[drf]

I just picked up a Tomcat the other day and would like to know what others thought of this gun? I bought the blued tomcat because it was a little slimmer than the other Tomcat.........Any comments or information on this gun good or bad would be appreciate. Thank U!!!drf

[Scarface]

Hi drf,

I bought one for my wife several years ago and have not had the first problem with it. The tip up barrel is great for loading, since the recoil spring is a little tough for her. She doesn't like the stock grips, apparently the diamond pattern bites her hands. I just got a block of walnut to make some smoother grips for her.

I've heard of people having problems with the Tomcat, but we've put welll over 1000 rounds through ours, trouble free. Hope you enjoy yours as much as we have.

Regards,

Scarface

[Marko Kloos]

I've owned three Tomcats over the last few years, and never had a problem with any of them. The only negative thing I can say about the Tomcat is that the grip panel screws have a tendency to shake themselves loose under recoil, but that can be fixed with Loctite or periodic retightening.

My wife currently uses a blued Tomcat as her primary gun, and she's very happy with it. The Tomcat is the perfect gun for her, since it can be loaded and cleared one-handed.

I like the Tomcat because it shoots and handles like a bigger gun, offering good sights and a solid grip. A friend of mine calls it "little big gun".

[10-Ring]

I have a few buddies that bought Tomcats last year. They all seemed like nice little guns. The only downside I experienced was that the trigger was pretty heavy. But I'd bet with some practice, it would be okay.

[faustulus]

I have had mine about four years now and I love it, I carry it almost everyday. I don't shoot it that often, maybe 50 rounds a year. But so far it has performed flawlessly. The gun maybe has 500 rounds through it and the only problem I have encountered was a broken firing pin.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=571841

[Tomac]

I've had a couple of Tomcats and now own an Alleycat (Tomcat w/tritium front sight) and haven't had any problems. It's my deep CCW that's always with me, I keep it stoked w/Silvertips and it's very accurate for a mousegun. However, I've read a number of posts indicating problems if they're shot too much. My best friend (cop in Kalifornia) had his slide or frame (don't remember which, that was years ago) crack after heavy use & Beretta replaced it promptly. I like it and will keep it until something that size is available in 9mm... ;)
Tomac

[Walt Sherrill]

I've had two Tomcats, both of them problems -- the first replaced under warranty by Beretta. I later sold the replacement gun after I lost confidence in it.

Firing pins will break easily, or did so early in the gun's production. Even when used with snap caps. I broke several. And it wasn't until after about 1000 rounds/trigger pulls that the trigger smoothed out -- and became quite good.

Most of the folks I know who owned them, didn't shoot them much, but loved them.

Most of the folks I know who shot them a lot, broke them. I personally met six people who returned the guns to the factory for major problems. Frames, firing pins, slides coming off the rails and jamming.

(I had that last problem happen, too. The slide release is in an awkward place for some hands. Hit it just right as the gun is cycling, and you get interesting results. The slide was badly jammed in an open position and I had to drive it forward with a nylon hammer to get the gun functional again. Worked fine after that, with no apparent damange, but I had lost confidence in the gun.)

All of these may have been early-production issues which have been resolved, as I have NOT heard about a lot of similar problems in the past year or so. but I wouldn't try a Tomcat again, to find out.

I much prefer the Kel-Tec P-32 and P3AT. The Beretta is just too big for pocket carry, and if I'm going to carry a .32 or .380, its going to be in my pants or shirt pocket.

I'm sure you'll hear much more positive responses -- there are a bunch, above -- and they might be appropriate responses, if Beretta has cleaned up its Tomcat act. But be sure to ask these folks HOW MANY ROUNDS they've got through their guns. It might make a difference.

[drf]

Thank you everyone for all of your input, good and bad!!!! What do most of you do as far as maintance goes on this gun AND WITH THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HEARD ABOUT DID BERETTA COVER ALL OF IT UNDER WARRANTY??THANKS AGAIN!!!!DRF

[Skunkabilly]

Is there a safety on the other side for left-handed use?

[drf]

No skunk there is no safety on the right side, I wish there was because I am left handed also........I wonder if gun manufactueres make left handed guns for us???drf

[huaco]

I've had a blued Tomcat for a few months and probably just over a couple of hundred rounds and it has gone bang and fed another every time. It's usually in my pocket in an inexpensive Mika holster. (http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/) I find it reasonably accurate for a small pistol. I wish they could make a pistol with this feature set in a larger caliber. The flip up barrel makes it easy to load and unload without racking the slide which matters because I won't leave a functional loaded gun in my car. It's really easy to remove the slide and take it with me.

My only dislike is the way the bore gets so filthy with just a couple of shots. It doesn't seem to affect the way it shoots but I'm compelled to clean it after every use and it takes a lot more effort to get the bore clean than any of my other handguns.

[XLMiguel]

I've had two Tomcats. First was an early production sample that I managed to break the slide on with Corbon ammo. Beretta replaced it, no questions asked (corbon said their stuff was within SAMMI specs for .32). It had well over 1000 rnds thru with no problems, but it did get finicky after 100-150 rnds (blowback pistols get drity, 'cats like to be clean).

Second one has been fine, tho it, too, likes to be clean and will start to have FTF'S/stovepipes after 100+ rounds without cleaning (& a pocket holster is a REAL good idea). I did put a dab of white paint on the front sight, added Ajax Blackwood grips (definitely worth the $40), but otherwise, I find myself putting it inmy pocket alot when bigger guns would be difficult (or for those evening runs to the grocery/ATM). Be aware that slide bites can be a problem it you have big hands (I do), but overall, I've been quite happy with my little Italian 'kitty'.

[Kentucky Rifle]

I like that titanium Tomcat with the gray grips. (Yes, I realize that-for some reason-the ti 'Cat is heavier, but I like titanium.) I bet RJ could make a comfortable pocket holster.

KR

[Skunkabilly]

drf, that's kind of a drag. beretta us usually pretty good about ambi safeties and operation, but I've only shot a .32 (Tomkitty?) once.

[355sigfan]

Mine was never 100% reliable. It would malfunction with about 2 or 3 rounds per 100 no matter what was fired in it. Malfunctions were harder to clear because the weapon has not extractor. The gun is only built to handle 1000 rounds. The firing pin in mine broke and Beretta found so much wrong on the inside they sent me a new gun. I was told the expected service life is about 1000 rounds. I sold mine. Much prefer an airweight snub.
Pat

[Walt Sherrill]

While I agree about problems with reliability, the gun is made to handle far more than 1,000 rounds. That's just typical firearms company "cover your butt" language.

If you fire it more than 1,000 rounds and have a problem, the warranty is still in effect.

Don't worry about the "1,000" round life....

But remember a point I made in an earlier response: most of the folks who like them a lot haven't shot them a lot. Most of the folks who have had problem shot them a lot. At least that was true with the early models -- I really think they've learned to make them better.