Beretta tomcat problem need help please

[megatronrules]

I'm watching a Beretta tomcat on gun broker. The seller list it as a gunsmith special saying the slide pops off of the frame when the tip up barrel is released. But the slide goes back on the frame and functions normally when the barrel is locked back down.

What would cause this on a tomcat? Could it be a spring maybe or something else? I'm thinking if I can win the gun cheap enough and it likely a minor problem cUing this then it may worth taking a shot with it. Thanks for any help with this.

 

[9mmepiphany]

When you consider that the front of the slide is retained by the barrel/hinge, the likely cause is that the barrel is swinging too far forward when released and/or the hinge is worn.

That sounds, to me, like the cure is a replacement barrel.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the Tomcat is basically a .25ACP frame opened up to .32ACP and will beat the frame to death unless the model you are looking at has the heavier slide...denoted by a relief cut on the right side for ejection

 

[megatronrules]

When you consider that the front of the slide is retained by the barrel/hinge, the likely cause is that the barrel is swinging too far forward when released and/or the hinge is worn.

That sounds, to me, like the cure is a replacement barrel.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the Tomcat is basically a .25ACP frame opened up to .32ACP and will beat the frame to death unless the model you are looking at has the heavier slide...denoted by a relief cut on the right side for ejection

Hi thank you for the info. And yes it is the heavier slide model. I've done quite a bit of research on the tomcats as I do with a y gun I'm considering buying. I've owned a Beretta 950 25 but I wasn't aware that the tomcat was a 25 ACP frame modified to accept the 32 acp,so I learned something thanks to your reply.

I'm wanting to get an inox tomcat to use as a CCW. It seems like Beretta may have fixed the frame cracking issue on these due to the heavier slide. But like anything else time will tell I'd guess.

 

[Tallball]

I was unimpressed with my Tomcat. It was thick and heavy, the trigger was poor, and it was fussy about ammo.

For a carry piece, I'd take the Kel-Tec P32 every time.

 

[jonnyc]

"For a carry piece, I'd take the Kel-Tec P32 every time."

And a hearty Ditto!

 

[GooseGestapo]

I’ve had two of both.
Get the Keltec.
I loved to death my first TomCat. I fed it a diet of both Fiocchi 73gr and 60gr HP Euro-spec ammo, as well as several thousand rounds of 78gr cast over 2.0gr of Bullseye.
It finally had noticeable cracks in the slide, so I sent it back to Beretta. They wrote me stating that the slide AND frame were cracked and sent me a replacement stainless steel “enhanced” version! I promptly traded it for an S&W 617-6” I still have….
My first Keltec I won at the NRA PPC Nationals. I gave it to my older brother as a retirement gift. He carried it as a ccw while working a DOD independent contractor mod doing security work until’03. My nephew carried it in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan in ‘03-04. Still has it.
The second has been my everyday deep conceal carry. Not something I shoot often but when I do, it’s never hiccuped once… It’s digested a diet same as I fed the TomCat. No issues.

The TomCat is a fine little gun, but is large for its intended purpose. It’s meant to be carried much, but shot little. I suggest you buy a new one as such you have some warranty backing.

 

[Bwana John]

I always thought the pop up barrel idea was hokey, but I guess if your hands are too weak to work the slide….

 

[9mmepiphany]

I always thought the pop up barrel idea was hokey, but I guess if your hands are too weak to work the slide….

That was marketing latching onto a nice quirk.

However, the tipup barrel served an obvious purpose on a gun without an extractor...the ability to clear the barrel when unloading