I think I might buy one of these just for fun. I know they are not a range gun, and realize that .32 is questionable for self defense. I think I might buy this neat little pistol just for fun. Any experience with these? Thanks in advance, and regards.
Opinions on the Beretta Tomcat
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NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Research the frame cracking issue. I EDCd mine until it did crack, then I lost enough faith in the gun to carry it any more, though to be fair it still functioned as well as ever.
Mine was not tolerant of flat-nosed bullets or limp-wristing either.
Mine was not tolerant of flat-nosed bullets or limp-wristing either.
swoter
Contributing Member
I edc mine in my pocket. It’s just so easy to do when walking out the door, especially in warmer shorts weather. I bought mine earlier this year, put a couple of hundred rounds through it without any problems yet.
KevininPa
Member
I do not own one. But have been reading up on them extensively. Always wanted one. From all the posts and other reviews that I've read, you need to keep under a certain pressure zone to not have the frame crack. Would still like one because of the tip up barrel. And I'm still riding the fence on it. And Beretta's customer service is not known to be stellar.
Well, if its for "fun".
Otherwise, a LCP 380 is about the same size and lighter.
https://www.handgunhero.com/compare/beretta-3032-tomcat-vs-ruger-lcp
Few years ago, sometimes a LCP 380 was begrudgingly best I could do, going with a 32 would have been a nope.
Otherwise, a LCP 380 is about the same size and lighter.
https://www.handgunhero.com/compare/beretta-3032-tomcat-vs-ruger-lcp
Few years ago, sometimes a LCP 380 was begrudgingly best I could do, going with a 32 would have been a nope.
Yukon_Cola
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I haven't owned or shot one but I've handled them a few times and liked them a lot. I almost bought one a few months back but the $540 price tag I felt was a bit steep. I'm looking now and see them going for sub $500 online. Might need to put it back on the list.
jar
Contributing Member
It's another gun my brother-in-law shot and won't give back.
I've had 2 Tomcats and 3 Bobcats they are neat little guns. My advise is get the Bobcat with the ammo restrictions on the 32 (factory rated at 130 ft lbs) and the short barrel you're not getting much more performance than Velocitors from a 22 and 22 is way cheaper and easier to find.
Shawn Dodson
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Several years ago I carried one as a BUG on patrol.
It was a nice shooter. The wide girth distributed recoil very well in my firing hand. Recoil was nil.
The only thing I didn't like about it was it's wide girth, which complicated both concealment and the ability to quickly draw it from concealment in a pocket.
I eventually sold it a got a Seecamp .32.
When Seecamp starts offering .25 ACP again I'm going to sell the .32 and replace it with the .25.
If you get the Tomcat, then I wish you good luck with it. Mine was a pleasure to shoot.
It was a nice shooter. The wide girth distributed recoil very well in my firing hand. Recoil was nil.
The only thing I didn't like about it was it's wide girth, which complicated both concealment and the ability to quickly draw it from concealment in a pocket.
I eventually sold it a got a Seecamp .32.
When Seecamp starts offering .25 ACP again I'm going to sell the .32 and replace it with the .25.
If you get the Tomcat, then I wish you good luck with it. Mine was a pleasure to shoot.
halfmoonclip
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As a .32 junkie (reload them too) I've had a couple over the years.
The good news; mine was relatively reliable (recall a few stumbles), and the tip up barrel made both loading and decocking a breeze.
They are a little portly for pocket concealment, and I'm personally not a big fan of double/single autos.
As regards the factory energy limits, real ammunition doesn't clock all that fast from the short barrel (I've chronoed it, and will go look it up if anyone wishes), so it's a non-issue for me.
I move the most recent one along, simply because I've other .32s I like better.
Moon
The good news; mine was relatively reliable (recall a few stumbles), and the tip up barrel made both loading and decocking a breeze.
They are a little portly for pocket concealment, and I'm personally not a big fan of double/single autos.
As regards the factory energy limits, real ammunition doesn't clock all that fast from the short barrel (I've chronoed it, and will go look it up if anyone wishes), so it's a non-issue for me.
I move the most recent one along, simply because I've other .32s I like better.
Moon
The price and rarity of 32 acp should prevent frame cracking unless you reload.
