Beretta PX4 Full Size

[JTQ]

We have big threads on the Beretta 92 and PX4 compact and some comments in each about the full size PX4, but I'm more interested in the full size PX4, and I'd like to get some of that consolidated in one spot.

Does anybody have any experience with C model, the "Constant Action" version. I've followed the HK LEM threads and wonder if the constant action PX4 would also be an option. Does anybody know what the trigger pull is like on the PX4 Constant action?

What are folks using for holsters for their full size PX4's?

[Whirlwind06]

I have a full size DA/SA G, I ordered the parts from Brownells to convert it to a C.
Here is a thread that covers a lot of your questions. http://berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=108289
I would like to tinker with getting mine down to about a 7 to 8 pound pull. Looks like the stock pull is about 9 pounds.

Seems like most most of the holster makers that are building for the compact are also building for the full size.
http://www.jmcustomkydex.com/ lists both the compact and full size.

[JTQ]

Thanks.

I have a full size DA/SA G, I ordered the parts from Brownells to convert to the a C.

You converted a G to C? Where did the levers go? Did you change the slide too?

[Whirlwind06]

I have the stealth levers installed so are they fairly flat on the slide. So once I get all of the parts, the de-cocker will just not be used. Similar to converting a 92FS into a 92DS it's DAO but still has the safety levers.
The parts needed to make a type C are:
Trigger
Trigger bar
C - Sear
C - hammer
It falls to a 1/2 cocked position which should shorten the trigger pull.

[f308gt4]

May I ask what is the advantage of a "C" model?

I have a full size PX4 (Can't get the Compact in Kommiefornia). I have converted it to a G model (with Stealth levers), and installed a Cougar "D" spring, and it is such a sweet pistol. Not as pretty as the 92, but I think the trigger is just a tad nicer than the 92 that I have.

[JTQ]

May I ask what is the advantage of a "C" model?
In following nyeti's well thought out comments on HK's LEM as a "people management tool", as a defensive weapon, and not a competition gun, a hammer fired gun, that doesn't need to be decocked has some advantages over a striker fired gun, DA/SA with decocker, and an SA gun. That's my take, at least, from following his comments.

[JTQ]

Let me clarify, my OP question about the C model is mostly because they typically aren't on the dealer shelves and I haven't seen one in person. I understand the concept, but I haven't any experience with it.

I've handled the G and F models and I'm old enough to have done my early semi-auto shooting with S&W TDA autos, in the era before striker fired guns were common, so I'm pretty familiar with the safety/decocker and decocker only models.

[Whirlwind06]

Sorry didn't mean to imply anything.
I see type C on gun broker and I think Buds might have some for sale under Century used handguns.
I don't know if they are in production any longer, or at least being imported into the US.

[JTQ]

I spend a bit of time on Beretta's website looking at the available options for their 92 and PX4 guns, and it seemed like Beretta only listed the F model for the PX4 for nearly all of 2015 (I could certainly be wrong, but I was pretty sure I was looking for the other options and couldn't find them listed). I was beginning to think Beretta had dropped all the other models other than the F. However, it seems as if around Christmas, the rest of the models showed up (once again, it could have been my error, but that's when I saw them again) on their site and are still shown, so I assume they are available, but they are not as common.

http://www.beretta.com/en-us/px4-storm-full/#tab-models

Not having really played with one, it's not something I'd order sight unseen, but I'm interested in feedback from folks that have used the C model.

[Chuck Whitlock]

^^^^ I wonder if they will do the same for the compact.

What is the difference between the "C" Constant Action and the "D" DAO models?

[Whirlwind06]

Pretty sure the C and D models are only only the full size models. You can make a compact C because that all use the same trigger components.

C falls to 1/2 cocked position without a 2nd strike ability. D is full DAO with 2nd strike.

[Sammy1]

I had a PX4 9mm fullsize constant action. Very nice, sold it and wish I didn't. Very accurate. I did just see one for sale at Bud's under new handguns.

[Clobbersaurus]

I just bought a full size PX4. I'll be picking up a Blade-Tech OWB holster and, if I like the gun, some JMCK gear. It will post thoughts, results, pics once I receive it. 2000 round challenge starts as soon as I lube it.;)

[MSparks909]

I just bought a full size PX4. I'll be picking up a Blade-Tech OWB holster and, if I like the gun, some JMCK gear. It will post thoughts, results, pics once I receive it. 2000 round challenge starts as soon as I lube it.;)

I was one click away from buying an Inox full size 9mm Storm about a month ago. But the lack of sight options made me pause. Are you just going to use the stock sights and hope the Ameriglo's get released?

[Clobbersaurus]

I was one click away from buying an Inox full size 9mm Storm about a month ago. But the lack of sight options made me pause. Are you just going to use the stock sights and hope the Ameriglo's get released?

Yeah, stock sights for now. But I know I would be happy with the sights Ernest spec'd for the compact. I'm hoping they are made available.

[Clobbersaurus]

This is going to be a long post, sorry about that.


I've been watching Ernest Langdon's PX4 Compact thread with interest. I'm a huge DA/SA and Beretta fan. Also, I've taken courses with Ernest and respect his opinion, so his thread had me curious. I follow him on Facebook and Instagram (if you don't you should, he posts great content) and he was shooting the compact like a house on fire. Lately, I noticed he was shooting his PX4 Compact during in class demo's. I rate an in-class demo right up there with some of the most stressful shooting situations one could put themselves into on a range. Imagine standing in front of 10 or more paying students and having to perform on demand! Ernest has access to some of the best tuned Beretta 92's on the planet and he's choosing to shoot a compact pistol, at a demo, during a class.

That turned my curiosity into a purchase decision.

I bought this gun used and I have no idea if the previous owner coloured the slide markings red. If he did, I'm glad to have saved this gun from a life of derp. Also, it seems like the owner tried to remove the finish off the barrel and locking block...not sure why. Perhaps there was some surface rust? Don't know. It apparently only has 2500 rounds through it. Aside from the barrel and locking block, the wear to the rails and slide looks minimal, so I tend to think that it's close to that.

http://i.imgur.com/vVLFsUJ.jpg

Thoughts:
1) Basically this gun is a polymer framed Beretta 92 (yeah, yeah, before you gun nerds go all "Rotating Barrel!" on me, just hear me out). The controls are very similar, the trigger feels much like the 92, the grip angle is the same, and it indexes virtually the same on the draw. So, if you are a Beretta 92 fan it will take you no time to get used to the PX4.

http://i.imgur.com/CUXsnb8.jpg

2) It's smaller in overall length than a Centurion (note this is a Canadian model, hence the slightly longer barrel than normal to meet our regulations) and the grip length (from trigger guard to bottom of mag) is almost identical to the 92. The grip is thinner and it should conceal well, if that is important to you. The front and back grip serrations are awesome, but the side panels are slippery and have no gripping surface at all. I fixed that with skate tape.

http://i.imgur.com/Pg6pV7B.jpg

The sight radius is just a little shorter than a Centurion.
http://i.imgur.com/iWq3RLb.jpg

The grip length and height, with mag inserted, is almost identical to the Centurion.
http://i.imgur.com/qJNs6z8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/doaHXZD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MWbbz6f.jpg


3) The safety ears are huge. I much prefer the 92's design, and the PX4 safety does not allow you to push the safety off by pushing down with the knuckle of your thumb.

4) It's got a dovetail front sight. If you are a 92 fan, you will understand why this is a nice treat. The rear sight on this gun has bright green inserts, while the front has a white dot. I blacked out the rear with a sharpie and will be using the white front sight until I can get a set of the Langdon Ameriglo's.
http://i.imgur.com/gDYZVdS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dVOSK7U.jpg

5) It's quite a bit lighter than the 92 series guns. Listed weight is between 32 and 34 oz for 92's and the full size PX4 is 27.7oz.The slide fully covers the barrel. The design of the safety and the Bruniton finish coupled with the front and rear cocking serrations make the gun easy to rack. The safety ears are angled up and I had no worries that grasping the slide would engage the safety when it was configured as the "F" model. The Bruniton finish is a little tacky in feel, and it's not slippery, like a Glock.

6) It's user convertible to a G model pistol, which means the safety can be converted to a decocker only. You simply remove the safety, pop out a ball detente and spring and reassemble. Easy.

7) The gun is super easy to disassemble. You don't have to pull the trigger and there is no lever to get in the way of your grip. Simply push down on the two tabs in the frame and the slide comes right off.
http://i.imgur.com/Hwm8EEy.jpg

8) The mags are very similar to 92 series mags but they are not interchangeable. They fit in my JMCK 92 mag holder but they were very tight, even when backing off the retention screw. The front of the mags are square, much like factory 92 mags, which sucks for reloads. I wish Mec Gar made PX4 mags with tapered top metal like they do for the 92 series.

PX4 mag, Mec Gar Beretta mag
http://i.imgur.com/31Q8ISN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dh743ym.jpg

9) The mag well on the gun is small, like most 92's, which is not conducive to fast reloads, but I was able to do a few sub second reloads when I hit the mag well just right. This gun is going to have a really beat to hell mag well once I am finished with it.

Centurion, PX4, Elite II
http://i.imgur.com/DCwnrQw.jpg

10) I noticed the frame has very tiny metal insert frame rails, and no frame mounted locking block. Interesting. I noticed some barrel movement when the gun is in battery, much like you get with the 92 series.
http://i.imgur.com/zxGAYnv.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wC2VIyM.jpg

So that's it for now. Pistol is lubed with Lucas red "n" tacky and I hope to get to the range as soon as I receive my registration papers. 2000 round challenge starts now.

[LockedBreech]

Hmm, my 2008-production PX4 .40 does not have that little metal piece on the frame portion of the barrel ramp. Did they add that later?

[Clobbersaurus]

That's interesting, is there anywhere I could check my serial number vs date of manufacture?

[Edwin]

That's interesting, is there anywhere I could check my serial number vs date of manufacture?

http://www.berettasupport.com/applications/tech_data/schematics_search_new.htm

[Clobbersaurus]

http://www.berettasupport.com/applications/tech_data/schematics_search_new.htm

Thanks I found that site. I entered my serial number and it says "not found"....

[Clobbersaurus]

I should mention that I've dry fired this gun over the last three days, and the trigger is decent. DA is heavier than my Elite II and D but it is still very shootable. It's lighter than my Girsan. SA is light and crisp. Reset is a tad longer than my Elite II.

I've been using my Elite II Blade-Tech OWB holster as a gun bucket for the PX4 in dry fire. It doesn't click in, and just covers the trigger. I have a Blade-Tech PX4 holster coming and should be here next week. Blackhawk OWB mag holders work fine with the PX4 mags.

[Clobbersaurus]

Just finished converting my PX4 to a "G" model. I followed these instructions:

https://youtu.be/GWc6i506oEQ

It went fairly well, though it took much longer than the video. I recommend you buy a proper punch set. I only had a partial set and I needed more sizes. If you try this, use slave pins where you can when reinserting the pins. The extractor is very hard to depress while putting the extractor pin back in, and a slave pin would have made it much easier to complete. As with anything, the proper tools make life so much easier. Anyway, flop sweats and many four letter words later, I have a G model. I decocked the gun dozens of times aterwards and it seems to work well.

Pic of the parts you need to take out of the gun:
http://i.imgur.com/LAZdva1.jpg

These are the two little parts that keep the "F" model from being a "G"; detente ball and spring.
http://i.imgur.com/Kn0KcYv.jpg

Also, I received my Blade-Tech OWB holster. Works well.
http://i.imgur.com/kixRCOr.jpg

[LearnedHat]

I know there were problems with the Trijicon HD sights on the compact, do they work fine with the full size?

[DAB]

there is no need to remove the extractor to swap out the decocker, either by modifying the F decocker/safety, or by swapping in a stealth G model decocker (i've done both my full size and compact).

[Clobbersaurus]

there is no need to remove the extractor to swap out the decocker, either by modifying the F decocker/safety, or by swapping in a stealth G model decocker (i've done both my full size and compact).

Really? I just followed the video, which stated to remove it. Good to know, thanks! Removing the extractor did give me the opportunity to give it a good cleaning. It was gunked up similar to what you would find on 92 series extractor.

[jeep45238]

What I'm garnering from this is the PX4 full size is akin to a polymer Centurion, albeit with different mags.

Speaking of mags, do you think it's possible to modify the mag release cutout on 92 mags to work with the PX4?

[Clobbersaurus]

What I'm garnering from this is the PX4 full size is akin to a polymer Centurion, albeit with different mags.

Speaking of mags, do you think it's possible to modify the mag release cutout on 92 mags to work with the PX4?

Yeah, the PX4 is very Centurion like in size.

PX4 mags will not insert at all into a 92 frame. They are too wide.

92 mags will insert into the PX4 but they will not seat. They are thinner than PX4 mags so my gut feeling is that even if you did modify them, the would wobble around and wouldn't work well in the PX4.

