Beretta APX

[Shipwreck]

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.

I made my post a year ago. But, I see your recent post.

I had to go to a large backstrap to stop low/left for me on the APX, after I changed the sights.

Gun was dead on with the largest backstrap. And, I have small hands, so that would not have been my preference.

Now, I've "discovered" the Gen 5 Glocks. I have not been a Glock fan for a LONG time. But, I sold that APX, and I got a Gen 5 Glock 19. I like the grip of the Gen 5 much more.

 

[LeftyRed]

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.

I completely agree with you, I like the APX way more than the 320 series. But I think the modular system is pretty overrated. I do like the idea of being able to mix barrel lengths and grip lengths.

Well, some of us have been shooting Glocks due to work for a long time. And Some of us just moved that platform over to our personal training and even competitive sports. And after 30 years of it, we acquired ALOT of Glock stuff. And some of us don’t want to spend money on something that is no better or worse than what we already have. I don’t spend money to change for the newest or latest. And I have yet to see anything on the market in the last 20-25 years that would drive me away from Glock. Well, maybe the new Glock Slim Line pistols.

Glad you are satisfied with what’s in the box.

Lefty

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I suppose it we're being ruthlessly practical we'd just buy six Glock 17s, 50 mags and call it a day. But I simply love guns and can't resist having various handguns to shoot and play with. I got out of Glock and pretty much am focused on HKs, and luckily I have 25 or so magazines that will all work in three of the four main "families" of guns (P30/VP9/P2000) and a dozen mags for the USPf9. A buddy of mine has an APX with a RDS on it, and in the limited shooting I've done with it (just a couple hundred rounds) I like it a lot.

 

[Idahou]

Why did i have to pick such a expensive hobby?

101 rounds today and once again, i dived into fast shooting... Im just amazed how good APX is when cams to rapid fire. I mean im not trained shooter, i feel that i dont have good grip and i jerk the trigger, yet i did pick that gun second time in my life and i was able to dump magazine in target. At my gun exams i barrelly passed since i barrelly hit the target with Cz 75 (but noted - it was my worst score ever)


I didnt bother to cover shots outside of black. 51 x SB FMH 124 Grs, 17x Barnaul FMJ 115 Grs (not much diffrence in shot placement and 33x STV Scorpio FMJ 124 Grs. All at 10 meters

Also kinda managed that left and down pattern if i was aiming and shooting slower. Low was corrected by aiming, left by more "preassure" from left hand. Next time i will try few shots at 25 metrs, larger backstraps and one hand shooting. The last one just to see how much is my aim affected by weak hand while single shot.

On target you can see some high shots - thats from my rapid firing, this time i pulled triger faster than i was aiming. Also for first time i noticed trigger reset, it didnt hinder me, just... when i rapid fire i even dont know its there, for me it feels nature.

But another thing is, that trigger is mayabe too solid for longer aimed shots. Im kinda not able to do "slow, supprise break" shot as my police budy taught me on his Cz 75. Just saying, i still like it.



And to current disscusion - the modular system may not be such a deal in US or in other parts of world where guns dont costs a fortune, but over here its a quite big feature. And it also isnt. I like idea of being able to made my gun compact, but in same time there is two things why i probably wont switch it to comact - 1) I dont EDC style of gun 2) Im gun freak, so i will probably just buy another toy...erm..gun.
First point is specific to my, second is more like market specific i would say. Over here, you just dont need gun for self defence, so if you have one, its just because you like and which means you are gun freak and you want more, mooooooore guns.
That said, its still pasive feature which comes with no obvious drawbacks and thats plus

 

[Idahou]

118 rounds yestrday, all same batch of SB FMJ 124 Grs like in previous posts

This time i went with larger grips (changing was easy) and planned to fire few shots at 25 meters, but first i started at 10 meters to see how much larger grip panels will affect my shooting

A lot...

In bad way...

I was like "what the hell...". Nothing, except grips, changed and yet my shot were almost off the target, deep in left corner, and not just that "old" pattern, few shots when high - which never happens before (except mad rapid shooting). That was big supprise, because in hand, that diffrent backstrap dindt feel that difrent (but is ugly, since it have extra beaver tail). I spend almost hour just to get use on new grip and still managed to place just few decent shots. Even rapid fire was less managable. I would say its mostly because finger reach for trigger. So no big conclussion, just reminder, that grip means a lot.

