In early 2017 I purchased a Beretta Px4 Compact Carry after reading the post by Ernest Langdon “The Px4 Compact might be my DA/SA Glock 19.” I’ve been learning, toting, shooting and enjoying this pistol ever since. It’s been the most easiest pistol for me to shoot fast and accurately. The Px4 Compact Carry is truly a more excellent DA/SA version of a Glock 19.
There are many reasons that people carry a Glock 26/27 rather than a Glock G19, (pistol size, portability, hand size, concealability, etc.). The Beretta Sub Compact can be a DA/SA Glock 26/27 and then some. The Beretta Sub Compact is almost an illusion, as it looks much larger than it actually is and even feels/shoots larger than it actually is. Here are the comparison numbers:
...........................G26/G27............Px4 Sub Compact
OAL.....................6.29”..................6.2 ”
OAH....................4.17”..................4.8”
Grip/Slide Width...1.18”..................1.2”
Weight................21.7 ounces.........26.1 ounces
Mag Capacity........10/9...................13/10
See the chart below for visual comparison.
The primary difference is the height with the Px4 Sub Compact measuring .63’ taller than the G26/27. Since the grip on the G26/27 is so short, abbreviated and not “grippable” especially when shooting most owners add magazine grip extensions like a Pearce adaptor. The smallest one adds 5/8” of an inch to the height of the G26/27 where it then matches up with the Px4 Sub Compact height wise: 4.795” versus 4.8”.
I’ve heard it said that the added length of the magazine extensions on the G26/27 really doesn’t affect concealability because the length is added to front of the grip and not the heel of the grip. That is true. The rear of the Px4 Sub Compact slide is very radiused, (especially with Ernest Langdon’s spurless hammer), and isn’t elongated, square and blocky like the rear of the G26/27 slide. Both of these qualities help reduce printing when concealed so in my book it’s a wash between them.
I have added all of the Px4 Compact Carry upgrades to the Px4 Sub Compact converting it to one extremely sweet shooting pistol. The upgrades I have added are the AmeriGlo Sights, stealth de-cocker lever, extended magazine release, Langdon Tactical 11# hammer spring, Langdon Tactical spurless hammer and the Talon rubberized grip.
I have over 800 rounds through the pistol with no failures. It have 2xl glove sized hands and this pistol fits my grip really well. About ¾ of my pinky rests on the standard magazine base plate which is radiused upward. This upward radius helps my grip as it feels like it pushes my grip up getting the highest possible hand grip. With the Langdon Tactical 11# hammer spring, spurless hammer and a little polish on internals the DA is averaging 7.3lbs and the SA is at 3.5lbs. I haven’t completed any bench rest accuracy shooting with it and just realized that all of my shooting has been at 7 yards. 40 S&W Win Silvertip 155gr has shot the best with 1.5’ groups off hand achieved easily and hitting right about point of aim at seven yards. I need to take the time out and bench rest some groups at both 7 and 25 yards. For every reason I have found the Beretta Px4 Compact Carry extremely shootable I have found this “Compact Carry” upgraded Px4 Sub Compact close to the same but it in a smaller package.
An advantage of the Px4 Sub Compact over the G26/27 is the rail. The Px4 Sub Compact quickly converts from a subcompact EDC pistol to a night stand/home defense pistol with a tac light and full sized magazine with the Beretta designed bumper. See picture below. The Glock 26/27 doesn’t convert as well as this from a double stack sub compact EDC to a home defense pistol.
There isn’t a huge variety of holsters available for the Px4 Sub Compact. With kydex holsters and a little heat gun magic I’ve converted two pretty easily.
For years my relationship with striker fired pistols was much like an arranged marriage. I shot & carried striker fired pistols proficiently, functionally and continued to do so thinking that was what I was supposed to do. It was loveless and pretty much void of any passion.
The emergence of the Px4 Compact Carry has changed things up for me. I’m back enjoying life with DA/SA pistols again. If someone is looking for a double stack sub compact pistol in SA/DA configuration the Px4 Sub Compact is an excellent option. A Px4 Sub Compact with the “Compact Carry” upgrades is a most excellent option.
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Originally Posted by Enel
