Beretta Tomcat 32acp

[chaim]

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.

I'm sorry that I can't say much since I don't own one. I just wanted to say that I just came back from the gunstore where they had a few Tomcats...I haven't seen these in MD for at least 2-3 years. I am thinking about a small pocketable auto and the Kahr PM9 I'd really like is out of my price range at this time. I had pretty much decided I'd be getting an NAA Guardian, until I saw the Tomcat in the store. Now it is between the two, and the Tomcat is looking pretty attractive and it is about 10% less. So, I'll be following your thread for a while.

 

[wbond]

My Tomcat Experience

I'm recoil sensitive due to arthritic and related problems. So this may not apply to you entirely, but some of it applies.

The Tomcat I shot had a VERY stiff trigger. The stiffest I've ever experienced on any gun. It had a nasty recoil that hurt my hand even though it was only shooting .32 ACP. I hit the target, but no where near the bulls eye and that's only at 7 yards.

On the other hand, I can speedshoot a Firestorm .32 ACP in complete comfort and hit the bulls eye, or very near it, consistantly at 10 to 15 yards in daylight. At night I can get kill shots at 7 yards in the dark while speedshooting.

The Firestorm .32 is a little bigger and a tad heavier than the Tomcat, but the Firestorm is very easy to shoot and still easy to carry, even in light clothing.

Millions of South Americans can't be wrong. They make and like the Firestorms and Bersas in .32 and .380. If you're not recoil sensitive, then go with a Firestorm or Bersa .380.

Some people like recurve trigger guards. I can take or leave them.

The Firestorms have a round trigger guard that slips into and out of a pocket much easier than recurve. The round trigger guard won't wear-tear holes in your pockets. I prefer the rounded trigger guard like the Firestorms have.

If you like a recurve trigger guard, then get a Bersa.

The Firestorm is available in .32 and .380 ACP. The Bersa is only available in .380 ACP because the .32 Bersa isn't imported. No loss to me since I prefer Firestorm.

The $250 price is excellent and the quality equals or surpasses my midpriced guns from CZ and Ruger. If you haven't tried a Firestorm or Bersa, you should try one. You'll be impressed.

I don't buy according to price, but by features and quality. The Firestorms and Bersas are fantastic and just happend to be inexpensive too. They are also very reliable. I have yet to have any malfunction. It does take practice to get fast at putting safety off, but I've gotten good at it.

If Firestorm-Bersa doubled their price, they be getting the respect they deserve. This is my only gun that's never malfunctioned ever. My other guns cost twice as much, but are less reliable. Taurus revolvers are also great, but for small autos it's Firestorm-Bersa all the way for me.

Try one and let me know what you think.

 

[rde]

I have a Tomcat Inox (stainless) that I like a lot. No reliability issues (after the first 2 mags where I learned to keep a firm grip on it). Accuracy for me surprised me in single action out to 10 yards. I am one of those that actually prefers the weight and width of the Tomcat..makes it shootable for me. The only objective problem I have is the double action trigger pull is very heavy/hard so first shot double action can be way off for me (can be corrected with practice). I have a lot of different hand guns..despite the caliber and all..the Tomcat is actually one of my favorites and I do carry it frequently.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

It had a nasty recoil that hurt my hand even though it was only shooting .32 ACP.

While I understand that felt recoil is a subjective thing, I'm of the opinion that the Tomcat has hardly any recoil at all.

 

[huaco]

I've shot and carried my Tomcat for a couple of years and I'm happy with it. Mine has been reliable, accurate for what it is, and comfortable to shoot. I like the flip up barrel and the fact that it's very easy and safe to remove the slide and slip it in my pocket if I have to leave the gun in the car. I also like the fact that it looks like a real gun and not a toy.

You need to consider the way it operates and be prepared in the event of a failure. It has no extractor so you can't chamber another round if it fails to fire by just racking the slide. You have to press the lever to release the barrel and it will fling the round out, then close the barrel and rack the slide.

The only failure I've had was failure to feed the last round. This was because I was using a magazine I'd been carrying in my pocket for months. Sweat had caused a bit of rust inside the top part of the mag. I cleaned that up and no more problems.

 

[RudeBoy]

I LOVE my kitty kitty kitty

I bought the two-tone Tomcat back in November and we've been inseparable ever since. She's a little chunkier that other girls of her caliber, but she's sturdy--definitely not some cheap tramp that falls apart when we go through stressful times (I hate that gal Kelly).

The tip-up barrel makes unloading for whatever reason very easy (eg, when entering the gunshop to browse); I leave her loaded in a desk drawer for bedtime till I leave the next morning. The extended safety lever on mine is just enough for peace of mind, and EASY to flip-up with thumb the second before your trigger finger enters the trigger guard on a quick-draw; as comparison, I have found the safety on a PPK/S odd enough that I didn't buy the gun, despite a true emotional response to the beauty of that piece since I was a wee kid.

