Beretta Bobcat (.32 Auto)

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Mr. Mosin

Mr. Mosin

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I had the chance to handle one of these dainty marvels, and I actually liked it. I set to researching it, and lo and behold- I find that it is notorious for cracking the slide/frame. Has Beretta resolved these issues ? That, and the lack of an extractor concerns me.
 
Some do crack, many don't. Most that do crack continue working. And no extractor is common on such pistols from many makers.
 
Not having an extractor means never having extractor-related function problems.

As a bonus, it will cure people of the bad habit of blindly running the slide back and forth to clear the chamber.
 
My Beretta .32 is a Tomcat. My 22 is a Bobcat. My 22 short is a Minx.
 
I’ve been carrying a Bobcat 21A in .22LR for years and I’ve never heard of a frame/slide cracking issue.

These rely on pure blowback action to eject the casing, after the chamber gets dirty they can start to stick so I run a boresnake through the barrel after every mag and I can shoot all afternoon without problems.

BTW the .32 is the Tomcat, not Bobcat.
 
Here's something I found on another forum. Looks like a FAQ straight from the horse's mouth (Beretta)

Frequently, our departments receive emails and calls concerning an “issue” with our 3032 Tomcat frames cracking. This is mostly misinformation, perpetuated over the years in various mediums.

All Tomcat frames are built using 7075 T6 aluminum, the exact material used to manufacture AR-15 lower receivers. At the time the firearm was introduced to the market in 1996, it's cartridge, .32 ACP, was relatively weak, when compared to the muzzle energy produced by many modern cartridges. Upon introduction, the muzzle energy limit was set at 130 ft. Ibs. As time passed, many ammunition manufacturers got in to the practice of increasing the muzzle energy produced by these cartridges, to a point where in some cases, the cartridges could easily exceed 150-200 ft. Ibs of muzzle energy, much higher than the 14 ounce aluminum frame can tolerate. Herein lies the problem.

Yes, the frames can crack, however, the issue in question stems from the use of improper ammunition, that exceeds the tolerances of the aluminum frame. If the owner purchases ammunition with a higher muzzle energy than specified, repeated use will crack the frame. This is not a defect with the firearm, and damage resulting from the use of improper ammunition is not covered by the factory warranty. Moreover, new Tomcat purchases typically carry a small note card, or note in the manual, indicating these ammunition limits.

In response to this ammunition issue, in 2007-2010, Beretta USA began manufacturing Tomcats with widened slides, with the capability of absorbing more energy and preventing cracks from the use of improper ammunition. However, this has not affected the muzzle energy limits.

Ammunition manufacturers may change the muzzle energy of their cartridges over time. With that in mind, it is incumbent upon the buyer to learn the parameters of each box of cartridges purchased. Online purchases are very helpful, as charts usually accompany the purchase, and demonstrate cartridge metrics. Moreover, the buyer should check for each purchase.

To that end, the purchase of a used Tomcat carries some risk, as the prospective buyer may never know how the pistol was treated by the original owner.

If your Tomcat has suffered a cracked frame, then it will ultimately need to be retired from service, as the frames, which are serialized and regulated, can be neither replaced nor repaired.

On rare occasions, we have been known to sell the owner a new Tomcat at wholesale cost, should this issue occur.
 
BC17A said:
If your Tomcat has suffered a cracked frame, then it will ultimately need to be retired from service, as the frames, which are serialized and regulated, can be neither replaced nor repaired.
Click to expand...

Where in, ultimately, lies the rub.

The rather long winded explanation of the evolution of ammunition and their unwillingness to run a GenTwo gave me pause, steering me toward something different.

And only in rare occasions do offer to sell another identically made pistol at cost? Be still my beating heart.
 
Mr. Mosin said:
That, and the lack of an extractor concerns me.
Click to expand...

Ditto.
On a range piece? Not so much. Insert bamboo stick in muzzle. Carry on.

But I was looking for a small and light weight carry piece. I decided on Thirty Two first. (I don't know :confused:.)
I saw and immediately loved the Tomcat. But I was disappointed in hearing of there being no extractor. Much to my surprise, they tout this as a personal defense weapon.
Then they expound upon the variability of ammo and how some may be too hot and break it or some may be too weak and cease function of the firearm. Or be the perfect storm of dirty and hot and be stuck in the chamber.
How this continues to be a five hundred dollar pistol is completely beyond me.

I would like a VZ Seventy as a shooter, but it is too heavy for biking around. My Sig P-938 is too heavy for that even.


In the end, a Kel-Tec P-Thirty Two found its self in my pocket when I ditched my bike and broke my collar bone the day I picked it up...:confused:
None the worse for the wear, save a gouge in the grip from a rock that tore through my jeans, I blew the sand out of it and shot two magazines through it the next day. Left handed. Sporting a new "concealment" arm sling.:D

@NIGHTLORD40K, I do not, in fact, like that at all.:thumbdown:
 
Demi-human said:
Ditto.
On a range piece? Not so much. Insert bamboo stick in muzzle. Carry on.

But I was looking for a small and light weight carry piece. I decided on Thirty Two first. (I don't know :confused:.)
I saw and immediately loved the Tomcat. But I was disappointed in hearing of there being no extractor. Much to my surprise, they tout this as a personal defense weapon.
Then they expound upon the variability of ammo and how some may be too hot and break it or some may be too weak and cease function of the firearm. Or be the perfect storm of dirty and hot and be stuck in the chamber.
How this continues to be a five hundred dollar pistol is completely beyond me.

I would like a VZ Seventy as a shooter, but it is too heavy for biking around. My Sig P-938 is too heavy for that even.


In the end, a Kel-Tec P-Thirty Two found its self in my pocket when I ditched my bike and broke my collar bone the day I picked it up...:confused:
None the worse for the wear, save a gouge in the grip from a rock that tore through my jeans, I blew the sand out of it and shot two magazines through it the next day. Left handed. Sporting a new "concealment" arm sling.:D

@NIGHTLORD40K, I do not, in fact, like that at all.:thumbdown:
Click to expand...

I don’t jump on the 9x19 and .45 Auto bandwagon so easily. Shots on target matter, not caliber. How blooming difficult would it be for Beretta to add an extractor, beef up the frame and slide; and really have a good CCW piece ? I’m eyeing the 81/85FS now. Far more controllable, and reliable to boot.
 
Surplus Beretta Model 81's are widely available just now and around $250 OTD.

I ordered one yesterday.
 
I would love one of those, too! And some of them look to be in very good condition.
Not for pocket carry but, like the VZ, as a wonderful example of a firearm.

I have yet to put any more rounds through the Keltec, but she's been in my pocket since I got her.
I know that these we have discussed and the P-Thirty Two aren't really in the same class. But for my first truly "Mouse Gun", I think its perfect.

I would like a Seecamp as well, for classy dinners without holsters. For biking with the kids around the city, also without a holster, I have it made!:)
 
/Classic Firearms has the Baretta "Cheeta" on sale for $210 now. Looks like something I could use in my collection. Does the Cheeta hold up under use? Sheesh! I need more money!
 
I am assuming, perhaps incorrectly, that the Model 81 is pretty much the Model 84 (double-stack 380) in 32acp.

If that's the case, it should last a very long time. They are medium-sized service pistols. My Model 84 was Israeli surplus, appeared to have been fired a fair amount (more than most surplus service pistols) and still functions perfectly. I would imagine that making one in a smaller caliber might put even less strain on an already sturdy pistol.

Please forgive the poor-quality picture. You can see the holster wear on the slide. It definitely saw some use.

Beretta Model 84

Beretta Model 84

 
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