Beretta Px4 Storm

The Beretta Px4 Storm is a semi-automatic pistol intended for personal defense and law enforcement use.

By: blackpearl Posted: May 30, 2007

Design

The PX4 uses the same short-recoil, rotating barrel lock as the Beretta 8000 Models and uses exactly the same Operating System as the M9/92/96 series while being a completely different design. Light-weight polymer construction with steel inserts, and changeable backstrap options for the grip are a radical departure from previous Beretta designs.

Unlike the M9/92/96 series, the trigger guard is rounded for better concealed carry and has no scoring on the front to promote a better index finger hold. Gone too is the takedown pin of earlier models, which is replaced by a spring-loaded bar, accessed via frame recesses at both ends, which must be grasped and pulled down simultaneously to release the slide. The slide spring is doubly captive, being inserted approximately an inch into the transfer block at one end and a receiving hole in the front of the slide at the other. It is a self-contained assembly, completely captured by the polymer guide. The design makes assembling the gun incorrectly from a field-stripped takedown impossible. The magazine holds the top round directly behind the barrel's breech end so only the slightest feed ramp is needed. This allows the barrel to fully support the case. The 6-R rifling of the barrel generates counter-clockwise torque which is harnessed by the locking system to reduce the amount of camming pressure on the rotating barrel lock's cam and pin system when unlocking. The steel transfer block's cam pin is only 5mm wide and 2mm deep and should be kept well lubricated.

A new interchangeable, luminescent 3-dot sight system (coated in Super-LumiNova) for use in dark or low-light situations. With short exposure to any kind of light, the night sights' luminescence lasts up to 30 minutes. The weapon also incorporates a Picatinny rail under the muzzle to allow flashlights, laser sights and other accessories to be attached.

Removable and Interchangeable Parts

The Beretta Px4 is a highly versatile gun and the company designed the weapon with a number of interchangeable and removable parts. The parts that are interchangeable and removable include the magazine release button, the backstrap, the slide catch and the hammer unit mechanism. The interchangeable backstrap comes in three different sizes: standard, slim and oversized. The magazine release button on the weapon can be mounted on either side of the pistol with slimmer models to avoid catching when the weapon is taken quickly from a holster.

Models

The Px4 is available in four models:

* Type F - Double and single action. De-cocker. Manual safety.
* Type C - Single-action-only ("Constant Action"). Spurless hammer. No de-cocker. No safety.
* Type D - Double-action-only. Spurless hammer. No de-cocker. No safety.
* Type G - Single and double-action. De-cocker. No manual safety.

Joint Combat Pistol

The PX4 is also produced in a .45 ACP cartridge and termed the Px4 Storm SD (Special Duty). Important optional options are the longer barrel to facilitate a suppressor use, the desert tan frame color and now the available in a sub compact variant.