Baretta Tomcat Help Please

T

t2

New member
I work at a job where it is legal to carry but it absolutely has to be discreet. There are circumstances where even my SP101 or G26 are to big. I where shorts and a t shirt alot and was considering a pocket pistol and wanted to know your thoughts and opinions on the Baretta Tomcat in 32ACP and anything else one might consider applicable for very discreet pocket carry. I have held and shot Walther's and little Sigs and found them to be a little heavy. Of course, reliability first. Thanks to all who reply. Terry
 
Praised by some, cursed by others. Do a search and you'll find a thread which reports several problems with the Tomcat.

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Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt
 
Try a Colt .380 Pocketlite. Used around $350 at a gunshow. Descreet, reliable, and very effective loaded with hollow tip ammo.
 
A buddy of mine has a Tomcat which he carries (legally, of course) in an Alessi pocket holster. I use a S&W AirLite Ti M342, NAA Guardian or Kel-Tec P32, all in Kramer pocket holsters.

I like the Tomcat's grip -- you can get a full firing grip, as opposed to the P32 or Guardian. I also like the DA/SA option and the tip-up barrel. Price is also better than the Guardian, at $250 in our area (P32 was $220).

I would prefer the Tomcat to be a bit smaller -- if you're going with a .32 ACP gun, it should be about the size of the P32. The Tomcat is a bit "tall" for my tastes. Also, the trigger left much to be desired -- if you decide to buy one, make sure you dry fire it before you buy, as you may be surprised at the weight of even the single action trigger.

HTH,

Justin

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Justin T. Huang, Esq.
late of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
 
I've had two Tomcats -- the first replaced under warranty by Beretta.

I think it is fundamentally a good design, but they seem to be still working out the kinks. I know of several, like mine, that went back to the factory several times -- and a gun that is unreliable or spends a lot of time at the factory isn't a good self-defense tool.

Do not -- repeat NOT -- dry fire the gun, or the firing pin will disintegrate quickly. Even snap caps aren't sure protection -- as the pin hits them so hard, they crater quickly, then don't offer resistance.

A better bet would be the Kel-Tec P-32, a much smaller design, but with locked breech, which allows you to shoot Plus + ammo, if you can find it. Its a lot lighter, too.
 
Under approxomately the same carry conditions I have found that any Smith&Wesson 2-inch barrel Hamerless revolver carried in a pocket holster works extremely well and is a much more effective weapon than the mini .32ACP automatics.
 
I really like my Tomcat. I have yet to fire reloads in it. Even if it doesn't like reloads, I don't really care.

I often carry it in my front pants pocket. When walking, my hand is wrapped around it, ready for instant action.

It gives me a real warm and fuzzy feeling.
 
Count me among the ones who like the Tomcat. I've had one since just after they first came out and it is one of my favorite all-time "mouse guns".

I even sent mine off to Clark Custom to be "melted" as I found that all the sahrp edges created a lot of lint when carried in the pocket.

Unfortunately, the PD I am with now doesn't authorize off-duty/back-up weapons under .380 calibre, so I don't carry nearly as much as I used to.
For the record, I find it much easier to conceal in most pockets than my Smith 640.
 
I havae about 500 rounds through my Tomcat. No problems to date. My son-in-law also has one with about 750 rounds through it. Again, no problems there either. Just information, nothing more.
 
Have had no trouble with the tomcat.I think the 32 is a little light for even a backup so sold mine and got a S&W J frame.
Bob
 
I have a P-32. I love it. Yes, I has some initial problems, but now it shoots ANYthing. As to it's ability to hide? Last night I asked my wife where? (I often do this to see if I can be detected.) She looked at me real close and said I can't see anything. Then she patted me down. Still nothing. That's hidden. Remember, it's less than 9 oz loaded!
 
I have a friend who just recieved a new Tomcat as a warranty replacement for one that had been to the factory two times. I shot it with him before he sent it in for the second time. It was pretty accurate (bad trigger pull though), but would only fire every other shot. It would fire if you pulled the trigger a second time (DA), but then misfire again. Beretta was pretty good to him and gave hime a new one. We'll see if it works.

