Beretta 20X Bobcat 22 LR 2 8IN Threaded 8RD

About this product

The Beretta 20X Bobcat is a compact .22 LR pistol built around Beretta's signature tip-up barrel, which lets you chamber a round by hand instead of racking the slide. It's the updated version of the long-running 21A Bobcat, carrying an 8-round magazine, a threaded 2.8-inch barrel, and a double-action/single-action trigger with an exposed hammer. It's a pocket pistol built as much for ease of use as for size, and that combination has made the Bobcat line a fixture in small handgun cases for decades.

What is it used for?

This is a deep-concealment or backup pistol, and a genuinely easy-to-rack option for shooters with limited hand or grip strength who struggle with a standard slide. The tip-up barrel means you can load the chamber without fighting slide spring tension, which matters more than people expect once they've actually tried loading a normal semi-auto one-handed or with weak grip strength. It's also cheap to shoot for practice thanks to low .22 LR ammunition costs, so owners tend to actually train with it instead of leaving it in a drawer.

How does the tip-up barrel work?

A latch releases the barrel to pivot upward on a hinge at the front of the frame, exposing the chamber so you can drop a round straight in by hand rather than racking the slide to strip one from the magazine. It's a design Beretta has used across the Bobcat and Tomcat lines for decades specifically to solve that racking problem for shooters who find a standard slide difficult to operate.

How does it compare to the older Bobcat/21A?

The 20X keeps the same core tip-up concept the 21A was known for, but updates the sights, controls, and finish options, plus bumps capacity up to 8 rounds from the older model's lower count. If you're looking at this purely as a compact pocket alternative in a heavier caliber instead, our Kahr P380 trades the tip-up barrel convenience for more stopping power per round.

Who is this not for?

.22 LR is a light defensive round, so anyone wanting a primary defensive pistol should look at a centerfire caliber instead — this one works best as a backup gun or as a pistol for someone who genuinely can't manage a bigger caliber's recoil or the force needed to rack a standard slide. Shooters hoping to add a suppressor should also know that's not an option in this state, so factor that in before buying based on the threading alone.

Does it work in California?

Yes, provided this configuration is currently on California's handgun roster of certified models. The threaded muzzle will accept a compensator or thread protector, but California prohibits civilian suppressor ownership outright, so that part of the threading simply goes unused here regardless of what's legal in other states. Full details on the transfer process are on our California gun laws page.