PX4 Storm?

[jeffrefrig]

I have a chance at a Beretta PX 4 Storm, .40 Cal., early 2024 new with very low round count. He’s leaning toward a revolver for trade, up or down. He wanted a newer one but they may be getting out from under a Frequent Flier back home. The only other new gun is a Charter Arms. The action on it takes getting used to. It’s maybe two years old. This trade would cost me but I think I would come out with the best gun, that he doesn’t want.
I would maybe part with the M15-3. Which brings me to this question: They made a zillion of these but they are nice. This one was well taken care of by deceased member from Texas named Hal.
So yinz know my question or whatever. Is the Beretta a decent gun? Do you think I should keep the 15-3? That would be my first choice. I have a M&P 38 lettered to 1949, but it’s not shiny.
I’ll pay cash for the Beretta but he wants a smaller revolver.

 

[C3Ranger]

In my opinion, the PX4 is a good gun...The Model 15 is a great gun.

 

[alwslate]

Hard to judge the value of your 15-3 from the one pic. Looks like maybe reblued and well used so I'd say forget value and go with the gun you would rather have.

 

[jeffrefrig]

That blueing is nice but I don’t think it’s been refinished. Front left barrel has some issues.

 

[bobsguns]

Long time gun shop & gun show part-time employee here.

I love Berettas, have many of them. But none of them are the Storm model. That was also one of the few models my employers couldn't give away. No one wanted it, certainly not in .40 cal.

Beretta makes wonderful guns. Their shotguns are among the most elegant, wonderfully balanced shotguns in the world. Their Tactical model is embraced by a lot of police departments as well.

Beretta also made wonderful .22 rimfire pistols back in the day. The models 87, 76 & 70 are all prized by their owners.

The 92 series (both full size & compact) are Italian works of art & are incredibly accurate. Using a $20 spring kit transforms the trigger into a much higher level of smoothness. I have 5-6 of various sized 92 guns, FWIW.

My long-winded point is, *I* would in NO way trade a Smith wheelgun for a Beretta Storm. Ever. Even if it was a even trade & the Smith was missing the barrel & cylinder, I STILL wouldn't do it.

My opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it.............

 

[bobsguns]

That blueing is nice but I don’t think it’s been refinished. Front left barrel has some issues.

Phfffttt...........

That doesn't effect the smoothness or the accuracy. Maybe some cold blue could help, I don't know.

My .o2

 

[lihpster]

I wouldn't do it. I would, however, suggest he trade it in on one of the Rock Island revolvers. Cosmetically challenged but I hear they work good. They are cheap enough that he might even get some money back. He shouldn't be out any money, and if he decides he likes the revolver, he can trade it for an upgrade later.

 

[Frailer]

Wisdom of the trade aside, the PX4 is indeed a good gun.

Why it was never particularly popular is something of a mystery, but those semi-auto guys are a strange and fickle bunch.

 

[LVSteve]

Wisdom of the trade aside, the PX4 is indeed a good gun.

Why it was never particularly popular is something of a mystery, but those semi-auto guys are a strange and fickle bunch.

The PX4 is a very chubby bunny for a carry gun, 1.42". Its looks have also been described as being a bit too sci-fi prop for some, too. That's a great shame, because I can attest that rotating barrel guns like the PX4 are wonderful to shoot as thye moderate recoil so much better than nearly all tilting barrel makes.

 

[VictorLouis]

Here you go.......

Why the Beretta PX4 is the Most Underrated Pistol (According to Ernest Langdon) | thefirearmblog.com

 

[ACORN]

I bought a .40 PX4 because I had a quantity of ammo and no handgun in that caliber.
I wanted a full size because of the rotating barrel design, and the reduced recoil.
It is only a range toy for me.
I like mine.

 

[kbm6893]

I love Beretta's. I’ve owned over a dozen over the years. I have three now, an M9, a 92 Vertec, and the new 80X Cheetah. I owned the Storm when it first came out. Good gun, but nothing special. Beretta went through a weird futuristic phase with the PX4, the CX4, the Neos, and even the 9000. Truth be told, I much prefer the look and feel of the Cougar, which was the father of the Storm.

But trading a Model 15 for a Storm? Not a chance.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

I have three PX4s - two TDAs converted to decock-only, and an LE trade-in D model (DAO). They're accurate and reliable, and far easier to shoot well than a third generation S&W auto. Mine are in 9x19, I don't have any in .40. That said, the PX4s were designed around the .40 S&W cartridge; the 96s didn't do well with the .40 and only held 11 rounds in that gun.