Shake
 
I looked at one and went no further. Why? I have large hands and I am sure this little pistol would bite the hand that feeds it. I am going to look at a Kel-Tec 32. Regards, Richard.
 
I've got almost 1000 rounds thru mine, I like it a lot. I took about 2-250 rnds. to smooth out, but now is quite reliable with Silvertips, Fed H/S, Gold Dots. Doesn't like Fiocchi's tho. Sights are small, but the gun is accurate, trigger has improved with use. My only complaint is that it does, indeed, bite (slide edges on mine are very sharp) if I grip it too high. It does like to be kept clean (a pocket holster is a real good idea), and very lightly lubed (I like militec-1). Good luck, M2
 
Okay, I'm convinced that my group of friends must be doing something wrong...

I'm a LEO and one of the guns our agency approves for backup/off-duty use is the Beretta Tomcat, known forevermore by our academy class as the Jamcat, or, more often, "that piece of crap." Three recruits bought Tomcats, and two of the three jammed quite badly and with great regularity. They promptly returned theirs. The third Tomcat has continued to perform quite well, despite the bad karma associated with the other two, and as far as I know the officer still carries it.

From what I've read here, though, the gun is a solid one. Can anyone give any advice on what was making the guns perform so poorly? Are they ammo-specific?

Mike

PS heh, also, in a side note, one recruit managed to jam the beretta multiple times...he also jammed his duty gun once (one of the few duty-gun failures in the class...the Ordnance staff put it to rights promptly) and he also managed to jam a revolver. Yes, you read that right. It was an old gun ordnance kept around for training, and it just plain locked up on him- the cylinder refused to turn. They had to open it with a hammer.

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"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein
 
For any LEOs on this board I bought the Kel-Tec P-32 with the chrome slide. It weighs in at a hefty 6.6 ounces empty, what a light weight. I carry mine in a Ken Campbell custom pocket hoster, what a fine combination. I have carried mine, in my uniform shirt pocket like a package of cigaretts and didn't even notice it after a 12 hour shift. I practice with hardball and carry Silvertips in mine. No jams or malfunctions, this things like a baby Glock. This is the ultimate backupgun that I have been looking for since I became a LEO 22 years ago. Get one you will love it. I do not want a Beretta even though I do own three of them in .22 and .25acp. I have read that the life span of the Tom Cat is 1000 rounds. Who ever posted on this thread that their Tom Cat had 950 rounds through it, had better start shoping for another gun and soon too...7th

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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE, KEEP THEM INDEPENDENT.
 
Tomcats are finicky eaters when new, mine didn't smooth out and fly right til after 250-300 rounds. It still doesn't like Fiocchi JHPs, but its fully reliable with Silvertips, Gold Dots, Fed H/S, or most any kind of ball. It also likes to be kept clean (esp. the magazines), mine will start acting up after 100 rounds or so, generally because the mag is cruddy, it's a dirty little blow-back. I clean it after every trip to the range or use and periodically if I'm just carrying it around. It is a bit porky and heavy for its size. The 1000 round rumor came from a misquoted Beretta marketing guy show said that given the dearth of .32 ammo available at the time, they only tested it with about a thousand rounds. They also had some magazine problems when the gun was first put on the market. The Beretta armourer I spoke with said it was good for tens of thousands of rounds, but not without regular cleaning, periodic maintenance (i.e. occasional trips home for thorough cleaning and new springs). The frame is milled from the same 7075 aircraft aluminum tha Kimber and others use for thier alloy guns. I'm happy with mine, so far so good. M2
 
It's 3500 rounds and it's only a suggestion. Beretta recommends to inspect the frame and if all is right to continue using it.

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So many pistols, so little money.
 
Well, I ended up getting a Walther PPK/S in 32ACP. It's a little heavier than I would have liked, but the price was right($315,out the door)and with a pocket holster ,denim shorts and a belt, it seems to be what I need. It sure feels better than not having anything. Thanks to all, Terry
 
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