Beretta APX

I can confirm that with aluminum cased ammo, it will spit it back toward the shooter. And standard brass did not seem to have a problem tho.

as far as shooting low to the left. I Always seem to shoot low and left when ever i am getting used to a new pistol. Going from a 642 to a striker fired will take some adjustment. I would practice some dry fires.

Try using different backstraps. When I went to the large backstrap, it solved my problem of pulling the gun to the left. I have small hands, but the large backstrap still works.

Blacking out the rear sight really helped me stay centered with mind, something about the slightly different colored and sized dots were really throwing my sight picture off.

But low left is usually a trigger press issue, back strap change might help, or more dry fire.

Yes, I actually typed a huge reply last night, and then it got lost by mistake.

The front dot is bigger than the 2 rear dots. That made me shoot low too. I put tape on the rear dots, and that forced me to line up the top of the sights. That solved my problems.

Now, I have Ameriglo sights on my APX - they are the ones sold by Beretta USA. I then sent the slide and sights into Beretta, and they installed them for free.

I love the sights now - VERY accurate.

As for shooting to the left. I tried all 3 backstraps on the 1st range trip. I liked the medium the best too (the feeling in the hand). But, I discovered that when I put the large on, I stopped shooting to the left.

The gun is very damn accurate now, with the Ameriglo sights...

My gun was only $269. It was $369, but there was a $100 rebate last June. Now, it took me 9 months of fighting to get the rebate, but I finally got the $$ in March 2020. For $269, it was a steal.

Shipwreck said:

Yes, I actually typed a huge reply last night, and then it got lost by mistake.

The front dot is bigger than the 2 rear dots. That made me shoot low too. I put tape on the rear dots, and that forced me to line up the top of the sights. That solved my problems.

Now, I have Ameriglo sights on my APX - they are the ones sold by Beretta USA. I then sent the slide and sights into Beretta, and they installed them for free.

I love the sights now - VERY accurate.

As for shooting to the left. I tried all 3 backstraps on the 1st range trip. I liked the medium the best too (the feeling in the hand). But, I discovered that when I put the large on, I stopped shooting to the left.

The gun is very damn accurate now, with the Ameriglo sights...

My gun was only $269. It was $369, but there was a $100 rebate last June. Now, it took me 9 months of fighting to get the rebate, but I finally got the $$ in March 2020. For $269, it was a steal.

View attachment 918474

View attachment 918475

View attachment 918476

Click to expand...

Nice!!! Man you got one heck of a great Deal!!!

Changed out the stock combat sights (which is probably the main reason why everyone shoots low), and put the large backstrap on.... I believe it's a combat sight picture as well. I'm probably one of the least experienced shooters here, but I got what I'm aiming at. I shoot the APX better than most...

I also had issues with heal steel cased ammo, but I have zero issues with the approx 3000 rounds of various brass ammo. Matter of fact, I always had problems with none Tula steel cased ammo.

Quick question...is it normal that the APX drops the slide on its own when locked back and a full magazine is inserted?

cluttonfred said:

Quick question...is it normal that the APX drops the slide on its own when locked back and a full magazine is inserted?

Click to expand...

No if the magazine is inserted with normal force.
My Grand Power Q100 drops the slide easily if I gently slam the magazine in, thing that does not happen with my other pistols but Grand Powers are well known to do that, they are designed to do that.

cluttonfred said:

Quick question...is it normal that the APX drops the slide on its own when locked back and a full magazine is inserted?

Click to expand...

It is sometimes common with new magazines. After a little use, it should stop.

GunnyUSMC said:

It is sometimes common with new magazines. After a little use, it should stop.

Click to expand...

Agreed. That's been my experience as well.

Thanks, all, for the feedback. I'll give it some time to break in.