[LearnedHat]

Any reason to get the duty/competition can block that beretta sells? I just won an auction for a used Px4 FS and I'm trying to figure out what I need to upgrade it.

[JTQ]

Any reason to get the duty/competition can block that beretta sells?
I don't know, but since I hadn't heard of it before and had to look it up, my guess is it isn't really "needed".

Beretta PX4 Full Size Cam Block Special Duty / Competition http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/cam-block-px4-sd/c5b886/

[jeep45238]

What's the cam block supposed to do? Not a lot of info out there on it.

[JTQ]

What's the cam block supposed to do? Not a lot of info out there on it.
The cam block locks the barrel in position and under recoil rotates it. Here's an article from the late Stephen A. Camp http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/shooting_the_beretta_px4_storm_9.htm

Ernest Langdon has commented in his Compact PX4 thread, the frame seems to take very little stress as it is all focused in the slide. I suspect the cam block is the part absorbing most of the stress.

[LearnedHat]

The cam block locks the barrel in position and under recoil rotates it. Here's an article from the late Stephen A. Camp http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/shooting_the_beretta_px4_storm_9.htm

Ernest Langdon has commented in his Compact PX4 thread, the frame seems to take very little stress as it is all focused in the slide. I suspect the cam block is the part absorbing most of the stress.

So critical part for sure - just wondering what the "duty/comp" designation means. Gotta be honest and say that "DLC ("diamond like coating")" sets off my bullish!t alarm a little bit.

[JTQ]

Gotta be honest and say that "DLC ("diamond like coating")" sets off my bullish!t alarm a little bit.
I'm a 1911 guy, and IonBond DLC has been around a bit for those looking for a very durable finish for their 1911's.

John Harrison of Harrison Design has this on IonBond DLC http://www.harrisoncustom.com/Static/Finishes.htm


IonBond DLC (stands for Diamond Like Carbon) is a hard black finish that is fairly new to the firearms market. It is a is a physical vapor deposition coating that has a 3-6 micron build up per surface (that's less than .005"). DLC can be applied to carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, over polished surfaces as well as matte surfaces. When bone-dry it is a dark charcoal color. With a little oil on it, it's black. It's hardness runs 70+ on the Rockwell "C" scale. I think it's the best all around option for a black firearms finish. It appears to be the equal to hard chrome in the durability and rust resistance departments.

If you want a best of breed, black finish that excels in many areas and when durability is really important, DLC is the good stuff.

[LearnedHat]

Sounds like it might be good to have one in my parts kit. Wonder how it compares to the Robar NP3+ stuff. Anyway . . . what am I supposed to do about the main spring if I cannot find the 8000 D?

[MSparks909]

Sounds like it might be good to have one in my parts kit. Wonder how it compares to the Robar NP3+ stuff. Anyway . . . what am I supposed to do about the main spring if I cannot find the 8000 D?

Try the Wilson Combat 12 pound chrome silicon spring

[jeep45238]

So critical part for sure - just wondering what the "duty/comp" designation means. Gotta be honest and say that "DLC ("diamond like coating")" sets off my bullish!t alarm a little bit.

DLC is typically a vapor-deposited coating that doesn't alter dimensions - think of it as an akin to melonite, except it's done as a coating vs. a case hardening. We used coatings similar when I worked in aerospace for the shrouds of jet engines (similar to piston rings in a car engine), and they really do make a huge difference - as in the parts would melt after a few hours, compared to lasting to a rebuild was necessary due to maintenance schedules (thousands of hours). Most common alloys were supernickles, which already had a huge tolerance for heat and chemical erosion in comparison to anything the firearms world has.

I'd put on par or above NP3 in terms of adhesion, but after that it becomes a balancing act for what your particular priorities are. Lubrication, hardness, wear resistance, blah blah blah, you can't have them all.



On the flip side, this may be in my stable in the next couple years based off the similarities to the 92 - I just have to get a chance to shoot one. A centurion G model is at the top right now, with part/mag/holsters being compatible for logistics - but the PX family seems to be gathering steam, and is a strong contender against the HK family if I decide to abandon commonality of parts/mags/etc...

My wallet hates you all.

[DAB]

Really? I just followed the video, which stated to remove it. Good to know, thanks! Removing the extractor did give me the opportunity to give it a good cleaning. It was gunked up similar to what you would find on 92 series extractor.

think back to what you did, did anything related to the decocking levers touch on the extractor? no. they work independently, you don't have to touch one to work on the other. i too followed a similar video the first time i messed with the decocking levers, and when i got done, i wondered, "why did i mess with the extractor? it has nothing to do with the decocking levers." just a wasted step.

nothing wrong with cleaning the extractor, but removing it is not required to work on the decockers.

lesson: not every youtube video is correct.

[LearnedHat]

I just won a GB auction for one of these. Appears lightly used but mfr data is circa 2010. Paid $346 with shipping. Probably could have done better but I don't know how much. Anyway, I'm excited but since winning the auction was a surprise to me and a bigger surprise for my wife, not sure I should get the fancy levers and trigger group right now. Although I may be too excited when it comes in not to, sorry about the pun, pull the trigger on the upgrades.

[LockedBreech]

I just won a GB auction for one of these. Appears lightly used but mfr data is circa 2010. Paid $346 with shipping. Probably could have done better but I don't know how much. Anyway, I'm excited but since winning the auction was a surprise to me and a bigger surprise for my wife, not sure I should get the fancy levers and trigger group right now. Although I may be too excited when it comes in not to, sorry about the pun, pull the trigger on the upgrades.

Woah, nice price


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LearnedHat]

I assume all you fellas know this but if you register with Beretta USA you get 10% off your first order. Currently, if that order goes over $200 before S&H, taxes, and after the discount, you will get a rebate code for 25% of your net merchandise total that can be used on another purchase before the end of the year.

[Clobbersaurus]

I was finally able to get to the range today and put some rounds through the full size PX4. Gear was An OWB Blade-Tech holster and competition belt and Blackhawk mag pouches.

Ammunition: 70x124g AE, 250x147g AE, 150X124g Centaure remanufactured.
Total rounds fired: 470
Stoppages:1
Malfunctions: 0
Breakages: 0

Overall Impressions:

I liked this gun! It shot very flat and though it was my first time shooting it, I shot it almost as well as my Elite II. The G conversion I did worked perfectly. I didn't feel at a disadvantage with the trigger, and it was easy to swing around and manipulate.

Best Drills of the day:

El Prez (USPSA ): 7.04 clean
Bill Drill: 2.41 clean (I shot a 2.25 with a close C as well)
Draw and 2 on a 3X5 (7 yards): 2.03 clean
FTS (7yards): 2.21 clean
B8 at 25 yards: 87-2X (more about this below)

I wanted to put more than 300 rounds through the gun as I have read that 300ish rounds was a witnessed number at which full sized PX4's locked up and needed a rubbber mallet to unlock. I had no such issues.

The one issue I did have was with a stuck follower on one of the magazines. I was just finished shooting a low round count drill and I noticed the gun was rattling. I popped the mag and noticed the rounds were lose in the mag and that the gun had failed to feed a new round as a result. I shook the rounds out, pulled off the mag plate and there was quite a bit of grit in that particular mag. I shook out the mag and then reassembled it, I had not further problems. I hadn't cleaned the mags before starting the test, which I should have done since the gun and mags were used. I'll clean them and continue with the test. It's a shame, because the gun was working great otherwise.

I shot about 4 inches high for me at 25 yards. I had to split the black of the B8 with the front sight to get any type of decent score at all. One of the targets I shot had 5 rounds through one small cluster........but in the 7 ring. The front sight is a bit wide for 25 yard group shooting.

Fastest split I was able to get with the gun was .18. I think I can do better with a bit more time on the gun. It tracked well and the sights popped right back into place at speed. I tended to push a few shots high when going fast.

So far, so good! I have some video which I hope to get posted soon.

[backtrail540]

Clobb,

Any chance you could get a pic of your strong hand gripping the px4 and one of you gripping the elite ll? I'm trying to get a feel for the length of the fullsize px4 grip compared to a fullsize beretta from the trigger guard down.

[Clobbersaurus]

^^ Sure, I'll see if I can get some posted tonight.

[backtrail540]

Awesome thanks!

[jetfire]

I ran a PX4 Storm full size for the better part of a shooting season, including Bianchi Cup (which btw is why my sig line is what it is). That was back in 2013-2014, which feels like forever ago, but I guess wasn't that long. My Storm had the regular springs pulled and replaced with a D-spring out of a Cougar, which made the trigger absolutely amazing. Other than that I shot it stock. Unfortunately I don't have complete records from that year so I don't exactly how many rounds I shot, but I know it was more than 2,000 and probably less than 5,000 out of that gun.

Ever since then I've been a fan of the full-size Storm and recommend it to people who are looking for a polymer, lightweight option but aren't necessarily comfortable with a striker fired gun.

[alohadoug]

Damn this site, this thread and the EL Compact thread...I really want one of these (full or compact) but since Beretta can't be bothered to get them approved for sale here in Mass (don't blame them), I can't find/afford one.

I hate this state....excuse me....Commonwealth....


/pity party

Aloha

[Clobbersaurus]

As requested:

http://i.imgur.com/V0Jz6zv.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5RUB5ZV.jpg

[backtrail540]

Exactly what i was looking for. Thank you!

[That Guy]

My Storm had the regular springs pulled and replaced with a D-spring out of a Cougar, which made the trigger absolutely amazing.

Are you referring to other springs as well, or just the hammer spring?

The PX4 has a pretty good trigger as-is... But I must admit that when a trigger is called "absolutely amazing" I do get curious. :) I assume the gun was reliable? Where, outside of Beretta USA web site, might one conveniently buy this spring?

[LearnedHat]

Are you referring to other springs as well, or just the hammer spring?

The PX4 has a pretty good trigger as-is... But I must admit that when a trigger is called "absolutely amazing" I do get curious. :) I assume the gun was reliable? Where, outside of Beretta USA web site, might one conveniently buy this spring?

Brownells carries them but are usually out - Beretta website has them in stock as of last night

[That Guy]

Brownells doesn't carry the new spring. Beretta USA won't ship abroad.

[LearnedHat]

Shot my full size last night for first time - its stock f right now except I did put a Hogue Hand-all sleeve on it.
Really enjoyed it. I was very accurate with it. I only started shooting last May so I'm a beginner but I have been shooting a P229 in .357 sig that I love and do very well with.

Shot my Px4 last night after shooting different weights of 38spl through my SP101 and model 60 3".

Maybe it just felt great because I tenderized myself with the snubbies first.

Anyway, I bought the D spring but have no complaints about the trigger right now.

[Clobbersaurus]

Brownells doesn't carry the new spring. Beretta USA won't ship abroad.

Tony, you can use Brownells special order service. You just need the part number and the vendor, in this case, Beretta USA. It takes several weeks, but they will get the part to you.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/bapid=129/ClientPage/Special-Orders

[JTQ]

Beretta USA won't ship abroad.
Have you tried "Beretta wherever you live"?

http://www.beretta.com/en/

[That Guy]

Clobbersaurus: last time I tried their service they kept claiming a product sold by the manufacturer on their own web site was discontinued and unavailable. Now I'm a bit skeptical about them. Used to be they had great service, before they "improved" their international service... But thanks for the reminder. I might try again. Hell, I've been meaning to order their AR magazines in bulk once I manage to scrape enough money together for a big order, might be a good time to ask.

JTQ: Yup. No pistol parts for sale, whatsoever. I did get a holster for my PX4 super quick from Beretta, though, so there's that at least...

[LockedBreech]

I have access to a PX4 F 9mm fullsize for about $440 (with 3 mags and SuperLum sights), new in box.

I have to confess I'm fascinated to see how a 2016-manufacture 9mm variant varies from my 2008-manufacture .40, but part of me is saying that if I do that, pay the ~$550 for an Inox variant just for the variety.

It's also a little silly that I still have reservations about the reliability of the rotating-bolt when I've had zero failures in 8 years with my PX4 .40 but have had failures with an M&P and a Sig 226, which use simple locked-breech systems. Hard to shake off that internet wisdom sometimes.

Another part of me says $550 on another PX4 is redundant when there are lots of new guns out there to try.

Maybe this is the first stirring of me accepting the Pistol-Forum wisdom, that if a gun works for me I should go ahead and buy multiples.

The PX4 threads have been a rollercoaster.

[LearnedHat]

Clobbersaurus: last time I tried their service they kept claiming a product sold by the manufacturer on their own web site was discontinued and unavailable. Now I'm a bit skeptical about them. Used to be they had great service, before they "improved" their international service... But thanks for the reminder. I might try again. Hell, I've been meaning to order their AR magazines in bulk once I manage to scrape enough money together for a big order, might be a good time to ask.

JTQ: Yup. No pistol parts for sale, whatsoever. I did get a holster for my PX4 super quick from Beretta, though, so there's that at least...

I ordered two - maybe I could bake one into a fruitcake and send it to you???? ; )

[jetfire]

Are you referring to other springs as well, or just the hammer spring?

