Beretta Storm Magazines

[halfmoonclip]

Not making an effort to sell anything (mods, if this is an issue, let me know), but CDNN is offering factory (MecGar) 30 round magazines for $29.99; retail is generally $40.
I snagged a couple, and happy to have them.
The Storm is a ban era gun, with no protruding pistol grip, nor a flash hider. I suspect that Beretta may be phasing it out for a more submachine-looking 9mm carbine.
It does have a good feel in the hands, and it only marginally longer than bullpups, or even SBRs, due to its 'thru the pistol grip' (that much less deadly, non protruding pistol grip!) action. Five and a half pounds, with an optic.
Moon

 

[chicharrones]

These right here?

Hardest mag to fully load I've ever experienced. Probably ought to add a loading tool in the shopping cart.

 

[chicharrones]

I suspect that Beretta may be phasing it out for a more submachine-looking 9mm carbine.

Moon

It's hard to say. Since Beretta released a "Gen3" a couple years ago (with the added fence around the safety button), it kinda feels like Beretta might keep going with the CX4. I can get a new one online at a shop local to me.

When I bought my "Gen2" new several years ago, I thought the CX4 was dead. But Beretta pumped out a bunch of them and they were cheaper than the "Gen1" MSRP.

Makes me think how the .32 ACP Tomcat appeared dead, then Beretta pumped out a bunch of them over the last 6 to 12 months. With new paint, threaded barrel, grip panels, etc.

So, if Beretta keeps being Beretta, the current batch of new CX4s will sell out and that's it. Then in a couple years, a new batch will quietly make it into the USA. All speculation on my part, of course.

 

[halfmoonclip]

I had a Gen I, some years ago, and sold it to a buddy. Saw the FDE version, as in your picture, local shop had it for $699, with one 20 round mag. I still had 92/M9 mags, but needed to acquire a few of the big sticks as well.
I've quit fighting with big magazines, and simply use the Lula for about everything. Need to look, perhaps a loading tool came with mine.
It's an interesting design, one that would have allowed a folding stock, due to the telescoping bolt.
It's surprising that other makers haven't adopted the 'through the grip' layout, as the carbine isn't much longer than a SBR PCC.
How's your trigger? This one feels better than the old one. So far, I'm resisting the urge for any aftermarket stuff, the faux flashider excepted. Any mods on yours?
Yeah, some makers crank out a bunch of something, then make a batch of something else. Gun companies really aren't very big, so only the big sellers see continuous production.
Thanks for the comeback,
Moon

 

[chicharrones]

How's your trigger? This one feels better than the old one.
Moon

Out of the box, the trigger was horrid. The two legs on the trigger that go into the void in the safety button bar would snag and snap into place when the trigger was pulled. I cleaned up the trigger legs and the sear surface of the hammer. Now the trigger is plenty good. Not bolt action hunting rifle good, but good for a PCC like this.

Regarding mods, besides the trigger work I opened up the SR sight leaf aperture to a slightly larger size using a drill bit. Plus, a second bolt charging knob and a Streamlight on the left side.

I did move from a Bushnell TRS25 red dot to a Vortex Defender red dot. The Defender is better in almost every way. It allows a view of the Beretta sights (if flipped up) and the window frame of the Defender lines up with the rear "bat ears" of the gun (from the perspective of the shooting eye). The forward view is very much improved over a tube type red dot.

I really, really like my Beretta CX4. Light weight, short for the barrel length, feels good in the hands, shoots acceptably well, up to 30 cartridges per mag, flip up sights with SR and LR rear leafs, one pin takedown . . . it's simply a very good urban/home defense carbine. IMO, of course.