After two more range sessions this week, I decided to reach out to Beretta about the 21-round extended mag that was not feeding reliably (one or two failures to feed every use) and not locking the slide open. They stepped up right away, said absolutely send us the old extended mag and we'll send you a new one and a return label, and didn't blink when I said I'd just as soon have a standard 17-round mag instead. I have already received the shipping notification on the new mag. Great customer service, I am glad I bought a Beretta. With the M1951 that I am picking up tomorrow and my Model 81BB, that makes three, so I guess I am now a Beretta guy.

cluttonfred
Good to heard you have a good feed back from factory. I have to confess the AFX sound attractive to my ears, specially when price is around $330.-

How painfull si make base model of APX optic ready? Im not exactly fan of optics on handguns and over here is optic ready model much more expensive, so base model is way to go, but i can imagine that somwhere down the road a would like to spice it up. I know it will need gunsmith to cut slide - just want some idea how challanging it its assuming the gunsmith would not have experience with APX and its "horn"

Idahou said:

How painfull si make base model of APX optic ready? Im not exactly fan of optics on handguns and over here is optic ready model much more expensive, so base model is way to go, but i can imagine that somwhere down the road a would like to spice it up. I know it will need gunsmith to cut slide - just want some idea how challanging it its assuming the gunsmith would not have experience with APX and its "horn"

Click to expand...

There use to be a couple of shops that use to do the cuts back before Beretta started offering that options from the factory.

Are you in the U.S.? If so, I cant see how that could be cheaper. You also will have a proprietary cut that will more than likely only work with one specific optic. Otherwise, you'll have to buy plates on top of the cost of getting the slide cut.

Im in Czech republic (yeah, that "petri dish of covid"). APX is in stocks at gun shops, but i doubt that local gunsmiths have some experience with it since its not so common gun.
And diffrent between standard and optic ready version is about 30% (standard 830 USD, 1080 OR).
Well, i wil take it like "forgott about optic on APX".
That question kinda growed from boredom anyway,
Thanks

Idahou said:

Im in Czech republic (yeah, that "petri dish of covid"). APX is in stocks at gun shops, but i doubt that local gunsmiths have some experience with it since its not so common gun.
And diffrent between standard and optic ready version is about 30% (standard 830 USD, 1080 OR).
Well, i wil take it like "forgott about optic on APX".
That question kinda growed from boredom anyway,
Thanks

Click to expand...

That's too bad. The standard was $300 and I picked up the APX Centurion Combat (threaded barrel and optic cut) for $462 this past June. Crazy that they cost so much everywhere else but the U.S.

Yeah, thats kind typicall over here - everything is more expensive (and usually in lesser quality) than everywhere else + guns are restricted so you have to buy it in store and since its quite a small market, prices are pushed up. Still APX is good deal

First range day.

Since guys over here were very helpfull and with great dose of patient helped me choose my first gun, i did think its only fair to share my results with Beretta APX

I think im not hyped and dont justify that purchase for myself. Im also no expert, bear in mind its my first gun so i will focus on comparison of my findings with existing guntubers reviews.

That said, its obvious APX is solid service gun and its sure it get its job done. Trigger is little bit further than on Glock 17, P10 or Cz 75, slightly benefits those with longer fingers by increasing comfort, but with medium grip panels its not that significant. Yet, it can be reasson (pr part of it) why is opinions about trigger diffrent. For my its exactly what i imagine as service gun trigger designed for situations when you have finger on trigger ready to fire. There is just a little take "oh, im pushing on something", stopped by solid wall. With slower pull you notice really just pinch of creep, but there is really no where to go and it breaks clean. Can say how much pull is need, but even as untrained shooter, i dint notice any reall effort to pull triger to fire. Its not light as on P10, but much lighter than on Cz 75 which was kinda chore to pull. I do like APX trigger and even that i was shooting left and low, its just me.
Reset... well, i went to shooting range will full science plane to shoot first just 5x SB 124 Grs, slowly and fully aimed, then review my score and adjust grip, aiming and so...
It didnt happen. After 4 shots i just went "muhahaha! Eat lead you filthy casual paper target!" and dumped mag with shot every time just as aligned sights after previous fire.
Same with second mag of SB FMJ 124 Grs
Third mag was kinda same show with STV Scorpio FMJ 124 Grs
And no supprise with fourth mag, loaded with stell cased Barnaul FMJ 124 Grs...
So reset? Yeah, i dont know about that. It didnt hinder me while firing. Maybe next time i will notice



Results at 10 meters. Keep in mind that im newbie shooter, and i was shooting faster than i should
Marked holes are SB FMJ 124 Grs (vertical mars was first mag, horizontal second)
Covers without marker was third mag was STV Scorpio FMJ 124 Grs
No covers are holes from Steel case Barnaul FMJ 124 Grs.
I would say there is kinda same pattern regardles ammo (but Barnaul seem lower than others) and i felt my grip isnt ideal.
And yes, i noticed bigger kick while shooting 115 Grs versus 124

