Beretta tomcat 32ACP

[Electraclyde]

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?

 

[s&wchad]

I don't have one, but I've looked at the Tomcats. The nice thing about these Berettas is you don't need to rack the slide. You can insert a loaded magazine, tip-up the barrel, insert a cartridge, snap it down and you're ready to go. You can also cock the hammer for the first shot, if the DA trigger pull is too heavy.

I have a Glock 42, but I rarely carry it and usually pocket a J frame .38. I consider .38/9mm to be the minimum defensive cartridge and bigger is better, but anything that is reliable and you can shoot well is better than your fists.

 

[glenncal1]

I have had one for years. INOX model. Solid little gun, easy to operate with pop-up barrel. Some of the early guns had issues with frame cracking. I don't think that is still an issue, but you might want to do a little research. Especially if looking at used guns.

 

[Imissedagain]

Definitely research the Tomcat frame/slide issues. That includes the newer ones.
Also read about the recommended ammo to use.
We have a couple of
Bobcat 22LRs.

 

[Grayfox]

I had one for a while. 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.
Its also kind of an odd size. Just a little too big for the pocket, but really too small for a holster. Just kinda awkward to deal with.
I had a problem with the shape of the trigger. When firing the bottom corner of the trigger would dig into my finger rather sharply. It was quite uncomfortable. I suppose I could have just rounded that sharp corner off, but since I rarely carried it, I just sent it down the road. YMMV.
There are lots of good .32acp pistols out there. Just look around a bit.

 

[BB57]

This comes up every few years. I like mine, but you do need to pick your ammo carefully. With a suitable load it is quite reliable and makes a great pocket carry or ankle holster gun.

Post in thread 'Beretta Tomcat'

Jul 8, 2022

It's one of those guns that some folks love to hate, both for the caliber and for the reputation the Tomcats have developed for frame cracks.

The Beretta Tomcat is an upsized and beefed up descendant of the Beretta .25 ACP Jet Fire and .22 Short Minx in their progressive Beretta 950, 950B and 950BS versions.

The major problem is that some American made .32 ACP and European made 7.65 Browning ammunition can exceed the recommended limit of 130 ft pounds.

For example, the 60 gr CorBonload develops 1000 fps out of the short barrel of the Tomcat and that puts it at 133 ft pounds.

It...

• BB57

• 

 

[zeke]

Had one, but didn't like how the trigger pull /grip interaction pulled the aim (pointing) off. Even considering it's very short range use.

 

[tomahawk223]

just got a .32 myself, as greyfox said it is an odd size. I like it for the loading and unloading not having to rack the slide. only put half a box trough it for now as the ammo is costly so not enough to give a rating yet. I also have the M21 from the late 80's I bought new back then. that one is more pocket friendly.

 

[Bald1]

I've had one for 20 yrs. Great little gun. I put Crimson Trace laser grips on it probably 12-15 yrs ago when they were all the rage. My wife likes shooting it. Surprisingly accurate for such a small gun.

 

[Seaburry]

I have one. Love the tip up barrel. Very ammo sensitive. Right or wrong never got to trust the reliability so it lives in the gun safe. Just my opinion but Ruger 380 max is light years ahead. Wk

 

[Twobravo2]

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 one, an INOX version that my dad used to carry before he passed away. He was a retired federal LEO and active instructor in his retirement. He could have carried anything he wanted and an INOX tomcat is what worked best for him. He carried a custom 1911 most often, but the Tomcat was with him anytime he was wearing shorts, quick trips to the store, etc. I have shot it and I like it a lot. That said, I am a fan of Beretta's and Have the Large, Medium, Small, and Baby sizes of their pistols.

I think it is heavy for what it is. Personally, a Smith 342 is my go to for lightweight carry. It's not fun to shoot, but I can qualify with it easily. 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.

 

[BC38]

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.

 

[Tex1001]

>>>>>There are lots of good .32acp pistols out there. Just look around a bit.

<<<<Snip

Best 32 auto out there is the Kel-Tek, hands down.
Locked breech mitigates recoil. Preloaded DA hammer for decent
trigger pull.
If I were limited to a 32 Auto this would be my hands down choice.

 

[BC38]

<<<<Snip

Best 32 auto out there is the Kel-Tek, hands down.
Locked breech mitigates recoil. Preloaded DA hammer for decent
trigger pull.
If I were limited to a 32 Auto this would be my hands down choice.

I certainly can't argue with any of that.
But FWIW, the standard P3AT is the exact same size and carries only 1 less round of the more potent 380 ACP ammo.
I have both a P32 and a P3AT. For "light" carry - when concealment is the #1 consideration, I choose the P3AT with a magguts kit that gives me the same 7+1 capacity as the P32, but in a better SD round.
JMO, and YMMV.

 

[Tex1001]

I also hae a P3AT that I carry as a backup.
I was led to understand that Clyde didn't
want a 380..

 

[Bald1]

The KelTecs I have shot had minute of barn accuracy at 10 yds.

 

[BC38]

The KelTecs I have shot had minute of barn accuracy at 10 yds.

Ok, that hasn't been my experience. Both my P32 and P3AT shoot minute of pie plate at 7 yards.
But your experience is your experience.
What works for me doesn't necessarily work for anyone/everyone else.

 

[Bald1]

Only time I could hit a pie plate was when I threw the KelTec because I was fed up with the jamming

 

[BC38]

Only time I could hit a pie plate was when I threw the KelTec because I was fed up with the jamming

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

 

[Cartwright Jones]

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!

 

[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.