I am considering a Beretta tomcat 32ACP as a pocket carry. Due to age and arthritis, I do not want this a .380.
Had a bodyguard 2.0 and could not rack the slide.
Anyone have any experience with the tomcat?
I own one if that counts for experience. The Tomcat is SWEET! With a tip-up barrel, no need to rack it to load or unload a cartridge! The fixed barrel makes it accurate enough to drive nails at 15 yards if you have the suds to aim it. It's not light nor compact by modern standards, but that chunky feel is what makes it feel solid in the hand. At around 16 ounces there are lighter .32s and .380s, but the Beretta offers double-action, double-action with the hammer at half-cock - lighter, and single-action with the thumb-safety on. You can insert a full mag, then tip up the barrel to load it.
Mine has been 100% reliable in feed and function.
There are smaller .32 autos, my Seecamp is much smaller and about 6 ounces lighter than the Beretta, so why don't I carry my Seecamp more? Because the Beretta holds a solid 8 rounds, points perfectly, and gives me the confidence of knowing it's chamber status. I normally carry mine in a shoulder bag set-up, so 16 ounces versus 10 ounces is of little matter.
Beretta makes beautiful guns and they work.
A .32 ACP will "make your day" as they say. Before the modern insanity, the .32 auto was a standard police caliber in Europe, and there were many revolvers chambered in the less potent .32 S&W. For those on the fence there is a fascinating video of a guy in Brazil who used a 5-shot .32 revolver to resolve his grandson's anger issues. Seeing that, I have ZERO doubt as to the efficacy of the .32 auto.
Granddad pumped five .32 slugs into the dude and settled ALL his problems with the world!