What's the Least Powerful .32 ACP Factory Load?

[BruiseLee]

Why the heck would someone want the least powerful load, you ask? Because, someone bought a .32 Beretta Tomcat. The original one that's prone to frame cracking. I've talked to Beretta reps over the phone, and at the 2010 SHOT Show. They won't replace my gun for an INOX version. In fact, they insist there is no problem with the Tomcat's frame cracking. Right.

Anyway, I still want to shoot my gun. I used to shoot Fiochi and Sellier and Bellot FMJ's because I heard they were hot, that the .32 would not expand reliably, so I might as well go for the best penetrating .32 rounds I could find. But, the hotter the round is, the more likely the frame will crack.

So, who puts out a mild full metal jacket load for the .32 acp? I'll keep the Fiochi reserved for special occasions. Don't worry, I have a 12 ga and a .357 for home defense, too, so don't tell me to upgun.

 

[wditto]

Remington , Winchester , Federal

 

[Nullcone]

Shoot it

You aren't carrying this, correct?

Shoot it... if it cracks make Beretta replace it. You may be without it a few weeks, but that's no big deal.

Maybe stay away from CorBon, DoubleTap... any of the boutique loaders.

 

[BruiseLee]

I doubt Beretta would replace it - unless I paid them. Like I said, I've talked to them on the phone, and at the SHOT Show last year. Their position is there is nothing wrong with the design of the gun. So, if the frame cracks, it's your fault because you were using hot reloads, shot it when the barrel was plugged with mud, etc.

This is my second Beretta, there won't be a third unless someone gives it to me in their will.

 

[Kiln]

Yeah I've heard of Beretta refusing to replace cracked guns. Including the 92, which has an established history of slide cracks.

Not sure I'd want a Beretta...as bad as it sounds I'd rather get the Taurus copy just because I know they'll fix it under warranty.

 

[Loosedhorse]

Yeah I've heard of Beretta refusing to replace cracked guns.

Not surprising. When it came out they announced an expected service life for the gun, I think 1000 or 1200 rounds.

Beretta's way of saying: if you crack it, it's on you, not us.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Yeah I've heard of Beretta refusing to replace cracked guns. Including the 92, which has an established history of slide cracks.

That problem was only with the early 92s in THE 80S! Stop beating a dead horse.

Not surprising. When it came out they announced an expected service life for the gun, I think 1000 or 1200 rounds.

Its about 25,000 rounds than its recommended to change the locking block. On the Beretta forum, there is a guy that fired 100,000 rounds through his INOX before his frame finally cracked.

 

[Kiln]

That problem was only with the early 92s in THE 80S! Stop beating a dead horse.



Its about 25,000 rounds than its recommended to change the locking block. On the Beretta forum, there is a guy that fired 100,000 rounds through his INOX before his frame finally cracked.

A guy just posted pics of one cracking around here about two weeks ago. Not sure about the year though.

Also, the Tomcat has also had a widely reported issue with cracking due to the alloy used. I know it is a different model but chances are that Beretta isn't going to cover it, since they consider frame/slide cracks general wear.

 

[BruiseLee]

I know it seems like Ruger has had a lot of recalls recently, but I applaud them for admitting their products have problems, and taking action to fix the problems. I can't imagine Beretta has always been so customer unfriendly during its extremely long history. I mean if paid a couple of hundred for the thing like a Jennings, Hi-Point, or Raven, then maybe I could understand their position. All I can say is I would buy another Ruger, but not a Beretta.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

My father has a 92 with a lot more than 1,200 rounds through it plus the reliability test in the handgun trials was I believe 6,000 rounds without a jam to be acceptable.

 

[Onmilo]

Winchester fmj white box is about the mildest .32 acp load I have ever fired.
It chugs along at about 825 feet per second averaged.

 

[Maple_City_Woodsman]

If you hate Beretta so much, just send that crappy tomcat to me. I will take care of it for you.