Does the tip up barrel on the Beretta TOMCAT wiggle with play or is it suppose to be solid/tight?
Those who have used the TOMCAT do you recommend it for carry?
Is it VERY user friendly?
Will the .32acp penetrate?

I have one. There is some play when the barrel is tipped up. I use mine for front pocket carry in the summer. Not my first choice for defense but beats carrying a stick. It is very user friendly. I've not shot anything but paper and steel plates with mine, so can't comment on penetration. I use WW Silvertips for carry and lead bullets loads for practice.

My daughter bought one some years back. I am understating when I say I was unimpressed.

Frame cracked twice in the first six months. Trigger pull was like lifting a crowbar. Accuracy was non-existent. And the diminutive size with the trigger guard near the end of the stub barrel made it necessary to remind myself to take extra caution at all times (I have large hands and fingers) to keep all flesh behind the muzzle flash and blast. It was kind of like having a wild animal for a pet. Never, never ever relax and enjoy it - always be wary of it.

You asked for an opinion and here it is - her Tomcat was one of the biggest pieces of handgun crap I have ever run across. In comparison, the Phoenix .25 she also had was like a finally tuned Colt or S&W. I bought her a S&W Model 15 4" and all was well and fun and she enjoyed shooting again.

Recently spent time with the Tomcat's older cousin; an early 60's vintage Jetfire (.25acp) which is very similar in design to the Tomcat. This pistol was like new in the original box. Co-worker had some serious issues with it going bang when it wasn't suppose to (twice) on the range. It also cut his finger pretty good (tiny pistol, big hands)

Cleaned some ancient dried oil off the sear notch and fired it several times. Could not make it malfunction.

I'd like to think that the Tomcat is an improvement over the Jetfire in a couple categories including shootability (it's bigger) and power (.32 does have more horsepower than a .25). I certainly would not want to get shot by either at close range and either would be better in a tight spot than harsh words or a stick.

That said there are a number of better/proven pocket pistols that would be better choices in the same weight/size category to choose from.

I have the 22 version.
I don't think highly of it.
It truly is a belly gun - you'll
Have to stick it into their belly to hit
them. Fixed sights are nowhere near.

Not he wife has a Tomcat in 32ACP, it is accurate, easy to shoot and operate. The pistol has performed flawlessly. I think the 32 penetrates a bit better than a 380 at least in my experience.

Only carried mine when I was very lightly dressed and used Silvertips.

Also learned not to dry fire it without snap caps when I broke a firing pin.