Praise for the Beretta Tomcat

[JeffCinSac]

I've had a Beretta Tomcat since early 2007, and it's been on my CCW and carried regularly since shortly thereafter. Almost since the moment I bought it, I've been looking for a "better" subcompact (.32 or .380) pistol, to fill that deep conceal role, mostly carried in the back pocket of a pair of jeans. I've owned a .380 Guardian (which I modified and am now trying to sell) and a .32 Guardian, a .25 Beretta Jetfire, been tempted by a Seecamp, lusted after an LCP (the single-shot thing is not helping), and now wonder whether a Kahr P380 is a "must have." But during that time, even as I've been looking for the next best thing, the Beretta has been a regular companion and consistently, 100% impressive for what it is meant to do. It is the smallest gun I know of that still feels like a "real" gun in the hand. It is DA/SA. It has a real safety. It has usable sights and is accurate out to distances at which other mouseguns become useless. It has an 8-round capacity. It has a tip up barrel so there is no need to try to manipulate a tiny slide. And it has been 100% reliable - I cannot recall a single failure in four years. Granted, it is too thick. Otherwise, I have been completely satisfied. Aside from the small caliber, don't overlook the Tomcat when considering a deep concealment or backup CCW piece. I carry mine with 71 grain Wolf Gold JHPs, just to eliminate the remote possibility of rimlock with the smaller 60 grain JHP rounds.

Perhaps the next time I'm considering the next-best mousegun, I'll find my own thread praising the Tomcat and reconsider.

Any other experienced Tomcatters out there?

-J

[7anthony7]

I used to own a tomcat. It always went bang and I liked the tip up barrel as well. I did not get the safety as it had the long trigger pll that was also hefty, but a nice gun. I bought a see camp in both 32 and 380. The 32 is nice, but heavy. The 380 was painful to shoot. I sold that one a couple months ago. My favorite mouse gun is my kel tec p32. I have about 800 rounds through it, both jhp and ball. Never had any jams. I have heard the horror stories, but that goes with any gun. I also like my p238 sas. Never had any issues with it either. Sights on the p23 are by far the best out of the ones mentioned, but Larry see camp had it right on with no sights. The tiny guns are more of a gut gun or a quick point and shoot. You should always hang onto your tomcat, sounds like you would regret it later if you sold it.

[forgiven]

Loved mine. Gave it to my son who has a CCW permit and he digs it.