Beretta PX4 Storm feedback

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Mitlov

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Once again, continuing my search for my first handgun (not first gun, just first handgun). The PX4 Storm is one option I'm considering because it has the features I want (exposed hammer for DA/SA action, ambidextrous manual safety) and because I have a very good impression of Beretta's products due to their shotguns (including a Beretta 391 Urika that my club has as a loaner gun that is just lovely to shoot).

How is this gun to live with? Any reliability problems? Anything you particularly like or dislike about the gun that wouldn't immediately become apparent from putting a dozen rounds downrange with a loaner gun? If you've had any problems with it, how responsive has Beretta been?

Thanks in advance :)

I'd probably be looking at the compact model, and using it for everything from home defense to camping to recreational shooting to occasional conceal-carry.
 
I have a full size 9mm PX4 Stainless and really like it. I shoot it accurately, it's been very reliable, one of my favorite 9mm's. While I like the slide mounted safety/decocker on my Beretta 92FS and both my Stoeger Cougars, I'm not crazy about the actual levers on the PX4 as they have sharp edges on the bottom and just aren't as easy to operate as the ones on the 92FS and Cougar. It's not a major deal just the only downside I see to what I feel is an excellent gun.
 
I like and trust the gun so much it's one of my nightstand guns.
totally reliable, accurate, etc, etc.

PX4.gif
 
I have the PX4 Storm subcompact 9mm and am happy with it. It is a much smaller gun so it isn't great for trying to hit the bulls eye at 15 yards but it is the one I carry day to day and would not have an issue hitting a center mass sized target at that range. It is very comfortable in my hands and I went with the 9MM so there is very little recoil. Like all Berettas, it is easy to take down and will last you a life time with little or no problems.

If you get a storm, do yourself a favor and order the Beretta factory holster for it. I went through half a dozen others before I finally broke down and ordered one from them and it is, by far, the best holster for the PX4 series.

I own several Berettas and love all of them. If you are even considering the full size, I would recommend that you at least hold a 92 in your hands first. As much as I like the storm, the 92s are better IMHO. They do make a compact 92 but good luck getting your hands on one :)

You will not go wrong or regret buying anything from Beretta in my opinion.
 
I'm really looking at the compact instead of the full-size because I'd like to occasionally be able to do conceal-carry with it, and because I have smaller hands (I'm 5'7").

Great tip about Beretta's own holsters. I'm left-handed and left-handed holsters are REALLY hard to find. Beretta's left-handed holster for the PX4 compact appears to be quality and certainly fits the gun perfectly (as a manufacturer's own holster should):

700x700-sub-compa2-gost.jpg
 
love my subcompact. I have owned several 9mm in the "subcompact" size and I shoot the PX4 more accurately than any other.
 
Left handed holsters are fairly easy to find. Maybe not at your local gun shop, but you will not usually find high quality holsters at the local gun shop.

That Beretta holster is primarily a range/training holster. I suspect you could conceal a full size PX4 easier with a quality concealment holster than a compact in that holster.

Some quality leather makers

Milt Sparks http://www.miltsparks.com

Mitch Rosen http://www.mitchrosen.com

Tucker http://www.tuckergunleather.com

Quality kydex

Comp-Tac http://www.comp-tac.com

Garrett http://garrettindustries.mybigcommerce.com

Raven http://www.ravenconcealment.com

The late Stephen A. Camp did a few reviews of the Beretta PX4's in 9MM and .45ACP.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/shooting_the_beretta_px4_storm_9.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/shooting_the_9mm_beretta_px4_storm Updated.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/shooting_the_45-caliber beretta PX4.htm
 
I have the Px4 9mm full-size. Love it. Very accurate and in over 3,000 rounds very accurate. I've purposely let it go without a cleaning for several range trips to test it's reliability and have never had an issue with various brands of ammo. Cleaning/takedown is very easy (no tools needed or pins to deal with). Love it. Full-size is big for CC, though.
 
^true. If you look in the gun store you'll see surprisingly little difference between the full and the compact. Note: the subcompact is a completely different gun.
 