If you cant tell already - i really enjoyed it. I should take slower pace and focus on basics, i know, but man... it was fun i was supprise how quickly i was able to send shots after shots. I planned to be there like something closer to hour, but after ten minutes i was out of ammo - i didnt expect that i will need more than four full mags (68 round, 17 per mag)

Moving on to overall build quality - its good. It feels and look like Beretta, 500 years old brand. Nothing to say more here.
Ergonomic is fine and only one thing what bothers me is slide stop button. Its made "accident-push-proof" i got it, but im not able to push it with side of my finger and have to move my grip to activate it. Speaking of grip - i suspect its just because factory oil keep leaking from gun (i cleaned it twice before shooting) but grip feels little bit slipery. Nowehere near to unsafe levels, more like area of feeling.

On opposit side - slide is not slippery at all. MAC on some other guntubers reported its not that slip-proof as they think it would, but i dont agree. I did try it with fingers wet, oiled and even with all slide covered with oil (again that factory oil...) - if you grab it between "ribs" its solid grip its all ok, but i can see there could be problem if your grip is just on the rib (on other side, it feels kinda dumb to even try)

Another thing which was mentioned by guntubers was tough push-button for fieldstrip. Its so easy that i was thinking that said gundtubers should do more field striping of CZ 75... and than it gets harder. After my range session i went to clean the gun and i had little bit problem. Again - factory oil was on scene. Oil on button wasnt that much of problem, but around it and in between button and frame was. No drama there, but looking at said button and lever, which is connected to it, it really looks like it can get dirty, muddy, oily, wattery, whatevery and make it harder to press. But honestly, its nothing to write about, just again - prooving/disprooving guntubers claims.

There was also some Beretta APX fails in tortute tests - yeah, i will not try that, not that rich... But that fails (in overall APX was good enough in all torture test wich i saw, just didnt excel) was mainly about slide not locking properly and i cant see that happen - when checking chamber for round or just very sloppy, rack, it didnt lock few time. Once again, it can be just factory oil leaking everywhere or "new gun factor", but i can see that since it have long inside rail for slide, it can slow/stop, if its racked in wrong angle or over some mess (torture/mud test thing). Can it happen in "real life"? If you dont yank your slide up and down while racking - No. If you drop wet gun in sand... i would say no. If your wet gun falls in mud, then sand and you step on it - yeah, its possible, but i dont know - dont throw your gun into every puddle you see?

In torture test there was also some jammed triggers and that one i can see. There are cuts in trigger guard in which triggers move and I find it possible to be blocked by some mess in "my gun fall into muddy puddle again" scenario.

Yeah, that negatives are all crap. Ofcourse when gun meets current standads its just about picking tiny little things and i would say is only reasson why was that things even mentioned.

Beretta APX is great gun and at least for me - it feels just right, like it will do exactly what its made for and you will have fun with it.

I would also mention that i did quite an extensive "googling" research about this gun because due to pandemic i had few months of lockdown and nothing else to do and guess what. It was really hard to actually find some reported, relevant problems or malfunctions. There was guy on youtube who showed how his extractor broke, but its wasnt sure, he wasnt sure too, if it was gun or ammo issue. There was something else what i dont remeber but that was it. Yeah, its not the most popular gun but i still - in that amount of material, it looks like Beretta APX have clean record and based on my limited time with this gun, i believe it will outlive me.

Im open to your question or gun photo requests.

Idahou said:

First range day.

Since guys over here were very helpfull and with great dose of patient helped me choose my first gun, i did think its only fair to share my results with Beretta APX

I think im not hyped and dont justify that purchase for myself. Im also no expert, bear in mind its my first gun so i will focus on comparison of my findings with existing guntubers reviews.

