Tomcat reliability?
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Walt Sherrill
New member
My experience was with the early models -- I had two, and I know of four of five others that had problems. I eventually sold my second one (the first was replaced by the factory) and got a Kel-Tec P-11. (It wasn't that much bigger and no harder to conceal.)
Unless they've improved durability over the past two years, I'd say -- AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE!!
The Kel-Tec P-32 is arguably a better gun, far more concealable, with a better trigger, and Kel-Tec's customer service beats Beretta's hands down. (It took them four months to replace my first Tomcat.
Unless they've improved durability over the past two years, I'd say -- AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE!!
The Kel-Tec P-32 is arguably a better gun, far more concealable, with a better trigger, and Kel-Tec's customer service beats Beretta's hands down. (It took them four months to replace my first Tomcat.
I own a 3032 Tomcat and even built a page
about it: http://thearmedcitizen.com/beretta2.htm
I dearly love this little gun but have since also
purchased a Kel-Tec P32 which is considerably
lighter and about as accurate, though the 3032
can be fired both SA & DA. I much prefer the
Kel-Tec for concealed carry.
As for jamming, I found that magazines from
ProMag ( http://www.promagindustries.com/ )
are superior in quality to the Beretta mags for
this pistol. ProMag also sells a 10 round clip
which is great for the range.
Best regards.
about it: http://thearmedcitizen.com/beretta2.htm
I dearly love this little gun but have since also
purchased a Kel-Tec P32 which is considerably
lighter and about as accurate, though the 3032
can be fired both SA & DA. I much prefer the
Kel-Tec for concealed carry.
As for jamming, I found that magazines from
ProMag ( http://www.promagindustries.com/ )
are superior in quality to the Beretta mags for
this pistol. ProMag also sells a 10 round clip
which is great for the range.
Best regards.
Dwight M S
New member
Reliability of SERVICE is as important as reliability of PRODUCT.
My Tomcat (Alleycat) is like a woman I can't get rid of despite the trouble she's been. I bought mine just a few months ago. It's the latest version, a little beefed up and less likely to break. But mine broke at about the 800th round.
I sent it to Beretta ($30). Next day they e-mailed me and confirmed they received it. They said they would call me. I waited seven weeks in silence, then called them. The man I spoke to was on the gruff, impatient side, not too accommodating. He said Beretta would send me a new one, but they were out of them and I'd have to wait another four to eight weeks. When I said I felt that was unreasonable they offered my money back, and I said I'd be happy with the refund.
But they sent me a new gun the next week instead. I'm just going to shoot about 400 or 500 rounds through this one, to break it in, then shoot just a few through it at each range session so my fingers don't forget how to use it.
It's a honey when it works.
By contrast, I've read posts telling of Kel-Tek's lifetime guarantee and instant service ("I sent it to them Monday and got it back Saturday"). Wish I could buy a P-32 in California. I don't like to be treated like a fool.
Dwight M S
My Tomcat (Alleycat) is like a woman I can't get rid of despite the trouble she's been. I bought mine just a few months ago. It's the latest version, a little beefed up and less likely to break. But mine broke at about the 800th round.
I sent it to Beretta ($30). Next day they e-mailed me and confirmed they received it. They said they would call me. I waited seven weeks in silence, then called them. The man I spoke to was on the gruff, impatient side, not too accommodating. He said Beretta would send me a new one, but they were out of them and I'd have to wait another four to eight weeks. When I said I felt that was unreasonable they offered my money back, and I said I'd be happy with the refund.
But they sent me a new gun the next week instead. I'm just going to shoot about 400 or 500 rounds through this one, to break it in, then shoot just a few through it at each range session so my fingers don't forget how to use it.
It's a honey when it works.
By contrast, I've read posts telling of Kel-Tek's lifetime guarantee and instant service ("I sent it to them Monday and got it back Saturday"). Wish I could buy a P-32 in California. I don't like to be treated like a fool.
Dwight M S
Kentucky Rifle
New member
Dwight...
I don't blame you for feeling a little raw about how legal gun owners are treated in California. I guess you can't buy a P-32 in California because it has no outside safety. Right?
