Mine is the Model 950BS - a late 1980's vintage. I assume the new ones are just the same. The problem I had with the safety was that occasionally when shooting I'd accidently flick it on. I considered it pretty usless (except as lawsuit protection for Baretta), so I took it off. This model is actually one of Beretta's oldest designs. Years ago (pre-GCA '68) they were made without safeties at all - so they in no way affect functioning. Al it does is block the hammer sear - it does not lock the hammer or firing pin in any way.
They have an inertial fireing pin. When the hammer is down the firing pin is flush with the breach face of the slide. When the hammer is pulled back the firing pin moves back a little too. The momentum of the hammer creates the inertia needed to transfer the pins force to the primer. Therefore, the system is considered "drop safe" since the firing pin itself can't generate enough inertia to break a primer.
As to carry mode, never ever carry it with a loaded chamber and the hammer cocked. Up to you if you want to carry it hammer down on an empty chamber or a loaded one. When I carry it in my pocket (in a home made pocket holster) I have a round in the chamber. Otherwise it's empty chamber in a briefcase, glovebox, etc. When stored, empty chamber & mag taken out.
I like the single action design. Good luck hitting anything at any distance with a long and hard double action pull on such a small gun. It's very quick to cock due to it's small size. Actually I wish Beretta would make one in .32 like the Tomcat. The only thing I don't like about the Tomcat is the skinny little trigger they put on it to allow it to be double action.
