How silly would a CX4-storm be for self defense?
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ugaarguy
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I guess I'll respond to this zombie of a thread
5.56 NATO, with proper ammo selection, is actually less likely to over penetrate than 9x19. See the rifle forum reading library for several links on the issue.
Legal thing - the current Storm stock is a thumb hole stock, so it's not a pistol grip, detachable magazine "assault weapon" in the more restrictive states. I'm not sure if the Storm is made at Beretta USA, or at Beretta in Italy. If the latter, the thumb hole stock lets Beretta import it and avoid violating 922(r).
Beagle-zebub
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Why not get this carbine in .40 or .45?
jackdanson
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Proper shot placement with a cx4 is much easier than with a pistol. I would still rather have a shotgun or AR for SD, but I reckon a cx4 would be more than sufficent for the task.
Depends on why you're getting it. If you're buying it as a fighting weapon, yeah, I'd rather have it in .45 or .40, or .308, 12g or 5.56 or 7.62x39.
If you're buying it as a fun gun with defense as a secondary use, 9mm is cheaper than all of them, and has no recoil to speak of.
Mike
i had one for a while,when it first came out, it was a great little carbine,& very accurate, i only sold it cause i got a great deal on an hk usc.the storm would be great for home defense,especially with a 20 or 30 rd after mmarket mags.16" barrel with hollowpoints or +p,i wouldnt want to be in front of it...........
Mass-Diver
Member
To resurrect this thread: has anyone ever seen anyone with a modified storm with a true pistol grip?
Is it possible (for a gunsmith or someone who knows what they are doing) to simply cut off the piece that connects the grip to the rear stock?
Is it possible (for a gunsmith or someone who knows what they are doing) to simply cut off the piece that connects the grip to the rear stock?
I don't see why you couldn't. I'm just not sure why you would want to. I don't see the dingus getting in the way of much. While I agree that it serves no purpose besides satisfying stupid laws, it also doesn't really get in the way.
Mike
Mike
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I was considering a CX-4 for a home defense gun when I lived in CANADA. I tried a rental CX-4 at a range and liked it. It was very popular as a rental.
Then I tried an AR-15 in 9m.m. and found I preferred the AR. The handling and sights were much better on the AR-15.
For me, the slick forend made a repeatable grip difficult and I would add a red dot sight before I would use the CX-4 for defense.
Jim
Then I tried an AR-15 in 9m.m. and found I preferred the AR. The handling and sights were much better on the AR-15.
For me, the slick forend made a repeatable grip difficult and I would add a red dot sight before I would use the CX-4 for defense.
Jim
MartyG
Member
I bought my Storm on election night, figuring I might not be able to after Jan 20th. Familiar with all the reasons given, and was watching price go up, and availability go down every day. Face it, we buy what we want, based on emotion, then justify it with facts afterwards. I am very happy with mine, and consider it very suitable to home defense as I envision it.
CrankyOldGuy
Member
Pistol caliber carbines for home defense, pro's and con's.
Pro: A long gun is more easily used, by lightly trained personnel, than a pistol.
Con: Pistol calibers are marginal "stoppers". Rifle calibers or shotguns are far better short range fire arms(defense range weapons)
Pro: A Pistol Caliber Carbine makes even sharp recoil cartridges like the .357 Magnum or .40S&W easily handled by slight-framed personnel.
Pro: The longer barrel reduces muzzle flash, a significant factor in night time defensive situations.
Pro: A Pistol Caliber Carbine is quieter than a rifle caliber long arm or a shotgun, a significant factor in an enclosed space.
Con: A Pistol Caliber Carbine is a bit less handy when "clearing the house" then a pistol. In a defensive situation you should not be "clearing", but you may have to "go get the kids".
Pro: A Pistol Caliber Carbine is fun and reasonably cheap to shoot, so you will probably practice more. (Huge "pro" here. Skill trumps caliber, capacity and tacticool accessories every time)
Con: A Pistol Caliber Carbine will probably not penetrate a body-armored BG.
My personal HD weapons are:
Winchester 1300 Defender with a Knoxx stock. (12 gauge #1 buck 6+1)
Colt 1911A1 (230gr +P JHP 8+1) for me
S&W Model 66 (157gr LWC 38 special) for wifey
But...I am a very experienced shooter and I practice with these firearms weekly. I can handle the 12 gauge recoil. (The Knoxx stock helps)
I will likely buy a pistol caliber carbine for plinking but my wife is getting a .410 saiga for her HD long gun. I agree with her and think it is a better choice than a pistol caliber carbine.
But these are HD choices. CCW defensive choices are another story. I carry a Glock 36 (6+1 .45ACP) or a Glock 26 (10+1 9mm) when "out and about". I prefer the .45 but the slightly shorter 9mm is an easier carry. I don't consider the 9x19 an adequate caliber for self defense in a pistol length barrel, but it's far better than a pointy stick.
