INOX Slide For Beretta 3032 Tomcat?

[BruiseLee]

I called up Beretta Customer Support today (25 minute wait) to ask them about the frame cracking problem with this pistol. Luckily, my frame is ok so far, but I have basically stopped shooting it since learning about this problem.

Basically Beretta told me to just go on shooting it. The rep said not to use rounds with over 130 ft. lbs. of energy, and to stick with 71 grain bullets. He said most of the cracked frames he saw returned were due to hot handloads or +P rounds. I told him some guy on youtube cracked his Tomcat using Silvertips.

Well, Beretta still won't do anything for us Tomcat owners. Won't let me exchange the Tomcat for an INOX version. People bad mouth Ruger and Toyota for having recalls - I wish Beretta WOULD recall their products!

I did learn that Brownell sells the INOX slide for $121. This heavier slide recoils more slowly than the original slide, so it is gentler on the frame. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=27778/Product/SLIDE_W_SIGHT__INOX__M3032

But, has this really solved the frame cracking problem? Have there been any reports of .32 INOX Berettas cracking?

Should I buy it? I figure it might be worth it if it allows me to shoot the Tomcat without cracking it and turning it into a worthless piece of junk. On the other hand, isn't the gun already kinda heavy for a .32? And, should I really be spending my hard earned money on something that should have been replaced for free by the company? Should I be giving more money to a company that put out a questionable product it won't support?

Maybe I should use the $121 on a new Kahr or Sig. No Kel-Tecs allowed here in California.

What do ya think?

I should say I do like my Tomcat. It is pretty darn accurate for a mousegun. It has been pretty dependable, although I know the original owner sent it back to the factory twice before I bought it.

 

[Ed Harris]

I have a Beretta Model 3032 INOX in which I have fired over 2000 rounds of European 74-grain hardball, mostly RWS, Geco and Fiocchi, also some FN and Sellier & Bellot. I have had no problems whatever. I collect Euro .32 ACP pistols and for all the guns I handload 88-grain NEI #82 cast bullets with 1.7 grs. of Bullseye to use for practice and I shoot alot of them, at least 500 of them through this gun and no problem.

I'd just shoot your pistol until it wears out. Replacing the slide with the heavier one may be a good idea as long as your frame isn't already cracked.

 

[Southern Rebel]

BL, I have only seen one internet post on an Inox frame cracking (don't recall which gun forum I saw that on - maybe the Beretta one?). I have the Inox version, purchased new several years ago, and I have not had any problems with it. It remains one of my favorite guns to shoot, although my current backup to my SIG is a Kel-tec because of the weight advantage.

I guess I got lucky - the dealer that I bought the tomcat from talked me into the Inox version (and that was long before the inherent frame problem became evident.) It was the first new self-defense gun that I had purchased. However, watching Beretta stonewall the owners of the blued tomcat version and then grudgingly give a few inches, I have resolved that I will NEVER purchase another one of their guns. Their actions were not representative of how a well-known and well-respected gun manufacturer treats their customers.

Given a choice between the best gun that Beretta offers and the worst gun that Kel-tec offers, I will choose the Kel-tec every time - just because of the respect that Kel-tec shows toward their customer base.

 

[BruiseLee]

I agree with you Southern Rebel. The Kel-Tec has a huge weight advantage, doesn't crack, is backed by better customer service, and is cheaper to boot. But, California won't allow its citizen to buy a Kel-Tec pistol - any of them. Or a Ruger LCP. Or, a Taurus .380.

Hell, I even had to buy an $1,100 California only catalytic converter for my Acura, the 49 state version can be had for under $300.