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View Full Version : PX4 Storm - Opinions on recoil, grip?


rwhite692
05-05-2009, 9:59 PM
I searched the site but didn't find too many firsthand shooting impressions for the PX4 storm, in 9mm. Lots of conjecture, opinions, etc but not too many firsthand shooting impressions...

I have pretty much narrowed my choice down to a 92FS or a PX4 storm as my first 9mm. My wife will be shooting on occasion and a concern with the 92FS (which I have held) is the grip size, which is on the large side. I have not been able to try a PX4 Storm locally (bay area). How does the grip size compare?

For those who have spent time shooting the PX4 Storm, did you observe there to actually be less recoil due to the "rotating barrel" technology that is talked about in the marketing materials, etc? Or is it overhyped?

Thanks,
Rob

Obviously a Plant
05-05-2009, 10:36 PM
I was thinking of getting a px4 and I think I tried one out at bullseye last year. I found it comfortable & smooth, a pleasure to shoot, and fairly accurate. I don't think the rotating action takes up recoil like the mass of a good heavy metal frame. I chose the CZ SP-01 over the 92FS, with some minor work it is a fantastic pistol... The PX4 seems like a good pistol for the price, especially the used ones I have seen here for sale.

lunde
05-06-2009, 5:31 AM
I own a pair of Beretta Px4 Storm "G" (decock-only) pistols in 9mm, and love them. One began its life as an "F" (safety+decocker) version. I changed the controls (safety/decocker lever and slide stop lever) to the slim (aka, stealth) versions, and also added Trijicon night sights (though the photos were taken before they were installed).

Here is the "F" version with its rather wide slide levers:

http://lundestudio.com/photos/px4-left-full.jpg

http://lundestudio.com/photos/px4-right-flat.jpg

I dislike slide-mounted controls, and honestly speaking, if the slim version of the controls were not available, I probably wouldn't have bought a Px4 Storm. But, the slim controls completely changed the "feel" for me, and turned it into a new and better gun:

http://lundestudio.com/photos/px4-g-slim-left-full.jpg

http://lundestudio.com/photos/px4-g-slim-right-flat.jpg

http://lundestudio.com/photos/px4-g-slim-left-flat.jpg

http://lundestudio.com/photos/px4-g-slim-close.jpg

rwhite692
05-06-2009, 7:58 AM
Thanks guys and Ken, thank you for posting those great photos.

Until seeing these side-by-side, I did not understand / see the difference between the two types of controls. Definitely cleans up the aesthetics as well, apart from improving the functionality, as you have described.

Now another question, (if you don't mind), what is the approximate cost of the control parts needed, to make this change?

lunde
05-06-2009, 8:03 AM
I bought both sets of slim controls from David Olhasso. I installed the slide stop lever myself, but sent both slides to David for installing the decocking levers. (I'd rather not deal with rollpins.) See: http://www.olhasso.com/PS/px4.htm

Butter
05-06-2009, 9:11 AM
I had the .40 version, but sold it last year. The rotating barrel did attenuate the recoil so that for me, who doesn't really like .40s, it was a snappy push and not bad at all. My problems with the gun were in two areas, nothing to do with reliability, btw.

1) Until these other folks mentioned it on this thread, I had no idea you could have the safety changed out. But I really dislike slide mounted safeties.

2) I have small hands and even with the small backstrap installed, the trigger reach for the first double action shot pretty well was a deal killer for me when at the range. That's despite being able to manage dry firing it.

Nothing wrong with the pistol though, only my response to actual use of it.

Demophilus
05-06-2009, 2:29 PM
I shot a 9mm PX4 at the Turner's/Raahauge's shoot, and found it pretty easy to hit with. The rotating barrel doesn't so much "reduce" recoil (that's against the law of conservation of momentum), as redistribute it. Compared to a Browning style tilting barrel (particularly one with a high bore axis), a rotating barrel has a tendency to push straight back, and into the frame -- in this case, a plastic frame. A PX4 isn't too snappy.

I bring this up because a 92 is pretty easy to shoot, too. The barrel doesn't tilt; it slides back on a locking block. And, the frame is pretty heavy. So it's pretty easy to hit with, too.

IIRC, the PX4 grip's a little narrower to begin with, even before you get to changing the backstrap, etc.

3GunFunShooter
05-06-2009, 3:13 PM
I love my PX4 in 9mm. It is my night stand gun.
The wife likes it also. She liked the medium back strap. Thought she would like the smaller. For a HD guns I like a double action and safety.
Shoots great. Have put about 200 rounds down it. Waiting for some one to make a holster so I can shoot an IDPA match. I have a TRL2 light and laser mounted and had to settle for a ACE holster. It works. Gun fired fine with the light mounted on it. Had trouble with my Glock 35 with light mounted.
For the money a great pistol.