Kel-Tec P32 vs. Beretta 3032 Tomcat

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Sulaco

Sulaco

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I know the weight and price difference, but I've only shot an older P32 and that was some time back.

Is there a big difference in QC, trigger pull, sights, things like that? The P32 is ideal for me because I'd want something I can toss in some shorts pockets and go take a walk through the neighborhood or wash the car, stuff like that - where the weight is a major factor.

What are your preferences and why?
 
I've had a P32 for years and I love it. It gets carried almost all the time. Tomcats are too big and heavy, and the slide-cracking issue is a big concern.
 
Trigger pull?
The Tomcat has a MUCH nicer trigger in SA, but it is bigger and heavier, and apparently the KT is more durable somehow.

I'm frequently tempted to pick up a Tomcat as a toy, but in the long run I'll probably end up with a toy bobcat in .22, I find the KT p32 about perfect as a "gun for when I can't have a gun" and so rarely need to carry a mousegun that having a .32 for me and another for the Mrs is plenty (and I've determined that my kel-tec is superior to her NAA guardian in about every way, if she wants to dump the NAA for a Tomcat I'd be all for it)

Find a rental of each of find a buddy with one to try, they're very different approaches to the .32acp carry cun concept.
 
I carried a Tomcat as a BUG on patrol. It is a wide pistol but pleasant to shoot.

I also owned a P32. I thought it'd make a great little gun to put in my pocket when I would run out to do a quick errand.

The P32's heavy, cap gun-like trigger virtually assured I'd miss my intended target if I ever had to use it in defense. Perhaps if I was willing to invest a lot of time and effort I might have been able to make it work for me. I sold it instead.

I never carried the Tomcat in my pocket. It's girth was just too wide for me to pocket carry comfortably. I sold it after I left law enforcement. I no longer had a need for it.
 
I own both, plus a Seecamp. The P-32 has been flawless and is very easy to shoot with very little recoil and the slide locks back on the last round. The P-32 is about as good as it gets for a pocket gun when considering size and weight. The Tomcat is good for coat pocket carry and is easier to handle with gloves on, if it was lighter I would carry it all the time. I like the convenience of tipping up the barrel to load or see if the barrel is full of lint. The Tomcat feels better in the hand than both the Seecamp and P-32. The Seecamp is excellent also, but is heavier than the P-32 (smaller though). I'm glad I don't have to decide on one.
 
Around 2004, I looked at both the Beretta Model 3032 and Kel-Tec P-32 for use as a BUG/pocket gun.

The Beretta Model 3032 was heavier & wider than the Kel-Tec. And at the time Beretta did not recommend use of +P ammo in it due to using it would cause excessive wear and shorten the life span of the pistol.

So, I chose the Kel-Tec P-32 due to it being lighter & thinner than the Beretta and it being rated for +P ammo, unlike the Beretta.

The double click reset with the Kel-Tec trigger takes awhile to get use to and is the main complaint I hear when people shoot Kel-Tecs.

I've had my (1st gen) Kel-Tec P-32 for about 7 years now and out of about 1500 rounds through it, had only 3 malfunctions (fail to feed) due to a faulty magazine.
I've used different .32ACP (FMJ, JHP, JHP +P) loads through it and currently just use Fiocchi .32ACP 73gr FMJ ammo.

It's my constant pocket gun. Espcially when I go jogging.
I've even put it in a ziplock bag and went swimming with it at the Hard Rock in Vegas. :p
 
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I purchased a Tomcat (blued) new a couple of years ago. After 50 rounds the frame cracked. Beretta replaced it. Shot 50 rounds in the replacement Tomcat and it also cracked in the same area. (left side of frame over trigger). Beretta replaced it with a 92FS. The INOX versions of the Tomcat are supposed to be ok, but I can't recommend the blued version.
 
I used to have a blued Tomcat. Less than 50r through it, it disassembled itself and locked up tight. Sent it back to Beretta. Got it back a month later, took it to the range, didn't get through two magazines before it did it again. Shop took it back.
Got a stainless Tomcat, that one worked fine.
Got a P32.
Kept the P32. Smaller and lighter than the Beretta, accurate enough for what it is, (as accurate as the Tomcat), reliable.
If I want to carry something that needs to be tiny, I'd take the P32.
Course, now I've sold the P32 and replaced it with a Ruger LCP:neener:
 
My experience with my P-32:
1. It is small enough actually to carry in the pocket.
2. The recoil is lighter than an equivalent .380.
3. With practice, the gun can be shot accurately even out to 20 yards or more. 4. The optional extended mag base lets me get another finger on the grip, and provides 8+1 in a very small gun. I reload with 95gr cast lead SWC, because by all reports you cannot get both penetration and expansion in this caliber from this length of barrel. LBS
 
I have the 10 shot mag for my P-32, though it makes it not exactly pocket size, I carry with the standard mag and use the 10 for a spare.
 
I've had a Tomcat and have a P32. I loved the Beretta's accuracy, the ability to carry it either cocked and locked or DA/SA, and the tilting barrel. I got one of the early ones so my frame cracked. Beretta sent me a new gun. I did not like the size and weight of the gun. In the grip area it was pretty fat. I did not like not having an extractor. If a round gets jammed in the gun you have to open the barrel up and hope it will come out. That was the deal breaker for me.
The P32 is very light and small. Much more so than the Beretta. It is also accurate at the ranges at which you will use it. They are both point and shoot guns. The P32 as far as a carry weapon (hopefully a BUG) is light years ahead of the Beretta as a light weight carry gun. It fits easily between your wallet and back pocket. Use a holster or course. It is a tilting barrel set up which makes for lighter recoil. The Beretta is a straight blowback. Although in .32 neither is hard to shoot. Lots of people complain about the long trigger pull of the P32.
I started off shooting revolvers. The trigger is no problem for me. It is no longer than a revolver fired DAO. And is much lighter. I've since upgunned to a P3AT. Which suprised me how much more recoil it has compared to the .32's. That extra 50 ft. lbs. of force is significant in a very light gun. When it's all said and done I think the P32 in the chrome finish (it gets nasty in a pocket and banged around alot) is a much better carry gun than the Tomcat.
 
My buddy just went through a horror story with the Beretta and it took them 7 months to fix it that was basically drop in a new barrel. I heard some people had similar issues.
Based on the terrible service only I would go with the KEltec plus they are proudly made here in the USA.
 
P-32 is the answer . Beretta to big heavy for a 32 . I have 4 of the tilt barrel 2 in 25 auto and 2 in 22 LR These are great pistols But Beretta got lost along way with the 32.
 
P32,
This lil buger is the bang for the buck in size and weight.
I give Keltec a thumbs up in their R&D for these little bugs they have made.
It seems Keltec took the chance on these little guns and once they took off the rest (especially Ruger) joined the band wagon.
 
I have never fired a P32, but I have a Tomcat and a P3AT, and for carry and reliability, I prefer the Kel Tec.
The Little Woman prefers the Tomcat because she can't rack the slide on the Kel Tec.
The flip up barrel is the only advantage I see with the Beretta.
 
Well, it's obvious the consensus is for the P-32 so that's what I am saving for! Thanks my gun-nut brothers!! ;)

EDITED TO ADD:

Please check this link to see what I ended up doing!
 
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