Beretta Tomcat 32acp

[Yukonstorm]

Id appreciate any input you might have in regard to the Beretta TomCat in 32 acp. This will be a CCW firearm, in a tropical climate 10 months of the year. A relativly low threat environment. I am currently carrying a Beretta 21 stainless in 22LR. I like the size, but prefer a centerfire. I think I'll pass on KelTecs. Thanks in advance to all.

 

[noklue3]

I much prefer the Tomcat to the Keltec. I am sure you will get contradicting answers but the Tomcat "Feels" like more gun and with the tipup barrel and the DBL/SGL trigger, I think it is a very good deep cover CCW. With Winchester Silvertips, it has a pretty good punch. As I said though, others will have different opinions. This is mine,

Take care,
Art

 

[1 old 0311]

Tomcat is a very good pistol. Had one and sold it, don't remember why. I now carry a N.A.A. Guardian. I have both the .32, and .380. Check them out.

Kevin

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

My wife had a TomCat 32 but sold it as shooting it for practice 'caused some pain she did not like. She can shoot my KelTec 32 all day with no problem though. Good luck.

 

[280PLUS]

Fat hands?

Make a fist. Look at the area between your thumb and forefinger. Does that area bulge up or is there a hollow there? If there is a bulge there the slide on the Tomcat may very well slice it open when you fire. I got about a 5/8" scar from it. If there is a hollow you'll be ok. I traded my Tomcat for a keltec .32 for that reason but then loved the weight difference even more. You can put it in your pocket and it is almost completely undetectable. It doesn't drag your pocket down.

 

[Tomac]

I've carried several different Tomcats for CCW for years in a DeSantis "Trickster" back pocket holster when I can't carry anything more powerful. I currently own/carry the Inox version which might be your best bet for a tropical environment. I like the accuracy, the way it points & relatively low recoil. I'd much rather a .380 Tomcat but better a .32 that's with me when I need it than a .45 at home. Just my $.02 worth...
Tomac

 

[Old Dog]

Former owner of two Kel-Tecs ... both POSs.
We've had a Tomcat in the family for about three years now ... the wife has an Inox 3032 which is quite accurate. I've always been impressed with the fit and finish on this pistol; it is very solid and well-built. Only complaint is that these do require fanatical maintenance (especially if used for pocket/purse carry) as it's a finicky gun after only a few mags are shot or if fouled with pocket lint and the usual detritus ... We get good results with conventional Silvertips and the Cor-Bon loads.

The heavier weight of the 3032 is not really an issue with the right pocket holster. Also, for the rare times I've carried this, a Bianchi Professional clip IWB does just fine. Have also used a Galco "Deep Cover" tuckable (a little thick, but if you have to hide a small pistol under a tucked shirt, it works fine).

I have also been favorably impressed with a friend's NAA Guardian as an alternative to the Tomcat, although I am very fond of the Beretta's frame-mounted, down-to-fire safety.

 

[280PLUS]

Former owner of two Kel-Tecs ... both POSs

Tell us more?

 

[Old Dog]

Hey, 280 ... yeah, I just can't get on the Kel-Tec bandwagon after owning a P-11 that literally fell apart, internals pretty much disintegrated, the trigger was horrible (not just the usual K-T "sproing"). The trigger actually broke. Couldn't get one mag through it. Pretty much the same with the P-40 I had (worst, hardest trigger pull ever, brutal recoil) -- Mysterious FTFs, FTEs on a regular basis with both, with premium ammo ... Threw the P-11 away, traded off the P-40 (felt guilty about that). "Fluff-n-buff?" Send off a $200 pistol to get it to work? Sorry, no.

As I said, I'm lookin' hard at the NAA Guardians now, especially their custom shop editions (to add to my mousegun collection, got enough big'uns).

 

[280PLUS]

Yea, I've heard bad things about the P11, I'm not familiar with the P40 though. Thanks for the info. I've had pretty good luck with my P-32. FYI, I changed the spring guide rod to steel.

My favorite carry is S&W lightweight .32 H&R Mag. Mine is a Model 332 but they're making a 431/432 instead now. 6 shots 85 gr @ 1000+ fps if you get the right round. ( www.georgia-arms.com ) they're showing it as 100 gr but they're recently making it in 85 with a hotter load. They said "well over 1000 fps" from my 1 7/8" barrel.

I carry the P-32 only when I REALLY want to make sure I have good concealment.

 

[Glockman17366]

I bought my wife a Tomcat. She decided not to carry, but I did keep the little pistol.

The previous poster's comment about the slide biting the web between the thumb and forefinger is quite true, if you're not careful.

This little gun has been quite reliable, but I must admit...I don't shoot it often. I only carry it when my jean's pocket won't fully cover the butt of my .38 snubbie.

By the way...I don't carry any gun without a holster...never.

 

[usp9]

If you want a gun that won't bite, is easier to conceal, costs about the same, has a better rep than Keltec and NAA, why not let your wife try a Seecamp. They need no "fluff & buff", works right out of the box, shoots the same .32 round...whats not to like?

