I have a small segment of the collection that I like to use for T&E...basically, I'll buy it, try it out for a while, and usually end up trading it off on something else that peaks my interest. I had a couple of P250s that I was kind of done with...a 9mm and a .22. There was nothing wrong with them, but I'd found that I hadn't used them much in the past year, so I made the LGS rounds and brought them along as potential trade fodder.

The second place we went had a PX4 in the case. I got to handle it, found out it was a G model, and I was sold. I actually thought it was a compact, but it turns out it's a full-size...it's still smaller than my 92X Compact, though.

The biggest concern I've had with these in the past is the grip seemed kind of slippery. Now having shot it, I don't think that's going to be an issue. The checkering on the front and backstraps are well designed, and I think the smooth sides will actually be beneficial for carry as they won't grab a cover garment like the aggressive stippling on my 92X does.

The gun is light for it's size and well-balanced. The action is smooth and authoritative, very reminiscent of a 92-series gun. The decocker is positive, and the way the scalloped serrations are designed it's easier to operate than I thought it would be based on it's shape. I'm still glad it's not a safety model, though, as I think it would be hard to disengage quickly and reliably.

The trigger is good and horrible at the same time. It's very smooth and not overly heavy. The DA pull is consistent throughout the entire length of travel...possibly even moreso than the DA on my 92s. Travel is pretty comparable to a 92 as well. The SA is smooth, light, and has that subtle rolling break of the 92, which I love. The problem is the reset.

The reset is positive, tactile, and audible. The problem is it's very long, and then there's a ton of pre-travel before it hits the wall, kind of like a 2-stage rifle trigger. When trying to reset in recovery I actually short-stroked it a couple of times in rapid fire, and when taking precision shots it's distracting and lends itself to anticipatory flinch. I'm spoiled by my 92FS with LTT Optimized trigger bar, and my 92X that has something similar form the factory. Thankfully Langon makes one for the PX4, so I've got it on the way...if it's as effective as his 92 product, the biggest problem with this gun will no longer be an issue.

As to the rotating barrel design...I think it works, but it's not as pronounced a benefit as marketing would lead one to believe. Shooting it side by side with my 92X Compact and my son's CZ PCR, felt recoil is pretty much the same between the two Berettas, but noticeably harsher with the CZ. I had to put a few into the berm with both the Berettas while only focusing on the sights to see the difference...the PX4 is flatter, and the sights recover more naturally and with less travel than the 92. It's not a huge difference, but if you're looking for it you can see it.

According to my timer and the paper, I still shoot the 92X better than the plastic gun. We'll see if practice and the trigger bar replacement do anything to narrow that gap. The 92X isn't going anywhere, but we'll have to see if the LTT magic is good enough to earn the PX4 a permanent spot in the collection.

Keep the rotating barrel lockup/lugs greased. You don’t want these dry. Other than that I’ve found PX4s to be fantastic.

I’ve found the rotating barrel to help marginally when shooting really fast but that as much an admonishment to my lack of skill as it is to the benefits of the system. I would imagine it might help a bit in larger calibers.

They make smooth control levers if you so desire.

quote:

The checkering on the front and backstraps are well designed, and I think the smooth sides will actually be beneficial for carry as they won't grab a cover garment like the aggressive stippling on my 92X does.

This is how I feel about the HK P2000 / 45C guns. There is a benefit to be had in smooth side panels IMO, at least on firearms likely to be concealed and carried.

Reset, while I want tactile, length doesn’t really bother me. So not sure what you can do there.

Enjoy it.

Take care, shoot safe.
Chris

quote:

Keep the rotating barrel lockup/lugs greased. You don’t want these dry.

No worries there...I'm a lubrication fanatic, to the point that I've been accused of over-lubing by those who ascribe to the "lube attracts and hold dirt" theory. I'm not rolling around on a beach or in a sandbox, so in my environment at least, a wet gun is a happy gun.

quote:

They make smooth control levers if you so desire.

I've seen those. If anything, this gun needs more pronounced levers, IMO. But since it's decock only, I'm not really worried about it as it's not quite so time-critical as safety disengagement would be. I will say the slide catch is very well designed and easy to actuate, while still remaining low-profile.

I see that Beretta offers an all-metal trigger shoe for this gun as well. I don't love the idea of a plastic trigger, but from what I can tell it's just plastic overmolded on a metal bar, and in practice it really doesn't seem to be an issue when shooting. I'll need more range time with it to decide if the plastic one stays or goes.

It's interesting to me that Beretta calls this a full-size, as it's really more in-line with the Glock 45/P320 Carry form-factor.

Not to be that guy but... Langdon sells a TJIAB for this very gun. Also, you are a lube fanatic but to cslinger’s point, the barrel lugs need grease not just lube. It can’t migrate or the gun becomes let’s say unhappy. I don’t own PX4’s but I have a bunch of Cougars which are the predecessor. They don’t like to run dry, more so than other designs.

I too have always wanted to get one of these. I was this close to trading for my buddies PX4 subcompact until I realized 5he sub is a traditional locked breech not rotating. No thanks.

Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy reading your posts. I’ve been intrigued with the PX4 and look forward to how the Langton part works. I just put a TJIB into my 92FS and am very satisfied. Thanks again.

quote:

, the barrel lugs need grease not just lube

You're absolutely correct on this, and Beretta agrees. I am typically pretty grease-averse, but in this case it definitely makes sense.

