Beretta Tomcat

[gneiss14u2]

I have a Beretta Tomcat .32ACP that threw the tip of the firing pin into the wall when I dry fired it. It had less than 100 total rds through it although it was 8 or 9 years old. Because of this I no longer dry fire any of my guns, although about ten years ago I mistakenly was convinced that most modern firearms can withstand dry firing. I have acquired two firing pins, two springs and two retention pins with some amount of difficulty (the firing pins were back-ordered for over eight months). The problem is that no amount of coaxing will remove the retention pin for the firing pin in the slide of this pistol. I have broken or bent seven different drift punches trying to move it. I even tried pressing it out. I haven't damaged the gun yet, but I'm worried that additional "energy" might result in damage. Any suggestions short of sending it to Beretta?

 

[avan47]

Most modern firearms can withstand dry firing, but not the Tomcat. Read your owners manual. If you don't have one, contact Beretta, they will send you one. I don't know what the problem is with your retention pins, as I have replace the fireing pin in that model with no difficulty. I think the pin punches out from bottom to top. If you have to send it to Beretta, you may only have to send them the slide.

 

[gneiss14u2]

Thanks for the advice. I've removed and replaced several dozen solid or rolled pins over the years and I'm guessing this one was just oversized, or perhaps placed in an undersized hole. It's definitely abnormal in some way. I believe that I will in fact send the slide to Beretta and let them figure it out.

 

[log man]

You are driving the pin from the bottom aren't you as the hole is smaller on the bottom and must be driven and reinstalled through the top.

LOG

 

[gneiss14u2]

Oh yes, all my efforts were from the bottom, as there is a very clear difference in thickness. I've looked at the top of the pin under a stereo microscope and it appears some peening occurred when it was placed. I haven't examined any other Tomcats for comparison, but this may or may not indicate that more than a normal amount of force was used in seating the pin. I'm reasonally sure that whatever is going on is anamolous, and in any event I'll be sending it back to Beretta. Thanks for all the input guys!