 

[halfmoonclip]

I've got a relatively inexpensive red dot on mine, which doesn't allow cowitness nor a view of the sights. I do really like how your open dot looks, relative to the 'ears' and the iron sights; may have to give such a try.
It's hard to argue with the OAL for a 16" barrel; have an 8" Scorp SBR that's shorter, but also restricted as regards taking it out of state camping.
Was originally a little skeptical of poly action parts, but, having seen service rifles like AUGs with an entirely poly action, I quit worrying about it.
I tried to get an actual flashider installed on my old one; the shop that was to do the work got all hinky about adding a domestic part, and perhaps exceeding the parts count for an imported gun. The owner must have been put through the grinder by the BATF, because he was particularly fussy about federal forms too. This one now wears the faux hider you led me to.
I agree with you as far as home defense weapons; less noise and flash, short and handy. During 2020's troubles, I had a PCC tucked in the corner of the bedroom.
Moon

 

[chicharrones]

Was originally a little skeptical of poly action parts, but, having seen service rifles like AUGs with an entirely poly action, I quit worrying about it.

I passed on getting a CX4 earlier than I did due to the plastic fire control bits. Then my ol’ shootin’ buddy got an FN PS90 and FS 2000 which opened our eyes and opened my mind back to the CX4.

 

[chicharrones]

I've got a relatively inexpensive red dot on mine, which doesn't allow cowitness nor a view of the sights. I do really like how your open dot looks, relative to the 'ears' and the iron sights; may have to give such a try.

Moon

It looks even better with your eye in position with cheek on the stock than my cell phone camera can show. I wished I had done it much sooner.

 

[halfmoonclip]

I like the enclosed red dots, just because they seem easier to keep clean. But I do like the looks of your setup; it's like the sight was designed to go with the carbine.
Have a real weakness for PCCs; my 'deer rifle' for 40 years has been a Marlin 94 in .44 magnum, and the last deer I took was a .45 Colt carbine with a tang sight.
Moon

 

[chicharrones]

I like the enclosed red dots, just because they seem easier to keep clean. But I do like the looks of your setup; it's like the sight was designed to go with the carbine.
Have a real weakness for PCCs; my 'deer rifle' for 40 years has been a Marlin 94 in .44 magnum, and the last deer I took was a .45 Colt carbine with a tang sight.
Moon

The introduction of enclosed pistol red dots sure seems like a great solution for certain carbines. I just can't choke down the cost yet.

EPS-HOLOSUN

 

[halfmoonclip]

Ouch, yeah, that's spendy. I stuck a $100 SIG-marked dot on the Storm; thought I'd try it, and then consider something else. I don't have any really high end optics; the market always seems in flux, and you can chase your tail after the latest/greatest. I do have a 2x on the AUG, with a combination of mil-dot and 'headphone' looking reticle. It works well, and I've shot sub minute of angle groups with Green Tip GI ammo.
Optics on pistols drive me crazy; the dot bounces, and I'm forever framing shots, leading to a jerk and a miss.
But I'm of an age where irons are tough to see.
Moon

 

[chicharrones]

The newly released Vortex Defender (3 or 6 MOA) is $250 and I was fortunate to get 15% off when Midway was giving that discount (plus free shipping) on all Vortex optics back in June.

The Defender came with a pic rail mount in the box, where a lot of pistol red dots don't include that anymore.

 

[ECVMatt]

Out of the box, the trigger was horrid. The two legs on the trigger that go into the void in the safety button bar would snag and snap into place when the trigger was pulled. I cleaned up the trigger legs and the sear surface of the hammer. Now the trigger is plenty good. Not bolt action hunting rifle good, but good for a PCC like this.

Regarding mods, besides the trigger work I opened up the SR sight leaf aperture to a slightly larger size using a drill bit. Plus, a second bolt charging knob and a Streamlight on the left side.

I did move from a Bushnell TRS25 red dot to a Vortex Defender red dot. The Defender is better in almost every way. It allows a view of the Beretta sights (if flipped up) and the window frame of the Defender lines up with the rear "bat ears" of the gun (from the perspective of the shooting eye). The forward view is very much improved over a tube type red dot.

