Beretta tomcat 32ACP

[Dave.357]

My wife has one , I also have one. My wife couldn’t pull
Slide back on most semiauto pistols. We have put at least
250 out of each one with no failures at all.

 

[Smith391]

Yes, ammo is limited to certain pressures due to the frame issues. There was a card that came with mine warning of this. Generally American made ammo is good to go. However, avoid the hotter European stuff. As I understand it, they have now fixed this problem by beefing up the frame a little.

Oh, and the frame cracking issue was only with the blued guns. To my knowledge, that was never an issue with any of the INOX ones.

I have one of the improved versions with the thicker slide.
Supposedly, much less prone to the cracking issue, but they still warn against ammo exceeding 130ft-lbs energy.

OK, here's the deal...

The "Tomcat" was redesigned by Beretta to address the known issue with hairline cracks develping in the frame's midsection. Interestingly, the fix wasn't to redisign the frame, but rather the slide. The redesign added mass to the slide to slow down the cycling speed enough that the recoil impulse wouldn't overstress the frame, which could result in the aformentioned frame cracking.

Since the "Inox" version of the Tomcat didn't debut until after this redisign, you won't find a stainless (Inox) gun with the original "thin slide" version.




Beretta has always recommended against using .32 Auto ammo over a certain energy level in the Tomcat, even after the redesigned pistol hit the market...

 

[Heinz]

I like my 32 beret. It is a hoot to shoot, loud, muzzle flash and throws empties 6 ft up in the air. Shoots well for it size and the tipup barrel is very convenient . Mine is the Inox version

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I would recommend the Beretta too.

 

[DuckBeav]

I carry my Tomcat a lot! Especially now that warmer weather is here, it gets dropped in my pocket for quick trips to the Juice and Boost. I've had it for several years, put lots of rounds down range of various brands and have never had an issue with it. Won't get rid of it either! YMMV.

 

[uhlawpup]

I like mine. Easy to conceal and use. A little bulkier than my Beretta Pico, but nicer to shoot and the tip up barrel is a big plus. Since this is basically a GTFO me gun, minute of barn door is plenty accurate enough for me. Funny thing: mine came with a threaded barrel, but I’m sure any suppressor would be larger than the gun itself.

 

[Rich Richardson]

Was there an issue with the tip up barrel hinge pin?

 

[Boilerguy]

I live in SW Florida so I lean towards light clothing all year long. The Sig 938 or S&W 360 are my favorite EDC weapons but I do have an older blue Tomcat that I pocket carry when I don't want an IWB holster against my skin. I have had it for several years and have never fired anything but FMJ ammo and it has been a peach! 100% reliable and very accurate at defensive ranges. My hand size in Mechanix gloves is XL (large is just a bit short in the fingers) and I find it easy to shoot. If I were to buy one now I would get the INOX but my frame shows no cracks. Since I bought it used I cannot say how many rounds have been through it but I personally have fired several hundred rounds. I think that it is a great little pistol and fills a need for me. I do wish the grips were a bit thinner but in a Sticky pocket holster and loose fitting shorts it does not noticeably print.

 

[javbike]

I have one also haven’t put enough ammo thru it to rate it yet ammo is pricy so I got maybe have a box or more thru it . You definitely have it find the right ammo so far it definitely doesn’t like hollow points it likes fmj more not perfect but I think it needs more ammo thru it but like I said it’s pricy I do like the looks feel of the gun I going to kept it for sure good luck

 

[Outpost75]

I have owned two Tomcats. First was an original blued model which failed from frame cracking through the slim section above trigger pivot after about 500 rounds of RWS 73-grain FMJ ammo. Accokeek replaced it with a heavy slide Model 3032 INOX. This gun was better, but failed in the same manner after 2000 rounds of CIP-Euro FMJ ammunition. They would not repair or replace the second gun due to "abuse."

The new INOX WOULD NOT FEED AT ALL with American JHP ammo or flatnosed Buffalo Bore. Rimlock is an issue if cartridges are shorter than 0.95" long. Use ONLY US MADE 71 grain FMJ. Avoid high volume training use exceeding firing 2000+ rounds over the life of the gun. Beyond this you should consider the gun "disposable."