I ordered the LTT trigger bar...It saves me quite a bit over the full TJIAB, which made sense to me based on the fact that I'm not totally committed to this thing yet, and frankly the trigger doesn't feel like it needs much beyond having the reset and pre-travel fixed. I did the same for my old 92FS and have been very satisfied with the results, so hopefully this works out the same.

quote:

I too have always wanted to get one of these. I was this close to trading for my buddies PX4 subcompact until I realized 5he sub is a traditional locked breech not rotating. No thanks

Yeah I had the same feeling when I realized that. The subcompact form factor appeals to me, but with a tilting lockup instead of the rotating barrel system it's just another handgun with a kind of bulky slide and average ergos.

quote:

Originally posted by jer830:
Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy reading your posts. I’ve been intrigued with the PX4 and look forward to how the Langton part works. I just put a TJIB into my 92FS and am very satisfied. Thanks again.

Thanks! I'll be sure to report back after it gets installed. They do make really great stuff, and I actually got a chance to talk to the man himself for a couple of minutes at the NRA convention in Indy a couple of weeks ago, and he seemed like a genuinely nice and sincere guy, as did the rest of his staff. I know it was just a brief meeting, but I was as impressed by the people as I am by their product.

Congrats! The PX4 is (I think) a very underrated pistol. Beretta doesn't seems to put a lot into marketing for it, which is a shame.

I really like the PX4 (I have a full size and compact). In my hands the rotating barrel really does change the recoil impulse for the better. I installed an LTT trigger bar and while the reset is shorter (I think, haven't shot it in some time), the SA 'take up' is still quite long. That doesn't bother me too much but I bought a match hammer and was going to put it in one of my 92s but might put it in the PX4 instead.

As far as it being slippery, Talon or traction rubberized grips make a world of difference. As do the LTT trigger bar & reduced weight hammer spring. Both elevate the performance of the PX4.

The PX-4 is Beretta's Sig Pro. A well-kept secret that's actually much better than its unique looks and so-so trigger would make you think.

The rotating barrel is not so much of an advantage with the 9mm but becomes more prevalent with the .40S&W models.

I've had a PX4 for a number of years. I converted mine to decock only with the slimline controls from David Olhasso. It's been a good reliable pistol.

I have the LTT compact version and I only shot it a few times and it was pretty sweet. I just prefer the 92 for some reason. At the minimum, on all my 92s, I get the LTT Optimized Trigger Bar.

LTT Bar and an 11# Chrome Silicon Hammer Spring (the heavier of the two options) got here yesterday from LTT. I swapped them in today, and it made a huge difference in the reset.

I measured trigger pull before and after (average of 5lbs each on my lyman scale, with the gun in a vice) and it is also reduced a bit. It went from 4.4lb to 3.6lbs SA, and 8.9lb to 7.3lbs DA. Hopefully I get a chance sometime this week to get this thing to the range and see what kind of difference it makes on the clock.

I’ve got an LTT Compact that is an outstanding pistola. It shoots like a dream, it’s a little chunkier than what I like for a CC pistol but I shoot it as well or better than most anything I’ve had. That being said my son took it to use for CCW class and test when he turned 21 and he fell in love with it so now it is his daily CC. Funny how that works

I wanted a PX4 Storm in 45 back in college, about 2000 I think. The compact I think it was. Never happened, but I still wonder about that one. I trusted Beretta and it seemed like a more practical carry type situation than the 92 or the Sig 228. Still hated Glocks back then, and 9mm.

I always wanted to try a PX-4, but never did.
I have Cougars with the rotating locking, so I never pursued one.

You said the full size PX4 is smaller than your 92 compact.

How much smaller, or are they pretty close in size?

quote:

Originally posted by TheNewbie:
You said the full size PX4 is smaller than your 92 compact.

How much smaller, or are they pretty close in size?

They're both in the photo in the OP...they're very close in size. The PX4 is a hair longer in the grip, but about 1/4" shorter in the slide. The 92 is a little more svelte, especially in the slide, but not by much overall. My 92X has a rail, so that adds a bit of bulk. Handgunhero says the PX4 is heavier, but when I weighed mine empty, the 92X edged it out by an ounce or two, I don't remember the exact numbers.

https://www.handgunhero.com/co...-beretta-92x-compact

Gotta keep in mind this is a "full-size" compared to a "compact", too.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

Originally posted by TheNewbie:
You said the full size PX4 is smaller than your 92 compact.

How much smaller, or are they pretty close in size?

They're both in the photo in the OP...they're very close in size. The PX4 is a hair longer in the grip, but about 1/4" shorter in the slide. The 92 is a little more svelte, especially in the slide, but not by much overall. My 92X has a rail, so that adds a bit of bulk. Handgunhero says the PX4 is heavier, but when I weighed mine empty, the 92X edged it out by an ounce or two, I don't remember the exact numbers.

https://www.handgunhero.com/co...-beretta-92x-compact

Gotta keep in mind this is a "full-size" compared to a "compact", too.

Thank you.


I’ve looked at the Handgun hero before, and that’s why I am as curious. That site seems to show the PX4 being a tad bigger overall, if you include thickness, but you actually have them in hand, so I was curious of your observations.

Do you think they would be about equal when it comes to carrying and/or concealing one?