Why does Beretta not make a pocket .380?

Koukalaka · Mar 28, 2011

I've been thinking about this question for a while, and have posted it elsewhere but never really figured it out. I used to have a Tomcat (.32 ACP), and currently own a couple of Bobcats (.22LR and .25ACP). I know a lot of people have had frame cracking issues with the Tomcat, but I really enjoy shooting the Bobcats. They feel really solid and are amazingly accurate for their size; I think they're lots of fun for plinking and I'll admit to occasionally carrying one as a woods gun or mowing-the-yard gun, as I think they would be reasonably effective against coyotes, aggressive dogs, etc.

But I really wish Beretta would make a .380 with the same form factor! These days, there are so many pocket .380s available that I don't think many people will opt for a .32 for self-defense purposes. Beretta makes the Cheetah, of course, but it's quite a bit larger, and for me is much too large for pocket carry or as a BUG. It would carry nicely IWB, but if I'm able to carry IWB I'll choose something more powerful (G27, for example).

Unfortunately, I just don't like the look and feel of the tiny polymer .380s. Yes, they're light--but I would gladly accept some extra weight for a Bobcat/Tomcat-style pocket Beretta chambered in .380. My new two-tone Bobcat oozes quality and feels a lot better in my hand than the LCP/TCP/Kel-Tec/Diamondback polymer guns, but I don't use it for CCW due to the small caliber.

So if anyone from Beretta is listening...you're missing out on a real market trend. It seems that everyone is buying pocket .380s lately, and fans of the 92 series such as myself would really like a .380 to match. Any thoughts?

Nushif · Mar 28, 2011

It seems that everyone is buying pocket .380s lately, and fans of the 92 series such as myself would really like a .380 to match. Any thoughts?

... Fans of the 92 would love an *actual* Compact, too ... >.<

SharpsDressedMan · Mar 28, 2011

I think they had enough glitches initially with their little .32 that they stopped there. They would possibly have to totally redesign a gun for .380.

RLZIII · Mar 28, 2011

I have been wanting Beretta to jump into this market for a long time for a couple of reasons. If they could release something with good quality, a reasonable price, and reliability, I'd have two (one for a BUG and the other for the girl). I really hope they do something of the like in the near future (or maybe, just maybe, a micro-compact 9mm instead, similar to the Kimber Solo).

On a side note: Koukalaka, if you don't like the new micro-compact polymers that have it the market recently, you should try out a Sig Sauer P238. Almost just as small, a little more weight (in my opinion, for the better), and good quality (at least nowadays; the first year or so of runs had a lot of problems; recently those seem to be gone). Right now since it has an aluminum body opposed to a polymer one, it's probably the closest thing to what you're looking for.

Koukalaka · Apr 22, 2011

I ended up buying a Taurus TCP, and my initial impressions are very positive. I like the trigger a lot better than the Ruger LCP, and I prefer the appearance as well. On its first trip to the range, the TCP performed flawlessly with ball as well as with Federal Hydra-Shok and Remington Golden Saber JHPs.

I had been seriously considering the purchase of a Tomcat, but decided against it. I would want the inox version, and that ends up being close to 500 bucks. The TCP cost me $289, and includes an extra magazine and PDA-style belt holster--the remaining $200 will buy a lot of ammo, and I think .380 is preferable to .32.

Beretta is really missing out on a lot of possible sales. Pocket .380s are really hot at the moment, and more and more pocket 9mm pistols are starting to appear. Apparently Beretta feels that there is no middle ground between carrying a .32 and carrying a large pistol.

earlthegoat2 · Apr 22, 2011

Better question: Why dont they make a pocket 9mm?

Since that is the way the trend is going.

Lobo_79 · Apr 22, 2011

Koukalaka said:
...Beretta is really missing out on a lot of possible sales. Pocket .380s are really hot at the moment, and more and more pocket 9mm pistols are starting to appear. Apparently Beretta feels that there is no middle ground between carrying a .32 and carrying a large pistol.

Or, it could be that offering a Tomcat size .380, as previously suggested, would create too big a burden on their customer service department. At close PD ranges I think you're looking for the next decimal place in terms of performance when you compare the .32-vs-.380.

It is very difficult to accurately gage a gun's reliability from reading about personal experiences posted on these boards. But if I were to extrapolate off scale high on this one I'd say that some of the newer, small form-factor guns have some serious performance issues especially in the hands of people who may not be regular shooters. I think any company with a highly successful business model (like Beretta) would think twice about deviating too far from what works.

I think a lot of manufacturers are indeed trying to capitalize on mouse gun popularity but Beretta's business model may not be geared toward commercial sales.

earlthegoat2 · Apr 22, 2011

I guess you have not seen the Beretta Storm yet.

If you think the Beretta Storm is a pocket 9 then the Beretta 84 is a pocket 380.

ISO1600 · Apr 22, 2011

haha, yeah earl.
I was looking at getting an 84- wonderful gun, but i just don't know how often or if i would carry it. I ended up deciding that i'm going to get a 1911 for my full size pistol (which an 84 might as well be), and i'll prob just get a pocket 380 for CC.

golden · Apr 23, 2011

I would buy one

I carry the TOMCAT about every other day and have put almost 500 rounds through it. I think it is great and would love to see an allow framed version just slightly larger in .380ACP.

I have used the model 82 and 84 and think they are great, but they are too big to be carried in a pocket like my TOMCAT.

Jim

Why does Beretta not make a pocket .380?

Koukalaka

Member

Nushif

Member

SharpsDressedMan

member

RLZIII

Member

Koukalaka

Member

earlthegoat2

Member

Lobo_79

Member

earlthegoat2

Member

ISO1600

Member

golden

Member

Similar threads