Beretta PX4 Storm
Description
The Beretta PX4 Storm is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9mm, 40 S&W and .45 ACP. And it is also available with a full, compact or sub-compact frame.
Features include an external hammer that when cocked back changes the trigger pull from double-action (long pull) to single-action (short pull). Its ambidextrous safety acts as a de-cocking lever and a second safety feature is its visible automatic firing pin block that prevents it from discharging if accidentally dropped. It has three-dot fixed sights and the front sight is interchangeable. On the front of the frame is a Picatinny rail for mounting lights or lasers. Lastly, it has a techno-polymer grip with removable back straps (small, medium and large), so shooters can adjust the grip for comfort and ease-of-use.
Beretta recommends the PX4 Storm for law enforcement and personal defense.
Specifications
| Full | |
|---|---|
| Caliber: | .40 S&W .45 ACP 9mm |
| Grip: | Techno-polymer single-piece |
| Capacity: | 14 (.40 S&W) 17 (9mm) 9 and 10 (.45 ACP) |
| Sights: | Three-dot fixed sights |
| Features: | Picatinny rail; interchangeable front sight; chrome-lined bore; reversible magazine catch; manual safety doubles as de-cocking lever; and internal recoil buffer |
| Action: | Semi-auto |
| Material/Finish: | Aluminum/black |
| Size: | Large |
| Trigger: | Double-action/single-action |
| Website: | http://www.berettaus… |
| Weight: | 1.73 pounds 1.76 pounds |
| Barrel Length: | 4" |
| Length: | 7.6" |
| Height: | 5.5" |
| Compact | |
| Caliber: | .40 S&W 9mm |
| Capacity: | 12 15 |
| Sights: | Three-dot fixed sight |
| Features: | Picatinny rail; interchangeable front sight; chrome-lined bore; reversible magazine catch; manual safety doubles as de-cocking lever; and internal recoil buffer |
| Action: | Semi-auto |
| Size: | Medium |
| Trigger: | Double-action/single-action |
| Slide Material: | Aluminum/black |
| Frame Material: | Techno-polymer single-piece (standard or slim size) |
| Website: | http://www.berettaus… |
| Weight: | 1.71 pounds |
| Barrel Length: | 3.2" |
| Length: | 6.8" |
| Height: | 5" |
| Sub-Compact | |
| Caliber: | .40 S&W 9mm |
| Capacity: | 12 15 |
| Sights: | Three-dot fixed sight |
| Features: | Picatinny rail; interchangeable front sight; chrome-lined bore; reversible magazine catch; manual safety doubles as de-cocking lever; and internal recoil buffer |
| Action: | Semi-auto |
| Size: | Small |
| Trigger: | Double-action/single-action |
| Slide Material: | Stainless steel |
| Frame Material: | Techno-polymer single-piece (standard or slim size) |
| Website: | http://www.berettaus… |
| Weight: | 1.64 pounds |
| Barrel Length: | 3" |
| Length: | 6.2" |
| Height: | 3" |
| MSRP | $550.00 |
Editor Review
I’ve chosen to review three different sizes of the Beretta Px4 in one review for obvious reasons. While there are some nuanced distinctions between the available sizes—such as the way the barrels are integrated—the guns all look and function in a very similar fashion.
Though the subcompact and compact versions are a bit wider than I might like, the guns are perfect for concealed carry. And this makes the Px4 series of pistols ideal for duty carry, too. If I were placed in situation where I needed to carry two firearms, I would want them to function as similarly as possible. A full-sized Px4 with a subcompact Px4 as a backup gun would make any necessary transition between the two a no-brainer.
Many of the new polymer framed pistols preference function over form. Rightfully so. But do we have to completely ignore form? I don’t think so. Beretta has done an excellent job of integrating ergonomics, mechanics, and reliability with a distinct aesthetic design. Seems logical enough. After the success of the M9, Beretta had to modernize its line to keep competing with innovations from Glock and Sig Sauer, among others.
When it comes to semi-automatic pistols, I’m a bit old fashioned. I’ve always favored heavier guns—the Model 1911 in particular – but I find the firearms hard to handle. My fingers must not be as long as those of John Browning. As such, I have always been attracted to full-size line of Beretta pistols. Ergonomically, the guns fit me perfectly. I can perform all of the guns various functions without releasing my hold on the grip – and this is an element of performance that I consider essential.
Beretta pistols are accurate, easy to operate, easy to disassemble and clean and very reliable. They are also affordable. The Px4 is no exception. I’m still not used to a full slide on a Beretta. And the slide on the Px4 is prominent. The gun’s frame is wide. The slide is heavy. When the clip is empty, this gives the Px4 a barrel heavy feel, but this isn’t uncommon in polymer-framed pistols.
The Px4 also has nice ambidextrous controls. Most of the levers and buttons on the gun can be moved from side to side, or replaced with larger or smaller versions. The back of the grip is also replaceable. These features allow for a much greater level of customization. The full size and compact models have Beretta’s rotating barrel, which helps to disperse the energy of recoil. This is a nice feature – the reduced recoil allows for faster target acquisition between shots.
If I were going to criticize the pistol, it would be for the polymer feed ramp that is built into the frame instead of the barrel. The feature makes sense as the barrel rotates, but I’d rather have the feed ramp made of a more durable material.
And these guns are wide. At just under an inch and a half, they are not unreasonably wide, but their frames are stout. While I appreciate this in the full-sized model, this is a detriment for concealed carry. But I’m talking about half an inch. That’s not a lot. And nothing when you think of the unique benefits provided by a functionally matched pair.