The very early production PX4s did have problems, but they were rectified. My earliest one was produced in '11 and it's problem-free. It's the DAO version which I sent to Langdon for trigger work and is the closest you'll come to an 18-shot K frame...with the possible exception of a 92D that's been through his shop.

The downsides are that it's a big pistol, designed as a police holster gun rather than a concealment piece, and that the grip is somewhat slick. I'm 6'1" with average hands for my height, so I have no problem with the grip size, and I grip it firmly enough that it doesn't squirm. I'm also retired, so I can dress around it. If you can conceal a full-size Glock, for example, you can conceal the PX4.

I recommend you try to get it for cash rather than trading a 15-3, but that's mainly because I want a 15-3 to go with my 67-1.

 

[Bald1]

I wouldn’t trade a model 15 for 2 Storms

 

[Erich]

I bought a PX4 Storm Compact .40 in new condition surplus when San Jose PD was getting rid of the caliber a few years back; $329 for a new Beretta seemed wonderful, and I already had the 9mm version (got in trade from a friend).

Turns out it was wonderful: the rotary barrel really tames the (not-too-bad-to-begin-with) .40 to where it is just a pleasant shooter. And the gun is a laser: remarkably accurate, with a great trigger and absolute reliability.

It's also chunky (as mentioned) and has a plastic frame. It was never quite grippy enough for me until I added some Talon particulate decales (at which time it became like an abrasive charcoal bricquet - probably the best-feeling firing grip of any of my guns now, but not something you want to carry).

I use mine for the nighttime bedside gun with a light on it.

After a few years' use now


Your trade? Your call. If I were picking between the 15 and the PX4 Compact .40 for one gun to take to a fight, I'd want the Beretta. Unlike a lot of folks here, I don't think of a Model 15 as anything remarkable (I probably shouldn't have traded off the last one that I had, though - oh well . . . although I actually regret the 14 more) - they're a great model, but they're all over the place. So are the Berettas. Hey, whatever you want.

 

[jeffrefrig]

So, I’m getting a big keep the 15! I’m glad’ cause I like the gun. Maybe he’ll take my only Colt with the custom finish and stocks! It’s a birth year gun, but even I’m in better shape!
Thanks for all the help! Jeff T.

 

[Dump1567]

The PX4's are good guns and can usually be had for $300-$400 used. Especially in .40 S&W which has fallen out of favor (Probably still the best SD round for carry).

Any revolver you give would probably be worth more.

I've got a fullsize .40 (paid around $350 used) & a compact 9mm. The .40 really does have less recoil than other .40's due to the rotating barrel. And a simple main spring swap (sold by Langdon Tactical) will lighten the DA trigger pull.

Even your old Colt may be worth more. But do the trade you're comfortable with.

 

[kmyers]

The PX4 Storm is a great pistol. We have one here, also in .40 caliber and it is a nice pistol all around. Personal choice is always a big factor but both of us here like ours. Picked it up for $350 a while back. Nary a hiccup and is a solid dependable firearm.

 

[iPac]

I will also say the PX4 is a fantastic gun!

I got one of the first run 9mm compacts back in 2010. The ones that originally shipped with NATO spec recoil springs & had issues cycling with cheaper/weaker ammo. I ran 1k rounds of NATO through it to break it in, which after doing so Beretta issued replacement springs. I still run the NATO spring in mine.

Never had a functional issue with the gun. Runs great with all types of bullets. Super accurate.

The only mods I've done to it is a 10# hammer spring from LTT, & installed the "carry" levers Langdon designed & Beretta makes which converts it to a decocker only & are much more attractive & less protruding than the factory "bat wings". The action & trigger pulls are quite nice now.

It is a little "chunky". The compact version is a better option for conceal carry. Not sure what the OP's plans are with a full version. I prefer 9mm. One nice feature of the compact 9mm is that it will take full size mags, so you can be loaded with up to 21rds, 20 in the mag 1 in chamber. I just run the standard 15rd mags it came with though. I'm a small, skinny person, and I'm able to conceal carry my compact IWB abdomen area.

I don't know if I would trade a S&W or Colt revolver for one though, but that's me. The revolvers are worth more. Up to the OP though.

 

[Rock185]

Acquaintance has a PX4 Storm. Undoubtedly a quality, reliable pistol. But if I had a nice model 15, I would not trade for the Beretta...YMMV