I sold my cracked 3032 and spare mags as a "gunsmith parts" gun and used the proceeds to buy an original version Ruger LCP which has run over 2000 rounds of Winchester 95-grain flatnosed FMJ with no issues. I find its recoil quite manageable with a Hogue grip sleeve.

My 1944 wartime steel frame 7.65mm M1935 runs like a Bugatti motorcycle after more than 10,000 rounds of Fiocchi, Geco, Norma, RWS, and S-B FMJ since I got it from the estate of a WW2 vet. I have no clue of how many rounds it may have fired in its prior wartime and postwar history. I did replace the springs with Wolff.

 

[Bald1]

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!

This post pretty much sums it up. I’m in complete agreement. Other than targets the only thing my Tomcat has shot is a padlock ( off a treestand. Worked great) and a nuisance snapping turtle in my pond.

 

[Donnie805]

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 love mine primarily due to neurologic problems with my hands. I find it so convenient to be able to pop that barrel up and insert a cartridge followed by the magazine. Then it’s all set to go …… it shoots well for a .32 ACP, and based on what it’s intended for, it’ll get the job done. I have no problem in recommending the Tomcat for anyone having difficulties racking a semi auto pistol.

 

[JFthunder]

Sounds like maybe you got a lemon - or I got lucky and got a couple of good 'uns...

Mine does well at 5, 7, & 10 yards, begins to spread out by 15. Originally purchased to provide to my wife with carpal and arthritis issues. She has basically quit shooting anything. Now the P32 is most often my in the pocket, quick grab and carry choice . Don’t have a 380; have considered the Kahr P380 and the KelTec

 

[Outpost75]

Was there an issue with the tip up barrel hinge pin?

Hole surrounding barrel hinge pin on my INOX Model 3032 cracked at about 2000 rounds of Euro-CIP ammo before the frame cracked at trigger pivot.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Besides the 32 Beretta makes a 22 and a 25 with a tip up barrel.

 

[jframesj]

Hole surrounding barrel hinge pin on my INOX Model 3032 cracked at about 2000 rounds of Euro-CIP ammo before the frame cracked at trigger pivot.

Did Beretta replace it under warranty?

 

[inspcalahan]

Beretta has a great warranty and customer service. I know this, solely because of the Tomcat .32. I shied away from the older ones after always hearing about issues like frame cracks and ammo sensitivity. About five years ago, I bought one of the new ones, thinking all that would be fixed.

First trip to the range, before the first magazine was empty and using American Eagle ball ammunition, the frame "jumped" off the rails on one side and seized the gun up. With some force, I was able to get it apart and find an internal trigger pin broken, along with the now beveled slide edges. Off to Beretta it went.

Beretta just replaced it with a new gun. This one never broke or had catastrophic issues. It was ammo sensitive, trying about four different loads before I just decided it wasn't for me. Poor trigger pull, kinda fat for its size and I just couldn't trust it as a carry gun. Sold it off and haven't looked back.

I'm not down on Beretta's at all. I've owned a good handful over the years and have enjoyed them all. The little Bobcat .22 continues to be a great little gun, even suppressed. Always reliable. The Tomcat just isn't for me, based on all the above.

If I were looking for a .32, at "get off me distance" the Keltec is a fine option. We've had one in the family for twenty years and it keeps on running. A Seecamp is a great little option, a little more expensive and it likes Speer 60gr Gold Dot's mostly but, with that it's a great little pocket gun. Walther has just released a threaded barrel PPK according to an article in Guns or American Handgunner lately..forgot which... Just my two cents, likely only worth one.

 

[Elder Shooter]

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 have a Taurus TCP PT 738 in 380 and my small hands could not rack the slide. I applied grip tape to the slide over the serrations and it became easy to operate. Try that on your Bodyguard.

 

[Outpost75]

Did Beretta replace it under warranty?

No. This was the 3032 INOX heavy slide they replaced my earlier blued pistol with. They wouldn't replace it, claimed "abuse".

 

[jeffrefrig]

I bought one of those used imported 32 caliber Berettas, I think model 81. It’s too heavy for the pocket carry but it’s a great little pistol. I’m not too weak (yet) to rack the slide and it’s very accurate from the 15 yard line in my hands. No tip up barrel or whatever but it was worth the money. I only have 3 Berettas, but they are very accurate in my hands. The 92S is maybe my best shooter in 9mm.
Just my 2cents on Berettas. They’re heavy but they work well.