Also i did think that original grip was affected by factory oil slightly, but as it looks, side panels dosnt provide that much traction. Front and back of grip is excelent, but that sides could be better - that said, its not exactly bad, but you will notice some space for improvment

At home i changed grips back to medium and worked on one slight proglem - if you pull slide just to look at chamber and let it go, it will stuck just before closing and you have to tap it. I did clean and oil rails and look for everything that could cause it, but no luck. Its not always, but often enough - just now i tryed it again, to get some more thoughts for posts and it looks like its connected to the round in chamber. Empty gun - slide is closing nicely, with snap cap it will not. Just pulling side enough to see if there is round in chamber and sligly more, becaumse im using snap caps with shiny base, and plastic casing. It could be connected to snaps caps, but im not eager to try it with live ammo at my home, so it will have to wait till next range session (probably tomorow or wendsday).

Anyway im still happy with APX, there was really nothing what would lesser her "combat" use and at wednesday i will comapre it side by side with P10 and will see

 

[DTL]

The APX is a Devil..it will tease you, taunt you, seduce you. You cannot fight the urge to spoil her with more and more quality ammunition, you now exist to satisfy her needs and get by on the meager time she spends rewarding your service to her. I know...I, too, have heard her siren call. The Centurion 9mm version of this demon resides in my safe, with increased demands and insatiable appetite.

 

[Idahou]

Yeah, its a demon. More than 600 rounds now and i like it more and more. Quirk is in slide not locking properly when checking chamber or sloppy racking, but according to my buddy (policeman, laso hobby shooter) its more because how easy that slide goes - comparing to his P10sc. That may be correct too, but i would say long rails on frame could be cause too - since when you checking chamber, you ussually grip slide in little but higher angle (since you are looking down in chamber).
Sights was mentioned before and rigtly so - they are surprisingly good at 25 meters, but at 10, its more about learning tham, which isnt exactly problem, but its minus.
My mate was kinda amazed by field strip and overall robust build and how APX behave while rapid shooting.
In our little competition we were shooting at head size target (forgott distance, mayabe 20 m) and APX won with my dead center shot, his P10sc was just on edge, but with overall better group

In future i probably change the sights, but for now its good enough and it serve well.
APX is great gun for new shooters and i dare say even for combat situations, with need to practice to land accurate shots on targets, but little effort to put decent group in reassonable fast shooting.
Thats conclude it and i think i would be repeating myself with more post-range-day reports, so i will let you know, if there will be some problems down to the road, but i think APX will hold for a long time

 

[DTL]

Empty gun - slide is closing nicely, with snap cap it will not. Just pulling side enough to see if there is round in chamber and sligly more, becaumse im using snap caps with shiny base, and plastic casing

If press checking I use the forward serrations and pull the slide not just release it to close, if using the rear I apply forward pressure to push . The APX wasn't designed to be babied.

 

[Idahou]

Well, now i fell stupid that i didnt think of that

 

[reverseturn]

If press checking I use the forward serrations and pull the slide not just release it to close, if using the rear I apply forward pressure to push . The APX wasn't designed to be babied.

A loaded chamber indicator would have been a nice feature that Beretta failed to include. Otherwise it looks like a fine pistol and exceptionally
good value.

I do like that you can also purchase a grip frame with a manuel safety for the full size version. It's good to have the choice. Didn't see that option on the smaller versions

 

[JTQ]

A loaded chamber indicator would have been a nice feature that Beretta failed to include.

Available on some models, though I don't believe any come to the US.

Page 20 of the owners manual https://www.beretta.com/assets/12/29/APX_Manual_ENG_2016_05_031.pdf

 

[Idahou]

Yeah, during me pre-buy research a saw few APX guns with loaded indicator at top of slide. I would guess they stopped make that version with start of red dot version slide

Which reminded me that pin popping out of top when you press trigger - most of time its not noticeable, but i kinda like it, it adds feel of safety, knowing, that firing pin blocator works

 

[DTL]

I have never noticed it pop up while firing on the range, the one feature I can't figure out their reasoning for. Happy to find a forum with a running thread on the APX line, their release date for them hurt them getting more recognition initially. But that led to some great price decreases and we were able to get those sub $350 models for a while.

