Beretta PX4 Storm Compact Review: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying

Beretta Px4 Storm Background

The Beretta Px4 Storm is a semi-automatic pistol series made for law enforcement and personal defense use. The series started rolling out from Beretta factories in the early 2000s.

Beretta itself is a company founded in the 1600s and is regarded as the oldest active firearm component manufacturer in the world.

The Beretta Storm series consists of well-designed pistols made for personal defense or for our friends in law enforcement. This bad boy comes in different sizes – compact, subcompact, and full-size.

So, what sets the Px4 apart from its older siblings like the Beretta 92 and 8000 series?

Well, it’s got that familiar trigger and safety system but jazzed up with a lightweight polymer body and steel inserts. Plus, it’s got that cool standard Picatinny rail. And let’s not forget the cherry on top – those swappable grip backstraps that give the pistol a customized feel.

Now, here’s what you should know…

The full-size and Compact versions rock the same rotating barrel, and short-recoil action as the Beretta 8000 series. But guess what? The Subcompact shakes it up a bit with its tilt barrel system.

So, whether you’re going for the full Monty or a more compact buddy, the Px4 Storm’s got your back with options and a few neat tricks up its sleeve.

Beretta Px4 Storm Models

Remember we said the Px4 Storm is a pistol series. But we can still categorize them into four types Trusted Source PX4 STORM FAMILY | Beretta Beretta PX4 Storm: Cutting-edge design, superior performance, and adaptability in a pistol. The choice for discerning shooters seeking excellence. www.beretta.com : full size, compact, subcompact, and even the .45 ACP.

Px4 Storm Full Size

The Px4 Full Size was the first version of Beretta’s Px4. Like we said, it hit the shelves back in 2004. You can still find it in your different unique types:

• Type F: Rocking both single and double-action with a Decocker and manual safety.
• Type G: Similar to Type F but skips the manual safety.
• Type C: This one’s all about single-action-only, aka “Constant Action,” featuring a half-cocked hammer and no decocker or safety.
• Type D: If you’re into double-action-only mode with a spurless hammer and no decocker or safety, this is your pick.

The Type C and Type D usually found their way into the hands of law enforcement. But the Type F could transform into a Type G with some tweaking—remove a ball bearing in the safety/de-cocker unit or swap the entire unit, depending on your preference.

Once in a blue moon, Beretta spices things up by offering the Px4 Full Size with a slick INOX (stainless) slide. Aside from being sleek, it helps the gun handle rougher conditions and offers it some durability.

Beretta Px4 Storm Subcompact

After the successful introduction of the Full Size, the Px4 Storm Subcompact made its debut back in 2008. It started off in 9x19mm and later branched into .40 S&W.

And what sets this apart?

We’d say it’s the DA/SA trigger setup. This is designed for personal defense and a high preference among law enforcement for concealed carry.

It’s like a revamped version of the Beretta 9000. They even share the recoil spring guide rod. One unique thing about it, unlike its larger Px4 relatives, is its use of a tilt barrel system and a takedown pin that rotates. Plus, it takes a page from the 9000S playbook by offering magazines with the base plate of the SnapGrip Extender, giving it a more extended grip.

While its operation may differ from the bigger models, the Subcompact isn’t left out regarding shared parts. It swaps some components with the Full-size and Compact versions. These include:

• The trigger
• Safety levers
• Magazine release buttons.

You’d be surprised to know it can handle the longer magazines from its bigger siblings, too. Beretta even sells a nifty magazine sleeve for the full-size 17-round mag, giving the Subcompact a longer grip.

The Subcompact was discontinued in 2023. So, if you stumble upon one, count yourself lucky! They might be rare finds, but they’re definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a reliable concealed carry option.

Beretta Px4 Storm Compact

The Px4 Compact is one of the newest ranges from the Beretta Px4 series. There are two versions of this: the standard Compact and the Compact Carry.

The Standard Compact

Hitting the scene back in 2011, the standard Compact is like the Goldilocks of the Beretta family – not too big, not too small, just right. It’s sandwiched size-wise between the full-size and Subcompact models.

So, what’s cool about it?

