Subjective .40 caliber felt recoil test: Glock vs Beretta PX4

[1KPerDay]

I did a quick back to back test of felt recoil between Gen 3 Glock 22, Gen 3 Glock 23, and Beretta PX4 Storm. The Glocks were very similar with maybe the G23 a little sharper, but the PX4 was notably softer shooting.

There’s something to the rotating barrel or maybe the frame is a little flexier than the Glock.

It would be interesting to try a Gen 5 G23 with the thicker slide as it’s supposed to soften recoil a bit, but I don’t have one. Anyway, here’s a quick video for any interested.

 

[Hartkopf]

Muzzle rise looked the same to me. Possibly more rise with the Beretta.

 

[1KPerDay]

Interesting. Split times seemed slower with the Beretta as well, though that may have also been impacted by the sights.

 

[JR24]

Had my P2000 and Glock 19 to the range today and hadn’t shot in quite a while. I was relearning the LEM trigger a bit was was so focused on that I completely forgot I was shooting .40 in the HK, recoil is so tame on that one.

 

[1KPerDay]

Had my P2000 and Glock 19 to the range today and hadn’t shot in quite a while. I was relearning the LEM trigger a bit was was so focused on that I completely forgot I was shooting .40 in the HK, recoil is so tame on that one.

Yeah I need to add a few more .40s to the flock. I understand the P229 and P226 in .40 are quite good as well.

 

[mcb]

Maybe because I started with 40 S&W (I don't currently own a 9mm or) I have never found 40 S&W unpleasant to shoot in anything I have shot it in. From and XD-40 SubCompact to the full size XD-40 Tactical, to a S&W 610 to a double stand 1911. 40 S&W has always felt very shootable in any platform I have used it in.

 

[JTQ]

... but the PX4 was notably softer shooting.

... I understand the P229 ...in .40 are quite good as well

Unlike the Glock pistols, which were designed around the 9mm and until the Gen 5, were basically 9mm guns with a .40 S&W barrel, the PX4, P229, HK USP, S&W M&P were designed around the .40 S&W round, and modified to shoot 9mm.

 

[starling]

Thats just those nice rotary barrel locking systems on the PX4. It takes the snappiness out of the 40S&W and the recoil moves more in a straight line because as the barrel unlocks it stays linear. We dont see a whole lot of rotating barrel but people who shoot them most often become fans. Glock actually uses it in the Model 46 for the German Police but we dont them in the USA last time I checked. I understand why manufacturers stick to the tilting barrel designs (cheaper and easier to manufacturer) but prefer the rotating barrels. The PX4 is probably the best of them over all so you have yourself a good one. A few manufacturers have used the system through the years but most people find them weird (until they actually shoot them) and they never really take off like they should. Berettas first rotary barrel was the 8000/Cougar series, Colt had the All American 2000, Mauser had the M2. Currently its the Beretta PX4 and the Grand Power.1911 wise there is the Mexican Obregon which is basically a 1911 with a rotary locking system. Why nobody adopts has ever adopted the rotary lock for 10mm is beyond me outside of lazy designers. Eventually somebody will do it. Colt should have used it in the Delta Elite IMO.

If the Glock 46 ever makes its way to the USA I could see the design getting popular. Smith and Wesson is useing it now in their 5.7 so maybe it will start getting more noticed. Problem is thats a niche cartridge so I doubt it will be a huge seller. Boberg bullpup pistol used it but again thats a niche pistol. Be nice if somebody would use it in something more mainstream and budget friendly for the masses. Maybe as the 40S&W becomes popular again manufacturers will give it a look to deal with all the people that are so recoil sensitive. If Smith and Wesson did the next generation of Sigmas like a SD40VE 2.0 with a rotary lock I could see them being very popular. Take the snap out of the 40 that people complain about so much etc. while still giving them an upgrade power wise. Ive only ever shot one rotary barrel pistol in 357sig (beretta 8000) and it was a pussycat. Ive heard talk of Mauser M2 357sig barrels existing but never seen one before. I dont believe they exhist outside of factory testing.

Seems like the biggest problem with manufacturers useing the rotary barrel system is they put them in eird pistols. Colt fumbled the 2000, Mauser M2 is a very odd duck ergo and operation wise, Beretta Cougars were not huge sellers for whatever reason (pretty clunky looking), Grand Power is largely unknown. The PX4 has basically been the most successful in recent history. Hopefully Beretta Keeps it around in at least one model. It has a gained pretty solid following but it took a while. 10mm and 357sig PX4 offerings would be nice pistols but Beretta has never done it as far as I know.

Anyways... I think you have a winner there with your PX4 40S&W. I would take that over the New Beefed up Glock 22 any day of the week. Might be better Of getting a Glock 20 and barrels for 40S&W/357sig. If you get hooked on rotary barrel pistols (Im a fan of them) maybe give the Grand Power a look. The build quality is very high on those. One of my favorite CCWs is a rotary barrel 40S&W so Im pretty familiar with them.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Cool thank you....love experiments and info.

 

[CDW4ME]

I have a Glock 22.3 and a 22.5 - the gen 5 with thicker, heavier slide is noticeably softer shooting.

 

[mavracer]

Unlike the Glock pistols, which were designed around the 9mm and until the Gen 5, were basically 9mm guns with a .40 S&W barrel, the PX4, P229, HK USP, S&W M&P were designed around the .40 S&W round, and modified to shoot 9mm.

It's really not complicated physics bringing laws to the table and all, you can have a gun with the same slide weight and recoil spring as the 9mm and have more abusive recoil.
Or you compensate with a heavier spring or slide. IMHO adding a ounce to the slide is the lesser evil.
Some like my FNS40 don't even hide it the scallops on the slide are much deeper on the 9mm version.

 

[Gun-Reck]

Have G23.4's, with the dual-spring RSA.

Shooting 180 gr. ammo, they shoot noticeably softer than the single-spring RSA G23.2.