When choosing a pistol, it’s always good to have an idea of what to look for. No one pistol is the same. Pistols may look similar in appearance, but they do differ in some ways.
In this article, we are discussing two powerful handguns; the Glock 19 and Beretta PX4 Storm Compact. If you want to know how they differ and the pros and cons of each, read on.
Beretta PX4 Storm Compact
The Beretta PX4 Storm Compact is used in many different parts of the world by the military and police. It is a rugged, accurate, consistent, and reliable firearm ideal for target shooting and home defense.
The Beretta Px4 Storm looks like a standard handgun when you compare it with the more interesting-looking pistols. But if you look closely, you’ll notice that the barrel is slightly different.
The Berreta utilizes a rotating barrel rather than the traditional fixed barrel used in the Glock 19 and other handguns.
The rotary action of the barrel reduces recoil, muzzle rise and improves accuracy.
This is not to say that the Glock 19 is less accurate, but the Berreta shots more softly.
In other words, when the barrel rotates, the rotating action absorbs some of the energy, thereby reducing the felt recoil. But there is a downside to this; some shooters have reported feeling a slight torquing of the gun.
Besides the rotating barrel feature, the Berreta PX4 Storm utilizes a slide-mounted safety, which to some shooters is slightly oversized compared to other compact handguns. It’s a G-model safety, and the good thing about it is that when you pull it down, it stays in the safe position.
The gun has a polymer frame with a grip texture for a firm grip. It has three 3-dot sights which you can change, an ambidextrous safety, a commander-style hammer, and a decent trigger action. Some shooters have reported that the single-action trigger pull is lighter than the double-action.
Overall, it is a great pistol for target shooting, personal defense, and concealed carry. The Beretta PX4 Storm Compact is NATO certified, and it is reported to fire up to 150,000 rounds with no breakages.
Pros:
- 4-inch rotating barrel for reduced recoil, muzzle rise, and improved accuracy
- Integral accessory rail
- Lightweight polymer frame
- 3-dot sights
- Polymer framer with a grip texture for a firm grip
- An ambidextrous safety
- G-model safety
- Decent single and double action trigger pull
- Replaceable backstraps
- Resistant to rust and corrosion
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Some shooters say it is heavier than other similar models
- It has a slight torque to it
Glock 19
Glock 19 handguns are popular because they are reliable. You can shoot up to 58,000 rounds without experiencing any malfunction issues with a Glock 19.
Another reason why they are popular is the way they are designed.
A Glock 19 spots a simple design, and it does not have unessential external controls. It is designed this way for efficiency and ease of use.
Some shooters don’t like its boxy appearance, but like mentioned before, this is a firearm build for easy loading and shooting. The frame is made from high-grade polymer, and the barrel, slide, and other metallic parts are made of steel.
The gun is rugged, sturdy, and reliable. The compact design frame makes the gun lightweight; this could explain why it is so popular.
As for the barrel, the Glock 19, unlike the Beretta PX4 Storm, uses a fixed barrel. The barrel profile does not have corners or edges; instead, it has a rounded interior profile, which is easier to clean.
The gun does not have any external safeties as they are all internalized. This makes it reliable and reduces the chances of misfiring.
Pros:
- Durable polymer build
- Internalized safeties for reliability
- Compact and lightweight
- Interchangeable backstraps
- Resistant to rust and corrosion
- Reliable, consistent, and accurate
- Double action trigger pull
- Adjustable sights
- Pocket friendly
Cons:
- Some users say the trigger is not up to standard
Key Differences Between Beretta PX4 Storm Compact and Glock 19
Barrel: Berreta PX4 Storm Compact uses a rotating barrel, while the Glock 19 uses a fixed barrel.
Action: The Berreta PX4 Storm is a double and single-action pistol, while the Glock 19 is a double-action only.
Sights: Glock 19 has adjustable sights, while the Berretta has fixed sights.
Price: The Beretta PX4 Storm Compact is slightly cheaper than the Glock 19
General performance and design differences
The Beretta PX4 Storm Compact compared to the Glock 19 is far more accurate and reliable. It also has less felt recoil.
Some shooters prefer the way the Beretta looks to the Glock 19, although there is a divide when it comes to weight. Some shooters feel that the Glock 19 is much lighter than the Beretta, while others say the Beretta is lighter.
Final Remarks
Generally speaking, both pistols are ideal for target shooting, home defense, and concealed carry. They may differ in some ways, but they are accurate, consistent, reliable, and reasonably affordable compared to other pistols.