I adopted a lonely Italian girl...

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armoredman

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proud to be in AZ
Well, sort of.

PX4Storm40SW.gif

I need a new sidearm for the job I am returning to, as they STILL don't authorize my favored CZ pistols. So, I went hunting with the "authorized manufacturer" list...which includes Beretta, Glock, Kahr, Taurus, Colt, (and clones), Smith, SiG, and AMT of all things...AMT is on there and I can't get CZ added? Yikes.
So, in the slim pickin's we have around here I find this gem, a lightly used Beretta PX4 Storm in 40SW. I've shopped this store for years, and they gave me a screaming deal. :) There was very little wear, but a FILTHY barrel, like the previous owner shot gun show lead reloads caked in mud.
No holster or spare mag yet, but I took it out to the range this morning, with Federal 180 gr FMJ FP and some 135 grain Hydra Shoks. Functioning was flawless, recoil very manageable, trigger has some creep in single action mode, but what duty pistol doesn't?
Accuracy...was lacking. All rounds fired two hand hold standing. I got 2 inches at 10 yards, not too bad. At 15 the groups started to fall apart, with the occasional flyer off the 8.5x11 paper. At 25 yards it was 2 on, 3 off. Can it hit a man sized target at 25 yards? Yes. Will my CZ SP-01 Phantom shoot rings around it? Yes.
BUT, in all fairness, this was my first time with this pistol, never used a rotating bolt sidearm before, and I was using factory ammo, always worse than my hand loads.
OK, I have dies and a mold on the way. I have everything else I need, so we'll see how this goes. I am willing to give her a try with some home grown ammo, (what girl can resist a man who offers her a home cooked meal? ;) ), and we'll go from there.
Gonna need a cheap holster and a spare mag before long, too.
PX4Storrm40SW2.gif

Italy - who knew they were good at things besides losing wars? :D
 
Little wonder she got the boot...some say sleek while I say eek! :eek: Still, I hear good things about what matters most so congratulations are in order. I've seen a few at the range and I take notice of shooter error and which pistols ignore it. The PX4 is very forgiving in that regard and looked to be quite controllable as well. I think you got a winner.
 
You say it is a duty gun, but then want a cheap holster? Honestly, if I were in the market for a duty holster, I would expect it to run me about 1/3 of what you just paid for the gun.

Sent from my HTC One X
 
aah, I have about run my gamut fundswise, that's the problem. I might be stuck buying a *gulp*, Fobus rig...Hoping to get something better, but nothing in sight at the moment. It's a rig to go to and from work, qualifies for "entry", so it needs to look good and function...well, just function. :)
 
Italy - who knew they were good at things besides losing wars?

And food... and cars... and architecture...

Actually, winning wars is about the only thing they aren't good at!
 
My PX4 .40, as you all know because I never shut up about it, has been a constant companion of mine for 4 years. I got mine when they were in the $500 ball park and I think they were a great deal then.

It's different looking, but the quality is high. Love mine. It has reliably fed 6 makes of JHP in its lifetime (~3,500 flawless rounds) and currently stocks 180-grain Speer Gold Dot.

It's actually a pretty accurate gun, but the sight radius is short so small differences matter. As you get used to the trigger pulls in DA and SA, you'll see improvements.

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I've done a LOT of business in that shop. ;) I've never asked for a deal before, either.
They have some kydex rigs there too, but probably no spare mags. I could find 92 mags all over, but this one might be a bit harder.
 
I think the Px4's are smexy looking. They feel a little "different" in the hand, but compared to a CZ nothing quite matches up.

I've wanted to shoot a rotating bbl pistol, I've heard it helps reduce recoil. And if you are using it for duty, don't skimp on the holster. Get something decent at least like the Desantis.
 
armoredman,

if you are in the valley of the sun, i believe pistol parlour has desantis rigs. you may want to give them a call. they may have your exra mag, too.

murf
 
My Dad has a .40 PX4, and I try to shoot it every chance I get. More controllable than some 9mm's I can recall shooting. I like them because they have easily the most comfortable grip cross-section out there, much rounder than any other. And they also don't have obnoxious spikes all over the grip to sand down (it's a bit annoying to see stipling in my hand half an hour after shooting my Five-seveN).

They are also probably the easiest pistol to field strip ever made (pull tab, push slide, lift out barrel, done). Bad news if Jet Li ever wants to mug you (you'd best be carrying an FNAR for him to take apart in that case).

Honestly, I've never understood the "girly" thing people say of the PX4's, they pretty much look like every other poly-frame pistol out there. There just not intentionally ugly, is all ;).

Now a PPK, that's got a girly look to it *ducks head* :)

TCB
 
Hmm, should I mention I used to carry a PPK back in the day??? :) Pocket carried holsterless ONCE...the rust was ungodly.
murf, I am south of there by 60+ miles, unfortunately, and even though gas has dropped, it's still a wee bit far.
I am hoping to find a paddle rig that doesn't look too bad, no thumbreak. I did see Midway clearancing out a Hogue one...which has some weird retention device.
 
well, if you ever make it up to the east valley, they are the best.

murf
 
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