The PX4 has a pretty good trigger as-is... But I must admit that when a trigger is called "absolutely amazing" I do get curious. :) I assume the gun was reliable? Where, outside of Beretta USA web site, might one conveniently buy this spring?

Just the hammer spring for the Storm. My memory's a little hazy but IIRC the measured pull weight in DA was about 8 pounds, and the pull was smooth and clean. Think "well tuned S&W action" with a really short reset into SA. If I was going to seriously shoot USPSA Production, that would probably be my go to gun.

[That Guy]

I ordered two - maybe I could bake one into a fruitcake and send it to you???? ; )
I'm not so annoying I have to be threatened with a fruitcake, am I? [emoji14]


Just the hammer spring for the Storm. My memory's a little hazy but IIRC the measured pull weight in DA was about 8 pounds, and the pull was smooth and clean. Think "well tuned S&W action" with a really short reset into SA.

Wait. The hammer spring effects the reset, too? Or was the reset in your gun always short? Because the reset in my is fairly long (somewhat like a non-SRT Sig), and AFAIK usually the hammer spring weight of a gun is not what controls reset distance?

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[jetfire]

I'm not so annoying I have to be threatened with a fruitcake, am I? [emoji14]



Wait. The hammer spring effects the reset, too? Or was the reset in your gun always short? Because the reset in my is fairly long (somewhat like a non-SRT Sig), and AFAIK usually the hammer spring weight of a gun is not what controls reset distance?

Sent from my Infernal Contraption using Tapatalk

The reset on my Storms were both relatively short and very positive. Shorter than a factory Sig, not as short as an SRT-Sig.

[LearnedHat]

The reset on my Storms were both relatively short and very positive. Shorter than a factory Sig, not as short as an SRT-Sig.

This was my limited experience. I will inevitably short stroke my P229 once or twice a range session (no SRT) but it did not happen once last night over 150 rounds with the Px4.

[Gary1911A1]

I have been thinking of getting a full size PX-4 in 9MM for USPSA Production. I too can get a LE version for less than $450 from Buds and it might just be the ticket for my arthritic hands and shoulders.

[Edwin]

Are you referring to other springs as well, or just the hammer spring?


My Storm had the regular springs pulled and replaced with a D-spring out of a Cougar, which made the trigger absolutely amazing.

The PX4 has a pretty good trigger as-is... But I must admit that when a trigger is called "absolutely amazing" I do get curious. :) I assume the gun was reliable? Where, outside of Beretta USA web site, might one conveniently buy this spring?

I bought caleb's PX4. The trigger was nice but it's even nicer now that I've done some work on it. It's not as nice as my Langdon 92, but it's so much fun running the PX4. Hell I made B class with it using black on black sights.

Suggested parts:

http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/px4-solid-steel-trigger/c5g270/
http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/px4-comptrigger-group/c8c205/
http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/px4-special-duty-spring-kit/e00859/
http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/beretta-px4-safety-and-slide-catch-low-prof-typ-g-only-/e00348/
http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/cam-block-px4-sd/c5b886/
http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/px4-solid-steel-main-rod/c8a299/
http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/beretta-px4-magazine-release-kit-3pcs-high-medium-and-low/e00343/
http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/beretta-px4-storm-back-straps-large/c5b790/
http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/beretta-px4-hammer-cap-spring-flush-w-o-lanyard-loop-/c5b733/
http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Wilson-Combat-Hammer-Spring-Chrome-Silicon-12-Beretta-92_96/productinfo/721CS-12/

Slip2000 on the DLC parts makes thing feel really nice.

[jetfire]

Which one did you buy, the Inox one or the black one?

[Edwin]

Inox.

[LockedBreech]

Inox.

Mmm.

[Clobbersaurus]

I used a drill bit to roughen the front sight hole and then applied some high viz paint. It turned out well I think.

http://i.imgur.com/eUKyUpc.jpg

[jetfire]

Inox.

Ah yes, the sources of my infamous YouTube video where we destroyed an MGW Sight Pusher.

[Gary1911A1]

I have been thinking of getting a full size PX-4 in 9MM for USPSA Production. I too can get a LE version for less than $450 from Buds and it might just be the ticket for my arthritic hands and shoulders.

Ordered it this week and suppose to get it Tuesday or Wednesday, next week. Looking forward to putting the Wilson Hammer Spring in it and ordering parts to convert it to a "G". If this works out I'm going to order the 3.2" Compact Carry Version Ernest is helping to introduce. I shot a 3.2" Compact in Columbus a week ago and was impressed by how little the recoil and flip to the front sight there was.

[Olim9]

Topgunsupply has trade in 9mm F Types for $380. I think their shipping for guns is $10

[Clobbersaurus]

I put another 250 rounds through my PX4 today. Gear was Blade-Tech Holster and belt, Blackhawk mag pouches. For the FASTest's I used a stupid looking vest for concealment.

Ammunition: 200 X 124g Wartac Remanufactured + 50 X 124g AE
Total rounds fired: 720
Stoppages:2
Malfunctions: 0
Breakages: 0

I had another magazine induced failure to feed. Same mag and same issue as last time. It was my fault for using it again; I noiced the mag rattling with loose rounds and decided to try it anyway. The follower got stuck and caused the stoppage. I cleaned my mags beforehand too.:mad: I may have to bin that mag and just use it for dry practice.

I have to say that I am really liking the PX4! Mag issue aside, I am shooting this gun as good as my Elite II (which is a little shocking actually). It shoots very flat, and the G conversion is perfect. The sight paint I used provides a great Hi-Viz sight picture.

Here's a quick video of the best drills of today. The FAST was the third and last FAST of the day.


https://youtu.be/9EY9IsGEEFE

[jetfire]

I keep telling people that the full size PX4 is one of the best guns out there, but because Beretta's never really done a great job marketing it, no one believes me.

This thread makes me happy, and kind of want to buy another PX4.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fixer]

I put another 250 rounds through my PX4 today. Gear was Blade-Tech Holster and belt, Blackhawk mag pouches. For the FASTest's I used a stupid looking vest for concealment.

Ammunition: 200 X 124g Wartac Remanufactured + 50 X 124g AE
Total rounds fired: 720
Stoppages:2
Malfunctions: 0
Breakages: 0

I had another magazine induced failure to feed. Same mag and same issue as last time. It was my fault for using it again; I noiced the mag rattling with loose rounds and decided to try it anyway. The follower got stuck and caused the stoppage. I cleaned my mags beforehand too.:mad: I may have to bin that mag and just use it for dry practice.



I've experienced the magazine issue before in the 4 different PX4s I've had. The issue mostly, if not entirely, based on my memory, was related to steel cased ammo.

[Olim9]

Is this a good price on one? I'm really waiting on the compact carry but I figure I can just buy this one in the meantime. Or possibly replace my German P226.

http://www.topgunsupply.com/beretta-px4-storm-9mm-used.html

[Clobbersaurus]

I've experienced the magazine issue before in the 4 different PX4s I've had. The issue mostly, if not entirely, based on my memory, was related to steel cased ammo.

I've only used brass in my PX4. My issue seems to be with only one of my five mags. I wonder if the problem has to do with an uneven crimp on the 10 round mag. Unlike regular capacity PX4 mags, the body of the 10 round mag is crimped to block the follower.

To be honest, I have had this exact same problem with dirty 92 series Mec Gar mags. I clean those mags before every match now. Just the realities of stupid 10 round magazine restrictions.

[LearnedHat]

A non-sequitur Px4 comment. The grip on the gun is super slick as previously discussed and documented in the compact thread. The solution there was to use the Talon grips or some type of grip tape. I was planning on ordering that soon but in the meantime I put a Hogue Universal Hand-all sleeve on it. Cannot tell you how comfortable that is and me grip seems fine. I may augment with some tape but I'm not sure I am going to change it out.

Can anybody tell me what their maintenance program is for the Px4. I'm not sure what gets grease/oil/CLP etc. Looks a lot different inside than my P229.

[jetfire]

A non-sequitur Px4 comment. The grip on the gun is super slick as previously discussed and documented in the compact thread. The solution there was to use the Talon grips or some type of grip tape. I was planning on ordering that soon but in the meantime I put a Hogue Universal Hand-all sleeve on it. Cannot tell you how comfortable that is and me grip seems fine. I may augment with some tape but I'm not sure I am going to change it out.

Can anybody tell me what their maintenance program is for the Px4. I'm not sure what gets grease/oil/CLP etc. Looks a lot different inside than my P229.

I lubed my Px4 every 2kish rounds or if it started to feel hinky. Fields strip and clean every 5k or so. Never bothered to detail it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DAB]

i too have had a few magazine feeding problems, so i cleaned them, lubed them, and that seemed to fix the problem (follower not following).

i clean my Px4 after each range visit. lube the slide contact points and the barrel cam, runs like a champ. really like the G conversion i did to it. always ready to go.

[Colt191145lover]

On my PX4 full size and compact mags they come from the factory with a very "sticky" preservative on them. I disassemble and degrease everything , and again after the mags have a a few hundred rounds through them.I haven't had any malfunctions with that routine.
It seems that preservative stays around for awhile and can makes things a but sluggish even after the first cleaning. YMMV.

[Gary1911A1]

Is this a good price on one? I'm really waiting on the compact carry but I figure I can just buy this one in the meantime. Or possibly replace my German P226.

http://www.topgunsupply.com/beretta-px4-storm-9mm-used.html

If you can get a LE Discount from Buds there's about a $60 difference. The LE from Buds includes three mags and the Top Gun used one comes with two mags and a safari land holster. Shipping from Buds is free and I'm not sure what Top Gun is. I guess you just have to decide for yourself.

[LockedBreech]

I keep telling people that the full size PX4 is one of the best guns out there, but because Beretta's never really done a great job marketing it, no one believes me.

This thread makes me happy, and kind of want to buy another PX4.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As an 8-year owner, agreed. I've already decided on an Inox 9mm to complement my blued .40. Just have yet to pony up the cash.

It's amusing in its way. As a first-time gun owner and young penniless student I read the legends of 92 and 226 and 1911 thinking I wasn't legit yet, then grew up, accumulated handguns like weeds in a garden, and realized the PX4 stands very strongly on its own merits.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LearnedHat]

Does the steel recoil rod offer any performance benefits other than durability and putting a little more weight towards the front of the gun? My plastic recoil rod seems to bow quite a bit under load.

[Clobbersaurus]

On my PX4 full size and compact mags they come from the factory with a very "sticky" preservative on them. I disassemble and degrease everything , and again after the mags have a a few hundred rounds through them.I haven't had any malfunctions with that routine.
It seems that preservative stays around for awhile and can makes things a but sluggish even after the first cleaning. YMMV.

Is the preservative yellowish in colour? I noticed some yellowish residue in some mags.

[Colt191145lover]

Id say a bit on the orangeish side. I also get that residue in the magwell.

[LockedBreech]

Does the steel recoil rod offer any performance benefits other than durability and putting a little more weight towards the front of the gun? My plastic recoil rod seems to bow quite a bit under load.

I replaced with a steel fluted Wilson one in my 92FS because the original design contemplated steel and I like the slide feel better, but I don't do it with poly guns because it can beat up the frame. If Glocks can run as well as they do on poly rods don't stress about it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Clobbersaurus]

Id say a bit on the orangeish side. I also get that residue in the magwell.

Does it look like this (top right corner of magwell)? I was wondering what that discolouration was. Interesting....I will degrease the mags before my next range session. The magwell is getting a bit beat up from dry fire.

http://i.imgur.com/ab8it6K.jpg

[Colt191145lover]

Yup thats it!

[LangdonTactical]

I have a full-size PX4 coming soon. Just read through the whole tread and I am really excited to put this gun through the paces.

Wonder if I can get Ameriglo to make the TCap sights and maybe an FO front?

[LangdonTactical]

So I spent some time playing with the mag well area on the PX4. As you can see from the picture, I turned the spring clip that holds the backstrap on around backwards and then open up the magwell area quite a bit front to back. I really did help a ton. I find the front to back way more important on reloads than side to side with a double stack gun. 12218

[jeep45238]

Mr. Langdon, out of curiosity, what are the odds you'll switch fully to the px4 platform?

[LockedBreech]

I have a full-size PX4 coming soon. Just read through the whole tread and I am really excited to put this gun through the paces.

Wonder if I can get Ameriglo to make the TCap sights and maybe an FO front?

TCap are what I use on my G19G4 and if you could get AG to make a set for the PX4 I'd be forever thankful. I LOVE that setup.

[Clobbersaurus]

I have a full-size PX4 coming soon. Just read through the whole tread and I am really excited to put this gun through the paces.

Wonder if I can get Ameriglo to make the TCap sights and maybe an FO front?

It's great that you are going to put a full size through it's paces! It will be interesting to see how it stacks up against the compact that you shoot so well.

I would love to see new sights available for the full size.

I'm going to play with the back strap spring clip and see what it does for me, thanks for the tip!

