Some guns just have an unbeatable cool factor to them, and the Beretta Tip-Up guns have that cool factor. I’ve always wanted one, and when I saw the latest model in my local gun shop, I made an impulse purchase and went home with a Beretta 3032 Tomcat. I originally wrote this review back in 2023 but after some more time with it, my opinions have slightly changed. So let’s dive into this updated review of the Beretta Tomcat.

The History of the Tomcat

The Beretta 3032, aka the Beretta Tomcat, has been in production since 1996, but the Beretta tip-up series goes back much further than that. The Beretta 950 began production in 1952 and is arguably one of the earliest examples of a modern pocket pistol. This gun features the famed tip-up barrel system that’s still present in the 3032. 

Tip-up barrels allow the user to place a round directly into the chamber without manipulating the slide. There are two benefits to this. First, if you have poor hand strength, you can easily load the chamber of the gun directly. Second, it makes adding a plus 1 to your magazine capacity very simple and makes it very easy to clear the weapon and know the chamber is empty. 

The 3032 is the young gun in this category of firearms. It came to be in 1996, which was the era before common concealed carry. It’s the largest caliber of the tip-up guns with its .32 ACP chambering. 

These guns have been designed for concealed carry and to act as backup guns for police officers. While small automatics are a dime dozen these days, they were fairly innovative for the period. The tip-up barrel designs are pretty outdated these days and quite heavy and thick compared to other firearms, but they have an undeniable cool factor to them that’s tough to beat. 

What does make them unique is the fact this is a pocket-sized, hammer-fired DA/SA guns. Those are fairly rare these days in the world of a polymer frame, striker-fired pistols. I love a good DA/SA hammer-fired gun, and that’s another big draw to me. There are several models of the gun that have come and gun, such as the Alley Cat and the Covert. Today’s example is the FDE variant with a threaded barrel. 

Beretta Tomcat Features

1 Threaded Barrel

1/2×28 threads for muzzle devices.

2 Tip-up Barrel

Allows for chambering without slide manipulation.

3 DA/SA Trigger

The initial shot is double action, but subsequent shots are a lighter single action.

4 Manual Safety

Allows for cocked and locked carry

Models and Variations

Beretta offers a few different color options with the Tomcat. Most come about the same but with different grips or are missing a threaded barrel.

Beretta Tomcat Review – Hitting the Range

I’m a pocket pistol and .32 ACP fan, which is a new take for me, considering I was a big advocate of carrying nothing smaller than a Glock 19 until 2018. Pocket pistols are interesting and difficult to shoot, and the Tomcat certainly isn’t a mold-breaker. The .32 ACP, luckily, generates a lot less recoil than the .380 ACP. The straight blowback system makes it a little snappy, but not in any crazy way.

You can fire the gun quickly without the recoil and muzzle rise carrying you off target. Although I can’t say, it’s not painful. I have big hands, and the slide hit my big hands hard with lots of slide bites. Blood was drawn within the first magazine, and it did cause some reliability issues we’ll talk about later. The gun doesn’t beat your hand up from recoil, though. It stays in your hand and allows for fairly fast follow-ups. 

The tip-up barrel feature of the Beretta Tomcat 30X caught my attention immediately. This innovative design allows for effortless loading without the need to rack the slide. Simply tipping up the barrel enables easy access to the chamber, where a round can be inserted directly. For folks with poor hand strength, this is a plus. However, the double-action trigger is quite heavy and would likely pose an issue to shooters with poor hand strength. The cure would be leaving the gun on single action and carrying it with the safety in place. 

Punching Out

To test accuracy, I started at ten yards and fired two groups. One was double action, only fired into the chest zone of a target. I was able to place even rounds fairly close together, and the heavy double-action trigger combined with the small grip didn’t help with accuracy as each shot pulled left. It’s not a mechanical problem but a shooter error and that can be fixed with more training and practice.

The single action group tightened up, and every round landed on the head of the target with ease. It would have certainly shut the attacker down. Single action is certainly the easiest way to shoot this gun. Just for fun, I backed out to 20 yards and fired a group into the pelvic region of the target. The first shot was double action, and subsequent shots were fired in single action. Everyone landed in the pelvis. 

The accuracy is surprisingly good for such a small gun. The sights are fairly small but still usable. The main problem with the sights is the lack of contrast. This makes it tough to recover super quick with a good sight picture and make that accurate and fast shot. 

Reliability

In the first two magazines fired, I had one problem with each. The round failed to feed properly. This coincided with a very high grip that dug the slide deep into my hand. I believe the slide slapping my hand is what gave me the failure to feed. Once I adjusted to a lower grip, the problem went away entirely. 

