Video Review
First Impressions & Background
I’m almost embarrassed to admit this is my first experience with the PX4 Storm, given the platform has been on the market for 20 years. While it’s somewhat rare to spot one in the wild, the PX4 is a proven firearm with a cult-like following.
I immediately noticed some likable qualities to this Compact Carry 2 model with upgrades from Langdon Tactical. The double-action/single-action trigger was smooth, and the slide racked back and forth with a buttery-slick feel.
The profile of the gun didn’t immediately strike me as overly beautiful. I like the two-tone coloring, and the gun balanced very nicely in my hands. The grip and controls all felt just right when I first plucked it out of its case.
Related: Cult Classic – Beretta PX4 Storm Review
There was some heft to the gun, but it didn’t seem like anything that would bother me if I were carrying it every day. The compact size is a cross between a full and sub-compact pistol, which makes it both carryable and comfortable to shoot.
What caught my eye was the unique rotary barrel that reflects roots in the older, all-metal Beretta 8000 Cougar (later Stoeger Cougar). On that note, let’s dig into the specs for this gun.
Specs & Function
Featuring a polymer lower that makes it lighter than the similar all-metal 8000 Cougar, the locked-breech, double-action/single-action PX4 Storm uses a rotary barrel that locks and unlocks via the rotating motion of the barrel after firing. This stands in contrast to the more common tilting barrel you’ll find in guns like the Glock 19 or SIG Sauer P320.
Beyond the rotary barrel system it shares with the Cougar, the recoil-spring assembly stands out as a rather unique feature of the Beretta PX4 Storm. Instead of your standard guide rod and spring, Beretta opted to use dual captured springs on a guide rod that rides inside an articulated polymer chassis.
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This chassis has a lug that interfaces with a curved channel in the barrel. This combination of parts allows the barrel to rotate and unlock under pressure while the recoil-spring assembly then rotates it back into place. Beyond just a clever way to get around using a tilting barrel, the whole system makes for a strikingly smooth, easy-to-rack slide.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the basic specs for this PX4 Storm:
- Chambering: 9mm
- Weight: 1.7 pounds with empty magazine
- Length: 6.8 inches
- Barrel Length: 3.3 inches
- Sight Radius: 5.15 inches
- Height: 5 inches
- Width: 1.33 inches
- DA Trigger Pull: 6 pounds
- SA Trigger Pull: 3.8 pounds
- Capacity: 15+1
It’s worth repeating that Beretta’s Compact Carry 2 now includes the Langdon Tactical upgrades for the trigger as a standard feature. Those upgrades shine for me. The double-action trigger is long at around 0.9 inches, but it is smooth without much stacking. Breaking at right around 6 pounds for my gauge, I’d call this one of the best DA trigger pulls I’ve tested on a standard semi-auto pistol.
The single-action trigger pull is even sweeter. There’s 0.35 inches of light take-up to the wall. It’s a springy, positive take-up that you can feel as you pull the trigger. I like this because you can easily stage the trigger for more accurate shooting and still run the gun fast. The break has a bit of mush to it, but it’s more of a smooth break.
Unlike many triggers that feel like you are snapping a toothpick at the wall, this LTT-enhanced trigger feels far more refined. That’s thanks to the LTT trigger job, which includes the black DLC-coated Optimized Performance Trigger Bar. This feature reduces the trigger reset for single-action shooting to just 0.1 inches. The reset is fast, tactile, and has an audible click.
Other upgrades include the bobbed/spurless hammer for concealed carry, Type-D hammer spring for better trigger control, and ambidextrous Type-G decockers for a concealable profile. The spurless hammer still offers the added half-cock safety, which is only noticeable if you partially pull the slide or trigger back and draw the hammer to the half-cock notch.
Another bright spot on the Compact Carry 2 is the optional Talon Grips. I found these to be an excellent addition for shooting on hot, sweaty days. The Talon Grips offer fantastic control. They are relatively abrasive, so keep that in mind for concealed carry. You may want to use an undershirt if you’re sensitive to abrasive grips, or you can simply opt to use the standard grip without adding the Talon Grips to your pistol.
This gun hosts a 3.3-inch match-grade barrel with some refined sights to go with it. These are a blacked-out rear notch with a bright orange front post that sports a tritium vial for low-light shooting. There’s also an extended magazine release that I found easy to manipulate without shifting my grip. This can be swapped to either side for the left-handed shooters out there.
Finally, as a cherry on top, the PX4 comes with a retractable lanyard loop on the heel of the grip and front Picatinny rail for lights and lasers up front. There are even adjustable backstraps to customize the grip size.
Range Testing
Guns that shoot well at the range get extra points for beauty. I confess that I wasn’t immediately attracted to the looks of this 9mm PX4 Storm, but they’ve grown on me. The fact that this gun can reliably ring steel at 25 yards also helps.
The rotary barrel system, smooth trigger pull, weight, and grip made this gun very controllable on the range. The grip angle makes it point naturally in my hand, and the Talon Grips keep it locked in my grip as I shoot. Recoil is light and smooth, which allowed me to rapidly reengage targets with follow-up shots.
I’m sitting at 500 rounds of a mix of ammo shot through my test PX4. That includes 100 rounds of 115-grain steel-cased Winchester USA Forged FMJ, 200 rounds of budget 124-grain brass-cased ZSR FMJ, 50 rounds of 147-grain Federal Syntech, 50 rounds of 115-grain brass-cased Blazer FMJ, 60 rounds of 124-grain hollow-point Federal Premium Punch, and 40 rounds of 147-grain hollow-point SIG Sauer Elite.
The steel-cased USA Forged ammo in particular has challenged several other guns I’ve recently tested. The Beretta PX4 Storm Compact Carry 2 ran flawlessly with all of it.
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My biggest surprise came right at the beginning of my testing. I set a target out at 30 feet for my first magazine. Here’s what I got when I finished shooting all 15 rounds.
I think the target speaks for itself. The potential to improve is always there, and I saw similar results throughout my testing. The harder challenge was shooting off barriers at our steel targets.
I did this shooting at 25 yards. It’s a bit anecdotal, but of the 10 handguns I tested on the range, the PX4 performed the best when it came to ringing steel from the barricades during my last day-long range trip.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a quick list of my pros and cons for the Beretta PX4 Storm Compact Carry 2 with LTT upgrades:
Pros:
- Accurate
- Reliable
- Easy to shoot
- Talon Grips
- Great DA/SA trigger pull
- High-visibility night sights
- Accessory rail
- Ergonomic grip design
- Rotating barrel system
- Extended magazine release
- Bobbed/spurless hammer
- Compact size
- Easy-to-rack slide
- Type-G ambidextrous decocker
Cons:
- Slightly higher price
- Somewhat heavy
- Unique aesthetic profile
-
Somewhat shallow slide serrations
Final Thoughts
I found it hard to criticize this gun. That normally comes easily for firearms I test over extended range sessions; however, the Beretta PX4 Storm Compact Carry 2 has tons of great features with just some minor faults.
It’s an accurate and easy-to-shoot range companion. It offers a size and reliability that make it a great option for concealed carry, and it’s got a host of upgraded features for a reasonable price. What more can you really ask for?
