Initial Shots: Beretta 9mm PX4...

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello.  For roughly 4 decades now, my autoloader of choice has been a single-action such as the Browning Hi Power or 1911.  In the '80's I coughed up the then high tariff for a CZ-75 since it appeared interesting, had gained the blessing of Col. Cooper and allowed for Condition One Carry (cocked-and-locked) if desired.

During roughly this same time-frame, I became a police firearm instructor, which necessitated my being very familiar and competent with other than single-action autoloaders or double-action revolvers.

So, I began rigorously working to improve my skills with SIG-Sauers' P220 and P226 DA/SA pistols as they were very well-represented within the law enforcement community as well as Glock's line of handguns.  I found that at least with some of the DA/SA automatics, the transition from DA to SA just was not the "monster" described by some scribes, which prompted me to try other than single-action automatics; with the money spent over the years, I'm not sure if that was a blessing or a curse...

The most recent of this seemingly never-ending line of pistols to shoot is the 9mm PX Storm from Beretta.  Mine is the "Type F", IE: conventional DA/SA with the slide-mounted thumb safety.  The pistol is locked breech, but uses a rotating barrel system to accomplish this.  It seems to work well at least in my initial range session.  The gun functioned flawlessly with the 435 rounds fired.


Here is a picture of it next to the very common Glock 17. Hopefully, this gives folks at least an approximate idea of its size.


I tried this pistol with a six different loads.  From left to right:
DAG 124-gr. FMJ, Winchester Ranger 127-gr. +P+, handload using Speer 124-gr. Gold Dot, a discontinued Corbon +P load using the Hornady 124-gr. XTP, Speer 147-gr. Gold Dot, and Remington 147-gr. Golden Saber.  These all fed smoothly and flawlessly.


I fired no further than 15 yards in the initial range session.  It was windy and the 25-yard pistol range was occupied.  I fired this group while seated and with wrists braced on sandbags. I was trying to gauge the pistol's inherent mechanical accuracy...and was very pleasantly surprised.

In short, I found the pistol to be extremely comfortable, 100% reliable...at least so far, and surprisingly accurate.

If interested in a considerably more detailed review, look here:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/shooting_the_beretta_px4_storm_9.htm


Best.

[shooter32]

Another great report.

Thanks, Stephen

[ericire12]

Another great report.

Thanks, Stephen

+1

*Great photos too!

[sigman69]

thanks for the review...I have yet had the chance to shoot one.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello.  I shot the pistol again yesterday at a friend's place in the country where he has built his own range.  It was windy and we only fired from about 20 yards or so.  The pistol fired another flawless 200 rounds of 9mm 124-gr FMJ ammunition.  Groups were not nearly as tight as when seated and with  wrists braced, and I just wasn't shooting as well today.  Since I already had determined (at least to my satisfaction) that the pistol has more than adequate mechanical accuracy, shots were fired standing with a two-hand hold.  Groups were generally in the 3 to 4" range and to point-of-aim.  My buddy shot it and got a little tighter groups than I did.

I had purposely not cleaned or lubed the gun's interior since I first shot it and it has reliably handled over 600 shots.  Could it make a thousand?  Maybe; it still runs "slick as a gut" but I don't particularly care.  I normally clean my pistols (traditional steel and walnut or "combat tupperware") after each range session. 

Best.

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

Looks like a keeper!

[twyacht]

Thank you Stephen. A co-worker opted for the PX-4. and I will attest to its function and accuracy.  It simply worked with a slew of ammo types.

Accuracy was spot on at SD distances to 15yds, and it is a fine firearm, ugly, and kind of funny looking, but very sound in function, design, and reliability.

Kinda like those "G" pistols, my FN9, and M+P.

Great report.

[billt]

This pistol intrigues me. Approximately how much does the barrel rotate for each movement in and out of battery? Judging by the slot milled into the barrel, it appears to be less than 1/4 of a turn.  Bill T.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello.  Way less than 1/2 turn.   Probably like you say, about a quarter-turn.

Best.

[m25operator]

I was coparty to a T&E on this same pistol, 1st one they sent us, would have the hammer follow 1 in about 10 shots, of course you had second strike capability, Beretta sent us another one, and it did perform well, accuracy was good, I won't say it is a no buy, but I think other pistols fit the niche better. Can't say a whole lot as my range time was twice, and probably 100 rds each session, and I am not writing the article. TBA, for SWAT magazine.