Pocket Tomcat or 238

[Ghostrider_23]

I am looking for a good pocket carry pistol, something I can throw in my gym short and go to the store if need be. I looked at the Kel-tec & Ruger but they just don’t feel like real guns to me. (I hope no one takes this as an attack because IT ISN”T)

I am looking at the Beretta Tomcat and the Sig 238. I know they are different calibers but they both seem like nice pocket pistols to me.

Of you all how have shot it or own one please tell me what you like about them or don’t like about them.

Do they have any big problems????

 

[MICHAEL T]

I would take the sig I find the trigger on Beretta to heavy The pistol to big for a 32 been some frame. problems also. I heard Beretta fix that with INOX but I still read about cracked frames Beretta used to tell you not to use 32 ammo that exceeded so many FT LBS also.
My self I pocket carry a Old Interarms PPK/S or Colt mustang If want metal. KetTec 380 still best all round for pocket

 

[Quiet]

I use to own a Colt Mustang (sold it to a friend) and carried it IWB. I don't like pocket carrying a SAO pistol cocked & locked or hammer down on an empty chamber.

The SIG P-238 is basically a clone of the Colt Mustang. The Mustang was accurate and reliable. After the recall on the SIG P-238, the reliablity on them seems to have gotten better.

A few years after I sold the Colt Mustang (something I regret doing), I looked at the Beretta Model 3032 and Kel-Tec P-32 as a replacement (this was before the advent of all the currently available pocket guns in .380ACP). I found the Beretta Model 3032 to be too heavy/bulky for pocket carry and picked up the Kel-Tec P-32. Also at the time, the Beretta Model 3032 was not rated for +P ammo but the Kel-Tec P-32 was.

Out of the two choices the OP mentioned, I would get the SIG P-238 for IWB carry.
For pocket carry, check out the Kahr Arms P-380 (since the Kel-Tec P-3AT & Ruger LCP are not an option).

 

[smallbore]

North American Arms & Kahr also make compact pocket pistols.

 

[glove]

+1 for the Sig P-238

 

[hardluk1]

Have you thought about the weight of the tomcat or like handguns. For a small pistol they are fairly heavy. Some indoor ranges will have a rentals in the small sized pocket guns and that might be a good way to try a couple different brand names in one caliber. I carry a KT 9mm thats lighter than the tomcat I had and is easier to find in your pocket and easier to hold on to. Even some of the 32 mag revolvers are lighter and easier to hold and control. None of these mini pistols are what could be called a good fit for the hand so it a hard choice for sure . Today with all the choices for small ultra lites the tomcat might not be the best choice many. There are also some slip on grips that have a built in palm swell for the plastic pistols that will make them easier to hang on to that might also help

 

[kokapelli]

I've owned both and would recommend the P238, P380, TCP, LCP and P3AT in that order over the Tomcat. I haven't shot the S&W Bodyguard but from what I have read it might also be a good choice.

The NAA, Micro Desert Eagle and Seecamp are like the Tomcat blowback actions that are much less comfortable to shoot than any of the above mentioned.

 

[bobalou]

Tomcat

Just like my Bobcat, love the look of it. Supposedly there have been some cracked frame issues, but I suspect that was after many rounds. It's not a range gun, but I love the way it shoots. Because it has some weight, the control is good. I love the traditional hammer fired DA/SA, cocked and locked if you want. No bigger than a Bobcat. Tip up barrel is very convenient. 32 is an expensive round but I don't practice with this gun. I practice with my Bobcat, which is almost identical. I may sell it only because of the cracked frame issue. If it wasn't for that worry, I would never sell it. I also wish I had the model 86 Cheeta tip up 380 and the super cool 9000s. Beautiful guns. I guess beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.

 

[aryfrosty]

Tomcat or Sig

I have and really like both. I prefer to carry the Sig because of the weight and size issues. Also the Beretta has a heel mag release and many moons ago I discovered that the pocket carry had pressed the mag release and the mag had backed out. I've always been a fan of 1911s and the Sig resembles one of them enough to hit the right buttons.

 

[458lottTN]

I've seen 2 cracked frames on brand new 3032's in 3 years, and both were within 100 rds. No way I would recommend to anyone. I still don't know what I think about the cocked & locked in the pocket idea of the P238, but if that's not an issue, they are excellent. Great accuracy, no reliability complaints, and bar none, the best sights in the segment. I'm a fan of the Diamondback. More gun than the Kel Tec P3AT (which I like) or Ruger's copy (which I don't).