I could put this in the 3rd Gen Forum but it rightly belongs here.

I was visiting a friend over the weekend and I brought my recently acquired CS-9 to show him. He had a Beretta Px4 Storm Compact so I put them side by side - much to my surprise they were nearly identical in size!!

The two biggest differences were that (1) empty of ammunition the CS-9 is a balanced gun while the Storm is top heavy because the polymer frame simply cannot match the weight of the steel slide and (2) the Storm's grip is thicker because it holds a double stack magazine, giving it twice the firepower of the CS-9. We were at my friend's home so no loading happened so I have no shooting comparison.

What I liked about the Storm was that it is a traditional double action with a decocker, like a 3rd Gen S&W. If I had known this earlier I might not have searched as hard for a CS-9, although I am glad that I did. It's just somewhat thinner and feels more natural because I am used to shooting a CS-45. But I was pleased to discover that such guns are still being made, even if it is not by S&W (and more's the pity!). [Well, I guess I knew that SIG still makes them, too.]

Aiming them at a distant target was similar, too - the sights lined up the same for me with both guns. I wish we could have gone shooting but nobody was actually well enough for that, including me.

Interestingly, I can get all my fingers around the grip of the CS-9. That could be because of the custom stocks (I forget the name of the guy who made them - they were very popular and discussed elsewhere on the Forum). The Storm had a little surprise for me in that department. My pinky finger kind of fell off the end but the magazine has a little lip that if you push down extends it and VOILA!!! My fingers all fit. Very cool concept. If you have large hands, well, it's an issue.

So, a "handling" report, not a shooting report. Best I can do today.

Px4 Storm Compact

(c) 2017 Beretta International, Inc.

Attached Images

	CS-9 left side.jpg (68.3 KB, 180 views)
	CS-9 right side.jpg (67.1 KB, 159 views)

I purchased a PX4 Storm Compact last year, because I like Beretta firearms, and because with its safety/decocker, has the same manual of arms so to speak as the 3rd Gen S&W. The Storm Compact is a pleasure to shoot and is extremely accurate, and the recoil is very light, due I believe to its rotating bolt design, makes for a very smooth shooting pistol. The workmanship on it is beautiful. Another thing I like about it is that Beretta offers many accessories, including things like holsters, performance trigger assemblies, low profile safety/decoker levers, Beretta Model 92 style safety conversion, which makes it look somewhat similar to the levers on the 3rd gens. Also, Beretta has a very thorough on-line customer service FAQs section, and they also respond in a timely manner to customer emails.

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DAV Life Member

^^^THIS^^^

My only fault is I think the PX4 is a bit chunky for concealed carry. But it sure is a lot of firepower in a small package, and a sweet shooter to boot!

Funny, I have been thinking how much my .40 Px4 Compact is similar to my Model 457. I will say that the Beretta is a fair bit pudgier than the Smith. Both are good shooters.

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Get off my lawn!

I have a full size Storm in 45acp on the way. Online seller has the "c" type on sale and with the rebate it was too good to pass on, or at least I will find out once it arrives. Good to hear positive comments on the Storm from S&W forum members!

Yes, the little bit of extra width yields a lot of firepower, 15 plus 1 is twice what my CS9 provides, with smoother shooting. With the Kirkpatrick Leather Company Challenger Model 2000 holster which Kirkpatrick molds precisely for the PX4 Compact, it carries very well.

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DAV Life Member

Kinda-sorta related - another perk of the PX4 is they offered two free mags if one was bought during a certain period last year. So, I now have five mags for a yet-to-be-fired PX4 Compact ... And, I fully agree with 0849 - mine was made in Italy in 2016 and the metal-work is very nice.

Edited to add: I think there is one minor drawback or potential problem: the recoil spring and guide are contained in a sled-looking gadget that looked like it might break over time. I ordered a spare from Brownell's for $23-something - although I would have to fire it at least once to have any legitimate wear concerns!

I was interested in the compact a few weeks ago, but opted for a CZ P-07 9mm instead.
Now I'm looking at one for HD and range, so size really doesn't matter.
I found a FS 9mm with night sights for $426 and a .40 reg sights for $429.
Need to pick one quick. Beretta's $75 rebate ends Sunday the 30th.

I didn't realize that Beretta was selling a pistol with S&W markings on it -- I think you attached the wrong photos.

I love my Beretta PX4 Compact in 9mm, made in Italy.

Bought it because I wanted a quality polymer auto that was attractive to look at and cost efficient. Got my compact the very first month they came out for $550. I liked the fact it was an Italian made model as I'm Italian. The quality is excellent though.

Highly accurate gun, and has functioned flawlessly over 1000rds through it. The original release had overly strong recoil springs, but that actually works great because I run +P through it. Beretta eventually sent out a lighter replacement, but I keep the original in it as it's perfect for 16 rounds of HST +P it stays loaded with.

Part of the accuracy is the rotating barrel which is a great design and something different. Take down is super easy. Plus, Beretta makes all kinds of accessories for it, such as trigger kits to lighten the DA. So far, I haven't installed anything in it, and am quite pleased as it originally sits.

The gun is definitely a little "pudgy", but still suitable for conceal carry IWB. The grip frame is perfect for my medium sized hands.

It will also take the full size PX4 mags which hold 17/21 rounds of 9mm!!!

I have shot somewhat over 1000rds through mine, which was purchased when they first hit the streets in 2011, totally unaware of that too.

I constantly pop the slide off to clean it, and have observed absolutely no wear to that "sled" as you call it. I'm not sure what the correct term for it is, but it sits against the barrel and houses the recoil spring. It is what facilitates the "rotating" barrel. So yeah, no wear shown on it at all. If it would wear or break, I am sure Beretta would get me a new one.

The only issue I had with mine was immediately after I got it, and my fault. That "sled" sits down in the frame and is held tight by a "block" that moves up and down when you pull the slide release prongs. Well, being new to autos at the time, I had the gun way over lubricated and upon shooting a round, the forward momentum of the slide coupled with the extremely lubricated "sled" and "block" caused it to release the slide. It didn't fly off or anything, but just ended up about 1/2in further forward than it should have.

I immediately cleaned all the excess lube out having a good feeling that was my problem, and it went on to shoot about 1000rds problem free after that. So don't over lube the "block" area.