[LangdonTactical]

Mr. Langdon, out of curiosity, what are the odds you'll switch fully to the px4 platform?

I don't think that is very likely.

[DAB]

i carry my Px4 full size daily (i've installed the stealth G levers and stealth slide release), but i'll be shooting my old 92F in IDPA matches, as the Px4 is getting bumped up to SSP, so i may as well shoot a full size pistol with the same trigger action. the compact is now relegated to CCP, kicked out of BUG. it's a good summer carry though.

[rauchman]

Are there 15rnd mags available for the fullsize 9mm?

[DAB]

Are there 15rnd mags available for the fullsize 9mm?

9mm full size mags are 17 rounds.

[MSparks909]

I would buy a full size PX4 if you could get the same sights for it as on the PX4 CC. Are those TCaps?

[Colt191145lover]

Are there 15rnd mags available for the fullsize 9mm?

http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/beretta-px4-magazine-9mm-15/

[That Guy]

Are there 15rnd mags available for the fullsize 9mm?
Weren't Meg-Car full size magazines 15 rounders?

Sent from my Infernal Contraption using Tapatalk

[Colt191145lover]

Just wanted to give a heads up . Police trade ins Beretta PX4 9mm $299.99
http://www.topgunsupply.com/beretta-px4-storm-9mm-used.html

[DAB]

tempting....very tempting....

[Clobbersaurus]

Just wanted to give a heads up . Police trade ins Beretta PX4 9mm $299.99
http://www.topgunsupply.com/beretta-px4-storm-9mm-used.html

If I lived in the U.S. I would buy two. I paid over twice that for mine.

[Exiledviking]

How is the accuracy of the full-size 9mm PX4 versus the 92 or a USP 9?

[alohadoug]

If I lived in the U.S. I would buy two. I paid over twice that for mine.

If I lived in a free state, I'd buy two as well.... :(

[rauchman]

[QUOTE=Colt191145lover;536555][url]http://www.berettausa.com/en

Thanks!

[Clobbersaurus]

I took this pic a few days ago. I am getting some pronounced finish wear on the right side of the slide at the rear serrations. Wear was noticeable when I bought the gun (used), but it is getting worse. I slighshot the slide to charge the gun and also use the same grip for press checks. It's had hundreds of manipulations (or more......I don't know, I dry practice virtually daily) in that area since I received the gun. My support hand thumb grasps the slide right where I am getting the wear.

I don't really care about finish wear on a gun, but it is something to note.

http://i.imgur.com/vcHXPV3.jpg

[357carbine]

Picked up one today (used-$350 out the door). A quick 50 rounds made a very favorable impression. 12 lb. Wilson spring and a G-conversion made things even better. Can't wait to put many more rounds through this overlooked underdog. Off to buy mags.

[BlueDog2009]

I've heard a lot of good things about the PX4. You can blame lack of marketing for its lack of commercial success. I'm a fan of it myself even as a younger shooter. It's a polymer DA/SA gun that doesn't cost $900 like an HK.

[Clobbersaurus]

I just ordered the Beretta factory adjustable sight set from Brownells (thank you PF and Tom for the gift certificate!)

This one:
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/sights/rear-sights/px4-adjustable-rear-sight-prod45535.aspx

It's a huge rear, but it will be nice to really dial in the gun, especially if I am going to shoot IPSC with it. I'm confident I can do my same HI-Viz treatment to that front sight as I did to the stock front, should be no issues there. I guess we'll see how well this thing holds up.

If anyone knows some tricks on how to best remove the rear, I'm all ears. I hear the PX4 rears are very difficult to remove! They must be pressed on with a mechanical press.

Edit to add: The factory adjustable sights are fugly as hell, like Browning Hi-Power adjustable sight ugly (if you don't believe me google it). I just hope I can get them on the gun and they hold up.

[LearnedHat]

So does the little right side slide release lever replacement plug sold by brownells fit the full size?

[Clobbersaurus]

Does the full size PX4 come with ambi slide releases? Mine doesn't have one, and I can find reference to it on the Beretta web site. The compact does for sure, but I don't think the full size does.

[LearnedHat]

Does the full size PX4 come with ambi slide releases? Mine doesn't have one, and I can find reference to it on the Beretta web site. The compact does for sure, but I don't think the full size does.

No - I screwed up my question but it's just as well because I was also confused about what Brownells was offering. I was thinking there was a way to make the safety single sided.

[Swamp Buddy]

You can remove the right slide catch on a compact and install a plug.

[That Guy]

Okay, this might be a little silly but... Hello there!

http://ustacticalsupply.com/images/products/detail/BER_PX4.gif

http://ustacticalsupply.com/sightmountgunsight-berettapx4.aspx

(Yes, yes, red dot mounts should be milled into the slide for lowest possible installation. Easier said than done when the pool of competent gunsmiths is extremely small. At any rate, it's an interesting idea.)

[DAB]

6 rear sights!!! redundancy!!!

[That Guy]

That's certainly one way to look at it. :D

[Clobbersaurus]

6 rear sights!!! redundancy!!!

Six is one, one is none!

[Clobbersaurus]

Sorry I have not updated my progress with the PX4 for several weeks. Weather and holidays conspired to keep me out of the range for over a month. I was able to put another 250 rounds down range today. Finally!!!

Ammunition: 250x 124g Remington UMC
Total rounds fired: 970
Stoppages:2
Malfunctions: 0
Breakages: 0

The gun ran great. I had no further problems with magazine followers sticking. I thoroughly degreased the mags and that seems to have done the trick. Many thanks to Colt191145lover for the tip!

I did a lot of 25 yard shooting today and the wide front sight was a bit of an issue, not huge, but it was enough that I'm really wishing Ernest can convince Ameriglo to make a FO front. I have to say though, I'm really digging the paint I put on the front sight, it's super easy to pick up and track under recoil.

Brownells evidently ran out of stock on the adjustable sight I ordered and I'm kinda glad they did, as I'm not so sure it is needed at this point. I switched my shooting eye recently to my left eye (read my training journal if you want the boring story) and though I still shoot a bit left with this gun, my elevation issue was not evident today.

It was cold as hell with a lot of ice in the shooting bay so I took a pic of the gun:

http://i.imgur.com/4vn0bwW.jpg

[Colt191145lover]

Good to hear!
I really wish someone would make a thin fiber optic front sight for the full size and the compact.

[357carbine]

Good to hear!
I really wish someone would make a thin fiber optic front sight for the full size and the compact.

+1

[DanPop]

On Thursday I won a PX4 F full size in 9mm, brand new (built in Dec) for 425/shipped. I'm seeing this model most places on the Internet for over 500. Pretty proud of that deal.
There's also a compact 9mm with 2 days left for 380 right now, no reserve. Same gun shop I Snagged mine from. Mine hung at 400 for the last 3 days until I bid 405 and won it 12.hrs later.

[Clobbersaurus]

^^^Those are great prices for the PX4!

[That Guy]

I need some new magazine pouches, and the PX4 magazines are much wider than other double stack 9mm magazines in our household. A thought occurred to me: how well would these fit into a magazine pouch meant for Glock magazines?

The strange rear sight contraption posted earlier is something I quite accidentally came across while researching sight options. I have Trijicon HD's on order, but as my order approaches its 6 month anniversary, I am drawn to the conclusion that those sights are simply never going to get here. So, I'm left wondering what to get and from where. I like high-visibility front sights (for reference, I consider the stock white dot front sight inadequate, whereas the yellow front HD on my P99 is excellent, visibility-wise) and tritium in both the front and rear sights, so HD's seem like a good fit - but that front sight is indeed fairly huge... I can get HD's via eBay, but this would be a good time to mention any alternatives that are available internationally, if someone has good ideas in mind.

[Clobbersaurus]

After a bit of a shipping snafu at Brownells (which they took care of after a quick phone call), I received Beretta's adjustable sight set. It's made by LPA. Width of the front is 1.25 vs 1.49 for the original. It is taller that the stock front sight. The rear notch is very shallow and a little concerning, it measures .87 to the bottom of the notch, vs 1.03 on the original. I like a deeper rear notch, so we'll see how that works out. Elevation and windage adjustments are via screws and ball detents. There is a slight bit of movement in the sight when pressure is applied but it goes back into place when pressure is removed.

The sight pusher is a Fisher Solutions unit, which I purchased specifically for my Beretta's. I'll do a review of it once I install the sights. Thanks again to Tom and the DOTW giveaway for the Brownells gift card!

http://i.imgur.com/QtBnWij.jpg

[LearnedHat]

(Ignorant question alert) Can you install the 92 FS safety levers and still do the G conversion? Seems like you should be able to.

[ReverendMeat]

Not sure I understand the question, but you'd need the G-conversion kit from Beretta (which is basically redesigned left/right side safety levers and a different spring). If you want to keep your FS levers for whatever reason you'd need to have the slide itself modified, as done by Wilson and Allegheny.

ETA: Though I'm curious what would happen if one were to take a FS and remove the left hand safety detent and spring, it may function sort-of as a makeshift G, I would think, but I've never tried it.

[LearnedHat]

Not sure I understand the question, but you'd need the G-conversion kit from Beretta (which is basically redesigned left/right side safety levers and a different spring). If you want to keep your FS levers for whatever reason you'd need to have the slide itself modified, as done by Wilson and Allegheny.

ETA: Though I'm curious what would happen if one were to take a FS and remove the left hand safety detent and spring, it may function sort-of as a makeshift G, I would think, but I've never tried it.

I don't know - just saw Beretta offering the 92 FS style levers for the PX4 and was wondering if they could be added but convert to g

[357carbine]

http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/safety-assy-px4-f-large-le-part-c5d666-c5d667/c8a000/

Looks like the standard spring and ball bearing that can be removed to convert to a G.

[LockedBreech]

I took out my PX4 .40 last night, which was some real nostalgia since it was my first of the now-bazillion handguns in my safe and is outside the carry/HD rotation now that I've switched to 9x19 exclusively. I noticed how much more dinged up the slide is compared to my other guns and recalled that I have probably 8-10x the rounds through my PX4 as any other gun I own, with never a single failure and always strong, consistent ejection, with every variety of ammo I've ever tried except for Magtech reloads. Which it still ate, just did not like, and I've never had a firearm run Magtech well, so I don't use it anymore. Of all the guns I shoot with, even my HK VP9 and Glock 19, it's the one I have most confidence in going "bang" when I pull the trigger. Once you break them in, they sing especially well, that lug really gets into a harmony with the groove in the barrel and the slide is silky even with a fresh recoil spring.

I've been hemming and hawing over a PX4 Inox 9mm and a companion Compact Carry 9mm (EL edition, preferably), and I have no idea why I'm even hesitant about it other than trying not to buy stuff for a while. They really are a good gun and look to have been refined even further since they made mine in 2008.

[LangdonTactical]

http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/safety-assy-px4-f-large-le-part-c5d666-c5d667/c8a000/

Looks like the standard spring and ball bearing that can be removed to convert to a G.

Yes, this does work. I have a set of the "92 Style" levers on a PX4 Compact that has been made into a G Configuration.

[LangdonTactical]

I am here at the SHOT show and it looks like I will be doing a high round count test on the PX4 Full size this year. Lots of conversations with Beretta and other vendors, so stand by for a new thread. Here are some things that have been discussed;

- 50,000 round test
- New sights from Ameriglo for the full size and Compact (T-Caps and Fiber Optic)
- Robar Mod packages for the full-size gun
- Think Full-size gun set up like the Compact Carry.

Safariland is sending me a holster and I also now have one from Keepers Concealment for the full-size PX4.

[LockedBreech]

This is beautiful news for you and Beretta fans, absolutely terribly news for my wallet. If I have a decent year frugally and they're both still available in July, a matching set of EL Robar'd-out PX4s in full-size and compact would make a terrific and justifiable birthday present.


I am here at the SHOT show and it looks like I will be doing a high round count test on the PX4 Full size this year. Lots of conversations with Beretta and other vendors, so stand by for a new thread. Here are some things that have been discussed;

- 50,000 round test
- New sights from Ameriglo for the full size and Compact (T-Caps and Fiber Optic)
- Robar Mod packages for the full-size gun
- Think Full-size gun set up like the Compact Carry.

Safariland is sending me a holster and I also now have one from Keepers Concealment for the full-size PX4.

[Exiledviking]

I am here at the SHOT show and it looks like I will be doing a high round count test on the PX4 Full size this year. Lots of conversations with Beretta and other vendors, so stand by for a new thread. Here are some things that have been discussed;

- 50,000 round test
- New sights from Ameriglo for the full size and Compact (T-Caps and Fiber Optic)
- Robar Mod packages for the full-size gun
- Think Full-size gun set up like the Compact Carry.

Safariland is sending me a holster and I also now have one from Keepers Concealment for the full-size PX4.
Could you, please, ask Beretta USA to keep a number of the original design PX4 full-size pistols available for us here in California?
Apparently, Beretta made some changes to the late production FS PX4 and the CA DOJ has decided that those changes disqualifies the gun from the "Safe Handgun" roster. I was planning on buying a new one in the next 6 months but now I'm not going to be able to. This state...

