Looking to buy a CCW gun for the wife. She really likes the Beretta Tomcat but I remember when they came out there was a lot of issues with durably and slide cracking. If I buy one it will be brand new. Is this still an issue? I have put 1000s of rounds in my old Bobcat and that still runs as new. Is the Tomcat as good?
Beretta Tomcat
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I love Beretta, on a near fanboy level, and I also grew up shooting a well-loved Bobcat. I'd happily trust my PX4, a 92, or a 96 with my life.
That said, I would not trust the Tomcat. Not only is the .32 ACP pretty marginal, but Beretta never seemed to get the design quite right. I hear way too many problem reports with the Tom to put my life behind it. Like the Walther PPK, it's a lovely, comfortable pistol that seems really hard to get running properly.
That said, I would not trust the Tomcat. Not only is the .32 ACP pretty marginal, but Beretta never seemed to get the design quite right. I hear way too many problem reports with the Tom to put my life behind it. Like the Walther PPK, it's a lovely, comfortable pistol that seems really hard to get running properly.
I see. I too love Beretta. Well she has gotten recoil sensitive - the .38 snubnose is no longer viable. By the way an old partner carried an Walther Interarms PPK 32 as BUG. Never had an issue with that piece, and one dark night I learned not question the .32 as problem solver. I was really hoping they fixed the Tomcat!
Shawn Dodson
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I carried a Tomcat as a BUG on patrol.
Mine was an early model and I never had an issue. I'm considering buying a new one for my daughter.
A Beretta 96FS was my duty pistol.
Mine was an early model and I never had an issue. I'm considering buying a new one for my daughter.
A Beretta 96FS was my duty pistol.
I have a pair of Tomcats.
One has 2000+ rounds through it, the other has 800 or so. Other then a lost grip screw, zero problems with either. Before I went to a airweight J frame as an always gun, the Tomcat filled that niche.
As always, YMMV.
One has 2000+ rounds through it, the other has 800 or so. Other then a lost grip screw, zero problems with either. Before I went to a airweight J frame as an always gun, the Tomcat filled that niche.
As always, YMMV.
I am a Beretta fanatic - nine 92s, and have owned many previously, as well as a couple of PX4s in the past...
A a longtime member of the Beretta Forum, I personally would not buy a Tomcat. I'm not saying everyone of them crack, but enough do. Seen many reports of people getting the gun replaced by Beretta 1-2x, and even the second replacement breaking. They then typically ask for a credit towards a replacement of a different model.
They've made modifications to stop this issue, but it still seems to be happening. I actually wanted one years ago - but I've seen enough to avoid it. Just my 2 cents
A a longtime member of the Beretta Forum, I personally would not buy a Tomcat. I'm not saying everyone of them crack, but enough do. Seen many reports of people getting the gun replaced by Beretta 1-2x, and even the second replacement breaking. They then typically ask for a credit towards a replacement of a different model.
They've made modifications to stop this issue, but it still seems to be happening. I actually wanted one years ago - but I've seen enough to avoid it. Just my 2 cents
I have one for pocket carry, and I like it. I haven't shot a huge number of rounds through it, but it's been very reliable with one failure to feed that was totally my fault (Gripped it too high, slide cut my thumb, blood gummed up the slide. Duh! And ouch.).
Although I like and trust my Tomcat, I'm not sure I'd buy another, but only because the pocket pistol market has exploded in recent years and there are so many more choices than there used to be. Now, if they'd just enlarge it a little and offer a 380 or 9mm, I'd be all over it!
Although I like and trust my Tomcat, I'm not sure I'd buy another, but only because the pocket pistol market has exploded in recent years and there are so many more choices than there used to be. Now, if they'd just enlarge it a little and offer a 380 or 9mm, I'd be all over it!
I had a stainless model for a couple years and never had any problems. I sold it because my Kel-Tec P-32 pockets way better, the Tomcat being kind of heavy for what it is. The P-32 is also less snappy. It seems women like the idea of having a safety. In the end you should get her what she likes.
The issue with cracks is with the frame...there is a really thin place where the trigger-bar passes through the frame on the right side. This is where the Tomcats can crack.
Beretta has beefed up the slide on the blue guns..the stainless guns always had a thick slide...something about slide mass and too hot ammo causes frames to crack on these.
So if you buy a Tomcat...don't use 'Cor-bon' or other really hot ammo...you will be fine. Beretta has ammo recomendations for the Tomcats.
I bought a new 'wide slide' Tomcat(blue/black version) a few months back. I really like it. Shoots great..and has been quite reliable with ball ammo.
Beretta has beefed up the slide on the blue guns..the stainless guns always had a thick slide...something about slide mass and too hot ammo causes frames to crack on these.
So if you buy a Tomcat...don't use 'Cor-bon' or other really hot ammo...you will be fine. Beretta has ammo recomendations for the Tomcats.
I bought a new 'wide slide' Tomcat(blue/black version) a few months back. I really like it. Shoots great..and has been quite reliable with ball ammo.
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