[XD Shooter]

The problem with wanting to carry a small sized weapon is that you get small sized ammunition with it. What is the general feeling about 32 cal. in a self defence situation? Keep in mind that any self-defence shooting at a range greater than about 21 feet means that you'd be going to jail not to mention the civil action.

[azrael]

shooting someone over 21ft away means I am going to jail??huh??:what:, you might want to clarify that one


The .32acp is ok for concealed carry, however shot placement is far more crucial than with the larger calibers..

When I practice drawing and firing I shoot for the upper chest and head...I figure if I shoot the badguy 4 or 5 times in the face he isn't gonna be a happy camper...

I tend to prefer my .45 or my XD 9C, however sometimes you just cant get away with concealing larger caliber weapons...

[eyz]

unless they have a gun pointed directly at you or a hostage, or are in your home, a person would probably do time for a shooting over 10ft away. fact: little old ladies who sit on grand juries (mandatory in a shooting) ask why would anyone own a gun those things are dangerous and why didn't you run away (even though your not required too). a legit shooting will cost the living victim several thousand in legal fees even if it's no billed.

I have two tomcats, both good and accurate out to 10 yards. sights are good for a pistol of this size. in an above the neck shot caliber shouldn't matter, followed by a center mass for the defense lawyer. Berretta recommends standard pressure ammo.

[Nick96]

If you want a small .32, you should really look at the Kel-Tec P-32 (or their newer P3AT .380). Smaller, lighter, cheaper - and from the reviews I've read about the Tomcat and Kel-Tec's - just as reliable & accurate. The Tomcat is really pretty large & heavy for a gun of this type - approching that of a light weight J frame S&W .38 revolver.

I won't argue calibers. But in general terms,.32 is better than .22 & .25. .380 is a bit better than .32. .38 is a bit better than .380. All have had their failures - but more often than not all have done what they were suppose to do. The point being, if you are going to go with greater weight & size - why not go with a better caliber?

[Walt Sherrill]

In the few cases I've read about -- and in the training I've received (with regard to laws and use of weapons in self defense, etc.) -- the issue isn't distance to victim/assailant or the type of gun used but, rather, whether the shooter was justified in using LETHAL FORCE in the first place.

If you are justified, you're home free. If you aren't, you've got problems.

(That's over-simplified, to be sure, but so were the earlier responses.)

You'll notice, too, in an increasing number of jurisdictions, the district attorney is not even looking hard at folks who use weapons in clear cases of self-defense... no indictments, no prosecution. In such cases, the little old lady in the jury isn't going to have anything to do with it.
---------------

With regard to the Tomcat as a CCW:

I had two of the earliest models, and they were real problems. Perhaps they've got those early wrinkles worked out.

Triggers took about 1000 rounds to get acceptable, and I had major problems with the first gun, and also busted a couple of firing pins, even though I used good quality snap caps.

I had a slide come off track on the second gun while firing, at the range, and had to drive it back with a nylon mallet to dislodge the "jam" and get it back on track. It was perfect thereafter, but I had lost all confidence in the Beretta Tomcat.

The gun is relatively big, however, and almost too big for pocket carry (which isn't as practical as it seems, anyway.) A good slide holster for this gun works and conceals well.

I've had good luck with Kel-Tecs, and have a P3AT on order, now.

[drf]

I have a .32 Tomcat with about 700-800 rds through it. I've had a couple of FTE usually on the last rd from the mag.. Seems to be a good little pistol for what it is but as far as pocket carry goes it is possible but the grip is defenetly thicker than most pocket guns, a little thick for the pocket...
IWB is comfortable with this gun or in a coat pocket.....
This gun needs alot of breakin to loosen it up........drf

[ksnecktieman]

I think it is better to have a mouse gun on you than a .45 in the drawer at home. I had a tomcat, and traded it off for a keltec .32. I am happy with the trade, check one out before you buy the tomcat.

[Rich357]

I have a stainless steel "wide slide" .32Auto Tomcat and an alloy Alley Cat. the Alley Cat wants to whack the lower part of the trigger guard into my middle finger.

