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Beretta PX-4 Sub-Compact Review & Pics

24K views 70 replies 35 participants last post by  drew4691  
#1 ·
I changed carry pieces from a Sig P239 to a PX-4 Storm Sub-Compact, and thought I'd share my results so far. I tried to get one of these last year when they were supposed to come out, but when the production was delayed, I bailed. I tried a few other carry autos with varying results. I'm hopeful this will fit the bill! I'm not the best range-report writer, but here goes.

In short, I liked it very much! I can't believe 13+1 9mm fit in this tiny thing! No malfunctions of any kind with 200rds WWB. Next trip will be JHPs.

Feel
I have mostly shot "fat" double stack guns, but the gun this one replaced (and I had shot the most recently) was a single stack Sig P239. So, it took me a little bit to get used to the fatter grip. The reach from backstrap to trigger is a bit longer than the Sig, but it felt good to me once I got used to it. It's about 4oz. lighter than the 239, so its felt recoil was more, but still less than I expected. It's partially soaked up, I suppose, but the relatively wider backstrap. Follow-up shots were fast and easy. It came with the medium backstrap - I will probably try out the small and large tonight. The large will just be to try it, I don't think I'll take my CCW piece and see how big I can make it but the small I might leave on.

Trigger
Both the double-action trigger and single-action were smooth and predictable. I would have to give the nod to the Sig in DA mode just slightly, but the SA reset was short much like the SRT action on the Sig, and I liked both the DA & SA of the Storm very much!

Controls
I like 'em. The fact that when you decock, the decocker stays down as a manual safety will take some getting used to at the range, but won't affect carry. For practice, I often decocked the Sig to practice DA. A couple times today I decocked, and pulled the trigger with safety on - trigger just comes back without resistance. I will carry with safety off, and can't imagine decocking DURING an SD encounter, so forgetting and leaving it on won't happen.

Accuracy
I had like 1-inch groups at 25yds. No, kidding, I just love when people claim that, though. I'm an adequate (not good) shooter, and the accuracy of the Storm greatly surpasses anything I can deliver. I found with deliberate fire I could group it as well as any gun I've ever shot, full size or otherwise. In a more rapid fire mode I confess I was better with the Sig, but I had put several hundred rounds through it, and it was heavier. The Storm is more than capable, I just need to get used to it. Shooting it one-handed (left or right) was very easy and controllable.

Carry
I've carried it in a SmartCarry, and while pretty fat, it is workable (about the same as carrying a Glock 26, except the length is even shorter). It fits in a Nemesis made for a Glock 26 (actually there's 3/4" of material left over at the bottom). It fit in the pants I had on, but like a 26, I would think this would be a VERY limited use manner. I intend to get a custom kydex holster made a la CTAC, and the barrel is so short, I might even look for something appendix style. That's my favorite way to carry when standing, it's just tough to find a gun that will work while sitting!

I can't think what anyone else might like to know - feel free to ask...

[FROM ANOTHER THREAD] Keep in mind, folks, that there is a big difference between the full-sized Px4 and the smaller versions (beside the sizes I mean). The large one is a rotating barrel design and the smaller ones use the usual tilting barrel lockup.
That is exactly correct on the design, although I don't know what that difference can be expected to mean. I've heard high praise for the rotating barrel design - bummer they couldn't fit it in the Sub-C - but I don't understand why people praise it (and I would like to!). Is it more reliable? I thought I remember reading that it helps absorb recoil, is that right?

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#21 ·
I NEED to handle one of those...

Like, you don't understand. need it need it need it.
Well, I'm in Central Ohio, only 3hrs east. You are welcome to come shoot it if you are interested... :wavey:

Your safety levers stick out on either side a bit, to give your thumb something to hit. The slim levers stick out far less, almost flush with the slide.
Didn't take me long, these "stealth" levers are on order. Thanks for the heads up! :supergrin:

Best,
FT
 
#18 ·
Thank you very much! I'm going to shoot it awhile before I tear it down that far... a couple of those steps look to be a bit beyond my skill and comfort...

Sorry to be such a noob, but what are "slim" levers? I know, I should search that berettaforum, but may as well keep the info flowing here if we can... Ah, I see - reading the 15pg. beretta thread... How sure are you (I haven't looked into it at all) that all that would apply to the Sub-C?
A few people have reported converting their Compact slides to G following these instructions.

Your safety levers stick out on either side a bit, to give your thumb something to hit. The slim levers stick out far less, almost flush with the slide.
 
#17 ·
You actually have two options. One doesn't involve any additional parts. Another option is to buy a set of "slim" levers. They are almost flush to the slide and only work as a "G" (decock only) configuration.

Instructions to convert to a G model can be found here:

http://www.berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=13509
Thank you very much! I'm going to shoot it awhile before I tear it down that far... a couple of those steps look to be a bit beyond my skill and comfort...

Sorry to be such a noob, but what are "slim" levers? I know, I should search that berettaforum, but may as well keep the info flowing here if we can... Ah, I see - reading the 15pg. beretta thread... How sure are you (I haven't looked into it at all) that all that would apply to the Sub-C?
 
#16 ·
I'd love to hear more. I know they plan to eventually release a decock-only model (Type G - this one is Type F), and I would have preferred that. At this point I don't mind the safety - I don't think it will pose a problem as I will carry with it OFF. I might use it for administrative handlings (lots of on and off here in Ohio - or maybe if passing it to somebody else). You can load/unload/rack the slide with it on. Do you have instructions/links about conversion?
You actually have two options. One doesn't involve any additional parts. Another option is to buy a set of "slim" levers. They are almost flush to the slide and only work as a "G" (decock only) configuration.

