I got this Beretta Tomcat that will fail to eject over 10% of the time. I've tried factory Remington, Magtech, and Winchester (all 71 gr FMJ - they all seem to spec out at 129 ft lbs in print on the box, which is curiously what Beretta says is the max they will support). They all jam! I've loaded 2.2 Titegroup, 2.4 231, and 2.2 Bullseye. All max loads. They still jam. The case dosen't get fully ejected. It may be the first or last round or in between - doesn't matter. In desperation, I loaded a box of 71 gr plated round nose with 2.6 gr Titegroup. 50 rounds - no jams. This is about 10% hot. I see no signs of over pressure. I'd really appreciate any comments on this matter.
32 ACP Tomcat Jams
- Thread starter kell
- Start date
- Status
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
These guns have no extractor, so first thing Id check is for a dirty (or undersize/rough machined) chamber.
Next, make sure the frame isnt cracked above the barrel-release lever spring. If the little tang of metal is sticking up and dragging on the slide, I think it could cause issues.
I'd also look at the ejector for excessive wear, mushrooming, or bending.
Next, make sure the frame isnt cracked above the barrel-release lever spring. If the little tang of metal is sticking up and dragging on the slide, I think it could cause issues.
I'd also look at the ejector for excessive wear, mushrooming, or bending.
groundhog34
Member
I had one many years ago. It does not have an extractor so the gun especially the chamber must be kept clean. The gun must be well lubricated. They are not "shooters" just meant to be a mouse gun though there are much better choices today Glock 42 for one. 32s are not the best self defense guns.
unclenunzie
Contributing Member
Long shot - closely inspect the frame just above the trigger pivot point with slide removed. It should be rare in current production tomcats but they have a history of developing a crack in the aluminum frame at that point. The metal is very thin there and could interfere or drag on the slide.
BC17A
Member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2018
- Messages
- 420
Something is definitely tight in your Tomcat. I've heard about others doing the same thing and they've gotten better with time and with lots of ammo through them. I wouldn't hesitate to give the chamber a good polishing to see if that helps, and as others have mentioned, run it with plenty of lube. My Tomcat has been very reliable since new and has no problems functioning with my reload which I load at right around 110 ft. pounds of energy. Highest load of Titegroup I use is 2 grains with a 73gn cast PC'd bullet and wouldn't think about going any higher through the Tomcat. Your 2.6 TG load is asking for trouble and will likely crack the frame as they're known to do. Over-pressure signs in 32 ACP are not likely to ever be seen since max pressures are around 20,000.
I have a 22lr Bobcat that had a 50%+ fail rate on bulk ammo when it was new, but would function 99% or better with HV ammo like CCI MM or Winchester Wildcat. After several bricks of ammo, along with storing it with the slide held open with a dowel, it got much better but took some time. It'll now function at 90%+ on bulk ammo, even Rem Thunderjunk which I've had the most problems with over the years.
Take a good look at your brass for signs of burnishing (rough dull) spots and compare several. I had a few 380's that had poorly finished chambers that would burnish the brass in the exact same pattern from case to case. They also had extraction/ejection issues until I polished the chambers.
I have a 22lr Bobcat that had a 50%+ fail rate on bulk ammo when it was new, but would function 99% or better with HV ammo like CCI MM or Winchester Wildcat. After several bricks of ammo, along with storing it with the slide held open with a dowel, it got much better but took some time. It'll now function at 90%+ on bulk ammo, even Rem Thunderjunk which I've had the most problems with over the years.
Take a good look at your brass for signs of burnishing (rough dull) spots and compare several. I had a few 380's that had poorly finished chambers that would burnish the brass in the exact same pattern from case to case. They also had extraction/ejection issues until I polished the chambers.
Last edited:
I've checked and all is OK.
Thanks for the advice. I am worried about the frame cracking issue. Maybe loading down to 2.0 TG from 2.2 may help? I had the same issues with my Bobcat 22LR. It gets better with time. I've had good luck with CCI Stinger ammo.
wally
Member
Back in the days of the Kel-Tec P32 many P32 users came over after getting rid of a jamming Tomcat, so I'd have lessor hopes if its an older gun.
AZAndy
Member
If I ever saw a good deal on a Tomcat, I'd be tempted-- the cartridge is fun to shoot and I reload them-- but I've read quite a few complaints such as the failed extractions and cracked frames, so I'd be hesitant. One thing you might try, if the frame is actually okay, is to smear some Imperial case wax on some of your cartridges (just the case, not the bullet) and see if it works better. That stuff is seriously slippery!
think the OP mentioned being up around the max pressure listed for the firearm, maybe it is sealing the chamber too tight and making more of a seal/grip than is needed. maybe some mouse fart loads run through it to break it in more. anyways - just another thought of something to try
Autodidactic
Member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2021
- Messages
- 1,023
Hello fellow Tomcat owner. I've found that mine runs well if very clean. The only time it started to jam was when I was over 50+ rounds with no cleaning. Then it began to have a few failures to extract/eject.
Autodidactic
Member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2021
- Messages
- 1,023
I don't doubt it, but my Tomcat except once when it wasn't clean hasn't been particularly jammy. Granted, I've probably put only 250 rounds through it. But, besides once when it got too dirty it runs reasonably well.
They are nice guns though, and an old school looking/feeling pocket gun. They fit even in my old LCP holsters (which I sold the gun that those belonged to). That's how small the Tomcats are. I found mine on a killer deal, and had to get it ($220 or so).
I had a Tomcat when they first came out. I shot it to Death. Literally, the frame broke. Beretta told me it was not meant to shoot over a thousand rounds. I asked why do you sell a gun I can’t shoot. They replaced it but I still had to pay some money. When I got the new gun I sold it to my brother in law. He new it was just a carry gun not a shooter.
I bought one new when they first came out. Before I could finish the first box of 50 rounds through the gun, the firing pin retainer broke ...launching the firing pin back into my forehead. Sent it back to BUSA, got it back about 2 months later...and it wouldn't function reliably after that. I've had a half-dozen plus versions of the 92/96 guns and two APX's, all have functioned flawlessly...carried several on duty, and had 15k+ rounds through one 92FS with zero issues.
Not sure what the voodoo curse is with the Tomcat.
Not sure what the voodoo curse is with the Tomcat.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