I guess it won't make you feel any better, however Kel-Tec's service is even faster than you estimated. I haven't fired mine very much, just a little over 200 rounds of differing ammo to check it out. However, it's had no problems. I just decided to send it back to the factory in Florida to get a gray grip frame instead of black. I thought it would look pretty good with the hard chrome top end. (It does!) I sent it via overnight air on a wednesday and I was flabbergasted to receive it on friday of the same WEEK! The 'smith (Carolyn) had not only replaced the grip frame, but the list of other stuff she had changed on my pistol was amazing! (I had purchased an early model and there were several updates.) At the end of the long list of new parts was the price...-0-! And a little "smiley face"! You could have knocked me over with a feather!
Surely, some day, the good people of California will vote the dummies that do not realize what "Shall Not Infringe" means, OUT OF OFFICE! I often wonder just how these anti-gun politicians can ignore the crime statistics that prove easily that violent crime goes DOWN in every state that passes a CCW law.
KR
I don't blame you for feeling a little raw about how legal gun owners are treated in California. I guess you can't buy a P-32 in California because it has no outside safety. Right?
I guess it won't make you feel any better, however Kel-Tec's service is even faster than you estimated. I haven't fired mine very much, just a little over 200 rounds of differing ammo to check it out. However, it's had no problems. I just decided to send it back to the factory in Florida to get a gray grip frame instead of black. I thought it would look pretty good with the hard chrome top end. (It does!) I sent it via overnight air on a wednesday and I was flabbergasted to receive it on friday of the same WEEK! The 'smith (Carolyn) had not only replaced the grip frame, but the list of other stuff she had changed on my pistol was amazing! (I had purchased an early model and there were several updates.) At the end of the long list of new parts was the price...-0-! And a little "smiley face"! You could have knocked me over with a feather!
Surely, some day, the good people of California will vote the dummies that do not realize what "Shall Not Infringe" means, OUT OF OFFICE! I often wonder just how these anti-gun politicians can ignore the crime statistics that prove easily that violent crime goes DOWN in every state that passes a CCW law.
KR
Dwight M S
New member
Kentucky,
Thanks for the reply. Kel-Tec's service, the kind of service people like you and I tell about on these forums, goes a long way in my book.
I rented a Beretta 92 at the range; loved it. But I'm going to search these forums before buying one, and enquire about other companies' warranties and service. I'm thinking Sig.
Boy, I agree with you about my beloved California. Ever notice how ignorance is self-perpetuating. Kind of like mob-mentality without the violence.
Dwight M S
Thanks for the reply. Kel-Tec's service, the kind of service people like you and I tell about on these forums, goes a long way in my book.
I rented a Beretta 92 at the range; loved it. But I'm going to search these forums before buying one, and enquire about other companies' warranties and service. I'm thinking Sig.
Boy, I agree with you about my beloved California. Ever notice how ignorance is self-perpetuating. Kind of like mob-mentality without the violence.
Dwight M S
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Kentucky Rifle,
I'm a transplant from the PRK and am now working in Louisville. Been in state about 6 months. I live down near E Town and make the commute. Can you tell me where to get a Kel-Tec? I'm still finding my way around don't know the best places yet.
I have a Tomcat I bought in the PRK just before the "approved list" started being published. Got it cheap because Beretta wasn't sure it was going to submit it for approval and the gun shop was liquidating it's invertory so as not to get stuck with it in case it didn't get approved. I is on the list now. Mine is an INOX widebody. It's been good to me so far. No problems. However, now that I am in a state that I can actually get a CCW permit in, it is a little heavy. That's why I am thinking of the P-32.
Thanks
I'm a transplant from the PRK and am now working in Louisville. Been in state about 6 months. I live down near E Town and make the commute. Can you tell me where to get a Kel-Tec? I'm still finding my way around don't know the best places yet.
I have a Tomcat I bought in the PRK just before the "approved list" started being published. Got it cheap because Beretta wasn't sure it was going to submit it for approval and the gun shop was liquidating it's invertory so as not to get stuck with it in case it didn't get approved. I is on the list now. Mine is an INOX widebody. It's been good to me so far. No problems. However, now that I am in a state that I can actually get a CCW permit in, it is a little heavy. That's why I am thinking of the P-32.