 

[JTQ]

I have never noticed it pop up while firing on the range, the one feature I can't figure out their reasoning for.

The firing pin plunger also pokes out of the top of the M9/92FS and the PX4 line of guns. It is a common feature in the Beretta line up.

Ernest Langdon explains the rational for the design in this Beretta 92 video at about the 4:00 mark

 

[Idahou]

Well, i would say that Beretta didnt even plan to dominate civilian market with APX and were and is focusing more on military/LE market. There was campaing "win the firefight", but since everytime when i look for some Berretas guns, im told they are busy at the moment with some contract, i really thinks they just let APX to find its own customers. And since i spend a lot of time with pre-buy research (was waiting few months for my gun licence due to covid) i did concluded it offers most "bang-for-the-money" in its price categhory (Well, EU/CZ variant of that cathegory)

... video at about the 4:00 mark

So if i got the video right, its because cleaning/not stuffing mess in firing mechanism?

Also after that video i feel need to get Beretta 92

 

[Styx]

Well, i would say that Beretta didnt even plan to dominate civilian market with APX and were and is focusing more on military/LE market. There was campaing "win the firefight", but since everytime when i look for some Berretas guns, im told they are busy at the moment with some contract, i really thinks they just let APX to find its own customers. And since i spend a lot of time with pre-buy research (was waiting few months for my gun licence due to covid) i did concluded it offers most "bang-for-the-money" in its price categhory (Well, EU/CZ variant of that cathegory)


So if i got the video right, its because cleaning/not stuffing mess in firing mechanism?

Also after that video i feel need to get Beretta 92

Correct. The APX which is a fabulous duty/military grade gun was born to specifically win a military contract. Currently, Betetta seems to be focusing on L.E. and military military contracts from around the world. They might not be as popular in the U.S., but they are much more popular and have more aftermarket support in Europe and other parts of the world. Beretta has also been steadily winning non U.S. military contracts.

The civilian market was an afterthought after Sig won the contract. IMHO, the APX is a better build and a nicer gun vs the P320. I also think the Army wouldn't have had as many growing pains initially had they gone with the APX over the P320. It should have been between the Glock 19x and the APX.

 

[Mars5l]

I recently shot my APX compact and it shot left as well, I believe my full size shoots left as well. I know it can be me at times but other guns I fire dont shot left. Id like to get adjustable rear sight for the full size but the reviews on Berettas website make it seem damn near impossible to knock the old sight off and the new one on without buying Berettas $400 sight tool.

 

[JTQ]

I believe in this thread, forum member Shipwreck mentioned he bought his sight from Beretta, sent the slide (possibly the whole gun) to them and they installed the sights for him.

 

[Idahou]

Yeah, that US army contract was quite a big part of my decision making, even that APX actually didnt participate - as far i know, Beretta entered with modernized 92 and just after rejections due to some US Army requirments, they tryed to rushed the projet which eneded as APX, but wasnt ready at the time. Anyway P320 as winner was great for comparsion and i ended with conclusion, that everything what P320 do, APX do better. I mean mudularity is from view step-by-step easier at P320, but doesnt actually make sence, since you have to change all frame just to adjust grip, while with APX you need to look at manual while you are making changes, but ultimatly, it makes more sence and dont force you to waste frames.
And even if there is just limited reach of non-US reviews (and APX is usebd mostly by non-US users), i just didnt find some actuall problems with APX, while P320 had a lot (to be honest, they were probably just "new-factory-line" related)

Biggest draw back of APX are sights/that shooting left and down. Yet, i kinda cant shake feeling its not actually that much fault. I mean, its really consistent and i would say more about finding right grip and use for sights. Because so far it looks that sights are great for close firing (5 meters) and longer range (25 meters), while that inbetween is somehow doable but not great. It kinda looks to me like purpose

For that inbetween ranges i would say its because that wide space between sights, which we tend to see diffrent according to dominant eye and posture - i did notice, that my most accurate shots are when im aiming at white target and can more ballance "space" between sights

 

[JR24]

If I recall correctly, the APX has a removable FCU just like the Sig and can swap frames if needed. They certainly don't have the same support for frame swapping, but it's there.

I agree the sights are a drawback, or were for mine. The best I determined was that, for me, the slightly different size/brightness dots between the front and rear sight messed with my brain and I didnt hold a consistent sight picture without a lot of concentration. I used some tape to black out the rear dots (I prefer a blacked out rear sight anyway) and that helped a bit.

