they have in common, let’s jump into what makes them oh-so different. We’ll also see which gun excels in different categories relevant to firearm use.
Action Types
Both guns use a simple blowback-operated mechanism. That’s perfectly suitable for a .22LR, and I don’t think you can use a locked breech system with a .22LR anyway. The Beretta uses a single-action/double-action system. This means the first trigger pull is long and heavy, but subsequent trigger pulls are much lighter. The LCP II uses a double-action-only trigger.
The Beretta 21A uses a traditional double-action system with an exposed hammer. It can be manually cocked into single-action and offers double-strike capability. The LCP II uses a double action trigger but doesn’t offer double strike capability. The differences are notable, but as you’ll see, they don’t matter much.
Capacity
We can address this quickly. The Beretta 21A holds seven rounds, plus one in the chamber. The LCP II can hold ten rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. The LCP II has a clear-cut advantage in this case. The 10-round magazine is flush fitting. With that said, there is a slight difference in overall height. The LCP is 3.92 inches tall, and the Beretta 21 is 3.7 inches tall. There is not only a slight grip difference, but the LCP has larger sights, which contribute to the gun’s height.
Accuracy
Little guns are always tough to shoot accurately, but that doesn’t mean you can’t shoot them accurately. The Ruger LCP II is the winner in that category, in my experience. The LCP II has a large set of sights that are easier to see. The Beretta 21A’s sights are ultra-small. In a slow-fire-rested position, I doubt I’d find much difference. When drawn from your pocket and put under the clock, the LCP II wins every time.
The 21A does feature a very long and very heavy double-action trigger. It’s one of the longest double-action trigger pulls I’ve ever experienced. The LCP II is much lighter, even with its double-action trigger. The Beretta’s single-action trigger is much nicer but doesn’t make up for the smaller sights.
Ergonomics
The ergonomics between each gun present an interesting picture. The LCP II takes the traditional pistol route in terms of magazine release placement. It’s right below and behind the trigger. The Beretta 21A uses a magazine release placed at the rear and bottom of the grip. It’s still a button, but it’s oddly placed.
The Beretta 21A does use a more traditional frame-mounted safety that you press downward. The LCP uses a manual safety that moves forward and rearward. When you grab the gun in your pocket, the LCP II safety is easier to disable. The Beretta 21A’s safety feels more natural and is easier to turn on and off.
Both the Beretta 21A and Ruger LCP II in .22LR offer an option for those with reduced hand strength. Beretta uses a tip-up barrel that allows a shooter to directly load a round into the chamber. The LCP II uses what it calls Literack to make the slide very easy to manipulate.
A big problem I have with the Beretta is slide bite. I have trained my hand to grab a gun as high as possible, which is a bad idea with the 21A Bobcat. It bites, and it will draw blood quickly. That’s not an issue with the LCP II.
Reliability
Since we mentioned slide bite, we can get into reliability. Slide bite comes into play because when you fire the Beretta and get that slide bite, the gun is likely going to malfunction. It’s also going to malfunction if you limp wrist it and if you hold it too tight. It’s a very finicky gun. Not to mention, it’s very ammo-picky.
The LCP II can also be slightly ammo-picky. It won’t handle some bulk loads. I’ve found the Federal Autoamtch to be the best bulk stuff for it. The Federal Automatch doesn’t work quite well in the 21A.
Additionally, malfunctions with the LCP II are much easier to correct. The Beretta lacks an extractor, making clearing malfunction a hassle. You typically have to remove the magazine, pop the barrel upwards, and then use a thumbnail to pry the cartridge out. Overall, the LCP II is much more reliable.
Concealability
Both of these guns are easy to conceal. The 21A tends to be a bit shorter in both height and overall length. We covered height, but the 21A is 4.9 inches long, and the LCP II is 5.15 inches long. The LCP is a bit thinner at .9 inches wide, while the Beretta 21A is 1.1 inches wide. The LCP II weighs 11 ounces, and the Beretta weighs 12 ounces. I don’t think either gun is tough to conceal, and this is the only category where I think the two guns have a draw.
Which One Wins?
If you offered me one of these two guns for self-defense, I’d choose the LCP II. It’s the more practical choice. It’s also the cheaper choice. The 21A isn’t the cheapest gun, and a good deal comes in at $450. The LCP II in .22LR can be had for around $339 if you shop around. The LCP II is more reliable, easier to shoot, has a better double-action trigger, and even has a higher capacity, all at a lower price.
If we disregard the practical nature of guns, I think the Beretta 21A is just plain cool. It’s like a mini 92FS in appearance. The tip-up barrel is so neat and fun. The fact Beretta was able to fit a DA/SA system in such a small gun is out of this world. I like the Beretta 21A, probably more than I like the LCP II. However, the LCP II is, without a doubt, the better gun.