I really, really like my Beretta CX4. Light weight, short for the barrel length, feels good in the hands, shoots acceptably well, up to 30 cartridges per mag, flip up sights with SR and LR rear leafs, one pin takedown . . . it's simply a very good urban/home defense carbine. IMO, of course.

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You are making me want to buy a new gun; please stop!

All kidding aside, I have always wanted one of these and your post is not helping! Your set up looks trim, handy and ready to go.

 

[halfmoonclip]

ECVMatt, pistol caliber carbines in general, and this one in particular, are handy and useful.
It's longer than my SBR Scorpion, but not by much; the mag-through-the-pistol grip really keeps the length down.
You won' t be unhappy; blame the purchase on me, if your wife asks!
Moon

 

[ECVMatt]

ECVMatt, pistol caliber carbines in general, and this one in particular, are handy and useful.
It's longer than my SBR Scorpion, but not by much; the mag-through-the-pistol grip really keeps the length down.
You won' t be unhappy; blame the purchase on me, if your wife asks!
Moon

I have already been bitten by the 9mm Carbine bug! I am just trying to resist the urge to add another one to the safe!!

If it does happen, I will gladly blame you guys to take some of the heat off!

 

[chicharrones]

@halfmoonclip, forgot to thank you for the heads up on the magazines.

I did order a few spare 20 rounders. They are my favorite size for the CX4.

 

[starling]

Be nice if Beretta would get on board with 10mm. Px4 pistol and CX4 carbine in 10mm would be quite a nice pair. Beretta is strange sometimes. I thought the CX4 was discontinued until the last couple years. I dont think they will abandon it. Kinda hoping they do another run of Pico 380acp because those have shot up in price pretty fast and they are excellent pistols. Nanos morphed into the APX line.

If anything I could see them taking the CX4 and doing a stock change to make them compatible with the APX series. Only design I really remember them completely tossing away was the 9000 series pistols. 8000 series went to stoegar when beretta transitioned to the PX4. NEOS is supposedly discontinued like the PICO but I have to think Beretta is just revamping it. Currently they dont really have anything in their lineup to fill those roles of pocket 380 and 22lr plinker.

Beretta is always tight lipped though until they vet their new offerings so you never know what they are going to bring out.

My favorite Manufacturer BTW and I am very much a Loyalist when it comes to buying from American Manufacturers only. Beretta is special for me though.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Chicharrones, hate to admit, but I missed the 20 rounders (like them in the Scorp), but happy to have the 30s. Ever tell you I backed the Jeep over a 92 series magazine, on a paved road (don't ask...), and it still worked?

Starling, Beretta is a mystery. It may be that they make things like the Storm in batches, as many MFGs do with their less popular models. It was kind of a surprise to see this one on the shelf.
A buddy has a Pico with a broken trigger spring, and Beretta won't honor repairs or parts on that model. Some models are really clever, like the Tomcat in .32, but loaded with caveats about what ammo is safe.
The Storm seems engineered for a bunch of shooting, and is a clever design with the telescoping bolt. Hard to believe it's all the work of the same corporation.
Moon

 

[starling]

Wow, Guess they have completely abandoned the Pico then. I had hopes they were quietly working on a double stack version to compete against the Ruger LCP Max. Something as simple as a trigger spring would "in theory" be backwards compatible with an older model if they were slightly revamping that version. They are either leaving the 380 bug/pocket carry market or working on something with a different trigger design more in line with a striker or pre set hammer. Thats a stinker, one of the things I liked about the pico was that it is a true DAO. I might have missed the boat on them as prices have been going up with lots of bidding wars happening. Odd handling pistol but a very well made one with a high quality of build, tiny, thin, and +p rated. Only true DAO 380 pocket guns left I can think of offhand are the bodyguard, Sccy CPX3 (little big), and the seecamp & clones,

Tell your buddy to keep his eyes out and start hunting if he likes his. I see parts kits on gunbroker from time to time.