In a handgun training class we had to draw and fire when we started to see an instructor rush toward us (from the front but not directly in front of our line of fire) with a fake knife. I think he started 10 yards from us. In virtually every case he would have stuck us before we got off the shot. Even in the best situation he may have gotten shot but his momentum would have easily carried him and his knife into us. Again, we knew exactly what he was going to do and we couldn't stop him.

It is hard to tell how far someone needs to be from you, where you won't honestly feel your life is in serious danger. In the case of our class demo someone at 30 feet (10 yards) could have easily planted a knife in our chest before we could draw and fire.

Rich

[eyz]

every shooting that results in death or serious injury is Grand Juried in Texas. these are everyday people who don't know much about the law. Carol Mosely Braun could be on your Grand Jury if it happened her area, get the picture.

I currently own two Tomcats, I prefer the thick slide one. Its very solid. I've had a total of 1 failure to feed a gold dot. Their hollow points are very wide and it just hit the ramp wrong. Thats it no others it even fed the other gold dots fine. The other Tomcat (thick slide stainless) has had zero malfunctions. Both went to the range without oil when I first got them and had zero malfunctions. Sights are good, grip is a little thick but allows for better control, they shoot close to point of aim. My wife had the p32 and then shot my Tomcat, she sold the p32 and we purchased the second Tomcat. I had another Keltec that locked solid after the first shot. They didn't impress me. I have heard that Beretta had some problems early on years ago with the Tomcat. Those seem to be ancient history. In the hand a Beretta will always feel like a Beretta and a KelTec will always feel cheap.

[Slowhand]

I carry a Seecamp as my BUG, and it's pretty much the best thing going (IMHO) for a .32 pocket gun. The Kel-tecs seem to be doing better then they were, but I have a hard time getting past their low-rent construction. I can deform the frame with my fingers. Not to say they don't do the job, they just aren't for me. As far as .32, I would do almost anything in my power to avoid having to be armed with only a .32 pocket gun. My usual primary carry is a 5" 1911 in .45 or (rarely) an HK P7 in 9mm. There have been a handful of times where the Seecamp was all I could get away with, but I was not comfortable with it.

[Drakejake]

I have the Tomcat (hardly ever shoot it), and KT .32 and .380. I think that the Tomcat was made obsolete by the small Kel Tecs, except for one factor: the Tomcat can be shot single action and is easier to shoot accurately. The Tomcats have had lots of problems, mainly cracked slides; hence the thicker slides on the titanium and stainless versions. For about twice the weight and thickness of the KT .380, you get a weaker round. But the Tomcat is a neat design, since you can load without racking the slide--just pop-up the barrel and put a round into the chamber, and because it is unusual to have a double/single action pistol this small.

Drakejake.

[dogngun]

If you decide to carry a .32, I would recommend against the Tomcat. I have had Beretta pistols of the same design in .22 (4) and.25 (2)caliber, and none of them has been reliable enough to make me comfortable.

I have had the slides come off track on 3 of the 4 .22 calibers. I have had failures to extract the fired case in all 4 .22 calibers and in 1 of 2 .25 caliber pistols. ( This leaves you with a pistol with a fired case in the chamber which you must pop or pry out because there is no extractor).

I have a scar on my right hand from the slide on the .25 that worked reliably.

IMHO, if you carry a smaller caliber, you must carry a gun that works every time.

I know there are people who regularly carry and love these guns. My experience with them has been mostly bad.

I carry either a small 9mm pistol or a small frame revolver.
If you must have a .32, try the KelTec, or Seecamp.
Mark

[Walt Sherrill]

the .22 and .25 versions LOOK similar, but are basically different guns.

(I'm not a big Tomcat fan, as my earlier message would indicate, but don't let your bad experience with the .22 and .25 contaminate your view of the .32. Personally, however, I'd rather have a Kel-Tec, which also gets mixed reviews. It is a true pocket gun. Shirt pocket, even.)

[Lancel]

In .32 ACP, I've both a Seecamp and a Tomcat. The Seecamp is definitely high quality but I like the elegant engineering in the Tomcat: flip up barrel, vertical recoil springs, single/double action.

Like many autos, early kinks were worked out of the design. It's a good fit in my hand unlike most pocket sized pistols. Out of a thousand rounds, I cannot remember a single failure. It's a comfortable, good shooting little pistol.