Lots of good info over at http://www.berettaforum.net . Instructions to convert to a G model can be found here:

http://www.berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=13509

I typically used G models, but was shooting a Vertec F at a State IDPA match. They kept you hot between strings. On the second stage I drew, and pulled the trigger over and over again and nothing. The safety was on, though I (thought) I trained myself not to leave it on. Things happen. Cost me a division win, could have been worse. :scared:
 
#14 ·
I think it's "cute-ugly" too.

It's got a futuristic/Anime looking edge to it, without going overboard. And it's lines have a lot of melting already done to it that would cost you $$$ with a gunsmith, or other models that come melted from the factory, like certain Sig's and micro 1911's do.

What I'd like to see is how it compares side-by side to a G26. Especially with a +2 or 3 mag extension to make the capacity issue fair.

And the rotating barrel in the larger PX4 does not really lessen recoil, but it will time the recoil and spread it differently than a Browning tilt-barrel design and some people like the feel of that a lot. And that different timing works well with their reflexes, and it improves thier time back to target.

It's a personal preference thing. If you can try a rotating barrel design, see if it works for you or not.

In theory, a rotating barrel can be more accurate than a tilt barrel as it never leaves the axis of the slide and sights. It's kind of halfway in accuracy potential between the tipping barrel and a completely fixed one. In a micro auto, other than how it changes up the recoil, with the short sight radius, I don't think it matters in the accuracy department at all.

Although in the real world, the difference in actual practice at combat distance when moving and seeking cover etc. is going to be negligable. The shooter's ability, or other factors like how well the gun likes the particular loading will eat up that potential accuracy difference very quickly.
 
#12 ·
Trying to respond to thoughtful posters (in no particular order):

Just wonder how it is for pocket carry(in holster) ? Anyone tried it yet?
I think pocket carrying anything that large will be tough, but it does fit just fine in a DeSantis Nemesis I had left over from my Glock 26. It's actually so rounded I think it works a little better than the 26. In the right pants, I might do it. The sights are kind of tall, a bit of a snag risk, perhaps.

does it has mag disconnect? and chamber indicator?
No on the disconnect, and as for chamber, the extractor sticks out a bit when chambered, but it's not red or anything. You can feel it with your index finger easily, though.

But I just can't get past the PX4 trigger....
I don't mind it. Do you hate DA/SA, or specifically the PX DA/SA? I am a fan of DA/SA for carry (that whole longer heavier first pull as a safety, without a safety). Coming from a Sig P239 - great DA/SA trigger - I thought the Storm was comparable, especially in SA mode. The DA seemed less smooth, but hopefully it will break in...

Last time I checked, (about 2 weeks ago) the sub-compact PX-4 was not available. When did it start shipping? Am I going to be last in line again? :(
I have no idea. It was my first choice of CCW auto - I ordered one in May 2007, and when they announced the slip in delivery from June 2007 to January 2008 I bailed. I was at a gun show Saturday (8/9/08) looking for an HK P2000SK and just stumbled into it. That dealer said it was the first and only he'd seen - he said he asked the distributor if he could have two and they laughed at him... Somebody told me Beretta got a huge Canadian contract, and that helped cause the delay... No idea if that's true.

In case you didn't already know, these guns are very easy to convert to Decock Only, similar in function to your Sig. IOW, when you release the lever after decocking, it springs back up into the fire position. It requires no additional parts either (actually, you remove parts). I prefer Decock only. YMMV.
I'd love to hear more. I know they plan to eventually release a decock-only model (Type G - this one is Type F), and I would have preferred that. At this point I don't mind the safety - I don't think it will pose a problem as I will carry with it OFF. I might use it for administrative handlings (lots of on and off here in Ohio - or maybe if passing it to somebody else). You can load/unload/rack the slide with it on. Do you have instructions/links about conversion?

Yeah it's ugly...but kinda cute-ugly, like a pug dog or ET. I wonder, though, if the aesthetics of it will seem too dated in time, like Swatch watches.
I was really, really wanting a small DA/SA for carry, which limits me to just a handful of guns. I didn't really even think about the looks... Now that it has sparked such a reaction in folks, I'm glad it looks odd!

Since snubbies for CCW are so hot, how's this for a marketing slogan: A new breed of pistol - the snub-nose automatic... :faint: Sorry, that was bad... :embarassed:

Thanks everybody for reading / commenting / questioning!
 
#11 ·
Great review. This is the first time I see the review done on PX4 sub compact. Too bad it's not on the California roster. Maybe one day... does it has mag disconnect? and chamber indicator?
I like the look too, I never mind the sci-fi look on a pistol.
 
#5 ·
Controls
I like 'em. The fact that when you decock, the decocker stays down as a manual safety will take some getting used to at the range, but won't affect carry. For practice, I often decocked the Sig to practice DA. A couple times today I decocked, and pulled the trigger with safety on - trigger just comes back without resistance. I will carry with safety off, and can't imagine decocking DURING an SD encounter, so forgetting and leaving it on won't happen.
In case you didn't already know, these guns are very easy to convert to Decock Only, similar in function to your Sig. IOW, when you release the lever after decocking, it springs back up into the fire position. It requires no additional parts either (actually, you remove parts). I prefer Decock only. YMMV.
 
#2 ·
Good write up. I like it.