Known issues with Beretta Storm?

[welshrabbit]

What are the complaints about the Beretta PX4 Storm? I am considering picking up one of these but I can't find anyone who knows anything significant. I heard some people weren't happy with the grips, but it seemed fine to me when I tried it. It would be interesting to know what you gentlemen think of the gun because I am also interested in seeing the newer subcompact when they release it...does Beretta release guns prematurely?
Thank you,
Shannon

[Bob]

Over on Berettaweb, there are reports of 'Trigger Sting'. (http://berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=34080)

FWIW, a friend has a 9mm variant that has a few thousand rounds through it, with no 'sting'.

[ToddG]

I'm teaching a class in Canada in September, about half the students are LEO issued the PX4. My understanding is that they're not thrilled with the guns, but I don't have details yet.

The rotating barrel system is more prone to malfunctions than traditional locking mechanisms. The Cougar, Beretta's first rotating barrel pistol, never really took off in popularity in part because of this. Both of the "big" agencies that issued the gun -- Utah and North Carolina -- had enough problems that they eventually dumped the guns.

The ones I've shot have all worked fine, but some friends who were formerly part of "Team Beretta" quit their sponsorships en masse when told they would have to give up their 90-series pistols and begin shooting the PX4.

[FrankRochester]

If its anything like my Uncle's Cougar, the trigger is absolutely terrible. And that doesn't add up to very good accuracy. Atleast for me. I couldn't hit crap with that gun. Perhaps other people have had better luck. I did know another guy who had one, and had similar opinions of it,

[LegalAlien]

I have the PX4 9mm version. Recent acquisition and only about 200 rds down range.

The grips are very comfortable to me. I have not even yet attempted to switch out the backstrap panel to see if either of the other 2 will make any difference.

I bougth the "F" type with safety and decocker with a DA/SA trigger. DA trigger pull is obviously substantially different with much longer and heavier pull than the SA.

To date, I have had zero issues with this gun. It is my daily carry.

Accuracy is better than I can personally do.

On the Beretta forum there has been discussions about the trigger sting on the PX4, but it seems to be limited to mostly the .40 and some .45 versions. Personally, I have not experienced this yet.

The PX4 subcompact was eventually released (late - NOT early) and there are some available in the market already. I think I will stick with my full size PX4.

[TUNNEL RAT 33]

i had a cougar about 10 yrs ago . sharp edges that drew blood , crappy trigger, and the slide refused to lock back on the last round no matter what mag i used . got rid of it rather quickly

[welshrabbit]

Thank you all so much! I think I will let the Beretta pass.

[Gutshot John]

What is the point of the rotating barrel lockup? I never really understood.

[DrewH]

I had a 8040 and a 8045 Cougar. No particular problems with them. 8045 had pretty soft recoil, actually. Didn't shoot them all that much and sold them when I decided to stick with 9mm in guns I do shoot. Triggers were just like any other gun I have ever shot, but then I tend to be trigger tolerant.

If you are interested in trying out a rotating barreled gun you might look at the Turkish made Stoeger versions of the Cougar, pretty reasonably priced.

[ToddG]

What is the point of the rotating barrel lockup? I never really understood.

Option 1: To be different.

Option 2: In theory it can be more accurate because the barrel doesn't tilt. Also, in my experience, the rotating bolt guns tend to have less felt recoil.

When the PX4 was in the pre-drawing board stage (circa 2002), I was working at Beretta as the Law Enforcement Operations Manager. A few of us were brought in to offer ideas about how the gun should be designed. Every one of us said, "No rotating barrel." To which the Italians responded, "That's already been decided. It will have a rotating barrel." :rolleyes:

[Hat Creek]

We had an IBO who struggled a lot with her 96G. The PX4 fit her hand better, but the new "artful" design of the safety/de-cocking lever put the largest part of that lever at the furthest end. For all it's faults, the 92/96F/G had a lever that protruded along it's length, not at the end like the PX4.

A small thing perhaps, but it was significant to a number of IBOs.

[ToddG]

The PX4 fit her hand better, but the new "artful" design of the safety/de-cocking lever put the largest part of that lever at the furthest end.

Remember, this is the company that took out an ad in a military journal to announce the CX4 Storm carbine with the tag line "Because form is as important as function" ... :rolleyes:

[RogerinTPA]

I've had the PX4 .40 for about a year and it was a good shooter until recently. I really wanted to like this gun, but the slide would lock to the rear with every round fired. I had to hold the slide catch down in order for the weapon to function properly. Just sent it back to Beretta and if other problems develop, I will be promptly trading it for another M&P. Maybe I should just cut my losses and traded it as soon as it returns. I eventually want to replace my handguns with the M&P line anyway.

[ToddG]

rharris -- Probably just a broken spring. Depending on round count that could be perfectly normal or bad luck. While I'm not a huge fan of the pistol, if it worked for you I wouldn't ditch it just because of this one issue. Depends on how much you liked it vs. the alternatives.

[Hat Creek]

Remember, this is the company that took out an ad in a military journal to announce the CX4 Storm carbine with the tag line "Because form is as important as function" ... :rolleyes:

I tested a CX4 for a state police organization. The superintendent was most impressed when I slapped the left side of the carbine, causing the magazine to eject and the safety to function.

As shipped from Beretta, it was set up for left side ejection, without moving the ejection port block to the right side.

Beretta's customer service is worse then terrible. They could have had a "no effort" sale of several hundred pistols, but couldn't be bothered to respond to a long time customer.

[BSHNT2015]

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=17273

http://www.bluesheepdog.com/2008/07/24/rochester-ny-police-purchase-beretta-px4-storm-pistols-in-45-acp/

Rochester PD just switched to this pistol