A CX-4 in .45ACP is a reasonable HD carbine however you gain little from the extra barrel length in this caliber, one is 9mm is also good because the 9mm enjoys better velocity out of a carbine than a short pistol barrel, especially if you use +p ammunition. IMHO the .40 S&W is the best choice in a pistol caliber carbine. It also gains velocity from the longer barrel and the heavier, wider bullet (vs the 9x19mm) has more efficient terminal ballistics.
Pro: A long gun is more easily used, by lightly trained personnel, than a pistol.
Con: Pistol calibers are marginal "stoppers". Rifle calibers or shotguns are far better short range fire arms(defense range weapons)
Pro: A Pistol Caliber Carbine makes even sharp recoil cartridges like the .357 Magnum or .40S&W easily handled by slight-framed personnel.
Pro: The longer barrel reduces muzzle flash, a significant factor in night time defensive situations.
Pro: A Pistol Caliber Carbine is quieter than a rifle caliber long arm or a shotgun, a significant factor in an enclosed space.
Con: A Pistol Caliber Carbine is a bit less handy when "clearing the house" then a pistol. In a defensive situation you should not be "clearing", but you may have to "go get the kids".
Pro: A Pistol Caliber Carbine is fun and reasonably cheap to shoot, so you will probably practice more. (Huge "pro" here. Skill trumps caliber, capacity and tacticool accessories every time)
Con: A Pistol Caliber Carbine will probably not penetrate a body-armored BG.
My personal HD weapons are:
Winchester 1300 Defender with a Knoxx stock. (12 gauge #1 buck 6+1)
Colt 1911A1 (230gr +P JHP 8+1) for me
S&W Model 66 (157gr LWC 38 special) for wifey
But...I am a very experienced shooter and I practice with these firearms weekly. I can handle the 12 gauge recoil. (The Knoxx stock helps)
I will likely buy a pistol caliber carbine for plinking but my wife is getting a .410 saiga for her HD long gun. I agree with her and think it is a better choice than a pistol caliber carbine.
But these are HD choices. CCW defensive choices are another story. I carry a Glock 36 (6+1 .45ACP) or a Glock 26 (10+1 9mm) when "out and about". I prefer the .45 but the slightly shorter 9mm is an easier carry. I don't consider the 9x19 an adequate caliber for self defense in a pistol length barrel, but it's far better than a pointy stick.
A CX-4 in .45ACP is a reasonable HD carbine however you gain little from the extra barrel length in this caliber, one is 9mm is also good because the 9mm enjoys better velocity out of a carbine than a short pistol barrel, especially if you use +p ammunition. IMHO the .40 S&W is the best choice in a pistol caliber carbine. It also gains velocity from the longer barrel and the heavier, wider bullet (vs the 9x19mm) has more efficient terminal ballistics.
The Deer Hunter
Member
Oh yeah? So does a 9mm. I have never been shot, or even shot at, or even shot near but once lead starts flying in your direction, things are going to look so damn peachy.
I don't see any reason why it is an inherently bad choice. Research it. If it looks good, buy it. Shoot it. A lot. If your satisfied that it will meet your criteria for self defense (presumably in your home), then stick with it.
A pistol is a good thing, but if you're anything like me (and probably most of the world) and can't aim a pistol to save your life, go with a carbine. Or a rifle. Or a shotgun.
its done quite frequently...we've done 4 or 5. i personally think it makes a funny looking gun, worse. but i do love the cx4 storm.
and while i must admit i didnt read the whole thread, i see there are people clammering on about ballistic velocity of 9mm vs rifle calibers...when the real discussion, in a close quarter tactical setting, should be about wound profile and tissue cavitation.
and the 86% of people that survived pistol wounds were shot once. i dont know about the rest of you, but an intruder in my house will not see the benefit of that narrow sample statistic.
I would use my 9mm Storm in a home defense situation although a shotty is the primary. But I would still use the Storm if I had to. It came in handy when Hurricane Ike hit the Galveston/Houston areas. I had mine handy as it was light and rain didnt seem to affect its finish. A friend of mine had his Bushmaster M4 while guarding his home after the storm, (it took 13 days for our power to be restored and night times where very dark and eerie.) rain covered it and within 5 hours started developing light rusting. Had my Storm out in the rain and it didnt affect the finish at all.
I chose the 9mm over .40 and .45acp purely because of capacity. I've got 5 20rounders from Mec-gar:
One loaded with +p 124gr HSTs
Two loaded with 124 Golden Sabers
Two loaded with FMJs
In conclusion as other posters have mentioned, its all about shot placement with any firearm. If you decide to get one I suggest you get the top rail version and mount a red dot, the irons suck. I bored the rear iron sight wider and co-witnessed it with an Aimpoint. The thing is accurate dead-on out to 50 yards.