That said, its obvious APX is solid service gun and its sure it get its job done. Trigger is little bit further than on Glock 17, P10 or Cz 75, slightly benefits those with longer fingers by increasing comfort, but with medium grip panels its not that significant. Yet, it can be reasson (pr part of it) why is opinions about trigger diffrent. For my its exactly what i imagine as service gun trigger designed for situations when you have finger on trigger ready to fire. There is just a little take "oh, im pushing on something", stopped by solid wall. With slower pull you notice really just pinch of creep, but there is really no where to go and it breaks clean. Can say how much pull is need, but even as untrained shooter, i dint notice any reall effort to pull triger to fire. Its not light as on P10, but much lighter than on Cz 75 which was kinda chore to pull. I do like APX trigger and even that i was shooting left and low, its just me.
Reset... well, i went to shooting range will full science plane to shoot first just 5x SB 124 Grs, slowly and fully aimed, then review my score and adjust grip, aiming and so...
It didnt happen. After 4 shots i just went "muhahaha! Eat lead you filthy casual paper target!" and dumped mag with shot every time just as aligned sights after previous fire.
Same with second mag of SB FMJ 124 Grs
Third mag was kinda same show with STV Scorpio FMJ 124 Grs
And no supprise with fourth mag, loaded with stell cased Barnaul FMJ 124 Grs...
So reset? Yeah, i dont know about that. It didnt hinder me while firing. Maybe next time i will notice

View attachment 1003467

Results at 10 meters. Keep in mind that im newbie shooter, and i was shooting faster than i should
Marked holes are SB FMJ 124 Grs (vertical mars was first mag, horizontal second)
Covers without marker was third mag was STV Scorpio FMJ 124 Grs
No covers are holes from Steel case Barnaul FMJ 124 Grs.
I would say there is kinda same pattern regardles ammo (but Barnaul seem lower than others) and i felt my grip isnt ideal.
And yes, i noticed bigger kick while shooting 115 Grs versus 124

If you cant tell already - i really enjoyed it. I should take slower pace and focus on basics, i know, but man... it was fun i was supprise how quickly i was able to send shots after shots. I planned to be there like something closer to hour, but after ten minutes i was out of ammo - i didnt expect that i will need more than four full mags (68 round, 17 per mag)

Moving on to overall build quality - its good. It feels and look like Beretta, 500 years old brand. Nothing to say more here.
Ergonomic is fine and only one thing what bothers me is slide stop button. Its made "accident-push-proof" i got it, but im not able to push it with side of my finger and have to move my grip to activate it. Speaking of grip - i suspect its just because factory oil keep leaking from gun (i cleaned it twice before shooting) but grip feels little bit slipery. Nowehere near to unsafe levels, more like area of feeling.

On opposit side - slide is not slippery at all. MAC on some other guntubers reported its not that slip-proof as they think it would, but i dont agree. I did try it with fingers wet, oiled and even with all slide covered with oil (again that factory oil...) - if you grab it between "ribs" its solid grip its all ok, but i can see there could be problem if your grip is just on the rib (on other side, it feels kinda dumb to even try)

Another thing which was mentioned by guntubers was tough push-button for fieldstrip. Its so easy that i was thinking that said gundtubers should do more field striping of CZ 75... and than it gets harder. After my range session i went to clean the gun and i had little bit problem. Again - factory oil was on scene. Oil on button wasnt that much of problem, but around it and in between button and frame was. No drama there, but looking at said button and lever, which is connected to it, it really looks like it can get dirty, muddy, oily, wattery, whatevery and make it harder to press. But honestly, its nothing to write about, just again - prooving/disprooving guntubers claims.

There was also some Beretta APX fails in tortute tests - yeah, i will not try that, not that rich... But that fails (in overall APX was good enough in all torture test wich i saw, just didnt excel) was mainly about slide not locking properly and i cant see that happen - when checking chamber for round or just very sloppy, rack, it didnt lock few time. Once again, it can be just factory oil leaking everywhere or "new gun factor", but i can see that since it have long inside rail for slide, it can slow/stop, if its racked in wrong angle or over some mess (torture/mud test thing). Can it happen in "real life"? If you dont yank your slide up and down while racking - No. If you drop wet gun in sand... i would say no. If your wet gun falls in mud, then sand and you step on it - yeah, its possible, but i dont know - dont throw your gun into every puddle you see?

In torture test there was also some jammed triggers and that one i can see. There are cuts in trigger guard in which triggers move and I find it possible to be blocked by some mess in "my gun fall into muddy puddle again" scenario.

Yeah, that negatives are all crap. Ofcourse when gun meets current standads its just about picking tiny little things and i would say is only reasson why was that things even mentioned.

Beretta APX is great gun and at least for me - it feels just right, like it will do exactly what its made for and you will have fun with it.

