Meet the 30X: Beretta Optimizes Tomcat Tip-Up Barrel .32 ACP

The Beretta Tomcat has been around for almost 30 years, but it never felt, looked, or shot as good as it does with the new 30X series.

An outgrowth of the Italian gunmaker's tip-up barrel mouse guns such as the Minx and Bobcat that dated back to the 1950s, the .32ACP Tomcat was first introduced in 1996 and pushed the envelope for a pocket-sized semi-auto. Using a 2.45-inch barrel, 7-shot magazine, and a mag release that was set to the rear near the grip, it proved popular to remain in production, receiving a "Covert" upgrade last year that included an extended threaded barrel and colorways such as Kale Green and Ghost Buster, along with the standard black Bruniton, FDE or stainless finish.

The now-legacy Beretta 3032 Tomcat and Tomcat Covert models. Note the rounded trigger guard, round trigger bow, and 7+1 shot magazine with a release set to the rear of the grip. They have an MSRP starting at $649 (Photos: Beretta)

The new Tomcat 30X line offers a longer magazine (8 shot standard, 10 shot extended), a better grip texture (dubbed Helica by Beretta), an improved lever for the tip-up barrel, a magazine release moved closer to the trigger guard which is now squared off, and a new flat-faced Trident trigger that drops the trigger pull by a third. Plus, it has interchangeable sights rather than the original Tomcat’s integral fixed sights, and an optics cut. Best yet, the new 30X series will start about $50 cheaper than the current 3032s.

The three 30X Tomcat models shown off at SHOT Show included a 30XR "Micro Comp" which has a muzzle break and 10+1 shot mag, a "Get Home Bag" which is the basic 30X with an extended 2.8-inch threaded barrel and tall sights to support a suppressor, and a "Just in Case" which is a more classically styled Tomcat without the extended barrel or sights but with all the other 30X upgrades.

Two of the new 30X models that are inbound are the Just in Case package, left, and the Get Home Bag, right. Note the squared-off trigger guard and shifted mag release button. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

The Get Home Bag 30X runs a black slide with wood Helica-pattern grips and is suppressor-ready. It has an MSRP of $599. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

The Just in Case 30X left, has an all-stainless look to it, rather than two-tone as seen on the Get Home Bag, seen right, or the 30XR/Micro Comp. It ships with an 8-round mag and wood grips with an MSRP of $599. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

The 30XR Micro Comp includes the compensator, suppressor-height sights, and upgraded Houge grips. As it is more of a concept gun at this point, there is no MSRP available. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

For those who have a 3032 and want it made red-dot and/or suppressor-ready, Langton Tactical was on hand at SHOT showing off their Tomcat builds. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

And they were lots of fun. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

Beretta tells us these 30X models will soon be replacing the 3032s (except in California), which instantly makes those legacy guns more collectible, while the new models will start hitting distributors in February.

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