Another easy to do and nice mod is to buy a competition striker spring (was like $9 on their website when I got mine) and swap that in, makes the already nice trigger even nicer.

 

[Idahou]

After 1000 rounds... looks like after 50. Some scratches on finish, probably from bounced shells. No wear, no malfuctions.
I must admit, that i kinda strugle with accuracy lately, but thats probably not gun related and if, its mostly because sights.
Sights was mentioned before and i would still say that, at least for me, it produce accurate shots whit quick aim or aim at 25 meters, when i try well aimed shot at 10 meters, its ussually not a great group.
To be fair, on last two sesions my hand were tired quite quickly and i shoot cheap STV ammo (i think its repased one)

Beaver tale could have more steep angle i would say, there is room for high grip, but its kinda hard to maintain it - will try small backstrap and will see

 

[Idahou]

I lost count, but im probably close to or ovet 4 000 rounds
Sometimes strugle with accuracy, but thats mine problem and mine expetation of hitting bowling pin at 18 meters with every shot

There are almost no wear on gun, some surface parts are polished, but no change on actuall working parts.
Some coloration at muzzle in twists, but its not visible by camera and by opinions of others, its just normal

Lately i upgraded basic frame with anti-slip floor tape, which was actually nice, but eventually replaced the basic frame with A1 one

Its just better. Beaver tail is finnally how i want it and overall grip is just better. Also slide is more firmly seated in frame, not like there was some problem with it on original frame, but i like it more. Its mayabe just thats a new.

Also got new striker spring (green, competition) and its noticebale, nicer, but for my hands not such a diffrence (i dont have much feel for triggers)

third and forth upgrade are new recoil springs - got flat one which is used in A1 models and double rounded competition onw.
Flat is noisy, but i wasnt firing it yet

Ou and A1 Frame dont fit in original APX (now called APX FS) holsters, its because lower rail and you really cant do much else than buying new holster

 

[Styx]

I lost count, but im probably close to or ovet 4 000 rounds
Sometimes strugle with accuracy, but thats mine problem and mine expetation of hitting bowling pin at 18 meters with every shot

There are almost no wear on gun, some surface parts are polished, but no change on actuall working parts.
Some coloration at muzzle in twists, but its not visible by camera and by opinions of others, its just normal

Lately i upgraded basic frame with anti-slip floor tape, which was actually nice, but eventually replaced the basic frame with A1 one

Its just better. Beaver tail is finnally how i want it and overall grip is just better. Also slide is more firmly seated in frame, not like there was some problem with it on original frame, but i like it more. Its mayabe just thats a new.

Also got new striker spring (green, competition) and its noticebale, nicer, but for my hands not such a diffrence (i dont have much feel for triggers)

third and forth upgrade are new recoil springs - got flat one which is used in A1 models and double rounded competition onw.
Flat is noisy, but i wasnt firing it yet

Ou and A1 Frame dont fit in original APX (now called APX FS) holsters, its because lower rail and you really cant do much else than buying new holster

I am fine with the original frame I thought about attempting to swap out to the new frames, but it's not really worth the trouble.

I found that I shot the gun better once I chanced the sights.

 

[Idahou]

Yeah, i thought about changing sights too, but since that i tryed more guns with diffrent sights and even that some were nicer i did shoot more or less same
+ at one of courses i learned to aim more with slide itself (to see slide just as line, to surface). It was advice from one instructor as reaction on my eyes problems
Anyway, my accuraccy is just about me - i twitch my fingers, loosing grip and aim badly when trying for precision shot, rapid fire its most of time fine

About frame - Berretta offers 30 return policy, so i just tryed it and for my hands it really feels better. The beaver tale and finger undercut under trigger makes it more grippy for me

 

[SwampWolf]

My son-in-law is interested in getting a "micro-compact" pistol. When it comes to striker-fired pistols, we both prefer having a manual safety. My lgs has a Beretta APX A1 Carry on sale now for $239.99 (including the $100.00 rebate). I am not at all acquainted with this pistol so I have the following questions: Is this a good price? Is the pistol available with a manual safety? Is the pistol striker-fired or da/sa (if da/sa it might not "need" a manual safety)?
Thanks for all inputs and advice.