Beretta PX4 Storm versus APX

Capybara

Capybara

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Hi all:

I am in California and we have recently had some new additions to our Handgun Roster that we can actually buy. The Beretta PX4 Storm has been on the roster for many years, I've shot it a few times and like it. It's accurate, easy to shoot, well built. I am told that we may be getting the Beretta APX added to our roster soon and I have never shot one or seen on in real life. Anyone here own or have shot both? If so, how would you compare and contrast them? I only own one Beretta, my 1301 Tactical Shotgun and I really love it, I have become a Beretta fan so at some point, I will add either the PX4 Storm or the APX to my safe. What say you?
 
The PX4 is an external hammer fired double/single action pistol with a polymer frame and unusual but proven rotary barrel lockup.

The APX is a more modern striker-fired, constant-action pistol that uses the more ubiquitous browning tilting barrel lockup. It is also fully modular with the serialized part being an internal chassis containing the trigger mechanism which can be swapped into different plastic frames of varying sizes and ergonomics:

463968_gaap-221000-ber-006_hero_1200x800.jpg

I personally like the PX4 a lot (I have one in 9mm and one in .40S&W, both full size), as I enjoy guns with exposed hammers and unusual operating systems (like the rotating barrel). I have no personal experience with the APX but having shot many other modern striker-fired pistols including the Sig P320 and P365 which both also use a modular chassis type construction, I think the modern striker guns are better suited for EDC but the hammer fired guns are IMO more engaging to shoot for recreation.


Both the PX4 and APX have been adopted by several police agencies across the US, so either one should be good to go for serious or recreational usage.
 
I have a PX4 because I prefer hammer fired guns. It is a good gun, and better in Langdon Tactical configuration, which is what I have. The APX is a solid design and is a little more small hand friendly than the PX4. If you like striker fired guns, the APX would be a good choice.
 
I wasn't impressed at all by the very first APX in town (that was when it was initially released, many years ago): the trigger was heavy and I mean incredible heavy; the three dot sights looked like they were painted by a drunk; make a decent group was hard because of the trigger. He was probably an unlucky specimen. We know that Beretta works on the worst case: well, that example really seemed to be the worst case. I had the opportunity to try another example and it was much better. I still don't like the trigger that has virtually no take-up (which is why I don't even like the trigger on the SIG-Sauer P320). The APX is a pistol that is very rarely seen at the range I frequent and yet I am in Italy. A sign that it was not a successful Beretta like the 92 or even the Px4. The APX is certainly very solid. It seems built to never break. Looking at the parts they don't seem to have any weak points. It really looks like a tank of a pistol.
The Px4 in my opinion is a much more refined pistol. I tried many of them and they all had excellent accuracy even if the factory adjustment of the sights left something to be desired. It is a very reliable pistol, except for the first examples which had a chamber that was too tight. In my opinion, however, the Grand Power K100 has a more elegant design, it seems more robust and accurate. The barrel rotation system is also more interesting, or at least it was before they changed it in the latest generation models, making it very similar to the Px4 system.
Which would I choose between the Px4 and the APX? I don't particularly like either of them. Aesthetically I prefer the APX, especially the new model. And then, I repeat, the APX seems truly indestructible. Technically I prefer the Px4 but I don't like the design done by Giugiaro. Maybe in the end I would choose the APX just to see if I can like it.
 
Watch at marker 9:00 . Beretta says they haven't been able to take the PX4 to the end of it's life. It's a darn tough gun. I have 3 . VERY UNDERRATED GUN.
www.youtube.com

James Reeves Interviews Beretta's GM, Carlo Ferlito

In this episode of TFBTV, @JamesReeves has the honor of interviewing Beretta's general manager, Mr. Carlo Ferlito, and gets to ask him 20 viewer questions ab...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
 
tercel89 said:
Beretta says they haven't been able to take the PX4 to the end of it's life. It's a darn tough gun. I have 3 . VERY UNDERRATED GUN.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the action is one of the strongest on the market. It will eat a steady diet of +P and even +P+ ammunition without complaint, for thousands upon thousands of rounds.
 
I just watched the TFB TV video but the PX4 Storm has been on my radar because I am becoming a Beretta fan. I just recently bought a 1301 Tactical Shotgun and tricked it out and I love it. That got me thinking about a Beretta pistol. I like the rotating barrel design as I am a C&R guy and I like the design of the CZ52, which isn't a rotating barrel but it does use a roller-locked short recoil system that is also unusual and innovative for a pistol so the rotating barrel design is appealing to me. I've also heard that they are a real pleasure to shoot, accurate, reliable.