GooseGestapo
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Back in late ‘90’s I loved mine to death!
I shot it extensively as it was VERY accurate. More so at 25yds than the issue Glock G22 I carried.
I had a LGS that was a source for heavily discounted Fiocchi ammo.
I shot a LOT of the 73gr FMJ (hot!) and 60gr JHP (hotter) is what I carried.
I reloaded the brass with both Speer and Hornady 60gr hp’s and my cast 78gr RN.
The frame eventually started cracking. I sent it back to Beretta. They replied that not only was frame cracked but also the slide!
They sent me a NEW GUN ! However, I had joined the old The Firing Line forum and learned more about the issues with the TomCat.
I sold it NIB to the shop without transferring it. Got more than my original price for it.
I’ve got a KelTec .32 that shoots well and has been trouble free. I also have a Beretta 81 (12shot compact) that is my “shooter”. However, I’m careful to keep velocities below the 130ft/lb level on reloads. I seldom carry it so it should last....
Except for current gouging on primers, the .32acp is essentially a “reloadable.22rf”...
Extremely frugal on powder and lead!
I shot it extensively as it was VERY accurate. More so at 25yds than the issue Glock G22 I carried.
I had a LGS that was a source for heavily discounted Fiocchi ammo.
I shot a LOT of the 73gr FMJ (hot!) and 60gr JHP (hotter) is what I carried.
I reloaded the brass with both Speer and Hornady 60gr hp’s and my cast 78gr RN.
The frame eventually started cracking. I sent it back to Beretta. They replied that not only was frame cracked but also the slide!
They sent me a NEW GUN ! However, I had joined the old The Firing Line forum and learned more about the issues with the TomCat.
I sold it NIB to the shop without transferring it. Got more than my original price for it.
I’ve got a KelTec .32 that shoots well and has been trouble free. I also have a Beretta 81 (12shot compact) that is my “shooter”. However, I’m careful to keep velocities below the 130ft/lb level on reloads. I seldom carry it so it should last....
Except for current gouging on primers, the .32acp is essentially a “reloadable.22rf”...
Extremely frugal on powder and lead!
MachIVshooter
Member
They're good looking little guns, but not very pleasant to shoot, rather snappy. And the aforementioned cracking issue is a detractor. I sold mine long ago, the only .32 Beretta I have now is a suppressed 81BB.
If you want a small Beretta you can really enjoy, go with a Bobcat .22.
If you want a small Beretta you can really enjoy, go with a Bobcat .22.
BC17A
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Many claiming their Tomcat frames cracked from only using the factory ammo that Beretta recommends but I take those claims with a grain of salt. I have several 32 autos and bought lots of factory ammo. Before the shortages of lately, at least half of the ammo that was available has been well over the 130# recommended. IIRC, all 73gn factory ammo is too hot for the Tomcat, S&B, Fiocchi, Norma and even the older Magtech 71gn ammo. Sometimes all I could find was S&B and Fiocchi. I never paid much attention until I started reloading and got a Tomcat then started to wonder how many owners didn't know better and just used what they could get.
As for reloaders, I won't go into specifics of what I've read on more than a few reload forums, but will say that there's a good reason that Tomcat frames crack.
I'm in the same camp as the OP, and only use my Tomcat for range plinking so firing weak ammo is perfectly fine with me. I say get one and have fun, especially since there's a $75 rebate going on.
https://gunprime.com/products/beretta-3032-tomcat-32-acp-inox-2-4-st-1-7rd-j320500?gd
As for reloaders, I won't go into specifics of what I've read on more than a few reload forums, but will say that there's a good reason that Tomcat frames crack.
I'm in the same camp as the OP, and only use my Tomcat for range plinking so firing weak ammo is perfectly fine with me. I say get one and have fun, especially since there's a $75 rebate going on.
https://gunprime.com/products/beretta-3032-tomcat-32-acp-inox-2-4-st-1-7rd-j320500?gd
sparkyfender
Member
Bought one in the 90s for a carry gun. It was okay, had a few misfeeds from a poor grip.
It just didn't seem to be very robust and strong, so I traded it for a Kahr.
Kahrs were only offered in steel back then, and now that was a solid feeling weapon.
