Beretta 3032 Tomcat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Beretta 3032 Tomcat | |
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| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin |  Italy |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Beretta |
| Manufacturer | Beretta |
| Produced | 1979 – present |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 410 g |
| Length | 125 mm |
| Barrel length | 61 mm |
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| Cartridge | .32 ACP |
| Feed system | 7 round detachable box magazine |
The Beretta 3032 Tomcat and Beretta 3032 Tomcat Inox are semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Beretta 3032 Tomcat builds on a long line of small and compact pocket pistols for self defense manufactured by Beretta.[1]
[edit] Specifications
The Beretta 3032 Tomcat is a simple blowback pistol with a single and double action trigger mechanism. It is fitted with a frame mounted thumb safety. The frame is made out of aluminium alloy, the slide and barrel are either carbon or stainless steel.
[edit] Variants
It is available in an "Inox" variant, with stainless steel barrel and slide and the frame anodized to look the same. For a short time a titanium model was also available. It's been reported that only 1,500 of the titanium models were made.[citation needed] There was also a Tomcat Tritium version with tritium night sights.
[edit] Intended market
The Beretta 3032 Tomcat is a self defense pistol, designed for concealed carry. This makes it a good gun for undercover agents, off-duty police officers (or on-duty as backup), and private person CCW.
[edit] Design advantages
The design is simple and small, and very easy to conceal.
The barrel can be released to pivot on a pin under the muzzle ('tip-up' barrel). This feature allows a round to be inserted into the chamber directly, without manipulation of the slide. Likewise, the chamber can be easily inspected for its load status. Ammunition companies have also improved on the .32 ACP load, by making it in 60 grain hollow-point
[edit] Limitations
The .32 ACP cartridge is considered underpowered by American standards,[2] but considered to be sufficient enough to carry for self defense in other nations. The safety system is very basic. The accuracy of the pistol is best suited for short range.[citation needed]
The pistol lacks an extractor, relying upon the expanding gasses to force the spent casing rearward. This means that racking the slide will not remove either unspent or defective cartridges. This can lead to complications in a self defense situation, but is often balanced out by the tip-up barrel.
[edit] Technical data
- Trigger system: Single-action or double-action
- Frame material: Aluminium light alloy
- Slide and barrel material: Carbon or stainless steel
- Grip material: Plastic
- Safeties: Frame mounted safety.
- Magazine release: Lower grip heel.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ 3032 Tomcat at Beretta International
- ^ Hornady (2003). Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, 6th Edition, vol I, Grand Island, NE, USA: Hornady Mfg Co, 710.
