Beretta Tomcat Question - Buffalo Bore

[mormandy1]

My question is this, has anyone here tried the buffalo bore lead flat nose .32 auto loads in the tomcat, and if so how did they function?

This load:

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=31

And yes, I know this load fired more than a few times out of this gun would probably lead to a cracked frame. This is exactly why I am asking. I know the gun is reliable with hydrashocks and ball, and that it works well. I have put maybe 90 rounds through it, was very happy, and do NOT have a cracked frame (yet - and hopefully ever). My plan is to just carry the thing, since I like everything about it so much, and not fire it much in the future to preserve it. I would appreciate a person or two sharing their experience with this particular load if there are any such people, so I can avoid testing them beyond some hand cycling.

I know the keltec users have fired them quite a bit with no problem, and I think there is a lot of logic in using a fast, heavy, solid bullet designed strictly for penetration, when it comes to ammo selection in this fairly weak caliber. Rather than hoping for any expansion or "shock" from a hollow point in this caliber, having something that can strike deep and maybe penetrate winter clothing makes a heck of a lot of sense.

I would just feel a bit better hearing that some others had tried these loads with acceptable results.

By the way, I was one of the UNhappy keltec owners who's P3AT failed to extract once or twice per magazine, and didn't feel like playing the "ship it back to us and we'll send you one that actually works" game with keltec. The tomcat seems very reliable, and is a heck of a lot better to hold in your hand with a far superior grip to the keltec, it actually feels like a real gun instead of a squirt gun that you can only grip with one finger on the thing, and the tomcat is easy to accurately rapid fire, and fired groups at 25 yards that are nearly as good as some full size autos, which really surprised me. This gun is best carried and not fired much though, that's for sure.

 

[hardluk1]

Why would you think that ammo would hurt a tomcat ??? I would and will try them. I don't shoot much when it comes to carry ammo but would shot enough to know how it works and where it impacts and still practice with cheao stuff. I bought a tomcat when they first came out and have probably shot 800 + rounds out of it and have found that has no problem cyleing anything throughed at it so far. Now hanging on to it with those +p rounds might be another thang.

 

[searcher451]

My experience with a Tomcat is that it wouldn't reliably shoot any ammo of any stripe: hollow point or FMJ, regardless of manufacturer, regardless of specs or loads. You might want to run a search on the Tomcat and the reliability issues that at least some folks have had with the gun. I'd make a decision on whether to use one at all far sooner than I would on what ammo to run through one, but that's just me.

 

[mormandy1]

Well there are some horror stories about the frames cracking after less than 100 rounds but obviously yours has no such issues. There is a thin spot near the trigger where it usually happens. The INOX versions are supposed to be more immune. The ammo looks like a real winner though, but it is +P.

 

[hardluk1]

I talked to some numb nuts at beretta and he did say that there are a couple companies make'n a+p ammo and it should not be used in there tomcat along with 9mm+p in the 92ff. It is mainly ammo made to euro's high pressure ratings as the 32 is more common there and in larger guns. Then i tell him for defence only maybe 1 clip a year of corbon and he says that to is +p. BUll poop, corbon is not a +P in the 32acp. But apparently the newer guns more than the old guns are a problem. Mine is 15 years old and have shot a fair amount of winchester hp and hundreds of fmj's but not much corbon ,a couple boxes i guess. But till i here in person from and they are closed because of weather i will assum that atleast buy there info that it is regular pressure levels. Now buffalo brand does say +P and i might call them about that one.

 

[shield20]

I have not shot the BB, nor would I. I have shot the Corbon and the difference in recoil and blast is very noticable over standard rounds.
Not worth it in my opinion, as FMJ in this round is as likely to be just/more effective then hi-vel HP.

Side note, the Tomcat (Inox) has been 100% reliable feed & cycle-wise with Silvertip, Gold Dot, Rem & Blazer FM, and the Corbon. (I did have an in-between issue with a firing pin though).

 

[mr.trooper]

Just get Fiocchi 63gr hollow points and be done with it.

Brass fetcher reports that they penetrted completely through a 16" block.

 

[mormandy1]

I have heard some tomcat owners say they wouldn't feed for crap, yes indeed. However more than half say their tomcats work perfectly. It's kind of like the keltec syndrome, half seem to be junk, half work like a charm. I was in the junk keltec camp, jealous of those who rave about theirs, and the gentleman above seems to be in the junk tomcat camp, where thankfully I am not. I have a good feeling about my tomcat, it is very slick and runs well. I trust it and just am debating ammo choices.

Searcher is it possible you gun had the crack happening and you didn't realize it? I ask only because I know of many who were having jamming issues who later discovered they had a good crack going, and in some cases chunks of frame even fell out.

The guys at the Beretta office do seem to be numbskulls from all that I have heard. Coming from a lifetime of SIG Sauers and HK pistols I am a bit put off by the "don't fire +p in our gun" and "if it falls apart we'll fix it". I just love the feel of this gun, so I am going to deal with the situation.