It just didn't seem to be very robust and strong, so I traded it for a Kahr.
Kahrs were only offered in steel back then, and now that was a solid feeling weapon.
redcon1
member
I bought one a few months ago and then learned about the frame issue so I haven't even shot it. Plus, it has very specific ammunition requirements that you don't really learn about until you buy the handgun. I would say it's a "carry a lot, shoot a little" kind of a gun. I also bought a Seecamp .380 the same day which I feel is a better mouse gun all in all but I would also consider that a carry a lot, shoot a little kind of a gun. .32 is hard enough to find and then when you are relegated to only specific brands of a specific power level, it's just not worth it. So I'll probably sell my unfired NIB Tomcat some day. If you were in northwest Ohio vicinity, I'd sell it to you- NIB. The Seecamp in .380 was just a better choice for me.
Every time the topic comes up there is the frame cracking debate. They make good guns, don't worry, buy one they even have a coupon!
They still sell a lot of them so I would think the issue has been corrected
https://rapid-rebates.com/tomcat-bobcat
They still sell a lot of them so I would think the issue has been corrected
https://rapid-rebates.com/tomcat-bobcat
citizenconn
Member
I had one. Liked the looks but ultimately did not find it fun to shoot and down the road it went.
BigBlue 94
Member
Not a Bob or Tom, but i do have a Minx, chambered in 22 short. Its a nice little gun. Goes bang every time. And the fit and finish is real nice. But boy is it tiny!
swoter
Contributing Member
I have never actually seen a Minx, but looks like it would be fun!
.455_Hunter
Member
I had been intrigued by the Tomcat since it was introduced. I managed to source one on GB and was actually pretty disappointed. Tip-up barrel is a positive, but the thickness is rather extreme, and absolutely ridiculous in light of the cracking issues. My primary .32 autos are a NAA Guardian (very size efficient) and a couple PPK examples, all which fill my functional needs better than the Tomcat.
I am a TOMCAT fan. I have owned 3 of them. I gave one to me wife as she has problems racking the slide on most pistols and finds revolvers uncomfortable to grip.
She can shoot the TOMCAT and unlike the NAA Guardian, it is not painful to shoot. The larger grip size spreads out the recoil more than the tiny NAA Guardian grip
I have found them to be very concealable and carry one in a pocket holster when I am not able to carry a larger gun or a pistol in a belt holster.
I have not had any reliability problems and the light weight makes them completely forgetable when pocket carried.
I like the FIOCCHI XTP jhp load and FEDERAL Hydra Shok jhp for carry and have also had good look with HORNADY FTX. I usually use FIOCCHI fmj or AGUILLA fmj for practice.
Good luck with the Tomcat.
Jim
She can shoot the TOMCAT and unlike the NAA Guardian, it is not painful to shoot. The larger grip size spreads out the recoil more than the tiny NAA Guardian grip
I have found them to be very concealable and carry one in a pocket holster when I am not able to carry a larger gun or a pistol in a belt holster.
I have not had any reliability problems and the light weight makes them completely forgetable when pocket carried.
I like the FIOCCHI XTP jhp load and FEDERAL Hydra Shok jhp for carry and have also had good look with HORNADY FTX. I usually use FIOCCHI fmj or AGUILLA fmj for practice.
Good luck with the Tomcat.
Jim
Blkhrt13
Member
I loved mine. Carried it for years. Till the ball bearing and spring popped out of the safety somehow. Then the safety would flap on and off with the breeze. I had it apart waiting on the parts to get in to fix it and it was stolen in a burglary. I wouldn’t buy another unless they made it without the safety. It has a long double action pull anyway. It shot as good as the rest of the beretta pocket pistols I’ve owned. Inside twenty feet I’ve shot squirrels with a jetfire 88. I hit a rabbit with my tomcat. People laughed at me for carrying a baby gun.
Nasty Canasta
Member
I’ve had my old Tomcat for many years & prefer the older models slimmer lines over the wide/bulky newer model that make it to chunky for what it is I’m my opinion. Mine’s loaded with Winchester silver tips & It’s shot factory & my reloads without any functional or structural issues. While the threaded barrel & a tiny suppressor on a new one would be fun I don’t see one in my future.
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