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I like this little pistol. It has a Double Action/Single Action trigger, so you can carry a round in the chamber, and not be worried about accidentally firing it. Yet at the same time, all the subsequent shots will be quick single action style.
The weight is about 11.5 ounces. Because 22 cartridges weigh less than 380 cartridges, the loaded weight is nearly the same as the loaded weight of my Kel-Tec P3AT. The Kel-Tec holds 6 rounds in its magazine, plus another in the chamber. The 21A holds 7 rounds in its magazine, plus another round in the chamber.
Of course the 380 is larger and heavier than the 22 round, and will do more damage to a "bad guy." The 22 cartridge, especially if you use a high velocity "stinger" or some such, will be faster than most 380 bullets. It IS possible to use a 22 for self-defense, especially if it is easy to shoot, and if you are thereby able to be more accurate than with a more powerful pistol. Shot placement is the most important factor in a gun fight.
The Beretta Bobcat has a "tip-up barrel," which makes it easy to chamber a round, or to clear the chamber of a round. It is actually never necessary to "rack" the slide, because of this feature. This makes it a good pistol for a person with weak arms or hands.
Here are some links to more Beretta Bobcat information:
Serger's Review of the 21A
Wikipedia Review-Article on the Beretta 21a
Beretta USA
Buy extra magazines from Midway
The 22 Cartridge By Chuck Hawks
Beretta Forum
Discussion by Owners/Possible Problems
Review with Photos by Jayls5 on the FiringLine Forum
Video Review of the Beretta 21a Bobcat
YouTube Video: Testing many kinds of ammo in the Beretta 21a