Shame on you Beretta if anyone over there reads this. Oh.... And that 80X you are pushing is UGLY! Why you people making the 84fs ugly now? LOL

 

[halfmoonclip]

Starling, I liked the build quality of his pistol, but that trigger was absolutely from hell. Reputedly, the later ones had a better trigger; I've already bird dogged him to a set of scavenged parts on Ebay.
Yep, I'd like to see someone, anyone, make a SIG/Glock level of quality in an LCP sized pistol. Hard to argue with the little Rugers for function, but they just don't feel like they're in it for the long haul.
Embarrassed about the number of magazines stashed in the shop, but any of us, that were through the Clinton ban, and the threat of more from Biden, spares just seem prudent. My heirs and assigns will have fun. :O
Moon

 

[Dave Markowitz]

CDNN also have the factory 20s for the same price. They don't stick out as far, which makes the gun a bit handier.

 

[starling]

Starling, I liked the build quality of his pistol, but that trigger was absolutely from hell. Reputedly, the later ones had a better trigger; I've already bird dogged him to a set of scavenged parts on Ebay.
Yep, I'd like to see someone, anyone, make a SIG/Glock level of quality in an LCP sized pistol. Hard to argue with the little Rugers for function, but they just don't feel like they're in it for the long haul.
Embarrassed about the number of magazines stashed in the shop, but any of us, that were through the Clinton ban, and the threat of more from Biden, spares just seem prudent. My heirs and assigns will have fun. :O
Moon

HaHa.... Yes I remember the AWB hell. Nightmare for pistol fans. I still must have some sort of subconscious PTSD because I always go overboard on purchasing magazines as well. I dont see big magazines bans ever happening again but I still do it for whatever reason. Back in the AWB days my purchases largely centered around what I could get standard capacity magazines for and most of the time I was looking for deals where I could buy at least 10 mec-gars or factory magazines before I ever bought the pistol. I still have sets of magazines for which I have no pistol wrapped in anti rust paper and vacuum sealed in storage. Those were crazy days and to this day I still cant believe the AWB was allowed to sunset. Firearms enthusiasts were nowhere near as prevalent back then and most people looked at hard core gun fans as kinda weird. My wifes parents couldnt understand me seeking out and reading books on firearms all the time (we were not married back then in the late 90s). Now my Father in law has his CCWs and a range in his back yard LOL.

A lot of that AWB stuff is why I have a bit of an obsession with magazine design/construction and developed the ability to learn how to make aftermarket magazines like promag, USA, Triple K etc. etc. Magazines reliable and adapt/fit them to other pistols. There really was no other choice if you wanted a newer designed pistol post 1994 with the ability to hold more than 10 rounds.

On the positive side though Ammo was pretty much always available in bulk. I dont remember ever really having a problem with that. Still... high cap magazine ban was much/much worse for my interests in firearms.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Dave Markowitz, thanks, I will have a look, understand what you're saying about 20s.
Starling, yeah, making do with aftermarket magazines (other than MecGar) is a real PITA; some work remarkably reliable, others not so much, and you end up burning ammo to find out.
Bill Ruger was on his jag about "making guns for honest citizens", and had his own assault rifle ban; only 10 round mags for anyone but law enforcement.
Still have some military HiPower magazines; we cheerfully paid $40@ during the ban.
Moon

 

[halfmoonclip]

CDNN also have the factory 20s for the same price. They don't stick out as far, which makes the gun a bit handier.

Awright, Markowitz, ya' troublemaker...just ordered 2 20 rounders....
Thanks,
Moon

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Awright, Markowitz, ya' troublemaker...just ordered 2 20 rounders....
Thanks,
Moon

If it makes you feel any better, so did I.

Aside from them being more handy what I like about the 20s is that they stick out just enough to make fully seating the magazine a bit easier, compared with the 15 rounders that my Storm came with.