Читать книгу Gun Digest Book of Beretta Pistols. Function | Accuracy | Performance онлайн

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The fixed sights of baby Berettas can’t be compared to the fine ones on their larger cousins, but are better than most of the tiny pistols available.

Taurus PT-22 in .22 Long Rifle is a very good copy of the Beretta Model 21 Bobcat, rendered in double-action-only.

The Bobcat is “drop safe.” That is, can be carried with a round in the chamber without fear that it will discharge accidentally if dropped or struck.

“The Bobcat/Model 21 pistols have a light firing pin moving within a heavy firing pin spring,” explains Gabriele de Plano of Beretta. “The gun is drop safe because the gun can’t be hit with enough impact to make the firing pin move sufficiently inside its channel to cause a discharge. Only the hammer striking the firing pin will make it fire. This is why it passes the drop test.”

A pistol with a round in the chamber is what you want in a gun of this type. With calibers this feeble, your only chance is to get the gun out quickly and place an accurate shot swiftly. There may well not be time to get a round into the chamber. The double-action first shot of the Bobcat/Model 21 series pistols makes most people more comfortable carrying them with a live round up the spout. While I, and I’m sure Beretta, would recommend that a gun in the pocket be carried in a pocket holster, we are both aware that some people are just going to drop the gun into the pocket or purse. When it is carried like that there is the potential for the manual safety to be “rubbed” into the “fire” position unintentionally. The double-action first shot is a safety fallback.