[DAB]

my full size Px4 9mm is my daily carry. 17+1, stealth G levers, stealth slide release, otherwise all stock. love it.

[CoGT3]

Awesome news. Between this and the EL 92 I'm going to need more room in the safe (btw don't let this distract you too much from finishing up the EL 92. And if you still have Ameriglos ear, TCAP for vertex/brigadier slide would be awesome).


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[BJV]

- New sights from Ameriglo for the full size and Compact (T-Caps and Fiber Optic)
- Robar Mod packages for the full-size gun
- Think Full-size gun set up like the Compact Carry.

I'm in for all. I was already starting to look at assembling a full size PX4 "EL" clone on my own, but will gladly wait for the real thing.

[ReverendMeat]

I don't know - just saw Beretta offering the 92 FS style levers for the PX4 and was wondering if they could be added but convert to g

Sorry man, I had forgotten which thread I was in and thought you were asking about the 92 and not the PX4! Ignore everything I said in post 126 :)

[Edwin]

I am here at the SHOT show and it looks like I will be doing a high round count test on the PX4 Full size this year. Lots of conversations with Beretta and other vendors, so stand by for a new thread. Here are some things that have been discussed;

- 50,000 round test
- New sights from Ameriglo for the full size and Compact (T-Caps and Fiber Optic)
- Robar Mod packages for the full-size gun
- Think Full-size gun set up like the Compact Carry.

Safariland is sending me a holster and I also now have one from Keepers Concealment for the full-size PX4.

This is awesome to hear and can't wait to see some of these things.

[The Apprentice]

All this Beretta love is going to kill my wallet.

[Clobbersaurus]

50,000 round test has my interest.

New sight options would be awesome. Thanks to Ernest for getting this done.

[Clobbersaurus]

Installing the adjustable sights was a freakin' pain.

Beretta must install their sights with a billion ton press or something. They are just stupid tough to remove. I would not have been able to remove them without the Fisher Soultions sight pusher, and even with it, the amount of pressure needed with the wrench was rediculous. Fitting the adjustable sights was also time consuming, start to finish was 2.5 hours measured in sweaty fits of profanity.

I would recommend that if you are not 100% confident with working on your guns that you not try to remove the sights on your PX4. The Fisher Soultions sight pusher worked well, but was very fussy to use. The tapered slide required shimming and the usage of blocks. You will have an easier time if you remove the safety, which I didn't do. I'm not overly happy with the quality of the front sight, more on that below.

Here's the stuff you will need. Be prepared to make some shims. You will mark up your slide removing the sights, there is no way around it with the finish on the PX4. If you give the PX4 a dirty look you will scuff the slide, so I wasn't really surprised.
http://i.imgur.com/bbhIiXU.jpg

Rear sight removed. Not sure what the two dimples are for.
http://i.imgur.com/9JKMeue.jpg

Front sight removed. Look at the mess of metal in the sight channel. I really don't understand why all that is necessary, other than to make the front sight hold up to a 50 megaton nuclear blast or something.
http://i.imgur.com/ahhxfQM.jpg

Sights installed. It took a bunch of fitting and a ton of fussing with the Fisher tool to get it just right. Note the gap in the front sight. That was good for a stream of profanity.
http://i.imgur.com/ndFPfiT.jpg

The rear sight seems well made. I had to remove the elevation screw and pull the sight leaf up to install it. I used cold blue to clean up the dings on the sights made from the Fisher tool. I wish I could do the same to the slide.
http://i.imgur.com/oIEyDoK.jpg

I painted the front dot and blacked out the rear dots with a Sharpie. If you look closely you will see that the front sight post is slight crooked (which I fully admit caused more profanity). It's not too bad, but considering the price of the sights I would have liked to see better QC. I guess it's possible that the dovetail is out of spec, but the OEM sight was fine, so I tend to blame the sight. I don't mind the sight picture and the rear notch doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would.
http://i.imgur.com/IDextLj.jpg

[jetfire]

50,000 round test has my interest.

New sight options would be awesome. Thanks to Ernest for getting this done.

I ALREADY DID THIS SHIT

Sorry Earnest [emoji6]


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[Clobbersaurus]

I ALREADY DID THIS SHIT

Sorry Earnest [emoji6]


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I would be interested to know the results, did you write an article about it?

[jetfire]

I was just making a joke about something I said to Ernie at SHOT.

But I did shoot a Px4 for about 35,000 rounds and it was fine. The gun is solid.


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[LockedBreech]

In nearly a decade of ownership my PX4 only has 10-11K through it. I gotta shoot more.

[Clobbersaurus]

Put another 250 rounds through my PX4 today.

Ammunition: 250x 124g Blazer Aluminum
Total rounds fired: 1220
Stoppages:2
Malfunctions: 0
Breakages: 0

The gun worked great. I found the Blazer Aluminum to be a little snappy, and the gun was shooting high, which was evident as soon as I put my first two cold FASTest shots onto the 3X5. Windage was perfect so I dialled down the elevation until it was perfect. I didn't have access to a 25 yard bay today, so I couldn't test accuracy thoroughly, but it shot well at the 12 available yards that I had. It was nice to be able to precisely dial in my pistol to the way I like to shoot, which is driving the dot.

[LangdonTactical]

I was just making a joke about something I said to Ernie at SHOT.

But I did shoot a Px4 for about 35,000 rounds and it was fine. The gun is solid.


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Yeah, there have been a few others that have shot the PX4. My buddy Jeff Gurwitch (Ft. Bragg SF guy) shot one for quite a while and did really well with it many years back. He keeps reminding me that he shot one before it was cool.

[abu fitna]

One of the guys that used to shoot the KSTG quite a bit also was running a PX4 for some time.

Cool just requires a certain je ne sais quoi I suppose. Some have it, some don't.

I long ago recognized which camp I fell into... heh.

[jetfire]

Yeah, there have been a few others that have shot the PX4. My buddy Jeff Gurwitch (Ft. Bragg SF guy) shot one for quite a while and did really well with it many years back. He keeps reminding me that he shot one before it was cool.

I was genuinely impressed with how accurate it was for a 4 inch gun, and would imagine how dope a long slide version would be.

I'd actually buy a Px4 Elite if such a thing was real.


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[azerious]

I was genuinely impressed with how accurate it was for a 4 inch gun, and would imagine how dope a long slide version would be.

I'd actually buy a Px4 Elite if such a thing was real.


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oooo a 5" Px4?!?!? Now THAT would be cool!

[LockedBreech]

oooo a 5" Px4?!?!? Now THAT would be cool!

So... a PX5?

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH :cool:

[Edwin]

Shot mine at a match last night.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS0O6Zdbbqs

[jetfire]

Shot mine at a match last night.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS0O6Zdbbqs

That gun looks familiar, what front sight is that? It's hard to tell from the video but it doesn't look like the one I had on there.

[Edwin]

That gun looks familiar, what front sight is that? It's hard to tell from the video but it doesn't look like the one I had on there.
It's the same one refinished in Inox to match the slide after I drilled it for a fiber front sight.

[DAB]

i like the bird foot print no shoot on the last array.....:)

[Fenrir]

So for almost two years I had a Beretta PX4 Storm Type C in .40 S&W as my duty weapon until my department changed over to glock and I got a Gen 4 22.

During this time I fired about five thousand rounds. About 500 rounds of Winchester Super X 165gr semi jacketed rounds, 1k of PPU 165 gr FMJ, 200 rounds S&B 180 gr, 50 rounds winchester ranger t 165 hp, and then the rest were all PMC 165 gr FMJ.

I only experienced 4 failures to chamber. Basically round would chamber halfway and then stop. This only occured with the Winchester Super X. I did have one of our armorer's replace my recoil spring and the problem went away with that particular brand of ammunition.

My department just has your basic trijicon bright and tough nighsights and I had them put the large backstrap on the gun due to my hand size. I found the grip to feel very slick so I added Talon Grip tape in their rough texture to the grip and I was pretty happy with it. I did replace the Talon Grip tape after it worn out after about a year and a half on the gun. Keep in mind this gun was mostly carried open carry in uniform so the gun was exposed quite a bit to rain and the weather. Only time I would carry it concealed was off duty sometimes or when I went to court or training and was wearing a suit or regular clothes.

I went through the Police Academy Firearms Training, multiple department open range and inservice firearms training. Also shot it in multiple pistol competitions both LE matches and IDPA. I felt the recoil was lighter than most .40 S&W caliber guns I shot before and accuracy was fine as long as I did my part. I did wish it was a type G or even the type F as I found during rapid fire I sometimes would not let the trigger fully out and the gun would not reset causing a dead trigger since it has a longer reset than most guns. This I imagine I would get used to eventually though with more range time and training. It did not happen very often though.

Personally most people in my department did not like the weapon. Most people had trouble learning to shoot even the lighten DOA trigger. Also many officers experienced the same malfunction I mentioned earlier. The department mainly used the super x ammo I mentioned earlier for training. In fact during the academy my class shot the PMC FMJ 165 gr until the last day of firearms training with zero issues. Then the last day we switched to the winchester super x. All 7 of the officers from my department experienced light strikes or the failure to feed I described earlier. I mention this to our Quartermaster and the admin sgt who were in charge of ordering our ammunition for training and they kept using the winchester ammo and officers kept complaining of issues. The other issue was our preventive maintance program was non-existent. They would only service guns if an officer had a part break or was having malfunctions. The first thing beretta did for us when they went to them was to have all our recoil springs replaced just like I had an armorer do to my gun. My gun was a reissued gun and the guns we were using were all issued in 2008. So I write the problems we had off to poor maintance and ammunition issues.

Personally after my recoil spring was replaced I liked the gun just fine. I just wished it was the Type G and Type F instead of the Type C. I think its just fine for duty, concealed carry, or competition.

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[Fenrir]

So just a video of me running it in an IDPA match I shot with it. On the low light stage I did have induced a user malfunction. So they put the large slide releases on our PX4s. With my thumbs sometimes I would ride the slide release causing it to have a failure to lock back on the last round. This would have been fixed with the smaller slide release beretta makes for the PX4 or me just changing my grip. Honestly this only occurred for me like maybe 3 times where I cause this malfunction.
https://youtu.be/EuSbiyXa46o

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[Edwin]

You can see in my video that mine doesn't lock back either because of my grip interfering with the slide lock lever and I have the slim lever you're talking about.

[Clobbersaurus]

I've never had an issue with the PX4 slide release. But I did spend a few months of dry fire and shooting a Sig 226 and had some initial problems with the slide release. That time with the Sig seemed to cure me of all slide lock related issues on all guns since.

[Clobbersaurus]

A couple more observations about the PX4 for readers of this thread.

I was doing some no-mag-in-the-gun reload drills today. Par time was .7 which was mostly unreachable for me. I was trying to ingrain movements for my new Ghost mag pouches, which are oriented bullet nose out. I picked .7 to force myself to get the index on my mag exactly right. At that speed the wheels come off quick for me and it accentuates the typical reload problems I have with the PX4.

This one; which is a direct result of the square shape of the front strap of the PX4 mag. I hope to do the Langdon mod to these mags, but I am trying to confirm if the mods are legal in IPSC production division before I break out the Dremel. As I've said before I would like to see Mec-Gar make some PX4 mags with a more tapered front strap, like they do for the 92 series.

http://i.imgur.com/BKba80H.jpg

And this problem, which takes me forever (relative to my speed reload goals) to fix when it happens. The left side of the mag well gets stuck between the bullet and the side of the mag body.

http://i.imgur.com/3pcABXD.jpg

[Edwin]

Has anyone found a good load that works well? My go to load is stupid inaccurate out of my full size.

147 grn Xtreme RN
1.150" OAL
3.3grn Titegroup
S&B Primer

[LangdonTactical]

So I got a PX4 full-size last week. As soon as I got the gun I did a little work on it.

- Adapted a set of Ameriglo sights for the Compact to fit (just shortened the width of the dovetail base)
- Trigger job including the WC #12 hammer spring.
- Stippled the grip.
- Stealth lever kit.
- Large Mag button installed.
- open up the mag well a bit.

13616

So now, about 10 days later I have just under 1700 rounds through the gun. Trouble free so far and it has run 100% for me. I am shooting it pretty well, though it does not come back on target as fast as the Compact does. That said, I am noticing a difference in accuracy for some longer or tighter shots from the longer sight radius. It does really seem to make a difference.

Yesterday I had a personal record on the FAST drill of 3.94 clean. I had several good clean runs in a row, one at 4.22, and decide to push hard to see what I could do. First one I dropped head shots at 3.71, and then backed off just a bit for the 3.94. I have to say that is very encouraging for my future shooting this gun.

I am already talking with Beretta about a few things and I think we may be on to a really good start for a full-size project.

I hope this is encouraging for you PX4 FS fans. I may just become one myself.

[JTQ]

Thanks for the information.