Too bad it's just a .32 ACP.


Larry

[azrael]

I carry a kel-tec p-32 or p3at everyday...I also own and carry a Naa. 32acp from time to time...

Seecamps are nice...prolly gonna get one when the .380's come down in price

[Lancel]

What is the general feeling about 32 cal. in a self defence situation?When I carry a .32 ACP, I see it as being useful against bad guys, but not dogs or other animals.
It's one of those rounds in which you can have penetration or expansion but not both.

The experts at TacticalForums.com/Terminal Effects Forum (among others) give good reason to believe that .380 and below is too small for reliable self defense.

Larry

[bad_dad_brad]

Go with the KelTec P32 in .32 ACP. Forget all other .32 pistols and throw in the trash any .380 firearm that is larger or heavier. This is the lightest little semi-automatic derringer on the planet, and has most of the bugs worked out of it.

Now, to be really serious in deep concealment, go with a Kahr MK9 or the lighter yet buggier PM9 9mm in +P 124 grain 9mm.

[Arc Angel]

:rolleyes: I spent more than a year searching for a, ‘little gun’ that I could live with everyday. I finally got the choices down to the: (1) 32acp, Seecamp, ‘LWS-32’; (2) NAA, 32acp, ‘Guardian’; and (3) 32acp, Beretta, ‘Alley Cat’. I chose the, ‘Alley Cat’ (a, ‘Tom Cat’ w/night sights) because it fit into the palm of my hand – yet – pointed and shot like a full-sized pistol. The, ‘feel’ and balance of this little pistol are superb; I am, consistently, able to shoot it like a full-sized pistol. I usually carry it inside my front left pocket in a Galco pocket holster - Most of the time I don’t, even, know it’s there. Depending on how I’m dressed, sometimes, this little Beretta occupies a cross-draw position on my belt. The only advantage I see to cross-draw carry is that, here, the, ‘Alley Cat’ is available to both my right and left hand at the same time.

Frankly I didn't find any of these, 'little guns' (Kel-Tec and Taurus included) to be particularly durable or necessarily well-made. I encountered owners who had trouble with each of them; however, overall, I am delighted with how highly concealable, well-balanced, and straight-shooting my, ‘Alley Cat’ is. At the present time I have, about, 800 rounds through mine without any failures to fire or eject; and it’s, still, going strong; but, again, I’ve encountered other shooters who’ve had trouble with their own little Berettas. All in all, I’d have to say that my experience with my Beretta, 'Alley/Tom Cat' has been very positive. It could be stronger and more durable, perhaps; but, over the past two years, it’s made a great consistently reliable BUG for my everyday use.

To address two comments made in this thread: First I, personally, don’t think the grip is too fat; as a matter of fact, I have added a Pachmayr rubber boot to mine. What bulk? I carry this piece all day long without any problem. For my own use I find the added width to the grip, actually, helps me to shoot this little pistol as straight as, say, a G-19.

Finally, as to the question, ‘What’ distance should you consider shooting an attacker at?' Well, there’s something called, ‘The Tueller Drill’. It’s named after Dennis Tueller who used to be a Sergeant with the Salt Lake City, Utah, Police Department. By conducting a few simple running tests, Sergeant Tueller found that an attacker armed only with a knife could easily cover 21 feet in 1.5 seconds and stab an officer before he could get off an aimed shot!

I understand that current research demonstrates that 21 feet is, actually, an impractical, 'arbitrary' distance. Practical experience, now being collected, indicates that the actual danger zone is more like 30 to 40 feet! That’s more than 13 yards - folks; or, almost TWICE the distance previously thought to be life-threatening! Kind of gives a whole new meaning to Colonel William Prescott’s axiom; ‘Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!' Doesn't it. ;)

[Nick96]

I really wanted to like the .32 Tomcat. I have a Beretta 950BS Jetfire in .25 and think it's the best of the little .25's for a variety of reasons (small, light, thin, easy to operate, easy to load & unload, reliable, not likely to go out of battery if pressed against something, etc.). But in addition to the girth & weight issues already mentioned with the Tomcat - there was another annoying issue for me. The skinny little trigger was such that when making a DA pull, there was enough skin wraping around it on either side of the first joint of my trigger finger that it would actually prevent the trigger from going all the way back to release the hammer. Okay, easy enough to correct by just using the first pad of the trigger finger. But in a stressful situation - I didn't want to worry about having to place my finger just right on the trigger.