If you consider dressy grips, note the style of safety lever you choose. Mine has "the extended lever" and after-market grips are slim to none, while the Tomcats with safeties just like the 21A can easily find new grips in wood, ivory, etc (if that's your bag). I think maybe only the blued have those 21A style safeties.

If you get a 'stainless' Tomcat instead of blued, also remember that the INOX--even just an INOX slide--makes the gun "thicker" down the slide. It's a devil finding holsters for the inox model, as almost all Tomcat holsters are made for the blued version. A mushy Nemesis pocket holster would work, but some fancy molded leather jacket for the girl is out of the question. Plus, it's a bit chunky for the pocket (I'm only 5'6" and 160 lbs; some 'big fellers' have wallets the size of phone books in their pockets, so just make sure to drop it in the pocket as you fondle it at the gunshop and pace a bit in pants that are snugger than most you own and see how it feels). The Kahr is .09 inches, the PPK is .98 inches, and the Tomcat is 1.11 inches, if that gives an idea; however, you gan get a good grip on her when she goes bang.

I believe that Gunners Alley online has a good selection of holsters for both blued and inox, and you can use the pulldown menu to select "stainless." Personally, I'm waiting on a Galco USA holster and using a self-modified Passport belly band--I had to make the 'pocket' smaller, but it's PERFECT for me, as I live in hot steamy Georgia and wear a dress shirt to work, so the slimmer and smaller, the better. Since the Tomcat IS so chunky, but not too heavy, the slim slim profile of the belly band really works well. I also found that an Uncle Mike's A1 ankle holster works very well with very little 'rock' when strapped well.

I'm about ready to place an order for a Seecamp--maybe even two. One for my wife because if the gun is small enough, then maybe she'll actually carry it on a regular basis (you know, got to have room in purse for her brush and lipstick--the necessities). I'm gonna get a second Seecamp because...I know I'll steal her Seecamp and leave her defenseless! I'll still love certain features of the Beretta more, such as easy-to-flip safety, tip-up barrel, etc, but with my clothing restrictions I need a second option. To conceal, I'd orefer the Seecamp; to aim at a bad guy and defend my life, I'd prefer the Beretta every day.

My wife had a Bobcat 25 cal when we met 10 years ago that her mom carried for five years before that. I took it to the range one day with the mag just as it was when my father-in-law slid it in 15 years ago, and guess what...BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG. The first time I took my Tomcat to the range, I fed it 150 rounds of 3 different types of ammo, every now and then mixing it up with the defense ammo I was choosing (Feds), and it was like green corn through a goose.

 

[usp9]

RudeBoy said;

"I'm about ready to place an order for a Seecamp--maybe even two. One for my wife because if the gun is small enough, then maybe she'll actually carry it on a regular basis (you know, got to have room in purse for her brush and lipstick--the necessities). I'm gonna get a second Seecamp because...I know I'll steal her Seecamp and leave her defenseless! I'll still love certain features of the Beretta more, such as easy-to-flip safety, tip-up barrel, etc, but with my clothing restrictions I need a second option. To conceal, I'd orefer the Seecamp; to aim at a bad guy and defend my life, I'd prefer the Beretta every day."


Wise choice. Once you have and have fired the Seecamp, your opinion may change. I have fired both guns and prefer the Seecamp for it's concealability, reliability, comfort, smooth snagfree finish, smooth trigger and believe it or not...accuracy. You will be amazed at how easy it is to shoot well, even without sights. The sightless feature of the Seecamp I consider a benefit, not a liability.

 

[oh blanky]

I've had 2 tomcats.

The second one was a replacement (by Manufacturer), because the first one fell apart in my hands. The slide came partially off the front.

I've had keltecs ever since with no prob.

 

[gunfan]

I have a Tomcat.

Great little BUG. Since you are carrying it in a tropical climate, the INOX (stainless) model is your best bet.

Good shootin'

Scott

 

[salemons]

Good timing. Took my wifes Tomcat to the range yesterday. Darn thing surprises me every time I shoot it. At 20 ft I get about a fist sized pattern. 30 ft opens up to about a hand sized pattern and 45 ft just a little larger. I don't plan to use it at over 30 ft. I'm not a very good shot so this if great for me. Rapid fire @ 20 ft got me a hand size pattern. First shot in double action is kind of hard but the remaining single action shots are light and smooth. Cock it for the first shot if you have time. Kink of snappy recoil but not bad enough to hurt. I had to put some Locktite on the grip screws cuz they loosen up. Its a little thick and a little heavy compared to some of the others but I like it and plan to keep it. I've put about 300 rounds thru it and never had a failure with it.