I would also mention that i did quite an extensive "googling" research about this gun because due to pandemic i had few months of lockdown and nothing else to do and guess what. It was really hard to actually find some reported, relevant problems or malfunctions. There was guy on youtube who showed how his extractor broke, but its wasnt sure, he wasnt sure too, if it was gun or ammo issue. There was something else what i dont remeber but that was it. Yeah, its not the most popular gun but i still - in that amount of material, it looks like Beretta APX have clean record and based on my limited time with this gun, i believe it will outlive me.

Im open to your question or gun photo requests.

Click to expand...

I lost count of how many handguns I own, but the Beretta APX, M&P Shield 45, and S&W Jframe are my go to above all others. Im very impressed with the APX above Glock, S&W M&P and other double stack strikerfired 9mm's I've shot and owned.

Most of the big youtubers who reviewed it don't know what they are talking about. There are 2 different ways to field strip the gun. The slide serrations aren't bad at all. I know you stated that the slide stop was hard for you to manipulate, but Beretta does sell an extended slide stop/release. I own 3 APX pistols, and for me personly, I do not have an issue manipulating the slide stop. I suspect yours is just stiff because it's newer.

Everyone seems to shoot low and to the left. Once I swapped out the stock combat sights to Ameriglo Agent night sights, that issue was all but fixed. I don't know if you were doing this or not, but you have to use a combat hold. That is, the front dot should cover the spot you're trying to hit.

I really like the APX, but like someone said early, Beretta is about 15 years too late with it. I’m just too deep in the Glock Sphere to get out of it. Too many mags, sights, tools, and holsters for my Glocks to switch now.

I have lead a couple newbies to them and they still have them. Like I said, great pistol just too late to the party.

Lefty

Styx:
I suspect my pattern is more because my grip and lack of training + fast shooting, but yeah, there is even part of me wrong remebering sigts type.
Slide stop isnt that much of deal and i expect that either it get "softer" or i will find proper way how to press it - after all, its new to me.
For now i want to stick with factory version, since there are no reall drawbacks and dont want to easy my "training". Changing grip panels would be for me probably better move, will see after next shooting (tomorow)

Lefty:
Yeah, Glock is standard measurement unit and if i had no option or time to look on others, i would pick Glock. But in situation when i had few months to actually choose gun to buy, glock felt kinda lacking in terms of "bang for the bucks" (over here, in Czech Republic, was APX for almost same price as Glock 17 Gen 3). Plus i kinda needed/wanted something diffrent

APX stands out and fits of designated role. Dont have much experiences with others, but i like it much more than P10 or CZ 75

LeftyRed said:

I really like the APX, but like someone said early, Beretta is about 15 years too late with it. I’m just too deep in the Glock Sphere to get out of it. Too many mags, sights, tools, and holsters for my Glocks to switch now.

I have lead a couple newbies to them and they still have them. Like I said, great pistol just too late to the party.

Lefty

Click to expand...

Yea but they are only one of two modular pistols on the market, and IMHO the APX is better than the P320. APX mags can routinely be had on sale for under $20 a pop. I've seen them as low as $12 per mag.

I understand not wanting to start over if you're already invested in a carry gun, but most of us on this board have multiple pistols and rifles from different manufacturers. No need to go crazy investing a bunch of money on pistols that are mostly range and plinking toys. I usually only invest in my carry guns, and the 2 mags that come with my other pistol are usually good enough.

Idahou said:

Styx:
I suspect my pattern is more because my grip and lack of training + fast shooting, but yeah, there is even part of me wrong remebering sigts type.
Slide stop isnt that much of deal and i expect that either it get "softer" or i will find proper way how to press it - after all, its new to me.
For now i want to stick with factory version, since there are no reall drawbacks and dont want to easy my "training". Changing grip panels would be for me probably better move, will see after next shooting (tomorow)

Lefty:
Yeah, Glock is standard measurement unit and if i had no option or time to look on others, i would pick Glock. But in situation when i had few months to actually choose gun to buy, glock felt kinda lacking in terms of "bang for the bucks" (over here, in Czech Republic, was APX for almost same price as Glock 17 Gen 3). Plus i kinda needed/wanted something diffrent

APX stands out and fits of designated role. Dont have much experiences with others, but i like it much more than P10 or CZ 75

Click to expand...

I stay up to day on the APX and read just about every forum post as well as watch every YT video. I'm on the Beretta forum too. With that said, shooting low to the left is a common theme. I doubt it's you. I had the same issue. My groups were good, but just low left.