Again, I think the 950BS Jetfire is a perfect design for a very small gun. Even though it's a SA only gun - it can be safely cocked & accuratly fired very rapidly by most any size human hand. You just have to handle one to know what I mean. The Tomcat is significantly different. If they could chamber the 950 in .32 - and retain it's basic size, weight & handling features - I expect it could be a better seller than the Kel-Tek, Seecamp, NAA or whatever. I would think the metallurgy is available to produce a small, open frame, fixed barrel auto (i.e. the super light .357 revolvers). But then again, how many would be willing to pay $500 for a .32 mouse gun?

[Cal40]

You might check out the new Kahr PM40. It will have the excellent quality of a Kahr and the small size of a pocket pistol.. AND it's .40 S&W!

5.35" long, 4" high, .94" wide, and 15 oz. light.

I have the P40 and love it, but I'm seriously considering swapping for the smaller version.

(I also have a Kel Tec P32, but I find the trigger difficult and sometimes can't get it to fire easily. I carry it some, but I never trust myself much with it.)

[arinvolvo]

Im not a fan of the beretta 32 design...i would lean toward a seecamp/NAA/autauga design.

I like having a small 32 for pocket carry...makes having a ccw on you at all times much easier.

[JERRY]

had a tomcat first, traded it for a naa .32, traded it for a p32, wised up and carry a 2" .38 5 shot.......


would carry a .32 seecamp if i could afford one, but wouldnt want to have it as an only gun, just for the quality.

[BushyGuy]

the Tomcat is an excellent pistol i wish i could fire it more but .32 acp ammo is very hard to come by these days .

the NAA Guardian is a good lil pistol but too small for me the Seecamp is an obsolete design only for silvertips...

[makarovnik]

Shooting someone more than 20' away CAN complicate your legal case. Doesn't mean it will but it can.

The .32acp can get the job done and it's not that much less powerful than the .380acp.

If it's good enough for James Bond...

[alfack]

Do a search for "Tomcat cracked frame." You may change your mind about getting one.

[searcher451]

Agreed: Run a search on the Beretta Tomcat and its "reliability" on this forum alone during the past two or three months and you'll get an eye-opener. A .32 pistol is better than no pistol at all (it was the standard police and military round for years and years and years), but many more firearms choices are available to you besides the lowly Tomcat -- and most all of them would be greatly superior.

[Tacbandit]

Quote:
"the issue isn't distance to victim/assailant or the type of gun used but, rather, whether the shooter was justified in using LETHAL FORCE in the first place.
If you are justified, you're home free. If you aren't, you've got problems.



Thank you...!!! There's has to be a need...and if there is,... 2 feet, 21 feet, or 50 feet really doesn't matter.

[Yo Mama]

I agree with searcher. I've seen a few of these jam up bad, like every other round.

[788Ham]

I picked up an Beretta 1935 .32 auto in a pawnshop 6 weeks ago, it was used a little, mostly holster wear, but not abused. First thing I did was get new springs all the way thru it, cleaned it up thoroughly, and put a tad bit of Mil Tec 1 on it and its now good to go. I've read about the Tomcat, don't really like the D/A trigger, JMO, this is why I grabbed the 1935. This model of Beretta fits my hand better, doesn't fill my hand like a S&W 629, but I can't carry that concealed either. I got this for CWC, I know its not an elephant slayer, didn't buy it for that purpose, but knowing someone might try anything in this day and age, at least I might have a chance to save myself or loved one if an attempted attack were to transpire. I have the 629 for protection at home, however the Beretta gives a little better feeling of not having anything when the SHTF!:o

About whether or not one's justified in using lethal force: If one is to kick-in my front door @ 0230 in the AM, uninvited, I take it that they aren't the normal type to ring the doorbell and wait for me to get there. If they were to ring this bell, I then have the option to let them in/send on their way, depending on what's needed. However, when they determine to kick-in the door to help themselves to what's mine, I take a personal affront to this, and they will be lying there waiting for the coroner to give them a free ride!