In a tropical climate there's nothing smaller or lighter, of equal quality, made of stainless you'll find to match the needs. Mine goes with me always, a true POCKET pistol.

 

[XLMiguel]

I've been real happy with mine. DA trigger is rough, SA is sorta OK, but overall, it's surprisingly accurate for a 2" tube. Recoil is a bit snappy, but not bad. I put on some Ajax Black Diamondwood grips that have a bit more palm swell than factory that improves one's purchase on the grips. Slide bite is a definite issue if you have big hands.

It does like to be kept clean, a decent pocket holster is a must. I also put a dab of white paint on the front sight. The Alley Cat version is nice in SS with an Ashley (24/7) Big Dot tritium sight up front. It's a little more compact than a J-frame (weighs and oz less, loaded, too), with more capacity of an admittedly less ptent round, but It'll do in a pinch - As with any short barreled handgun, practice pays off.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Lets see terrible DA trigger. makes a PPK/S seem like a target trigger. Also heavy and thick.
I looked at and decided against. I did buy 2 of the new 2nd Gen. Kel Tec P-32's removed from box oiled the slide rails and went to shooting . almost flawless I had a lite strike on 3rd round I either failed to let trigger reset or S&B had very hard primer.That was only round gave trouble . 2nd gun has been flawless Have went thru several boxes of S&B Winchester and Corbon. I think their great mine in pocket now and wife is carrying hers. I swore I wouldn't own a KT. But lots of good reports about the 32 so took a chance.
I bought my 15 yr old daugther a Taurus PT-22 to play with in back yard.at same time. It's on way to Factory fires about 1/2 time.

 

[ozarkhillbilly]

I've had a Tomcat for about three years and its a great little gun. its my ccw about 60% of the time.

 

[Glockman17366]

If you want a gun that won't bite, is easier to conceal, costs about the same, has a better rep than Keltec and NAA, why not let your wife try a Seecamp. They need no "fluff & buff", works right out of the box, shoots the same .32 round...whats not to like?

I thought Seecamps were pretty expensive...much more then Keltec or the Beretta. How much did you pay for your Seecamp? Did you buy it new?

BTW, as an addendum to my post about the Tomcat. When I bought mine, it was used (wifey just had to have it when she saw it in the gun shop). The SS models weren't available at that time. If I was to replace the Tomcat, it would be with a stainless model (or...that Seecamp?)

 

[usp9]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=44356523


MSRP for a Seecamp is $425, I paid $300 for mine years ago. If you check the three major auction sites you should find a deal around $360 or so. A used Seecamp of serial NO. 31K or higher can be a good deal too. They wear like iron, (pun), and Larry Seecamp stands behind his product. Check out his web site and forum,

http://seecamp.com/

I think the inox Tomcat is around $400 now, so I see the Seecamp as a good buy, that's my HO.

 

[355sigfan]

I had two Tomcats. Neither was reliable enough. The reason I got the second was when I sent it in for a broken firing pin Beretta sent me a new gun. I was told the service life expectancy is only about 2500 rounds. I shot the gun too much. Both guns would fail to feed or extract about 2 to 4 times per 100 rounds. Thats not good enough for me. Your far better off with a Smith Airweight hammerless snub for deep concealment.
Pat

 

[Coronach]

Our PD used to authorize the Tomcat as an OD/BUG, but stopped due to reliability issues.

However, since then they have, allegedly, redesigned the gun slightly (widebody?) and reliability has improved.

Mike

 

[MikeJ]

I have a NAA Guardian .32 and love it. It has always been reliable and I can shoot it accurately out to 7 yards. I personally prefer DAO on small pocket pistols and think it is every bit on par with the Seecamp. BTW, my choice in ammo is FMJ as I don't think hollowpoints out of such short barrels add anything.

 

[355sigfan]

They must have de bugged the guardian. I had one of the first ones out and it kept breaking its extractor. I sent it back twice. The gun would not make it thought a mag of any any ammo without a malfunction. I got my money back on it.
Pat

 

[Gixerman1000]

I have carried a INOX (aka stainless) Tomcat as a BUG for 2 years now, I have never had the first problem with it, even full of pocket lint it has functioned fine and it's very accurate for pocket pistol.

 

[russtang]

I did not like the tomcat. It was too wide, the DA trigger was heavy and it was not reliable. It had a ftf on the last 1 or 2 rounds almost every time.
I even bought two new clips and the same thing.

It was also uncomfortable for me to shoot. It was like it "slapped" the palm of my hand. It would sting pretty good. My wife also had the same experience.

I sold it and bought a NAA guardian. I liked it a lot better plus it was a lot smaller.

 

[politicalpolls.us]

I did not have a good experience with the Tomcat. It hurt my hand and was just plain weird to shoot. I'd prefer a NAA Guardian or an old Colt 1908. I have a Colt 1908 with a grip safety that is good. The Kel Tecs are pretty popular. The Tomcat bit my hand like a tomcat.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I bought one of the early Tomcats, when they first came out. Carried it as a BUG on patrol. No problems whatsoever.

I still use it as my "quick into the pocket and out the door gun" when I run an errand.