Beretta’s Feline Family Of Pocket Pistols

Although smaller than their Cheetahs but with more bite than a housecat the Beretta Tomcat or Bobcat can still be used as backup guns. Their current production models are often overlooked. Although the Beretta Tomcat, Beretta Bobcat, and the pistols that they descend from have been staples in the pocket pistol industry, they have never been the most popular. Beretta’s original pocket pistol the M418, was never popularized, and the 950 series proved less popular than the double-action options. Beretta’s current feline pocket pistols are still being produced and offer some interesting design choices that may be of interest to those looking for a backup gun.Beretta Tomcat 332. Photo:Rock Island Auction Company. Beretta Pocket Pistol historyThe Beretta M418 pocket pistol was Beretta’s first major attempt at making a pocket gun. The Beretta M418 is chambered for.25 ACP, and uses a striker fire mechanism. It only shares its size and caliber with Beretta’s later pocket gun designs. It was used by some Italian officers in WWII. Some also know it to be James Bond’s first pistol. He used it in five books before switching to the Walther PPK. It was sold in America as “Panther” shortly after its production ended. This was in keeping with the company’s tradition of naming small handguns after prey animals. Photo:Rock Island Auction Company.Understanding the dated nature of the M418’s design, by the 1950s Beretta had begun work on their next pocket pistol series–the Beretta 950. The Beretta 950 series introduces many features that would define pocket pistols. This design, which is hammered-fired and now has a tip-up bar, is the true father of Beretta Tomcat and Bobcat pistols. It is distinguished only by its lack of a catcentric naming convention. The 950 (or Jetfire), series’ last obsolescent feature is its single-action trigger. The design remained in production until 2003. This was surprising considering Beretta had been producing an improved DA/SA model for many years. Photo: WikipediaThe DA/SA Jetfire, also known as the Model 20, was produced up to 1985 after the introduction of the 21A model or Beretta Bobcat. This is one of two Beretta pocket pistols left in production. The other is the Beretta Tomcat 332. The Tomcat is a smaller version of the Bobcat with a larger.32 ACP chambering. There are a few variants of each. They are available in black, stainless steel (Inox), and FDE finishes. Each model also has a “covert”, which features a threaded bar. The standard 21A Bobcat is available in.25 ACP or.22 LR. All other Bobcat variations are available in.22 LR. As always, the Beretta Tomcat is chambered for.32 ACP. The Beretta Tomcat is chambered for.32 ACP as usual. We’ll stick to the standard Beretta Tomcat and Bobcat models because they are pocket pistols that can be concealed carried. The Beretta Bobcat is slightly larger than the Colt 1908 Vest Pocket but about an ounce lighter than its Colt counterpart. Naturally, the.32 ACP Tomcat is a bit heavier and larger than the Beretta Bobcat. The Bobcat and Tomcat are pocketable, but they are not the best choice for people who want the smallest or lightest gun. They are still small and concealable. Photo: WikipediaBeretta’s pocket guns compensate for their bulk in other areas, such as reliability, shootability, and safety. These guns are larger and heavier than normal, which has obvious benefits for ergonomics and felt recoil. A heavier gun will feel easier to hold, and a lighter gun will produce less recoil, even with calibers that are so small. This should make it easier to score hits on the range and at the range. For those who are willing to sacrifice concealability in exchange for stopping power, the Beretta Tomcat is the best choice. However, the Bobcat’s choice is less clear. There are pros and cons to both.22 LR or.25 ACP. Those looking for a Beretta Bobcat must decide what is best for them. However, many small caliber pistols also work in this manner. These simple designs are what both help and hinder reliability. They do not have extractors and instead use the pressure of a fired cartridge to expend the spent shell. This system has one drawback. While not all loadings will cycle through it reliably, once you find one that does, it should run like an top. When choosing a Beretta Bobcat, remember that centerfire ammo is always more reliable than rimfire. The 950’s Beretta pocket pistols have the most distinctive feature: their tip-up barrels. Although Beretta was not the first to use the concept, they are the only ones who have maintained the design through modern times. It was also used in a few older pistols, but it is only Berettas that have the unique idea, as well as some Beretta clones. First, the tip-up barrel makes it unnecessary to manually rack the slide. This is a great feature for those who are too weak or large to manipulate the slide of these guns. It allows a round to be dropped directly into the chamber. This system allows the gun to be quickly made safe or opened to clean its chamber, or to clear a jam. Beretta Tomcat 3032. Photo: WikipediaTraditionally known as mouse guns, Beretta’s two currently produced pocket kittens still have plenty of desirable features for those interested in backup guns, deep concealment or comfortable pocket carry. Photo: Wikipedia. The Beretta Bobcat (and Tomcat) have high reliability potentials, modern DA/SA triggers, and an old-world style that is still popular. Download your Storm Tactical Printable Target pack 62 Printable MOA targets with DOT drills – Rifle range in YARDS. This amazing target pack comes from Storm Tactical and contains 62 printable targets. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be found in MOA. 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