How would you compare the handling characteristics of the PX4 FS with your 92 guns? The controls, grip, recoil management, transitions between targets, etc.

[DallasBronco]

I'm anxious to see this project unfold. I like the full size but don't think I could pull it off for carry. I think the grip is just long enough to print pretty badly for me in AIWB carry. I really like the Type C and D guns that are offered in the full size also.

[DAB]

carry a full size everyday, and i previously did the stealth G lever swap, the stealth slide release swap, and the large mag release swap. otherwise all stock (mostly because i don't know how to mess with the internals).

[LangdonTactical]

Thanks for the information.

How would you compare the handling characteristics of the PX4 FS with your 92 guns? The controls, grip, recoil management, transitions between targets, etc.

Very similar in handling. The full size 92 will likely always be my first love. That said, shooting the compact over the last 18 months and nearly 70,000 rounds through three different guns, has really made me love this gun.

I am shooting the full-size gun very well, it is lighter than the full size 92, so it transitions between targets better. As to recoil.... it has a totally different feel than the full size 92, so it is hard to compare. Let me get 10,000 rounds through it and we will see.

[Edwin]

I'm glad your full size is working out well. I'm having accuracy issues with mine. Bench resting it with my hand loads that are really accurate out of my Brig Tac gives me a horrible shotgun pattern at 25 yards. I'll have to experiment with factory loads to see if I can get the damn thing to group accurately.

Has anyone identified a load that works well for them?

[357carbine]

Has anyone found a good load that works well? My go to load is stupid inaccurate out of my full size.

147 grn Xtreme RN
1.150" OAL
3.3grn Titegroup
S&B Primer

Interesting.
147gr. Rainier FN
1.110" OAL
3.4gr. Titegroup
Winchester primers
This load was giving me problems on steel targets. Moved to paper and noticed some "funny" shaped holes. The bullets were not stabilizing.
May try some different loads in the future when I get some more 147's.

[Edwin]

I've got some 135gr stuff to load up next so we'll see.

[3-7-77]

Interesting.
147gr. Rainier FN
1.110" OAL
3.4gr. Titegroup
Winchester primers
This load was giving me problems on steel targets. Moved to paper and noticed some "funny" shaped holes. The bullets were not stabilizing.
May try some different loads in the future when I get some more 147's.

Are you using plates bullets? Mine doesn't stabilize 124 grain plated bullets running about 1100fps with tite-group. They shoot fine in everything else I have, just not the full size PX4. Thinking of dialing the velocity back to see if that makes a difference.

[jetfire]

I'm glad your full size is working out well. I'm having accuracy issues with mine. Bench resting it with my hand loads that are really accurate out of my Brig Tac gives me a horrible shotgun pattern at 25 yards. I'll have to experiment with factory loads to see if I can get the damn thing to group accurately.

Has anyone identified a load that works well for them?

If it's the gun I'm thinking of, it really likes 115 grain XTPs. At Bianchi Cup I shot Hornady Critical Defense through it with excellent results.

[Clobbersaurus]

It's really cool to see Ernest putting a full size gun through it's paces.


I've been shooting factory and remanufactured 124g through my PX4. I am not seeing he accuracy issues noted above.

[LangdonTactical]

I'm glad your full size is working out well. I'm having accuracy issues with mine. Bench resting it with my hand loads that are really accurate out of my Brig Tac gives me a horrible shotgun pattern at 25 yards. I'll have to experiment with factory loads to see if I can get the damn thing to group accurately.

Has anyone identified a load that works well for them?

That is interesting. Wonder if it is an issue with the plated bullets. Many years ago I tried to run plated bullets and I could not get them to shoot well in my 92s. Berettas are known for their sharp rifling in the barrels. The issue I ran into was the rifling would cut through the plating, add in the fast 1 in 10 twists and the plating would come loose where the rifling cut through. The target would show these little "wings" off the bullet hole, along with the horrible groups.

I went back to shooting jacked bullets.

Your 92 may just have enough ammo through the barrel that the sharp edges of the lands have been taken down enough to not cut through the plating.

Hope this make sense?

[LangdonTactical]

2000 round test.

Pistol:Beretta PX4 Full Size
Caliber: 9mm
Ammunition Used: Winchester 115 FMJ, Super Vel 147 Hush Puppy, CCI 124 FMJ, Winchester 115 Win Clean.
Dates of Testing: January 25th to February 5th, 2017
Total Rounds Fired: 2040
Stoppages: 0
Malfuntions: 0
Breakages: 0

Comments: This is my jump into giving a full-size PX4 a run. This gun has the stealth levers installed, the frame has been stippled, trigger job done with WC #12 hammer spring, and Ameriglo Sights installed. The full test was done with Streamlight TLR-1 mounted to the gun. Gun was lubed with Lucus gun oil after the trigger job was done and that was all.

[Edwin]

So I got a PX4 full-size last week. As soon as I got the gun I did a little work on it.

- Adapted a set of Ameriglo sights for the Compact to fit (just shortened the width of the dovetail base)

How is the POA/POI working out for this? I know I should probably wait for the actual sights from Ameriglo, especially the fiber optic ones, but I kind of want to do this modification myself.

[Clobbersaurus]

So I got a PX4 full-size last week. As soon as I got the gun I did a little work on it.

- Adapted a set of Ameriglo sights for the Compact to fit (just shortened the width of the dovetail base)


Edit: Sorry Edwin, totally missed your last post.....I have similar questions.


Ernest, sorry I have three questions. I'm just wondering if you have an acceptable POI at distance with your sights on the full size? I'm also curious what hold you take? Top of the front, drive the dot? Lastly, by shortening the dovetail base, did you mean filing the bottom edge of the sight dovetail on flat file to shorten it?

I love your compact sights and really want to make a set work on my full size.

[DallasBronco]

Lastly, by shortening the dovetail base, did you mean filing the bottom edge of the sight dovetail on flat file to shorten it?

I think he is referring to shortening the sides of the dovetails to match the contours of the full-size slide. The flat portion on the top of the slide is wider on the compacts than on the full-size, hence why you don't seem to find anyone who offers a sight for both the full-size and compact PX4

[Clobbersaurus]

^^^ Oh, I did not know that. Thanks for the clarification.

[LangdonTactical]

I think he is referring to shortening the sides of the dovetails to match the contours of the full-size slide. The flat portion on the top of the slide is wider on the compacts than on the full-size, hence why you don't seem to find anyone who offers a sight for both the full-size and compact PX4

This is exactly right. The nose and dovetail on the compacts are wider than the one on the full-size gun. Using a stock PX4 Compact sight would give the front of your slide wings on the full-size gun as the base would stick out of the dovetail.

Full size on the left, compact on the right. The sight on the left has been narrowed and cold blued.
13722

[LearnedHat]

So I got a PX4 full-size last week. As soon as I got the gun I did a little work on it.

- Adapted a set of Ameriglo sights for the Compact to fit (just shortened the width of the dovetail base)
- Trigger job including the WC #12 hammer spring.
- Stippled the grip.
- Stealth lever kit.
- Large Mag button installed.
- open up the mag well a bit.

13616

So now, about 10 days later I have just under 1700 rounds through the gun. Trouble free so far and it has run 100% for me. I am shooting it pretty well, though it does not come back on target as fast as the Compact does. That said, I am noticing a difference in accuracy for some longer or tighter shots from the longer sight radius. It does really seem to make a difference.

Yesterday I had a personal record on the FAST drill of 3.94 clean. I had several good clean runs in a row, one at 4.22, and decide to push hard to see what I could do. First one I dropped head shots at 3.71, and then backed off just a bit for the 3.94. I have to say that is very encouraging for my future shooting this gun.

I am already talking with Beretta about a few things and I think we may be on to a really good start for a full-size project.

I hope this is encouraging for you PX4 FS fans. I may just become one myself.

So without a trigger job, is the trigger group worth it? How about mainspring upgrade?

[Clobbersaurus]

Thanks for posting the pic Ernest. Makes sense now!

[LangdonTactical]

So without a trigger job, is the trigger group worth it? How about mainspring upgrade?

Not sure what the question is here. Are you talking about the Competition trigger group that Beretta Sells? If so, that group comes with the standard hammer spring. So even with that trigger group, I would still go with a D model hammer spring or the WC #12 hammer spring.

The single action is pretty sweet on that trigger group.

[LearnedHat]

Not sure what the question is here. Are you talking about the Competition trigger group that Beretta Sells? If so, that group comes with the standard hammer spring. So even with that trigger group, I would still go with a D model hammer spring or the WC #12 hammer spring.

The single action is pretty sweet on that trigger group.

No - that is the answer. I haven't altered anything and so the question was either mod or both. Not sure I am good enough yet to really worry about the equipment end but still . . . futzing with this stuff is part of the fun.

[LangdonTactical]

futzing with this stuff is part of the fun.

This is 100% true! I still enjoy playing with parts and working on modifications. It is constant for me!

[357carbine]

This is 100% true! I still enjoy playing with parts and working on modifications. It is constant for me!

So, I bet that means you have had some amusing failures (that you can laugh about now). Care to share?

[LangdonTactical]

So, I bet that means you have had some amusing failures (that you can laugh about now). Care to share?

Mostly they have not been amusing, just expensive. I have destroyed quite a few parts over the years that became paperweights and thrown in the trash. When you overfit a BarSto barrel and have to just throw it in the trash, not very amusing at all :(

I have many what I would call amusing stories from customers that felt the need to "fix their guns"! One of the best was the guy that thought the lock up on his 92G Elite II (that I had just fit a BarSto barrel in) was too tight. So he decided that he should grind and polish the locking block so the gun was "smoother". Total hack job and the locking block broke after about 2000 rounds. Not to mention it destroyed the slide and barrel and dinged up his frame with the block broke. That was expensive for him to say the least.

[LockedBreech]

I have many what I would call amusing stories from customers that felt the need to "fix their guns"! One of the best was the guy that thought the lock up on his 92G Elite II (that I had just fit a BarSto barrel in) was too tight. So he decided that he should grind and polish the locking block so the gun was "smoother". Total hack job and the locking block broke after about 2000 rounds. Not to mention it destroyed the slide and barrel and dinged up his frame with the block broke. That was expensive for him to say the least.

One of the biggest downsides of living in a very pro-gun area (and believe me, I'll take the downsides of that over the opposite) is that absolutely everyone thinks they are a gunsmith. Because everyone and their brother is a "gunsmith" here, I am cautious about who I let touch my guns. The "smoothing" job sounds exactly like what some of the local "smiths" would do. Probably the most terrifying is a well-meaning maintenance guy at my old apartment complex who had done himself a "custom trigger job" on an early 1900s Mauser. I have no idea what he did in the guts of that rifle or how reliable the safety mechanism is that particular rifle is, but I hope it's a good one because that gun would fire if you shook it too hard.

[LangdonTactical]

So I picked up a solid stainless guide rod from Stainless Steel Guide Rods.http://ssguiderods.com

Shot about 400 rounds through the gun yesterday and it worked fine. Not sure if I could tell any difference, to be honest. I need to do some side by side with a standard guide rod I guess.

13766

The factory plastic combo is 15 grams
The factory aluminum solid (hollow tube I think) combo is 22 grams
The SS Guide Rod combo is 42 grams

[LockedBreech]

You owe me $35, Ernest. I had no idea BUSA was making a factory metallic guide rod assembly and my only reservation to grabbing a metal one previously had been that some manufacturers didn't mean for their gun's guide rod to have metal in it and I don't like to dink around with factory specs. Went over to the BUSA website and sure enough, a PX4 fullsize factory guide rod with a metal core. Having metal in the guide rod is an option that gives me comfort when the manufacturer gives a thumbs-up. I love the fluted Wilson rod for the 92.

[LangdonTactical]

You owe me $35, Ernest. I had no idea BUSA was making a factory metallic guide rod assembly and my only reservation to grabbing a metal one previously had been that some manufacturers didn't mean for their gun's guide rod to have metal in it and I don't like to dink around with factory specs. Went over to the BUSA website and sure enough, a PX4 fullsize factory guide rod with a metal core. Having metal in the guide rod is an option that gives me comfort when the manufacturer gives a thumbs-up. I love the fluted Wilson rod for the 92.

Sorry about that! I am not sure it helps anything.

I know I can feel a difference on the 92 with a solid rod over the old hollow tubes. You can for sure feel the difference between the plastic one and the solid rod.

I am told the solid ones were built for a military contract for the PX4 where that country spec a solid or metal guide rod.

I am going to do some side by side with the PX4 today and the different guide rods.

[LangdonTactical]

OK, I did some shooting yesterday with both the stock plastic guide rod and the solid stainless rod. I could tell a difference with the solid rod. It is not a major difference and I have to really pay attention to notice, but it is there.

I also shot some groups at 25 yards from a rest. This is not my strong suit for sure, but I did manage one sub 2" group with some Super Vel Hush Puppy 147s. Most of my groups were in the 4" range, but like I said, not my strong suit and I was just shooting cheap CCI Lawman 115 for most of the groups.