[kulprit]

Quote:
"the issue isn't distance to victim/assailant or the type of gun used but, rather, whether the shooter was justified in using LETHAL FORCE in the first place.
If you are justified, you're home free. If you aren't, you've got problems.



Thank you...!!! There's has to be a need...and if there is,... 2 feet, 21 feet, or 50 feet really doesn't matter.
Keep thinking that. Just because the law allows you the right to use "lethal" force (which, by the way, does NOT mean you have a blank check to kill your attacker) doesn't mean the particular circumstances of your shooting won't be a factor in determining whether to prosecute you. And that's just regarding criminal liability. Civil liability can bite you in the ass if the plaintiff can persuade a jury that you could have done something, anything short of killing your attacker. Don't think that distance isn't a factor in determining whether the threat was "imminent."

[PRM]

My step son carried a Tomcat for several years and liked it a lot.

As far as the .32, it has always been one of my favorite calibers. I have a 9mm and a 45, as well as a couple of revolvers, but in truth I carry an Interarms Walther PPK/S in .32 more than any other. Whether or not its good for you is a personal decision. In the Walther, I have 9 shots (8+1), low recoil, fast follow up shots, great accuracy and functioning with all types of ammo.

[gym]

I have had both, and still have the seacamp for 10-11 years. It's a Belly gun, after 3-5 yards good luck hitting anything, I think the Baretta even in 25 or 22 lr would be more accurate. The Seacamp as most of us know, dosen't even bother to put sights on the pistol. That's because if you are forced to take action it's an "in your face situation with that gun. You are more than likelly touching the person by that time. I would not want to trade fire with anyone armed with a larger caliber in a larger pistol or revolver at any distance with the seacamp as my only weapon. But if you must, you must. I never understood why Larry didn't put a front sight on the darn thing. The glow off the frame makes it difficult to see if you are holding the darn thing straight in a bright room. They make an armalaser for it now, which is probablly a good idea to get, after putting one on my PF-9, it's a win, win situation. 9mm is my daily carry. I finally switched from 45 last year and found it made things easier to dress around. But both my 26 and 30 are dressed the same. This way it's not a shock to the brain when switching. I also have used the skateboard tape on the frame since I had the pistol, now Talon makes a better grip tape for your smaller Glocks XD's etc, nice folks there also. I got that Talon from Hickock 45, It's cheap as sketboard tape and pre cut for your gun, also when you want it off it comes off.

[MICHAEL T]

Seecamp is an obsolete design only for silvertips...
Not true any more Their are several brands hat work today . Its the OAL of the round.

I also would get the KelTec in 32 have 3 of them in my house at present.

If you can only shoot at 21' or closer Then I can stand at 22' and fire at you safety. You said so.

[joepa150]

GYM

Nice holster. Is that a Pure Kustom?

[Guns and more]

the Tomcat is an excellent pistol i wish i could fire it more but .32 acp ammo is very hard to come by these days .
Ever try Wal*Mart?
That's where I get my WWB for my Seecamp, a quality piece.
Otherwise, I've had no problem buying online.
Remember, you probably won't be shooting hundreds of rounds at a time.
Seecamps are nice...prolly gonna get one when the .380's come down in price
They have.
On Gunbroker, the new Seecamp .32's sell all day for $425, and the .380's are under $800 if you watch.
Now, that's not cheap by any means, but once you've owned one you realize what a quality tiny firearm it is.
It becomes "Why not carry it in my pocket", instead of "Can I fit it in my pocket."
I bought a .32.

[Jotobo]

Those Seecamps are real sharp. I wouldnt mind owning one at all.

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I think it is better to have a mouse gun on you than a .45 in the drawer at home. I had a tomcat, and traded it off for a keltec .32. I am happy with the trade, check one out before you buy the tomcat.

I see this alot, while it may be true, I'll still rather carry my full size 9mm than a mouse gun. Its no problem to me.

[bubba in ca]

well made and i like the tipup barrel for safe unloading etc. Neat curio for collectors.

Awkward to shoot, worst trigger pull I have sceen in 50 years of shooting. I put rubber grips on it but took them off because they just made it fatter and more awkward. if you have hands bigger than an 8 year old, go for something else.