Thanks
I've got one of the newer ones (Alley Cat) and I really like the feel of it, but reliability isn't it's strong point. All of the malfunctions I've had have been of the FTE variety. I get too many stovepipes with it to consider it a good carry piece. Fired it for the first time in quite a while last Friday and only had one FTE in about 30 or so rounds.
I've fired several different types of ammunition through it but haven't found any to make this gun perform well. I might try to get my hands on a new magazine for it at some point because I only have the one factory mag that came with it, but I don't expect that to help really.
Rick
I've fired several different types of ammunition through it but haven't found any to make this gun perform well. I might try to get my hands on a new magazine for it at some point because I only have the one factory mag that came with it, but I don't expect that to help really.
Rick
Kentucky Rifle
New member
Sure Russ,
The shop with the most reasonable prices on firearms in Louisville will be very convenient for you to visit. Get off I65 on Fern Valley Road and head toward Preston Hway. Right before you reach Preston, on the left will be a big Limo Service company called Cosmopolitan. Tilford's Discount Guns will be right next door in a little yellow building. Best prices in Louisville. I was there last week and saw three or four P-32's with different color grip frames.
KR
The shop with the most reasonable prices on firearms in Louisville will be very convenient for you to visit. Get off I65 on Fern Valley Road and head toward Preston Hway. Right before you reach Preston, on the left will be a big Limo Service company called Cosmopolitan. Tilford's Discount Guns will be right next door in a little yellow building. Best prices in Louisville. I was there last week and saw three or four P-32's with different color grip frames.
KR
Kentucky Rifle
New member
No worries, Russ...
I'm glad you made it out of California.
They'd shoot me within a week if I crossed the border into Calif!
By the way. Tilford's is kind of a "look and see for yourself" kind of place. Friendly though. Great, fair prices. Not a very large sign, so look for the big limo service and turn into their lot. It connects with Tilford's lot.
KR
I'm glad you made it out of California.
They'd shoot me within a week if I crossed the border into Calif!
By the way. Tilford's is kind of a "look and see for yourself" kind of place. Friendly though. Great, fair prices. Not a very large sign, so look for the big limo service and turn into their lot. It connects with Tilford's lot.
KR
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My Tomcat is flawless. I have had it for 3 years and have shot hundreds of rounds through it with no FTF or FTE problems at all. I have 3 other friends who own them and are satisfied. I like the way it fits my hand and points. I would carry it more, if it were a larger caliber. I normally carry a Taurus 605.
Jim Hall
Jim Hall
Louisville native transplanted to Atlanta here. Tilford's is great, also way out on Dixie Hwy- used to be Sumner's Hardware, or Biggs guns. Bluegrass Armory on Preston Hwy- I think James has a website-he is truly a great guy! What ever you do avoid Ray's Guns like the plague!!!!!! Kiesler's in So. Indiana off 131 in Clarksville is awesome. Huge selection, and Bluegrass will do the transfer for a nominal fee. Good luck.
Kentucky Rifle
New member
Sox...
Kiesler's stocks WILSON 1911's now! I buy nearly all my accessiries there now. Huge selection of leather, cleaning products, cop stuff, knives, rifles, etc... For those of you who like CLP, they stock "BreakFree" in tiny bottles that probably fit in the butt compartment of AR's. And, Kiesler's also has PLENTY of AR's to choose from and a wide selection of all brands of 1911's and lots of really good looking single action "cowboy pistols". Very good used gun section, too. Lots of gun safes. Friendly place. BIG gun store.
KR
Kiesler's stocks WILSON 1911's now! I buy nearly all my accessiries there now. Huge selection of leather, cleaning products, cop stuff, knives, rifles, etc... For those of you who like CLP, they stock "BreakFree" in tiny bottles that probably fit in the butt compartment of AR's. And, Kiesler's also has PLENTY of AR's to choose from and a wide selection of all brands of 1911's and lots of really good looking single action "cowboy pistols". Very good used gun section, too. Lots of gun safes. Friendly place. BIG gun store.
KR