Well, it rocks a nifty rotating barrel from its big bros. But it rocks a shorter slide and grip. This gives it a unique look and feel.

One handy feature we like is the ambidextrous slide-stop lever. That’s a small detail, but boy, it comes in handy when you’re in the heat of things.

Oh, and the magazine has these bright orange followers that pop up when they’re empty. That saves you from squinting in low-light situations to figure out if your mag’s out of juice.

Sometimes, Beretta jazzes things up by offering the Px4 Compact with a stainless steel slide. That gives it a bit of a classy touch.

Beretta Storm Compact Carry

Fast forward to 2016, and Beretta drops the Px4 Compact Carry. It’s a sleeker, more specialized version crafted for concealed-carry gun hipsters.

This is the brainchild of a collab with Ernest Langdon from Langdon Tactical. The Compact Carry, affectionately called Type G, sticks exclusively to 9x19mm and comes loaded (literally) with goodies.

So, what’s different?

First off, it’s got these low-profile types of decocker levers – slick design and more comfortable for concealed carry.

What about the bigger release button for the magazine? We consider it a godsend when you need to switch mags in a flash. They’ve also tinkered with the hammer group, making the trigger pull smoother and lighter for those precise shots.

Another thing that catches our eyes…

That Sniper Grey Cerakote coating. This gives the slide a unique look. And those sights! A front sight in orange tritium plus rear notch sights in sleek black color. These are perfect for quick and accurate target locking.

And for those buttery grips? They threw in a Talon wrap, so you’ve got a solid hold every time.

Sure, it had a bit of a delay initially, thanks to supply issues with the sights. But when it finally hit the market in early 2017, concealed carry enthusiasts were pretty stoked about this optimized version of an already fantastic handgun.

Beretta Px4 Storm .45 ACP

The Px4 .45 ACP also hit the shelves back in 2008, the same period as the Subcompact. But this is a powerhouse!

First, it’s only available in a “full-size” version. But it’s slightly beefier than its 9mm and .40 S&W siblings, all to handle the mighty punch of the .45 ACP cartridge. Beretta jumped into the  Joint Combat Pistol program Trusted Source Joint Combat Pistol (JCP) The US Special Operations Command  issued a solicitation in August 2005 to obtain commercially available non-developmental item Joint Combat Pistol system, Caliber .45 . The Program will use full and open competition to fulfill the JCP requirement. www.globalsecurity.org by the U.S. military with this bad boy.

Now, you’ve got options with the Beretta Px4 Storm .45 ACP. There’s the standard black model and the Special Duty variant.

The Special Duty? Well, it’s something else. Rocking a frame with a desert tan color, magazines coated in PVD, and an upgraded internal firing control assembly, it’s built for serious action. Plus, it packs a double recoil spring and a longer barrel that peeks out beyond the slide.

Finally, the Special Duty model comes in its custom case. Inside? You’ve got all the accessories you need:

• Lubricating oil
• A cleaning kit
• Three magazines
• Three back straps
• Three magazine buttons
• User manual.

This thing’s a complete package, ready to roll right out of the box.

Beretta Px4 Storm Compact Review

Now that we know the various types of the Beretta Px4 Storm, we got hold of the Storm Compact to have a look at how solid it is. Now here’s what we think about the pistol considered one of the most solid pieces of the Px4 series.

How the Beretta PX4 Storm Pistol Works

Taking a glance at the gun itself, one distinctive feature stands out: the safety switch sits right there on the slide. Love it or hate it, that’s where it is.

Now, the Model F variant rocks a safety/de-cocker combo. Here’s the drill: once the gun’s cocked, pushing that safety lever all the way down does the trick – it decocks the hammer and renders the trigger inert. Your gun’s fully in safe mode.

When you push that lever back up, you leave the firearm safely decocked but ready to fire. Similar to other DA/SA guns, the first shot from this decocked position requires a long, hefty double-action triggering. After that, it’s smooth sailing with single-action shots until you decock it again.

Now, tackling that initial, lengthy trigger pull from the decocked position might seem like a challenge. Yet, mastering it unlocks versatility in a single semi-automatic handgun that’s hard to find elsewhere.

The Rotating Barrel

Beretta’s Px4 Storm Compact boasts a standout feature: its rotating barrel.