Use to put in my camera bag but decided my Makarov was only a little bigger and 10 times the weapon with twice the bullet.

[HKGuns]

I think it is better to have a mouse gun on you than a .45 in the drawer at home.

I subscribe to this theory as well. There are times when I can't carry anything but my little P-32 and I'm quite happy to have it around.

[Messenger Guard]

My best friend cracked two frames on early Tomcat guns. I think they are also a bit thick due to the spring/arms under the grips. I carry a Seecamp. It's never failed and drops into anything I may wear. A .32 is sufficient for casual carry in most of the U.S.

[Lefty Wright]

I carry a Keltec P32 every day, even days when I carry a 9mm or .45. Very reliable, easy to carry and easy to shoot. I light practice with it regularly (7 rounds every time I visit the range), over 600 rounds now without incident. Shot a Tomcat. Liked the tip barrel, but it was too heavy.

[exavid]

I carry a Taurus TCP 380. It's as small as just about any .32 pistol and weighs just under 9oz. Personally I like the 380 AKA 9mm Short round. It has a good bit more authority than a .32 and even in these tiny guns the recoil isn't too bad. At home there's a 9mm and a 12ga. which is my favorite home defense weapon but the 380 is easiest to carry especially in the summer.

[rvehock]

I carry a Kel-Tec P-32 in my back pocket in one of these holsters:
http://vehock.dyndns.org/P-32_1g.jpg

[Koukalaka]

The first new handgun I purchased was a Tomcat, and I really enjoyed carrying and shooting it. It looked good and felt good, and the recoil was light enough that I was fairly accurate with it.

Ultimately, though, I found it difficult to justify carrying a .32 when it was just as easy to carry something larger. I don't like the appearance or feel of the Kel-Tec pistols, but ended up with an NAA Guardian. This is a superbly machined pistol, just as easy to carry as the Tomcat, but much more powerful, and with a Crimson Trace it has worked out well for me. I chose the .32NAA caliber (.380 necked down to a .32), after being convinced by NAA's marketing that it is superior to the .380. That's a whole other debate, but either way I feel the Guardian is one of the best for when I can't conceal my G27.

I still miss the Tomcat, but seized the opportunity to buy a beautiful 20-year-old Bobcat in .25ACP with an actual blued finish (not matte) to satisfy my craving for a Beretta tip-up. It's even harder to justify a .25 than a .32, but it's nice to shoot for fun or as a lightweight mowing-the-yard gun. My Tomcat had some reliability issues, but the Bobcat has been perfect.

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I carry a Kel-Tec P-32 in my back pocket in one of these holsters:


Thats considered NFA restricted as a AOW.

[chicharrones]

Why?

[Tomcat47]

I Love my Tomcat 3032! I carry it everyday! I Love .32 ACP as well! IMO it is a up close personal Close Quartes Defense Firearm. I can hit very good with it at 25 yards, but expect its role would be more personal fast attack situaution.

It conceals very easy IMO anyway as compared to about any .380 I ever tried or currently own.

I love the .380 ACP and especially in the new Sig P238. I carry a Taurus PT58HC a lot as well, but not to work or an all day carry. It conceals well in high rise hip hugger, but my Tomcat goes everywhere all the time.

But DO look up "Tomcat 3032 Cracked Slide" info on internet and if you buy one get a new "Wide Slide" or "Inox" version of the gun and dont worry about it!

I have an older thin slide in Matte black that is fine, but I use reccomended pressure ammo in it (pressure below 130) there is ammo that fits this reccomendation and Federal Hydra-Shok is perfect at (125) and feeds exceptionally in mine.

I will say that the first double action trigger pull is heavy but susequent SA pulls feel good to me and I hit very well with my Tomcat. I actually like the first DA heavy pull in the roll that this gun plays in my mind!

[kkairplane]

Found on wikipedia concerning NFA.

"Firearms that can be fired from within a wallet holster or a briefcase"

I was curious too.

Thats considered NFA restricted as a AOW.

[easyg]

The problem with wanting to carry a small sized weapon is that you get small sized ammunition with it. What is the general feeling about 32 cal. in a self defence situation?
My two cent's worth...


Forget the .32 for self defense....it's too weak to reliably stop an attack.
Don't carry anything less than a .38 Special +P or a 9mm Para.