Last April, I bought a fs PX4 in 9mm for my very first handgun, and I am extremely happy with the gun. I have run approx 750 rounds through it without a single problem, using 5 or 6 different brands of factory ammo, plus a few hundred rounds of my hand loads using both 115gr and 147gr bullets. I have since purchased 3 1911's and a Beretta 96, but every trip to the range includes the PX4, as it is a very smooth shooting and accurate pistol. As others have mentioned, the full size model may be too large for cc, but I have no reservations regarding Beretta reliability.
 
The compact, I think, is pretty big for a compact. In fact, I've seen the full size and the compact mislabeled in more than one gun counter! The subcompact is smaller but does not operate like the two larger guns (eg no rotating barrel).
 
For a change, Beretta's claim of a lower felt recoil from the PX4 is true. In 45ACP it is an impressively soft shooter. The rotary lockup probably helps. The trigger on mine was good, reasonably heavy in double action but not grinding. Comparable to the 92F. The sights were also good three dots, not overdone. If you'd like a little more weight, the discontinued Beretta Cougar can still be bought new, with the same rotary barrel. (Now made in Turkey and labeled Stoeger)
 
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I owned one. Full size model with the 17 rounds mag and decocker/safety. Ended up selling her but wouldn't have minded to keep it. Just needed the cash for the next purchase.

Overall, a very good pistol. If I were asked which one I would carry on duty, between my issued 92FS and the PX4, I would have chosen the PX4 hands down. And this means a lot considering how much I like my 92FS. It's just that a 5-inch barrel is a bit too much when you have to be sitting down and standing up in offices, or getting in a out of vehicles and other law enforcement facilities.

Felt recoil. Lots of people say it has virtually no recoil. I respectfully disagree. IMHO, the 92FS tames the 9 mm a bit better, for it is a heavier and larger pistol. They behave differently. The 92 has a slower, less snappier motion when firing, the PX4 is more of a quicker snap that brings the muzzle a bit higher, but that returns your sights back in place as quickly as the 92. It's also lighter than the 92 and I was as accurate (note I mean "I was" and not "the gun was") with the PX4 as I am with the 92FS. The trigger felt better than the 92 both in DA and SA. Not as heavy and a shorter pull. The ergonomics are definitely an improvement over the 92. Feels great in hand and the grip checkering is just right. You have a choice of three backstraps to fit your hand size.

The lever on the slide didn't bother me, as I read other users complaining about. You have to pay close attention when you rack a 92FS' slide, so you don't depress the lever and inadvertently engage the safety. It never happened to me with the PX4.

Bear in mind that it is a thick pistol. If you plan on carrying concealed, even though you choose the Compact, you'll have to work around how to conceal it comfortably and effectively.

Overall, I recommend it. It's very pleasant to shoot and utterly reliable. Had mine for around six months and put some 2500 rounds through her. Sometimes I had shot as many as over 500 rounds without cleaning and never had a single hiccup.

Hope that helps.
 
Thanks everyone for all the feedback. Gives me a lot to think about.
 
Another poster that this was their first handgun here. I love mine. FS 9mm is more accurate than I am. Few 1000 rounds through it with no failures and all sorts of ammo.
 
The Lone Haranguer wrote,
The safety was too "high and tight" for my thumb to reach. If your hands are bigger or thumbs longer than mine you may be OK with it.
Click to expand...
I suspect most people that own the Beretta PX4, will operate the safety just like they would any other double action auto pistol with a slide mounted safety, from an S&W Traditional Double Action (TDA) auto, to the Ruger P-Series, to the Beretta 92FS, and just about every other semi auto with such a safety, and that is to primarily use it as a decocker.

It is something you most likely wouldn't need to operate quickly, as most will carry a double action auto, with a slide mounted safety, with the hammer down and the safety off.
 
My dad has one... VERY accurate. Also been very reliable and soft recoiling in 9mm. Only thing I don't like about it is that it looks and feels a bit nose heavy and bulky. But it DOES feel great in your hand.
 
I own all three of the PX4's, full size, compact and subcompact. They are all great guns for reliability, accuracy, ease of maintenance, etc. I would carry the subcompact more often, but it is a bit thick for easy concealment. That said the capacity is great for a small gun. I usually end up carrying my Kimber Solo because it is so easy to conceal.
 
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