I bought a black matte model, new, at a local gun store about two months ago. I was very pleased with its features and performance until the frame cracked after less than 200 rounds.
So I just picked up a cracked frame older version tomcat. Does anyone know by first hand or expirence if I can get it fixed or replaced? Jump to content. The Beretta 3032 Tomcat is a small-frame, tip-up barrel semiauto pistol. Find out what makes this small and powerful handgun a great choice for self-defense and concealed carry.
Yes, guns break but I’ve since found out that this is a very common problem that has been around at least 7 years. I wish I had done sufficient research before making the purchase. I’m disappointed with Beretta, as they have not acknowledged this as a well known problem and instead have chosen to deal with the issue a gun at a time. Also, despite their claims about quality, they do not, like other high-end manufactures, pay for warranty shipping as other high-end manufacturers do.
They do not even have a toll-free number! (I have a Springfield that needed adjustment. Within an hour of contacting Springfield by phone, they e-mailed a prepaid shipment label, and I had the gun back in a week, without incurring any expense at all). Beretta has had my gun for over two weeks, and Customer Service says they have not even looked at the gun yet, and that I should expect at least another 6 weeks before I get it back.
Customer Service had a real “attitude” when I asked them to confirm that frame cracking was a common occurrence, and that they should address the issue more toughly. Another caution: I removed the grips to investigate why the barrel would no longer close (because, when the frame cracked, a small piece of the frame broke off and jammed the gun.) While the user manual says the grips may be removed for a more thorough cleaning, it does not caution the user that the safety catch will come off with the grip, and that a tiny spring and detent plunger go flying off.
I was fortunate to find the stray parts, but it takes tiny fingers, tiny tools, good eyes, and a lot of patience and dexterity to put the grip and safety catch back on. Many owners will find a visit to a gunsmith will be called for. Beretta, I would expect “betta.”. How about the 21A?
I just recently bought an almost new black matte 21A - not a scratch or mark on it. It is 22lr and i paid 250.00, tax included, out the door from a good pawn shop I check on regularly (tax free weekend sale in Texas). They usually have a good assortment and came down from a 280.00 ticket price. I really like this pistol, but after reading the above string, I am wondering if i will have problems.
Does anyone know of problems with the 21A in 22lr? This is considerd a bobcat I believe and not a Tomcat. I hope I wont have to deal with cracks in the frame. Click to expand.Inox means stainless. Itallian and Spanish firms use the term Inox for stainless steel pistols as well as knives. Some other romance langauges (as opposed to Indo European) probably use that term too.
It basically means Inoxidable. Or not prone to oxidation (rust). I can't speak for the Tomcat, but I have been shooting the same Beretta 92-f since the early 1980s with no problems. When it comes to fit and finish and performance Beretta products are usually hard to beat.
However there may be a problem with the basic design on the tomcat. Is this the model with the hinge and tip up barrel? Hinged guns are a bad idea for centerfire pistols in modern calibers.
Look at the top break revolvers.Except for old west Replicas, nobody makes them anymore. My wife's Tomcat is the standard blued model.
Mine is the Inox. I did a side by side comparison the other day, the Inox slide has definately more width to it. NOW I understand why mine would not fit in the pair of small holsters we picked up for them at a gun show.
(I had thought that one of the holsters had been bagged wrongly. DOH!) Never gave it a second thought. From what I can gather from the above, apparently the 'fix' for the weak frame design is to 'weight' the slide so it does not travel rearward so rapidly. Seems to make sence, whether this is THE definative 'fix' remains to be seen with additional use of the weapon. Hopefully, if my wife's goes bad, Beretta will be willing to replace it with an Inox also.
Hell, I'd even 'kick in' a few bucks if that were the case. I really do like the little critters. Perfect for what I want to use them for.
Home defence and back up.