Beretta 3032 Tomcat Loose Barrel

captainprice · April 17, 2024, 05:09 PM

Just picked up a factory new 3032 Tomcat (Product Code J320126) which has a very loose-fitting/wiggly barrel when 'tipped-up'. With minor hand movement, barrel will rock back and forth which makes me think there may be in issue. If not, I suppose I would've expected slighter higher fit and finish from Beretta. Lockup is tight when barrel is locked into receiver/pushed down.

Probably would've simply figured they're all like this, however my older .25 Model 21A has absolutely no play whatsoever when the barrel is in the 'tip-up' condition. Solid as a rock and feels significantly more refined overall, leaving me slightly disappointed with the newest purchase.

Wondering if anyone has a newer model 3032 and may be able to offer some insight, would be greatly appreciated. Factory box states November 2023 production.

Thank you guys!

jar · April 18, 2024, 09:25 AM

Not a problem.

Bill DeShivs · April 18, 2024, 10:32 AM

Just make sure the frame is not cracked near the barrel pivot pin.

Drm50 · April 18, 2024, 01:53 PM

My Bro just bought a NIB TomCat at show month ago. He hasn’t shot it yet. I can tell you one thing. The 21a is sliding in fit & finish. Seems like they got shoddy about the time they did the threaded barrels and colored coatings. No more high polish for blue when they can dip it and ship it. I’ve bought 5, 21a in last year. 4 older ones and one Matt Black one. The old ones were slicker by a lot. Just bought another old on GB that is winging its way in. I’m issuing them out to the females in the family.

Pumpkin · April 18, 2024, 11:05 PM

I had one that jammed because of a small rectangular piece of the frame broke off and locked up the slide. Sent it to Beretta and in fairly short order received a new gun. I sold it shortly after that, I live in Texas so it came to my front door.
The little gun had functioned fine up until the failure, I remember the DA trigger pull being really tough.

TruthTellers · April 20, 2024, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drm50

My Bro just bought a NIB TomCat at show month ago. He hasn’t shot it yet. I can tell you one thing. The 21a is sliding in fit & finish. Seems like they got shoddy about the time they did the threaded barrels and colored coatings. No more high polish for blue when they can dip it and ship it. I’ve bought 5, 21a in last year. 4 older ones and one Matt Black one. The old ones were slicker by a lot. Just bought another old on GB that is winging its way in. I’m issuing them out to the females in the family.

The tip up function is probably good for them, but I've been debating back and forth between the 21A and LCP for a few years now and finally pulled the trigger on the LCP recently. Will be getting it this weekend and for all the light strike issues, those seem to be resolvable with aftermarket parts. The Beretta quality these days tho... if it's not a 92 I generally hear more bad than good, especially for the tip up .22 and .32's.

Drm50 · April 20, 2024, 07:43 AM

It’s probably a non issue but the experience I’ve had with Beretta 21a vs any small 22 including a lot on next tier up, 32 frame, Bobcat comes out on top for function and accuracy. Yet to own LCP in 22 but shot a couple and best you can do is point them. The 380 version is what I recommend to 1st time SD buyers. I have yet to have any complaints on function. It has practical accuracy for what it is for.

Carmady · April 27, 2024, 08:48 AM

A few years ago I looked at a Tomcat that was on Armslist. Same problem as the OP's, excessive side-to-side barrel wiggle when tipped open. He had it for a good price, but I passed. I'd had a .22 and a few .25s with the tip up barrel, but none wiggled anywhere near like that Tomcat. Maybe it's normal for that model.

JasonD67 · April 27, 2024, 01:04 PM

Another US made Beretta QC issue?

**4V50 Gary** · April 27, 2024, 01:28 PM

Is the frame aluminium?

Very first Tomcats (early '90s) had an issue with the firing pin poppping out after being shot.
Second group of Tomcats fixed that fiiring pin issue but had frame cracking.
Third generation had thicker frames.

I wouldn't worry about barrel wobble too much if it's popped up. It's when it's in the down position it better lock up. Think of a revolver cylinder that can be moved when the trigger is in its posiiton of rest. No biggie. It's when it's locked up (cylinder stop up, hand forward) it better be tight. Same with Tomcat but if there is doubt, call Beretta, ask them and get back to us with what they say.

Prof Young · April 29, 2024, 03:52 PM

I had the same problem as Pumkin notes above. Sent it in for a repair and do to a huge SNAFU between UPS and Beretta I got a new gun. I didn't even try to shoot it. Bartered it off at the LGS for a Ruger Charger. I think the idea of the Tomcat is fine, but the execution has problems.

Life is good
Prof Young

amd6547 · April 29, 2024, 07:07 PM

I’m a big Beretta fan, but for a pocket .32acp, I like the thin, light Keltec P32.

captainprice · May 2, 2024, 05:58 AM

Called Beretta CS the other day and the rep seemed to know more about the issue than I was expecting - gave the standard 'send it in if you want and we'll take a look' response, so I doubt it's something they're too concerned about in regards to safety/function. Slide definitely locks up solid and there doesn't appear to be anything else inherently wrong with the gun (no frame cracks, pins backing out, etc) so will probably elect to forego warranty service for now.

