Beretta M21 for a woman?

J

JJ45

New member
I don't have any experience with this little pistol.

I am thinking of one for a gal in her 50s. Something like a "purse pistol" She expressed interest in a firearm as she is on the road with her job, somewhat.

She does need some training though, something easy to practice with. Anyone know if the controls, slide manipulation, etc. would be a hindrance? Maybe a snub .38 is a better idea.

Any opinions appreciated...JJ
 
It doesn't have many controls. The trigger, the magazine catch, and the barrel latch are about it. You never have to manipulate the slide, that is what the tip-up barrel is for.

A friend has a good one that will do anything you can get a 2" .22 to do.
The one I had was a dud, would not run on any .22 LR available at the time. So bad the dealer actually took it back and gave me store credit for it.

The usual recommendation for the non-enthusiast is a revolver. I have one friend who matured from non-enthusiast with hard kicking .38 snubby to enthusiast and now shoots and carries autos.
 
I would recommend a Ruger LCR (yes I know this is the semi forum deal with it) and stoke it with .38 SPC 148 grain wadcutter. Very very easy to carry and recoil won't be much of an issue with the light wadcutter loads but manual of arms will be dead nuts simple and reliability will be excellent, and effectiveness will be much better than any .22 rimfire handgun. If for some reason the trigger is too heavy for her there are trigger kits available to drop the weight and you can have a smith smooth the action and it should be an excellent gun for an older woman to carry.
 
I would recommend you take her to as many gun stores as you can and let her handle every single pistol she can. That's what my girlfriend and I did and after 2 hours, she walked into the last store and said exactly what she was looking for, didn't hesitate, let them ask her if she wanted to try something different but clearly stated afterwards, that it did not meet her criteria. She now has a pistol that she likes, she enjoys shooting, and she is pretty good with it. More practice and she'll be more than accurate enough out to 25yds and probably farther.

If she says she doesn't want to go trying them and to just let you get her one, I would say that she doesn't really know what she's getting into. Just my personal opinion, though. My gf ended up with a Bersa Thunder 380 single stack.
 
Beretta 21s have reliability problems.
Have your friend look at a Keltec P32. It's smaller, lighter, more powerful, and easier to use than the 21. The recoil is very manageable.
 
I just might take her to some gun shops. You know how much the gender likes to go shopping.

She just better not pick a pink one :)
 
I would not recommend a .22LR as a self-defense pistol.

And, the Beretta 21 has issues with reliability. It's very picky about what it eats.

For a novice, a .22LR and the Beretta 21 is a very bad choice.

Have her look at a S&W model 442. Snag free, reliable as Hell, and a .38 Special round is nothing to sneeze at.
 
People always love to recommend snub nosed 38s for women. Make sure she shoots one first. I'm not opposed to them but they're not what I would consider easy handguns to shoot well and they're often not very pleasant to shoot a lot making training with one not very fun.


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Bill DeShivs said:
Have your friend look at a Keltec P32. It's smaller, lighter, more powerful, and easier to use than the 21. The recoil is very manageable.
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I agree with Bill. The P32 is a true gem. Possibly Kel-Tecs best firearm. The P32 is a great little pistol. I've had one for years, it never malfunctions, is more accurate than it should be, and is a fine little pocket rocket.
 
Definitely have her check whatever gun out personally. Even if it is a pink one. At least it will get her interested.

I am a man with small hands and if I had a nickel for every gun recommended to me that was too big.... well you know the saying.

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I have two. And put everything thru them that fit. I have no problems with self defense with them as long as one is within a car length or two.

The fun quotient for them is/has always been terrific.

I've probably taught close to 30 ladies and at least that many men new to shooting with them from age 12 to mid seventies. Some liked it some wanted more power mostly because of their fathers or spouses influence. Oh well.

A 22 in the eye or ear is a lot better than shooting out a street light with a 38 or Shorty/Forty.

Your call.
 
I just might take her to some gun shops. You know how much the gender likes to go shopping.

She just better not pick a pink one
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It's going to be her gun.
You don't get to choose anything about it.
 
A snub for a new shooter not a good idea although a .22 in something like a Smith J frame might be.

For me to ask about a .22 auto for self defense is going against my own experience but I thought the Beretta might be more reliable. But I guess not.

You're replies have got me to thinking that a .22 to get her started then later something similar in weight and operation. Possibly a .380.
 
Why are people always recommending small guns/calibers for women? Why?? I own full size Berettas (92FS), the Ruger Night Watchman (.45) and Glocks and the Walther PPS. Take her to the range and let the gun be her choice....

BTW, the .22 is a target round, not a self defense caliber.

Laura
 
Second vote to go check out the Cornered Cat. Really great website put together by a lot of knowledgeable folks (particularly women).

Good call spats
 
Fogey said:
A 22 in the eye or ear is a lot better than shooting out a street light with a 38 or Shorty/Forty.
Click to expand...


I've had this discussion with my wife before, and that was in regards to a 10/22, notably easier to shoot accurately. My explanation has been that making a shot while on a square range with all the time in the world is not the same as making a shot when someone is trying to hurt/kill you. I've missed the center mass of a guy perpendicular to me in force on force situations at distances where I can reliably shoot one hole drills at the range. Relying on hitting a 1" target to have any effect is not a great idea IMO.



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