I have exactly 3060 rounds though the gun as of yesterday. I added oil and pulled a bore snake through the barrel after the 2040 rounds. No stoppages so far and I do shoot the gun pretty well. It does not seem to return to back to the target as quickly as the compact. Soft shooting gun, but not nearly as flat shooting as the Compact.

All in all, it is going very well. Maybe it is time for me to start a new thread on my test of the PX4 Full Size? I am thinking 50,000 rounds before next January, how does that sound?

[jamautry]

That sounds great. Go for it.

[MSparks909]

OK, I did some shooting yesterday with both the stock plastic guide rod and the solid stainless rod. I could tell a difference with the solid rod. It is not a major difference and I have to really pay attention to notice, but it is there.

I also shot some groups at 25 yards from a rest. This is not my strong suit for sure, but I did manage one sub 2" group with some Super Vel Hush Puppy 147s. Most of my groups were in the 4" range, but like I said, not my strong suit and I was just shooting cheap CCI Lawman 115 for most of the groups.

I have exactly 3060 rounds though the gun as of yesterday. I added oil and pulled a bore snake through the barrel after the 2040 rounds. No stoppages so far and I do shoot the gun pretty well. It does not seem to return to back to the target as quickly as the compact. Soft shooting gun, but not nearly as flat shooting as the Compact.

All in all, it is going very well. Maybe it is time for me to start a new thread on my test of the PX4 Full Size? I am thinking 50,000 rounds before next January, how does that sound?

Yes, please! Would really enjoy following your 50,000 round test. Knock on wood, seems like your sample is off to a strong start! So you haven't given the gun a good cleaning as of yet? I'd be interested to see if you could take it to 10K without cleaning and only adding lube.

[LockedBreech]

Very interested to follow!


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[LangdonTactical]

Yes, please! Would really enjoy following your 50,000 round test. Knock on wood, seems like your sample is off to a strong start! So you haven't given the gun a good cleaning as of yet? I'd be interested to see if you could take it to 10K without cleaning and only adding lube.

That don't that I would consider that wise or fair given the environment that I live in. I will be doing 85% of this shooting in Arizona, likely often on BLM land. When the wind picks up there is quite a bit of sand that gets on everything. Adding oil only and not cleaning is likely to end up making the dirt in the gun more like lapping compound. Not a good way to make it to 50K, on any gun.

If I still lived in Virginia or shot on an indoor range all the time, that might work just fine. Not smart here in the desert.

[CoGT3]

As this test marches on, would love to hear how the full size compares not only to the compact PX4, but also your tried and true 92's.

Got my Mod 4 CC earlier this week, based on dry fire alone 2 more are going to be heading my way. Next big decision for me this year is going to be 2 more 92's or maybe the PX4 full size instead.

Looking forward to see how this play out.


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[MSparks909]

That don't that I would consider that wise or fair given the environment that I live in. I will be doing 85% of this shooting in Arizona, likely often on BLM land. When the wind picks up there is quite a bit of sand that gets on everything. Adding oil only and not cleaning is likely to end up making the dirt in the gun more like lapping compound. Not a good way to make it to 50K, on any gun.

If I still lived in Virginia or shot on an indoor range all the time, that might work just fine. Not smart here in the desert.

Fair enough. Completely understand that. Still interested in following along nonetheless. I don't think there's anyone else currently doing high round count firearms testing (30K +) and reporting on it.

[LockedBreech]

That don't that I would consider that wise or fair given the environment that I live in. I will be doing 85% of this shooting in Arizona, likely often on BLM land. When the wind picks up there is quite a bit of sand that gets on everything. Adding oil only and not cleaning is likely to end up making the dirt in the gun more like lapping compound. Not a good way to make it to 50K, on any gun.

If I still lived in Virginia or shot on an indoor range all the time, that might work just fine. Not smart here in the desert.

I live in a very dry, dusty, arid area, and I don't do the 2,000-round test protocol pretty much ever for that reason. There's no telling how much dust would try to sneak in between sessions. I'm stupidly regular about cleaning my guns after (almost) every range trip.

[LTC77406]

OK, I did some shooting yesterday with both the stock plastic guide rod and the solid stainless rod. I could tell a difference with the solid rod. It is not a major difference and I have to really pay attention to notice, but it is there.

I also shot some groups at 25 yards from a rest. This is not my strong suit for sure, but I did manage one sub 2" group with some Super Vel Hush Puppy 147s. Most of my groups were in the 4" range, but like I said, not my strong suit and I was just shooting cheap CCI Lawman 115 for most of the groups.

I have exactly 3060 rounds though the gun as of yesterday. I added oil and pulled a bore snake through the barrel after the 2040 rounds. No stoppages so far and I do shoot the gun pretty well. It does not seem to return to back to the target as quickly as the compact. Soft shooting gun, but not nearly as flat shooting as the Compact.

All in all, it is going very well. Maybe it is time for me to start a new thread on my test of the PX4 Full Size? I am thinking 50,000 rounds before next January, how does that sound?

Really interested in this also. The full sized PX4 was the first polymer pistol I ever bought and I still use it for home defense gun -converted to G. Currently carrying the sub compact G and hoping for some information on my Mod 4 CC that was supposedly ready to ship 2/2.13835

[Clobbersaurus]

Go for it Ernest! I'm very interested to see how the full size holds up.

[LockedBreech]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170211/9bfea6c65ae79406f288ac52e9225f20.jpg

This thread inspired me to take a quick run tonight with my PX4 .40, which I haven't shot in honestly about a year. 128 rounds on the paper (I felt stingy and didn't want to buy more targets). I'm not a very good shooter, but 12 of the first 14 (gold dots) before junky range ammo were all in the X-ring or 5-ring at 25. Second 14 Gold Dots were also pretty tight and centered. Most of the flyers are range PMC Bronze. I have never owned a gun that liked PMC very much, but I don't blame it. No failures, as ever. Probably at the 11-12K stoppage-free mark.

Ignore the head/neck shots, different gun. I take responsibility for the overall messy pattern here, that's what happens when you don't practice with a .40 for a year after switching to 9mm and you're not a very good shooter to begin with.


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[AdioSS]

What's wrong with aiming at the head & neck? It seems like there are some very necessary-to-live-with parts up in those areas, so it makes some sense to practice at them ;)

[Houstonxd40]

Hi, Houston here. New owner of a full size PX4, 9mm with night sights. Only one modification made. Converted it to G with the factory levers. Beretta does not have the stealth levers in stock. I think I will save my discount until they have those in stock.
I will join the 2000 club and post results as I make progress. I have read all of this thread as well as the thread for the compact and decided on the full size at this time. I like to carry full size and have no issues with choosing this route for CCW.

It is a pleasure to have a forum like this where a professional such as Ernest Langdon posts and responds as he does.

I look forward to my experience with the Beretta and have high hopes for this gun.

Thanks for allowing me here.
Houston

[Clobbersaurus]

Welcome Hudson, looking forward to see your updates.

I put 300 rounds through my PX4 today. The gun worked perfectly.

Ammunition: 250x124g IMI, 50x124g AE
Total rounds fired: 1520
Stoppages:2
Malfunctions: 0
Breakages: 0

I couldn't get to our lower range today, it was snowed in. I had to shoot on the rifle range which has shot cadence rules, so group shooting was all I could do. I fine tuned my sights with American Eagle, which is my match ammo, shooting a 93-4X on a 25 yard B8.

The Israeli ammo didn't seem to be as accurate and the best I could do was 90-2X and a 91-0X. I called almost all the flyers, and I admit that my patience for shooting groups is not great, but the IMI seemed to have one major flyer almost off the paper on every string. The rest of the time I spent shooting 2" dots at 7 yards freestyle, WHO and SHO.

Shooting groups for 300 rounds highlighted the shortcomings of the stock trigger, and the need for a thinner front sight. The target front sight, though thinner than the stock front, completely covers the black of a B8 at 25 yards. Driving the dot makes real precision quite hard and I still wish the target rear had a deeper notch. I may try the competition trigger pack at some point just to see how much of a difference it is.

I am happy I was able to spend the time getting the gun dialled in and it will only help with my confidence on mini-poppers and B-Zone steel at 25 yards in my next match.

[Houstonxd40]

Anyone have experience with the Beretta 20 round magazines offered on the Beretta website?

[LearnedHat]

Just FYI (should go in gear thread but is relevant here): Ordered a hybrid IWB holster from Beretta USA because I was getting a px4 FS blue gun from them. Came in today and I do not think it is going to work. Not only does the leather backing not provide clearance for your thumb (common with these types of holsters) but there also is not clearance for your middle finger to go through a wrap around the trigger guard because there is not enough room between the shell and the grip. Finally, the retention is not very good and I would need to work on that. However, while I can work the shell (retention) and cut the backing, I cannot make more room between the grip and the point where the shell attaches to the holster.

So, I guess I am giving it a thumbs down. It was pretty inexpensive but I will need to go with Stealth or Crossbreed or JM or something.

[Houstonxd40]

I just ordered an "On Your 6" designs IWB. I have one of these for the similarly sized Ruger P95 and carry it AIWB. Works very well for me and is a good product at a very decent price. I also use the "Dr Scholls gel heel insert" hack on the back of the holster as a wedge. Tried the hybrid IWB type and not for me.

[LangdonTactical]

Had another great range session with the full-size gun today. Shot right at 600 rounds today, still no stoppages of any kind. I did manage to shoot four personal best on four different drills.

First one was the Hackathorn Drill 299 out of 300 (10 shots, each yard line, 15 seconds at 15, 10 seconds at 10 and 5 seconds at 5, all from the holster).
Second, I was doing 2 reload 2 at 7 yards, the last run was a 2.70. For sure a best for a clean run from a retention holster.
Third, I shot the FAST Drill a few times, shot in clean 4 times in a row, so I decided to pick up the pace. Pulled a 3.74 out clean.
Finally, I was doing the "All Hands Drill" (6 freestyle, reload, 6 Strong hand, reload, 6 Support, 7 yards, 8" circle, must shoot it clean to count). Pulled a 12.05 clean, which is about .35 faster than I have ever done it clean. So I decide to see if I could do it under 10, pulled a 9.94, but dropped a shot support hand.

Bottom line, I am loving this gun. The extra sight radius does seem to make a difference.

13936

[Clobbersaurus]

^^Congrats on the four personal best performances, that has to be a great feeling!

I am very interested to see what comes from your extended tests.

[LostDuke]

Anyone have experience with the Beretta 20 round magazines offered on the Beretta website?

I have 3, mostly use them with my CX4. Same quality as the others, work just fine.

[rauchman]

Had another great range session with the full-size gun today. Shot right at 600 rounds today, still no stoppages of any kind. I did manage to shoot four personal best on four different drills.

First one was the Hackathorn Drill 299 out of 300 (10 shots, each yard line, 15 seconds at 15, 10 seconds at 10 and 5 seconds at 5, all from the holster).
Second, I was doing 2 reload 2 at 7 yards, the last run was a 2.70. For sure a best for a clean run from a retention holster.
Third, I shot the FAST Drill a few times, shot in clean 4 times in a row, so I decided to pick up the pace. Pulled a 3.74 out clean.
Finally, I was doing the "All Hands Drill" (6 freestyle, reload, 6 Strong hand, reload, 6 Support, 7 yards, 8" circle, must shoot it clean to count). Pulled a 12.05 clean, which is about .35 faster than I have ever done it clean. So I decide to see if I could do it under 10, pulled a 9.94, but dropped a shot support hand.

Bottom line, I am loving this gun. The extra sight radius does seem to make a difference.

13936

Congratulations on your scores. I have to ask....are you liking this gun better than the 92 series?

[CGA]

This is exactly right. The nose and dovetail on the compacts are wider than the one on the full-size gun. Using a stock PX4 Compact sight would give the front of your slide wings on the full-size gun as the base would stick out of the dovetail.

Full size on the left, compact on the right. The sight on the left has been narrowed and cold blued.
13722

What is the POA/POI like with the Ameriglo compact sights adapted for the full size?

[LangdonTactical]

What is the POA/POI like with the Ameriglo compact sights adapted for the full size?

So I did go to a .320" tall rear sight on my full-size gun. If you shoot the dot, the point of impact will likely be perfect with the compact sights, which has a .305" tall rear sight.

My full size hits just a hair above the top of the front sight at 25 yards for me with the .320" rear.

[GJM]

I have a PX4 FS 9 and .40 with Trijicon HD sights. As I recall, the .40 is pretty well regulated but the 9 hits quite low at 25.

Sounds like the PX4C Ameriglo orange front with a .320 rear, gets the POI to just above tip of the front sight at 25 -- are those pieces available from Ameriglo currently?

[LangdonTactical]

Congratulations on your scores. I have to ask....are you liking this gun better than the 92 series?