Think about it this way…

As the pistol does its thing, the barrel elegantly swivels from one side to the other. Now, we wouldn’t say this nifty function does magically erase recoil. But it sure tames it!

Instead of your typical muzzle flip, it gives you a more direct pushback into your hand. It’s one of the most noticeable game-changing features we noticed right out of the box.

Double/Single Action

Now, let’s talk about that trigger action. All models of the Beretta Px4 Storm Compact pistols rock the classic double/single action.

I’ll tell you what?

That initial shot from the decocked position? Brace yourself for a long, weighty double-action pull. But fear not!

After that, it’s smooth sailing with subsequent single-action shots until you decock the gun again. It’s a rhythm you’ll quickly get the hang of once you’ve spent some time with this piece.

Accuracy & Reliability

The Storm Compact nails it in the accuracy and reliability department. And what makes this possible? The whole rotating system, the cold-hammer-forged barrel, and a fully supported chamber!

Now, we’re no pro testers, but in our rounds with this piece, it lived up to its rep. It’s surprisingly accurate for its size and utterly reliable. Not a single hiccup during our time with it.

Compact Carry

We reviewed the Compact Carry earlier. We saw the background of this particular type of Storm Compact. But we’re reviewing the 9mm Compact Carry here.

We saw that they’ve tweaked some neat stuff with this one. Firstly, they’ve switched up the safety game – no more manual safety here. The lever setup is now de-cocker-only.

The moment you engage the gun, those safety levers now only de-cock it to double-action mode and snap right back to the firing position. There’s no ‘safe’ position. So the trigger doesn’t go completely inactive.

Also, they’ve done some shuffle with the slide lock levers, making it a left-side, low-profile deal. And oh, the magazine release got an extension for smoother handling. Plus, a competition trigger group got thrown in the mix, improving that trigger pull weight and feel. Bonus point: instead of the usual two mags, you’re getting three in the pack.

Now, the sights – they’ve upgraded them to AmeriGlo ones. There’s a bright orange front blade packed with tritium and a slick blacked-out rear sight. And the sight picture you get out of this? Stellar!

One quick tip: if you’re eyeballing a Compact Carry, check for that signature gray slide coupled with a black frame. But here’s the thing, don’t rely solely on color when snagging one. Some sneaky owners have had their regular Carry models’ slide colors changed, so keep an eye out for that if you’re hunting for a used one.

Safety

When it comes to safety, the Compact Carry version sticks with the G-type de-cock-only safety setup.

But here’s the cool thing:

Most PX4 models have the manual slide-mounted safeties. The best part? It’s a breeze to switch between these two safety styles. Beretta’s got these handy kits that let you easily convert between the de-cock-only setup and the manual safety ‘F’ models.

So, you’re not stuck with just one safety type—you’ve got options to play around with!

Models

You can find Beretta Px4 Compact in various models. Here’s how they compare:

Here’s a comparison table for the four PX4 Storm Compact models you provided:

Gear and Add-ons

Already, the pistol comes with most of the basics a gun hipster or law enforcement agent needs. A carry case, three back strap strips, two mags, a lock, a load assistant, and, of course, a user manual.

One of the good things we like about the PX4 is its devoted fan base. What this translates to is a market with a fantastic array of accessories. From slick sights to comfy grips, cleaning gear to illuminating lights, lasers, and a treasure trove of parts, the Beretta Trusted Source ”Your Guide To Beretta PX4 Storm Compact Accessories” url=”https://www.beretta-guru.com/beretta-px4-storm-compact/accessories”]Improve your Beretta PX4 Storm Compact with accessories for not only better look, but also for better performance. Accessory includes parts, grips, sights, mags, etc. has you covered.

And when it comes to customization, Ernest Langdon is the maestro in the PX4 world. After all, he designed the Compact Carry.

Langdon Tactical has revolutionized the PX4, making it fit for the modern era. Want a smoother trigger or a better grip? Langdon’s got you.

Heck, he even offers an option to slot in a red dot on the PX4 slide. With Langdon’s tweaks, your PX4 can become a top-tier carry or competition powerhouse, no holds barred.

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