Keep in mind that any self-defence shooting at a range greater than about 21 feet means that you'd be going to jail not to mention the civil action.
Whoever put this notion in your head does not know what they are talking about.
Don't take any additional advice from them.

[chicharrones]

Found on wikipedia concerning NFA.

"Firearms that can be fired from within a wallet holster or a briefcase"

I was curious too.

No kidding, I didn't know that. Good thing I don't have a holster like that!

[chicharrones]

My two cent's worth...


Forget the .32 for self defense....it's too weak to reliably stop an attack.
Don't carry anything less than a .38 Special +P or a 9mm Para.



Whoever put this notion in your head does not know what they are talking about.
Don't take any additional advice from them.

Now everyone has to return their .380 pocket pistols. What a shame. ;)

[gym]

If they made a 45 the same size as a seacamp or an lcp, I would carry that. But till they do I am looking for under 11 0zs, with 6 rounds, as my bug. I recentlly sold my seacamp for an lcp, and I carry a spare mag win my left pocket, the lcp sits in an uncle mickes size 2, and I can remove it in less than second including firing it. My glock still rides along. If you cannot get your main carry out of that waistband hoster, it is not going to help. In an emergency where time makes the difference like a guy you know is going to pull, I can get to the lcp faster. It would normally be in reverse, but whatever works for you is what works. If I had an outside holster like a fobus, I would grab my main carry. Or if you are walking into a bad situation, of course you use your main weapon, but if its a split second gangbanger, "who just pull and shoot" not talk, you need to get them off you like bugs, while you get your larger gun out. Any gun that will work for you is ok, I don't think that it makes a world of difference if you are shooting 3 or 4 rounds at close range, in a second or two, it's more about hitting the target under preassure.

[chicharrones]

You want the .45 ACP Downsizer. Now you just have to find one. :cool:

http://www.gundirectory.com/more.asp?gid=20349&gun=Revolver

[J_McLeod]

I have a Tomcat, and don't like it. It's really my wife's gun. It shoots well, but I don't like to carry it because it's as wide as my XD, with only a single stack mag. It's also my second Tomcat. The first one broke after a few hundred rounds. I released the magazine, and a piece of the frame fell out into my hand as well. Beretta replaced it and I wasn't happy with their customer service either. it took them a long time, and it was hard to get a hold of them.

Kel Tec PF9 is the best small carry gun, IMO.

[golden]

TOMCAT OK WITH ME.

I have been shooting a TOMCAT for a couple of years. I bought it after getting a KELTEC and finding the KELTEC would not shoot a whole magazine without jamming.

First off, the TOMCAT jammed intermittently as well. I traced that to the WINCHESTER WHITE box ammo, which has a pointed bullet with a flat tip. I tried some AGUILA .32ACP ammo which has a round bullet shape and it has fired 100% with it.
My next problem was to find a hollow point it would feed. I used some GOLDDOT, MAGTECH and HYDRO SHOK. Strangely enough, the HYDRO-SHOK worked the best, but hung up on the last round.

I had feeding problems with a SIG 225 until I switched to COR BON POWERBALL ammo. So I bought some .32ACP POWERBALL for carry ammo and have not had a problem since.

I find the TOMCAT very easy to shoot for such a small gun. The trigger is good, the grip just large enough to allow good control, yet the gun is very concealable and carry's well in a pocket holster.
Guns much smaller than this are hard for me to shoot a qualification course. I can shoot one fine with the TOMCAT, so I am happy with it.

It is much more concealable that my alloy framed S&W .38 Special.

If I needed to use a gun to defend myself, I would much prefer an AR-15 or at least a 9m.m. But I cannot put one in my pocket, so the TOMCAT is it for me, at least for now.

Jim

[hardluk1]

I had a tomcat and carried it for maybe 10 years. Wanted something lighter and ended uplighter and larger with a KT pf-9 and found ,for me, that liked the fact that the KT does not get lost even with out a holster like smaller pistols can do with a holster like the tomcat. I eneded up selling it but never had a problem with the tomcat in those 10 years.

[Jon Coppenbarger]

I do like the tip up beretta's and think the 32 one is a neat pistol. Do not own one but do carry my PPK in that caliber alot.