Way early to make a call on that. It is running great, very accurate, easy to shoot, etc. Lets expensive than a 92, but has the same controls and trigger fee (DA and SA break at the same point in the trigger pull)l, dovetail front sight, convertible to G, different size mag buttons are like $15, 20 round magazines from the factory, etc.

Not much to not like about all this. The fact that I have 4 shooting PRs in less than 4,000 rounds and 4 weeks on the gun gives me great hope for my future with this gun.

[LangdonTactical]

Anyone else having FTF with there PX4 CC?

[CGA]

So I did go to a .320" tall rear sight on my full-size gun. If you shoot the dot, the point of impact will likely be perfect with the compact sights, which has a .305" tall rear sight.

My full size hits just a hair above the top of the front sight at 25 yards for me with the .320" rear.

So this is with a Beretta rear and the Ameriglo Compact Carry front?

[LangdonTactical]

So this is with a Beretta rear and the Ameriglo Compact Carry front?

No, these are plain black Ameriglo rears and modified compact front. I am shooting a full Ameriglo sight set.

Ameriglo makes three different height rears for the PX4 right now, .290", .305" and .320"

[CGA]

No, these are plain black Ameriglo rears and modified compact front. I am shooting a full Ameriglo sight set.

Ameriglo makes three different height rears for the PX4 right now, .290", .305" and .320"

Awesome. Thanks!

[MSparks909]

I have a PX4 FS 9 and .40 with Trijicon HD sights. As I recall, the .40 is pretty well regulated but the 9 hits quite low at 25.

Sounds like the PX4C Ameriglo orange front with a .320 rear, gets the POI to just above tip of the front sight at 25 -- are those pieces available from Ameriglo currently?

I believe the .320s are ready. At least the salesperson I spoke with told me they were. Give them a call and ask. Refer to part number BR-401 for the .320 rears. Front sight part number - BR-212PX4-OR. Ameriglo phone - 470-223-4163

You'll have to narrow the front sight to fit on the standard PX4 slide as the PX4 C has a wider slide top than the full size gun.

[MSparks909]

Anyone else having FTF with there PX4 CC?

I occasionally have a round hang halfway out of battery when I do an administrative load from slide lock. If I inhibit slide travel at all, or try to "ride the slide," I'll have a round hang up (usually on a full magazine). Tap on the rear of the slide and it closes. If I load from slide lock and slingshot completely to the rear or drop the slide release there's no issues.

[Clobbersaurus]

^^ Have you degreased your mags? I just bought a brand new mag and I can totally fell a difference between it and the other five degreased mags that I have. It's almost tacky/sticky feeling go it compared to the others. I had issues with the follower sticking in one of my mags before I degreased them causing two FTF's. Now that I have degreased them I have had no further issues through the last 500 rounds.

[azerious]

Way early to make a call on that. It is running great, very accurate, easy to shoot, etc. Lets expensive than a 92, but has the same controls and trigger fee (DA and SA break at the same point in the trigger pull)l, dovetail front sight, convertible to G, different size mag buttons are like $15, 20 round magazines from the factory, etc.

Not much to not like about all this. The fact that I have 4 shooting PRs in less than 4,000 rounds and 4 weeks on the gun gives me great hope for my future with this gun.

this coming from you is a tremendous testament. Even more so than any post in your PX4 Compact thread. I have EXTREMELY high hopes for this as the full szie fits me significantly better than the compact and is not much longer grip wise.

[fixer]

I occasionally have a round hang halfway out of battery when I do an administrative load from slide lock. If I inhibit slide travel at all, or try to "ride the slide," I'll have a round hang up (usually on a full magazine). Tap on the rear of the slide and it closes. If I load from slide lock and slingshot completely to the rear or drop the slide release there's no issues.

at one point I had 4 full size and they all did this too. Never had an issue when shooting.

[MSparks909]

^^ Have you degreased your mags? I just bought a brand new mag and I can totally fell a difference between it and the other five degreased mags that I have. It's almost tacky/sticky feeling go it compared to the others. I had issues with the follower sticking in one of my mags before I degreased them causing two FTF's. Now that I have degreased them I have had no further issues through the last 500 rounds.

I admit that I haven't but my mags are NP3 coated and I assume they wouldn't be greased..but I will check later today. My PX4C shooting is on haitus. Moved back to my P30 until I can get .290 rear sights and bobbed hammers for my PX4s.

[Clobbersaurus]

You shouldn't need to degrease anything if they have been NP3 treated.

Riding the slide is generally not a great way to gas up a gun, so that is probably the main issue there. I fully rack the slide with my full size and have not had the issue you describe. Good luck with it!

[LangdonTactical]

OK, I did some videos yesterday for YouTube, etc. Shot them all with the PX4 Full Size and ended up shooting another PR on video. Check it out;


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPRlsXZ_Spw

[LTC77406]

^^^Great shooting^^^

I feel like my head is on a swivel between this thread and the CC thread! Concerning the comparable Ameriglo sights for the full size PX4, do I have it right that I want BR-401 for the .320 rear black and BR-212PX4-OR for the front? Also, I'm completely incapable of installing these sights. Does anyone know of someone in the Houston area (preferably southwest) that could modify the front sight and do the installation?

[MSparks909]

^^^Great shooting^^^

I feel like my head is on a swivel between this thread and the CC thread! Concerning the comparable Ameriglo sights for the full size PX4, do I have it right that I want BR-401 for the .320 rear black and BR-212PX4-OR for the front? Also, I'm completely incapable of installing these sights. Does anyone know of someone in the Houston area (preferably southwest) that could modify the front sight and do the installation?

I'm sure you could find a competent gunsmith willing to do that. There's not much to it..dremel the sight to fit the width of the dovetail, file/de-burr the edges, cold blue the exposed steel and then install with a sight pusher.

[Exiledviking]

I apologize for a slight thread drift but I couldn't find any info online regarding running a 9mm PX4 barrel in a .40 PX4. Is that feasible? The thought occurred to me while perusing the Beretta USA website as they're running a 20% off deal for the weekend and one could buy an extended (4.6") 9mm PX4 barrel for $136 shipped.

[LTC77406]

I've already replaced the stock hammer spring in my full sized with the Cougar D spring. If I change to the Wilson 12# should/will I feel a noticeable difference?

[LangdonTactical]

I apologize for a slight thread drift but I couldn't find any info online regarding running a 9mm PX4 barrel in a .40 PX4. Is that feasible? The thought occurred to me while perusing the Beretta USA website as they're running a 20% off deal for the weekend and one could buy an extended (4.6") 9mm PX4 barrel for $136 shipped.

It will not work. The OD on the 40 barrel is larger and therefore the hole at the end of the barrel is larger on the 40 slide. If you stick a 9mm barrel in there it will not fit correctly at all. The breach face may also cause some issues, but the end of the barrel will for sure.

[DallasBronco]

I've already replaced the stock hammer spring in my full sized with the Cougar D spring. If I change to the Wilson 12# should/will I feel a noticeable difference?

Yes. On two of my compacts, I initially replaced the F spring with a D and then changed to the Wilson 12 lb spring. To me, it smoothed out and lightened the DA pull. I'm sure it lightened the SA pull too, but I didn't notice it as much.

[azerious]

Hey EL, have you been carrying this lately AIWB? Does it conceal better than a G17 in similar JM kydex?

I'm looking at a full size over compact due to the increased grip length for a faster and more secure draw for my tiny hands.

[LangdonTactical]

Hey EL, have you been carrying this lately AIWB? Does it conceal better than a G17 in similar JM kydex?

I'm looking at a full size over compact due to the increased grip length for a faster and more secure draw for my tiny hands.

My compact is still my carry gun. The full size is going to be my shooter this year. I plan to run it really hard and see if it fails. The Compact held up really well, so I think the full size should with no problems.

I do have a nice holster from Keepers Concealment that carries the full size really well. I have trained with it a little and it works great and is a very fast holster.

[Padwan]

Ernest, I think Bill Wilson said that the PX4 felt like a softer shooting pistol compared to the M92s. Did you find this to be the case?

[Houstonxd40]

So? Christmas for my new storm came today. I have yet to fire it but I now have stealth controls installed, slide stop and decocking levers. My full size came with a lanyard type mainspiring cap so I switched it out with a flat cap and new D spring. I also purchased a metal recoil spring set up and when replacing noticed the factory spring set up was not the polymer type so I now have 2 of them. Also got a couple of 20 round magazines. Over all huge improvement. I do find however the stealth decocking levers are more difficult to manipulate but the trade off is still worth it to have slimmer slide and getting rid of the sharp edges.

One thing I have noticed in dry fire is when cocking the hammer for single action there is a little rough spot initially on the first part of the take up. No roughness at the point the sear is engaged just at the start of take up. I don't feel this is a real issue in actual use just a nit pick. Does anyone else feel this?

[DAB]

How hard to install a D spring?

[Houstonxd40]

5 minutes. Pull backstrap, drift pin, pull spring and reverse.

[LangdonTactical]

One thing I have noticed in dry fire is when cocking the hammer for single action there is a little rough spot initially on the first part of the take up. No roughness at the point the sear is engaged just at the start of take up. I don't feel this is a real issue in actual use just a nit pick. Does anyone else feel this?

It sounds like you're talking about the half cock notch. The hammer has to move the sear forward over the half cock notch at the very beginning of the trigger pull and or cocking process. it will add a little weight and you will hear a click as the sear drops into the half cock notch.

Maybe that is what you are feeling?

[LangdonTactical]

How hard to install a D spring?

Just make sure it is a Cougar or PX4 D Spring and not a 92 D spring. They are different and the 92 D spring is heavier than the standard F spring on the PX4.

[LearnedHat]

Just make sure it is a Cougar or PX4 D Spring and not a 92 D spring. They are different and the 92 D spring is heavier than the standard F spring on the PX4.

How does the D spring compare to the 12# Wilson?

I also read somewhere that it requires some force (more than you might think) to remove and replace; is that true?

[Houstonxd40]

Ernest it isn't the half cock notch. The hammer is fully cocked. It is the very first part of the take up. The trigger bar pops up from frame and feels a bit rough when doing so. It is the part the safety bar part of the lever keeps pressed down to prevent sear engagement if the safety is used. When hammer fully cocked it is depressed, the first part of the take up pops it into the up position. The roughness is in this process.

[Houstonxd40]

Speaking of half cocked position. Does anyone pull the hammer to this position before holstering for personal carry?

[DAB]

Just make sure it is a Cougar or PX4 D Spring and not a 92 D spring. They are different and the 92 D spring is heavier than the standard F spring on the PX4.

understood.

waiting on delivery of my new Wilson/Beretta 92G Brigadier/Tactical - that'll be my IDPA pistol this year (replacing my 1988 vintage 92F). i'm loath to mess with the internals of my daily carry Px4 full size.

the 92G should have a much nicer trigger than my old 92F. stay tuned.

[LangdonTactical]

Ernest it isn't the half cock notch. The hammer is fully cocked. It is the very first part of the take up. The trigger bar pops up from frame and feels a bit rough when doing so. It is the part the safety bar part of the lever keeps pressed down to prevent sear engagement if the safety is used. When hammer fully cocked it is depressed, the first part of the take up pops it into the up position. The roughness is in this process.

OK, so you are having issues with the pre-travel and the trigger bar pushing the firing pin block up. That makes sense and I understand what you mean. Totally fixable. Has anyone ever detail stripped your guns top end?

[Houstonxd40]

OK, so you are having issues with the pre-travel and the trigger bar pushing the firing pin block up. That makes sense and I understand what you mean. Totally fixable. Has anyone ever detail stripped your guns top end?

No. Only change has been to change hammer spring. I can live with it is just a nit pick. But if fixable don't mind trying. Not rough at pushing firing pin block up. Is before that contact is made.

[LangdonTactical]

No. Only change has been to change hammer spring. I can live with it is just a nit pick. But if fixable don't mind trying. Not rough at pushing firing pin block up. Is before that contact is made.

OK, got it.

[Colt191145lover]

Ernest it isn't the half cock notch. The hammer is fully cocked. It is the very first part of the take up. The trigger bar pops up from frame and feels a bit rough when doing so. It is the part the safety bar part of the lever keeps pressed down to prevent sear engagement if the safety is used. When hammer fully cocked it is depressed, the first part of the take up pops it into the up position. The roughness is in this process.

My carry gun a standard Px4 Compact has the same thing , its gritty and then "pops" into place. It happens before any engagement with the firing pin safety.

P.S. My training gun does not do this.

[Houstonxd40]

Ernest I have a manual of arms question for the Storm with Stealth hammer de-cock. I find it difficult to use my strong hand thumb to manipulate the stealth levers, otherwise I really like them. After giving it some thought and a little practice I have come to this method for me. I thought I would run this by you and get your feedback.
So when I have completed my string of shots and want to de-cock the pistol before holstering I think the following steps.
1) come to high ready/ center chest position
2) trigger finger off trigger
3) weak hand palm down over top of slide, as if running slide
4) use weak hand thumb on left wing, weak hand fore finger on right wing and push the de-cocking levers down

Does that sound feasible?