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For years GBGuns viewers have asked for a review of the Beretta PX4. It is one of only two known pistol designs currently in production that use a rotating barrel action. As a die-hard fan of Grand Power's rotating barrels viewers of course wanted to know what I thought about the more commonly-available Beretta take on such an action type.
Rotating barrel? Most modern handguns use the Browning Tilting Barrel action (think Glock or any other common modern handgun). This action type is relatively inexpensive and simple to manufacture; allowing higher production volumes and either higher profit margins or lower prices. The Browning system has also proven itself to be incredibly reliable and highly tolerant of various projectile designs. The drawback is that it means the barrel must shift rearward, downward, back upward, and forward very quickly and abruptly. You may not realize it, but that is part of the movement and "recoil" you feel in every hand with each shot. The pistol you're holding has parts trying to make abrupt movements while you're trying to hold it steady and counter the recprocation of the slide.
A barrel that rotates to lock and unlock does not impart such forces and results in less felt recoil. Additionally, a rotating barrel can not has as long of a feed ramp and so must sit lower in the gun, closer to the top of the magazine. This creates the potential for a true lower bore axis as long as the rest of the pistol's mechanics permit it.
What Is It? The Beretta PX4 Full Size G SD if a hammer-fired, full-size pistol using a recoil-reducing rotating action type and modified slightly from the four other PX4 Storm models in tribute to Beretta's partnership with Langdon Tactical Technology (LTT). Those modifications include:
Enhanced Controls in the form of low-profile decocking levers and an enlarged magazine release.
Improved double action trigger that is lighter and smoother than stock (I have not reviewed a stock form to compare against).
Textured Grip Tape Included; a classic upgrade of LTT to enhance grip traction. *note, for the purpose of this review I did not apply the included Talon Grips in order to get a feel for the base traction.
Who's It For? This full size version of the PX4 Full Size G SD might be a bit large for some to carry, but otherwise I can't envision a role in which this pistol wouldn't be a great choice. Great capacity, easy to shoot, a design proven by over a decade, enhanced safety, and a rail for accessories. Often "tuned" variants are relegated to compeition use by price or trigger, but the PX4 G SD could serve well as a range, carry, house, or duty gun. For those who still want a competition gun to be practical this is a match as well.
Take a Look at the Beretta PX4 Full Size G SD in the tabletop video below. (Rumble link used after YouTube's attack on journalism.)
Specifications:
Model: Px4 Full Size G-SD
Magazine Capacity: 17 Rounds
Barrel Length: 4"
Locking System: Rotating Barrel
Overall Length: 7.55"
Weight Unloaded: 28.8 oz
Frame Size: Full Size
Magazine Capacity: 17 Rounds
Product Segment: Carry
Caliber: 9X19
Action: DA/SA
Frame Material: Polymer Frame
Overall Height: 5.51"
Overall Width: 1.42"
Family: PX4 Storm Family
MSRP: Starting at $875
Price around the web as of 02JAN25
(click links for current pricing)
I was unable to try out the different back straps by following the manual, however Beretta has a short video that makes it look simple. I shot the gun with the factory-installed backstrap and felt no need to change it. While at the range I of course subjected the PX4 Full Size G SD to the same protocol I do every gun. This is done to ensure topics are covered, and also provide you with an unbiased and even-handed assessment of a firearm that you can use to compare against other guns. The GBGuns range protocol includes:
Cold Shots: Truly the first rounds through the gun. No warm up, no practice.
Full Magazine +1: Suprisingly some modern guns still struggle with this. It's a test of how much play is in the magazine as well as how the slide cycles with pressure. This is also when I do my best to learn the trigger.
What's For Dinner™: A test to see what ammunition the gun will eat. Does the gun feed the round from slide lock, will it cycle and feed another round of the same type, does the slide lock to the rear on empty, and is there any notable point of impact change with different loads.
For this gun the following ammunition was used:
Priced and linked where found at the time this article was written
50gr +p Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense $28.99 / 20 at Bud's Gun Shop
70gr Federal American Eagle Lead Free $32.99 / 50 direct from Federal
100gr Federal BallistiClean (discontinued?)
110gr Koenig JHP $49.69 / 50 at Optics Planet
115gr Sig Elite Defense V-Crown $39.99 / 50 direct from Sig
124gr Federal HST $39.99 / 20 direct from Federal
130gr Federal Syntech PCC $29.99 / 50 direct from Federal
147gr Fiocchi Defense Dynamics JHP $20.36 / 50 at Global Ordnance
150gr Sellier & Bellot
165gr AMMO, Inc Stelth FMJ $26.21 / 50 at KYGunCo
Range Ammo Magtech 115gr FMJ $234 / 1000 at TrueShot
Sights & Trigger Control: on a 6" spinner target at a distance of 12 yards. We got this from Titan Great Outdoors and use it to gauge how learnable the trigger is and usable the sights are for forced, timed, precise shots.
Practical Accuracy: Five shots from a distance of seven yards at a one inch target. This isn't so much about printing a tight group as it is a culmination of our shooting experience and time for us to collect thoughts prior to making a conclusion.
After Shots: Final impressions and reflections from the range session.
See for yourself how the Beretta PX4 Full Size G SD performed on the range video below. Rumble link
On the Range I was very impressed. The double action is smooth, single action predictable, and the recoil proved very soft. I encounteredno issues with the PX4 Full Size G SD and really enjoyed the entire experience. The blacked-out rear sight and bright orange front sight made aiming easy as well. When you combine low recoil, predictable trigger, and great sights you end up with a handgun that is a great experience on the range.
I realize the unconventional aesthetics of the PX4 platform may have held it back in popularity, but for the rest of us who appreciate a good firearm the PX4 Full Size G SD makes an awesome choice.
