An Evolution of the .22LR 21A

Back when I first turned 21, a Beretta 950BS Jetfire was one of my first carry guns. The 950BS was Beretta’s diminutive .25 ACP. It was single-action only and had a tip-up barrel. Capacity was 8+1 rounds. This was a backup gun, or a gun for when I couldn’t carry another gun. My taste for diminutive Beretta pistols never quite subsided, which is why I am so drawn to models like the 20X Bobcat.

The Beretta 20X Bobcat

While my little 950 wasn’t any kind of powerhouse, it was reliable and actually shot surprisingly well for a little guy with barely any sights. Still, .25 ACP ammo was expensive and rather anemic. I always intended to get a .22LR Beretta, and somehow it took me over 30 years to finally do so. I recently picked up a Beretta 20X, and I have to say, micro pistols have come a long way over the decades.

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The Beretta 20X Bobcat is an evolution of the .22LR 21A. It, in turn, evolved from the original Model 20 released in the late 1960s. In recent years, Beretta has made 21As with factory-threaded barrels, and I was ready to grab one last year after I acquired a Bowers Bitty suppressor. They’re a perfect match for each other.

However, I discovered that the 21A had been discontinued, and a new model was on the horizon. Enter the 20X Bobcat.

The Bobcat Your Way

There are technically two new models of 20X. The “Do It Yourself” model comes with a factory-threaded barrel, thread protector, and suppressor-height sights. The “You’re Own Your Own” has lower profile sights and a standard, non-threaded barrel. Since I planned on using the 20X with my Bowers Bitty, I went with the DIY model.

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The 20X shares most of the features of the 21A. It’s still an ultra-compact .22 LR blowback pistol with an exposed hammer and double/single-action trigger. Beyond that, it improves upon the 21A in almost every way. It’s built on an aluminum frame that now has an integral trigger guard. Beretta has improved both the strength and ergonomics of the 20X.

They also optimized the control locations with the revamp. The magazine release is now located just behind the trigger guard rather than at the base of the grip. There’s an extended manual safety that can be engaged in both double and single action modes.

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One of the neat things on the little Beretta, like the Bobcat, is what they now call the Effortless Loading System (ELS). While you can rack the slide like any other auto pistol, you don’t have to with the ELS. Just push the button on the side of the frame above the trigger, and the barrel pops up.

You can insert a loaded magazine in the gun, and then add one round to the chamber using the ELS, and you never have to rack the slide. That’s always a bonus for folks with poor hand strength.

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Getting on Target

Beretta also updated the trigger on the 20X. The Trident trigger system uses a straight, skeletonized trigger. It also offers a 35% reduction in pull weight over the old guns.

I weighed mine on my Lyman trigger pull scale. My double-action pull was an average of 8 pounds, whereas the single-action pull averaged 3 pounds 10 ounces. That’s pretty impressive for any DA/SA gun, let alone a micro compact.

The sights got a major update as well. The 21A’s sights were rudimentary at best—a small, rounded front post and a notch in the rear of the slide. However, the 20X has dovetail slide cuts and accepts interchangeable sights.

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The Do It Yourself comes with a white dot front and blacked-out rear suppressor height sights. The You’re On Your Own comes with lower-profile irons. Even those are a big improvement over the 21A. I’d imagine we’ll start seeing some aftermarket tritium options show up before long, too.

Along with the enhanced frame ergonomics, the grips also got a boost. The DIY model comes with polymer grips with a new proprietary “Helica” texture. The YOYO has Gray/Black G10 grips.

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Last but not least, Beretta bumped up the magazine capacity on the 20X. The 21A held seven rounds. However, the 20X holds eight, albeit with a slightly extended magazine. The new mags are all polymer, unlike the steel mags of the 21A.

First Impressions

When I first pulled the 20X out of the box, my first impression was that it was solid. It only weighs 13.6 ounces, but it feels sturdier than the old 21A or my 950BS. Not that those were bad guns by any means, but the 20X with its integral trigger guard feels more substantial.

Fit and finish are excellent, as you’d expect from Beretta. With the beefed-up frame, grips, and suppressor sights, it is bigger than the older guns, though. It’s very close in size to my Ruger LCP Max, in fact.