That gun is holding more appeal to me than the APX at this point, simply because I already have a Glock 17. So why buy a Beretta, H&K, Walther or other version of a plastic, striker fired f/s pistol that's pretty similar conceptually to my G17? I like the fact that the PX4 is hammer fired, that's cool also. I think the APX is a better looking pistol than the PX4 but I kind of like weird and "ugly" pistols too as I own an Astra 600 "pipe wrench", two CZ52s, which to me remind me of the styling of the 1950s Citroen car, similar lines and design cues so the styling of the PX4 Storm is kind of appealing to me, even though I see why others would consider it homely.

If I get the PX4 Storm, I will likely add a few of the Langdon important parts over time.
 
I had a PX4 Storm and liked it very much but was just to heavy for carry concealed. If used only for HD then no problem. I sold mine and replaced it with a S & W Shield Plus.
 
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Milt1 said:
I had a PX4 Storm and liked it very much but was just to heavy for carry concealed. If used only for HD then no problem. I sold mine and replaced it with a S & W Shield Plus.
Click to expand...
I def wouldnt CCW with the PX4, I already have a Shield, Shield Plus and Ruger Max 9 for carry. I have my G17 on my CCW but I rarely carry it because it digs into me when I sit down while at a desk or driving with it. PX4 would be a range gun, mainly to have fun with. If I ever do try competition, I guess I could use it although my G17 would be a natural for that too from what I've seen.
 
JTQ said:
If you're leaning PX4, here are a couple other videos





Edit to add: In the 50,000 round Langdon video he broke the cam block. As I mention in this thread https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...e-on-an-empty-chamber-mas-ayoob-video.926727/ the speculation from high round count PX4 shooters is that repeatedly dropping the slide on an empty chamber could have contributed to the shortened life of the cam block.
Click to expand...

Good to know. At the rate I shoot at, it would take me many years to reach 50k rounds through one gun.
 
I have the APX A1 Carry and absolutely love it.

Really wanted to try the PX4 Subcompact, which uses a conventional action rather than the rotary barrel, but didn't get a chance. Sadly, they now appear discontinued. None of the other Storms appeal to me.
 
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I had 2 PX4s---the sub compact 9mm non rotating barrel was good at getting shotgun like groups---nope bye bye

The other was a full size 45 jamamatic---again bye bye

Neither would be what most people buy--which I think would be the compact and full size 9mm---so maybe take my experience with a grain of salt.

Have 2 of the original APXs-----the Centurion has been a decent gun but not one of my favorites---the full size has never been shot and have had them both for a few years now---got them dirt cheap
 
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I like the px4s, but they apx is better in hands and grips your hands better. Being in Cali, the separate chassis might be worth while as you'll be able to swap grip modules and slides and still only buy 1 gun
 
I have a compact PX4 9mm. It’s a great gun (my first actually owned polymer pistol, to be honest, if we don’t count the KelTec pocket .380) and to me the recoil is noticeably less than similar sized plastic from other manufacturers. Kind of want the full sized now too, either in 9mm or .40, purely as a designated HD pistol with a light on it.

I have no desire for an APX. The price is appealing but it just doesn’t stand out from the pack in any meaningful way for me personally.
 
Had an APX centurion. Wonderful feel in the hand and had a good trigger but I just didn’t shoot it well. I had bought it as an alternative to a Glock 19, and just went back to the Glock.

Got it for a steal and sold it for what I had in it, so it was a wash.

If I were making the choice, I’d go with the PX4 since I’ve gotten more into DA/SA and the examples I’ve shot had very nice triggers and shot well for me.
 
JR24 said:
Had an APX centurion. Wonderful feel in the hand and had a good trigger but I just didn’t shoot it well. I had bought it as an alternative to a Glock 19, and just went back to the Glock.

Got it for a steal and sold it for what I had in it, so it was a wash.

If I were making the choice, I’d go with the PX4 since I’ve gotten more into DA/SA and the examples I’ve shot had very nice triggers and shot well for me.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your experience.
 
Note accuracy issues with the original APX are often attributed to the the sights, with a large front dot. The new APX uses different sights, and I haven't seen the same accuracy complaints with the APX A1 models.

Beretta is introducing the new PX4G-SD at this year's SHOT Show. It is the full size 9mm, with decocker only, and with a heavy barrel.

Langdon Tactical will get all the early models https://langdontactical.com/beretta-px4-full-size-g-sd-by-ltt/

 
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