It doesn’t seem like a big issue, but from a self-defense perspective, will I be thinking about how my grip is when I draw to engage? It’s unlikely I go against my muscle memory to get the highest grip possible. While the reliability issues are human-caused, it’s the gun’s design that makes human error more likely.

Other than that, I had no issues throughout 250 rounds outside of a sore and bloody hand.

Grabbing Steel 

The slide bite takes a good chunk out of the ergonomics department. It is irritating and painful and not a callous I wish to build. Besides slide bite, we have a fairly ergonomically sound gun. The fat grips make concealment difficult but make shooting the gun easier. The hammer is easy to thumb back but reduced for a snag-free appeal, and the safety is frame-mounted and easy to engage. 

The magazine release is easily the oddball of the design. It’s placed at the rear and bottom of the grip. It’s honestly not bad for a magazine swap. Reach up, hit it, and the magazine drops out of the gun, and your hand is already in place to swap in the new one. Is it as good as a standard design? No, but it’s better than a heel release. 

The durable stainless steel finish gives the Tomcat 30X a sophisticated look, adding to its overall appeal. Whether you prefer a classic or contemporary style, the stainless steel finish adds a touch of class to the firearm.

From a practical standpoint, stainless steel is known for its resistance to rust and corrosion, making it well-suited for firearms that may be exposed to harsh environmental conditions or moisture. This ensures that the Tomcat 30X maintains its clean appearance and reliable performance over time, even with regular use and handling.

Worth the Change 

With an MSRP of 649 and an average street price of 600ish bucks, it’s not a cheap pistol. For that much money Beretta gives you a cardboard box and a single magazine, which is disappointing to me personally. It doesn’t feel or look cheap, but I would like to see at least a spare mag for the price. 

Beretta makes nice guns, and this is certainly a high-quality gun, but it’s packaged like a SCCY. The sights aren’t fancy, the grips are plastic, and outside of the threaded barrel, it feels a bit expensive. At 400 bucks, it’s a solid gun. $600 feels a bit much. 

Beretta Tomcat Pros and Cons 

Beretta Tomcat – FAQs

Is the Beretta Tomcat suitable for shooters with larger hands?

While the Beretta Tomcat 30X has a compact size, its ergonomic design and textured grips provide a comfortable and secure hold, making it suitable for a wide range of hand sizes. However, individuals with exceptionally large hands may want to test the firearm for comfort and fit before purchasing.

What are the key upgrades in the Beretta Tomcat 3032 compared to the original model?

Some key upgrades in the Beretta Tomcat 30X include improved sights, an upgraded trigger system (Trident trigger system), a squared-off trigger guard, and an increased magazine capacity.

What type of ammunition is recommended for the Beretta Tomcat 30?

It is recommended to use high-quality ammunition suitable for self-defense purposes to ensure reliable performance. Additionally, using ammunition with the appropriate bullet weight and velocity for the .32 ACP caliber is advised.

Beretta Tomcat Starter Pack

These three items are must-haves for all firearms owners, not just for the Beretta 3032.

• Eye Protection: Take a look at our favorite shooting glasses!
• Hearing Protection: These are our suggestions for hearing protection, this is a must-have for range trips to help keep your hearing.
• Gun Cleaning Kit: Check out our favorite gun cleaning kits to keep all of your firearms maintained.

Here are some deals we found on the Beretta Tomcat in case you want to add one to your collection.

Upgrades and Accessories for the Beretta Tomcat

For handguns, we always recommend a good holster and a lot of spare magazines. We also suggest a different set of grips to make shooting this tiny handgun a little easier.

Upgrades and Accessories for the Beretta Tomcat

Holster Desantis Nemesis Pocket Holster		Perfect Fit for Tomcat (Even with threaded barrel) Ambidextrous Industry Leading Pocket Holster	Buy on Amazon
Replacement Grips Pearce Grips		More aggressive Grip texture Durable Hard Plastic Thicker Grips help absorb recoil	Buy on Amazon
Magazines Beretta 3032 Tomcat 7 Round Magazines		Durable steel construction Clear-cut witness holes Rugged steel spring Flat steel follower Impact-resistant polymer baseplate	Check Price

Best Ammo for Your Beretta Tomcat

Fioochi is the premier defensive .32 ACP ammo believe it or not. The heavier load allows for adequate penetration, and with a gun this small, expanding rounds are a no-go. It’s also cheap enough to shoot at the range without complaint.

How to Care for Your Tomcat

I have included two videos for the Beretta Tomcat. the first by PTPgun.com is a short and to-the-point video about the takedown of the tomcat for cleaning. the second is a longer video from Lucky Gunner where Chris compares and reviews the Beretta Tomcat and Bobcat.

Important Links and Manuals for Your Beretta Tomcat

Check out the links below for the manufacturer’s website and operator’s manual.

• 3032 Tomcat by Beretta
• Beretta Tomcat Owner’s Manual