Ergonomics are very good for a little gun. The safety is easy to use, and the mag release is where God and John Browning intended it to be. They mimic many larger guns, so it’s a setup you’re already familiar with. The grips have an aggressive texture that’s comfortable and locks your hand in place.

Bite of the Bobcat

Beretta lets you know up front that your 20X will probably need a break-in period. They also mention that you’ll likely find it likes certain ammo better than others after that period. They recommend high velocity loads, but not ones with muzzle velocity greater than 1400fps.

I found both recommendations to be true. However, I did get a number of failures to feed, some misfires, and spent casing jamming between the barrel and slide upon ejection for the first couple of hundred rounds.

I ran mostly CCI Mini Mag and Federal Auto Match through it, although I did try a variety of other loads as well. After around 250 rounds or so, things settled down, and I was able to fine-tune what ammo it liked.

When I spoke with Beretta about preferred loads, I was told that they test with Federal Champion 40gr LRN, Federal American Eagle 38gr CHP, and CCI Mini Mag 36gr CHP. I tried all of those plus random things from my ammo locker. Beretta recommended CCI Standard velocity .22s for suppressor use.

Once everything settled in, and I used loads that my pistol liked, the 20X is a great shooter. Honestly, it shoots better than a pistol this size deserves to shoot. At 15 yards, shooting offhand, I averaged five shot groups in the one-inch range.

The Federal Automatch and old Eley ammo that I had came closer to ½ inch groups. At 25 yards, I could pretty consistently plink pop cans and a 6-inch steel gong. For a gun with a 2.8-inch barrel, I will definitely take that.

Suppressing the 20X

I mentioned earlier that I bought the Beretta 20X specifically to match up with my Bowers Bitty suppressor. The Bitty is only 2.8 inches long and weighs just 2.6 ounces. It’s actually rated for .22 Magnum and .17 Magnum as well as .22 TCM and 5.7x28mm.

It’s an impressive little can and is perfect for the 20X. The overall length with the Bitty installed is just 7 3/4 inches, and it weighs only 16.3 ounces. It’s one of the most compact suppressed pistol packages you can come up with.

The Bitty worked well with the 20X. In fact, I’m probably going to just leave the Bitty on my 20X as the default setup. I also tried my SureFire Ryder 22 as well, though. The Ryder is a little quieter, but then again, it’s also nearly twice as long and twice as heavy.

It’s still quite manageable and only big compared to the Bitty. It’s a solid choice as well, but the Bitty and the 20X are made for each other.

20X Accessories

When I got my 20X, I looked for holsters and found that there weren’t many available. Since it was close in size to my LCP Max, I tried my holsters for that. Sure enough, it worked well in a DeSantis Pro Stealth IWB as well as a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. It also worked in my Tuff Products Pocket Roo pocket holster.

Galco makes a number of holsters that work as well. The Ankle Glove, the Tuck-N-Go 2.0, and the Paddle Lite all worked. The thumb snap on the Paddle Lite wasn’t as snug as I’d prefer, but it worked. The Tuck-N-Go was probably the best fit of the three. Both it and the paddle Lite have open bottoms that accommodate the 20X with the Bowers Bitty suppressor installed, too.

Spare eight-round mags are also available. The polymer mags run $25.00 each direct from Beretta. I really wish the 20X had shipped with two mags, but it doesn’t. So, I’ll end up picking up a couple of spares.

A Unique Tool for Your Toolbox

The Beretta 20X is a unique tool for your rimfire toolbox. While there are a few other micro compact .22s available, none offer the features that the 20X does. It has improved ergonomics and strength, interchangeable sights, the Effortless Loading System, and a great trigger. The updates over the 21A are significant.

No one is ever going to say that a .22LR is a powerhouse. However, a reliable .22 that you can shoot well is better than harsh language.

The 20X is easy to pocket during your evening walk and would make a great companion on the trail as well. Whether as a standalone carry gun, a backup piece, or a dedicated suppressor platform, the Beretta 20X Bobcat is worth taking a look at if you’re in the market for a .22 auto pistol.

Beretta 20X Bobcat Do It Yourself Specs

Accuracy Results

Accuracy testing conducted at 15 yards, offhand.

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