All of these responses really helped. Thank you again to everyone, much appreciated!

April 17, 2024, 05:09 PM	#1
captainprice Junior Member Join Date: January 12, 2024 Posts: 6	Beretta 3032 Tomcat Loose Barrel Just picked up a factory new 3032 Tomcat (Product Code J320126) which has a very loose-fitting/wiggly barrel when 'tipped-up'. With minor hand movement, barrel will rock back and forth which makes me think there may be in issue. If not, I suppose I would've expected slighter higher fit and finish from Beretta. Lockup is tight when barrel is locked into receiver/pushed down. Probably would've simply figured they're all like this, however my older .25 Model 21A has absolutely no play whatsoever when the barrel is in the 'tip-up' condition. Solid as a rock and feels significantly more refined overall, leaving me slightly disappointed with the newest purchase. Wondering if anyone has a newer model 3032 and may be able to offer some insight, would be greatly appreciated. Factory box states November 2023 production. Thank you guys!

April 18, 2024, 09:25 AM	#2
jar Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2001 Location: Deep South Texas Posts: 1,675	Not a problem. __________________ To be vintage it's gotta be older than me!

April 18, 2024, 10:32 AM	#3
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,991	Just make sure the frame is not cracked near the barrel pivot pin. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

April 27, 2024, 01:28 PM	#10
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,855	Is the frame aluminium? Very first Tomcats (early '90s) had an issue with the firing pin poppping out after being shot. Second group of Tomcats fixed that fiiring pin issue but had frame cracking. Third generation had thicker frames. I wouldn't worry about barrel wobble too much if it's popped up. It's when it's in the down position it better lock up. Think of a revolver cylinder that can be moved when the trigger is in its posiiton of rest. No biggie. It's when it's locked up (cylinder stop up, hand forward) it better be tight. Same with Tomcat but if there is doubt, call Beretta, ask them and get back to us with what they say. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

April 29, 2024, 03:52 PM	#11
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,411	Same problem as Pumpkin above I had the same problem as Pumkin notes above. Sent it in for a repair and do to a huge SNAFU between UPS and Beretta I got a new gun. I didn't even try to shoot it. Bartered it off at the LGS for a Ruger Charger. I think the idea of the Tomcat is fine, but the execution has problems. Life is good Prof Young

April 18, 2024, 01:53 PM	#4
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,382	My Bro just bought a NIB TomCat at show month ago. He hasn’t shot it yet. I can tell you one thing. The 21a is sliding in fit & finish. Seems like they got shoddy about the time they did the threaded barrels and colored coatings. No more high polish for blue when they can dip it and ship it. I’ve bought 5, 21a in last year. 4 older ones and one Matt Black one. The old ones were slicker by a lot. Just bought another old on GB that is winging its way in. I’m issuing them out to the females in the family.

April 18, 2024, 11:05 PM	#5
Pumpkin Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2020 Location: Seguin Texas Posts: 448	I had one that jammed because of a small rectangular piece of the frame broke off and locked up the slide. Sent it to Beretta and in fairly short order received a new gun. I sold it shortly after that, I live in Texas so it came to my front door. The little gun had functioned fine up until the failure, I remember the DA trigger pull being really tough.

April 20, 2024, 07:43 AM	#7
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,382	It’s probably a non issue but the experience I’ve had with Beretta 21a vs any small 22 including a lot on next tier up, 32 frame, Bobcat comes out on top for function and accuracy. Yet to own LCP in 22 but shot a couple and best you can do is point them. The 380 version is what I recommend to 1st time SD buyers. I have yet to have any complaints on function. It has practical accuracy for what it is for.

April 27, 2024, 08:48 AM	#8
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,736	A few years ago I looked at a Tomcat that was on Armslist. Same problem as the OP's, excessive side-to-side barrel wiggle when tipped open. He had it for a good price, but I passed. I'd had a .22 and a few .25s with the tip up barrel, but none wiggled anywhere near like that Tomcat. Maybe it's normal for that model.

April 27, 2024, 01:04 PM	#9
JasonD67 Junior Member Join Date: February 17, 2021 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 10	Another US made Beretta QC issue?

April 29, 2024, 07:07 PM	#12
amd6547 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2,315	I’m a big Beretta fan, but for a pocket .32acp, I like the thin, light Keltec P32. __________________ The past is gone...the future may never happen. Be Here Now.

May 2, 2024, 05:58 AM	#13
captainprice Junior Member Join Date: January 12, 2024 Posts: 6	Called Beretta CS the other day and the rep seemed to know more about the issue than I was expecting - gave the standard 'send it in if you want and we'll take a look' response, so I doubt it's something they're too concerned about in regards to safety/function. Slide definitely locks up solid and there doesn't appear to be anything else inherently wrong with the gun (no frame cracks, pins backing out, etc) so will probably elect to forego warranty service for now. All of these responses really helped. Thank you again to everyone, much appreciated!