I'm wondering if anyone on INGO has personally had issues with frame cracking on a Beretta Tomcat--particularly on the inox (stainless) version. I used to have the regular, matte black Tomcat, and I liked it a lot and shot it well. I really enjoy shooting my Bobcats (.22LR and .25ACP) but I'm thinking about buying a Tomcat again for actual BUG use or maybe even primary CC in very light clothing.
I know that a lot of users have reported cracking of the frame with the matte/blued Tomcats. From what I've read elsewhere, Beretta has been willing to replace those pistols with the inox version, which presumably is less prone to cracking.
The problem is, I think the frame of the stainless version isn't stainless--it's just anodized so that its appearance matches the barrel and slide, which actually are stainless. So I'm not sure how the inox version would be less prone to frame cracking--the frame isn't actually any different!
I guess it's possible that the additional mass of the stainless slide somehow dampens the force being imparted to that portion of the frame. But I wonder if Beretta is really just pulling one over on Tomcat owners. I have seen one report of cracking on an inox version.
Gotta say that I just like the appearance and feel of the Beretta tip-up pistols. They are certainly a lot heavier than the modern crop of polymer pocket .380s, but I think I was much more accurate with my old .32 Tomcat than I would be with the ultralights like the LCP, etc. Hits with .32 certainly are better than misses with .380, and the Tomcat certainly can be pocket carried. But I don't want to drop $400 on a pistol that will crack after 500 rounds.
I know that a lot of users have reported cracking of the frame with the matte/blued Tomcats. From what I've read elsewhere, Beretta has been willing to replace those pistols with the inox version, which presumably is less prone to cracking.
The problem is, I think the frame of the stainless version isn't stainless--it's just anodized so that its appearance matches the barrel and slide, which actually are stainless. So I'm not sure how the inox version would be less prone to frame cracking--the frame isn't actually any different!
I guess it's possible that the additional mass of the stainless slide somehow dampens the force being imparted to that portion of the frame. But I wonder if Beretta is really just pulling one over on Tomcat owners. I have seen one report of cracking on an inox version.
Gotta say that I just like the appearance and feel of the Beretta tip-up pistols. They are certainly a lot heavier than the modern crop of polymer pocket .380s, but I think I was much more accurate with my old .32 Tomcat than I would be with the ultralights like the LCP, etc. Hits with .32 certainly are better than misses with .380, and the Tomcat certainly can be pocket carried. But I don't want to drop $400 on a pistol that will crack after 500 rounds.
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