Took 3 new-to-me guns to the range today. All "compact" about the same size....Glock 19, S&W 6906 and Beretta PX4 compact. Shot 115 gr. ball out of each as I didn't want to use my good ammo for these break-ins. Here are my first impressions:



Gen 3 Glock 19 "custom"

My first Glock. And my last. One. Ever.

It was awful. The gun had custom sights with red tritium front and plain black rear. Sights were okay except the back one fell off after the last mag. (That's not Glock's fault, but the guy I bought it from is getting a sharp note). Trigger was supposed to be custom as well. If it was, I can't imagine how bad the regular Glock trigger is. (Actually, I can, that's why it took more then 20 years to buy my first Glock.) Grip was like holding a big bar of brown soap....even with the finger groves ground off and the skate tape applied. Got my pinkie pinched twixt the grip and mag and there's no recoil absorption at all. Not snappy, just uncomfortable. No "feel" at all. Folks who say it is just a "tool" are right....it's like a shovel....no personality. Once the sight is fixed I'll give it another try....but look for an ad soon.



S&W 6906

I am again reminded why I love S&W 3rd generations. Nice trigger, filled my hand perfectly, front sight needs to become a fiber optic (aging eyes, not the gun). Trigger broke clean and crisp and the gun soaked up the recoil. This is what a pistol was meant to be and, like my other Smiths, is an absolute keeper.



Beretta PX4 Compact

All I can say is "Wow." As solid a feel as the 6906, crisp 4 lb. SA trigger (9lbs DA...gotta find my stash of D springs), decent 3 dots (looking for fiber optic for the front) and it just feels right. Shot best with this of the three. Don't know if it's the rotating barrel or just it's heft (and yes, it's probably heavy for a plastic gun) but follow-up was a snap with very little recoil. Glad I got the compact as it's plenty "big" and carryable (although it won't replace my Walther aP99cAS and S&W 640 as my EDCs).

I really like this gun. And really dislike the Glock. But the Glock gets another chance.

I'm a fan of the PX4s' because of the rotating barrel design,became one with their Cougar series. Always on the hunt for a Cougar 8357. But 3rd gens are still primary.

Not to commit sacrilege here, but to me your example Glock sounds more hackneyed than "custom"; a standard example would probably be better for comparison. Just my opinion, and we all know how that goes.

To be fair I like Glocks and S&W Gen 3s, but tried shooting the PX4 once and couldn't get it out of my hands quickly enough, so in the end as usual it just comes down to taste.

The PX4 wins in my hands. It's the "little hairdryer that could." I just wish the compact had a 4" barrel rather than 3.2" I prefer the low bore axis over the S&W and the DA/SA and general ergonomics over the Glock.

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NRA Endowment Member

A 3.5 lb. connector bar for $10-$15 and a ten minute do it yourself installation may help the Glock out quite a lot.

I'm glad you had a positive experience with the PX4 compact. It seems most folks who shoot the PX4 models with the rotating barrel are really impressed.

I bought my PX4 compact back in 2011 the first month they came out. It has always functioned perfectly, albeit there was some issue at first due to the NATO spec mainsprings being used. I got the compact because the size and fit was better than the sub-compact, plus you got the rotating barrel and the compact model was Italy made.

It's still completely stock and a great gun. The accuracy is incredible, and I have honestly quit taking it to the range because of this. Kind of became boring. I fully relate the accuracy to the rotating barrel design.

I would like to install the low-profile controls and the trigger upgrade kit but have been holding off. Don't really want to spend the money on a gun I rarely carry anymore. Plus, it's fine just as is.

Now I see why 3rd gen S&Ws are so sought after. I really like the SA/DA with decocker type controls on autos. Too late now, as I've been converted to the religion of the revolver. So I don't see many, if any, autos in my future.