I chose the 9mm over .40 and .45acp purely because of capacity. I've got 5 20rounders from Mec-gar:
One loaded with +p 124gr HSTs
Two loaded with 124 Golden Sabers
Two loaded with FMJs
In conclusion as other posters have mentioned, its all about shot placement with any firearm. If you decide to get one I suggest you get the top rail version and mount a red dot, the irons suck. I bored the rear iron sight wider and co-witnessed it with an Aimpoint. The thing is accurate dead-on out to 50 yards.
IdahoLT1
Member
The CX4 storm makes a great choice for HD, especially if you already have a Beretta pistol to match. Thats what it was intended for, for LEO's to be able to use the magazines from their pistols in the rifle for added range and velocity. I load 90gr. Speer hollow points for ground squirrel shooting. With the 7.0 gr. of Power pistol, it throws the 90gr. bullet out the barrel at 1600fps, creating a muzzle energy of 511ft lbs. Ive reached out to ~70yds to hit ground squirrels with open sights. Most of them i shoot are 30-50yds away, which is a very very difficult task to replicate those shots off hand with a pistol.
Adding a red dot scope to the carbine rifle just makes it that much more efficient. it allows the shooter to leave both eyes open, yet be able to quickly and easily put the round on ithe intended target.
So, for civilians, if a zombie scenerio/post disaster were to play out, having a beretta pistol and CX4 carbine in the same caliber, would make a good choice as it will limit the weight of carrying different ammo or different magazines, while adding range and ease of use.
Adding a red dot scope to the carbine rifle just makes it that much more efficient. it allows the shooter to leave both eyes open, yet be able to quickly and easily put the round on ithe intended target.
So, for civilians, if a zombie scenerio/post disaster were to play out, having a beretta pistol and CX4 carbine in the same caliber, would make a good choice as it will limit the weight of carrying different ammo or different magazines, while adding range and ease of use.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Not silly at all. A 9mm carbine is superior to a 9mm handgun in every way but portability and concealability.
amd6547
Member
I have always liked 9mm carbines for an HD option, even though my Beretta 92FS is my first line of defense.
I have owned a marlin camp carbine, a High Point 9mm carbine, and last, an UZI.
However, my HD carbine now, IS a carbine...an M1 carbine from CMP. Bargain price, hits harder than the 9mm, effective with SP's, and while I have shot every 9mm carbine I have owned out to 100 yards with pretty good results, My Inland carbine shoots fist sized groups to POA at the same distance. Great sights, excellent mag capacity (15 or 30 rounds). I am going to get an M1A1 folding repro stock for it to give shorter overall length, and it will be perfect.
The only thing the M1 carbine gives up to the 9mm carbine is cheap ammo and mag compatability with the pistol, both of which I am willing to exchange for what is essentially a hotter cartridge in an excellent platform.
I have owned a marlin camp carbine, a High Point 9mm carbine, and last, an UZI.
However, my HD carbine now, IS a carbine...an M1 carbine from CMP. Bargain price, hits harder than the 9mm, effective with SP's, and while I have shot every 9mm carbine I have owned out to 100 yards with pretty good results, My Inland carbine shoots fist sized groups to POA at the same distance. Great sights, excellent mag capacity (15 or 30 rounds). I am going to get an M1A1 folding repro stock for it to give shorter overall length, and it will be perfect.
The only thing the M1 carbine gives up to the 9mm carbine is cheap ammo and mag compatability with the pistol, both of which I am willing to exchange for what is essentially a hotter cartridge in an excellent platform.
30 cal slob
Member
i don't particularly care for the storm carbine ergonomics, but it will most certainly get the job done for h.d.
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Or shaking a clenched fist at someone. Any working gun is better than nothing. You don't necessarily have to kill your assailant. Sometimes brandishing your weapon is enough to cause an assailant to disengage.
That said, I'd rather have something bigger, but a CX-4 beats nothing.
oneeyenurse
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- Nov 9, 2008
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Convinced me. I'm buying one...in .40 of course.
Beagle-zebub
Member
LOL, make it statistically significant.
MartyG
Member
Last week I took my 9mm Beretta CX4 to the indoor 100 yd range. The rifle targets there are the size of a small pizza. At 100 yds, I had a hard time sighting it. I was lucky to hit the paper. Today I went back with a 30mm, 2X red dot. After a little sighting in, I routinely got my shots within a 4" group. No marksman, but if anything comes at me smaller than 4", I'll have to wait until the little gremlin gets closer! The red dot sight is quick and easy to pick up, sight and shoot. I recommend it, especially for those over-50 eyeballs like mine!
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