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.

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. 

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.

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.  

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.

Mossberg is well-known for its high-quality, rugged, reliable, and affordable pump-action shotguns. Over the years, the company has continued to update its models, particularly their 500 series models.

That being said, let us look at the 535 models and the 835 models and how they differ. 

Mossberg 535 Shotgun

The Mossberg 500 series shotguns are some of the most popular shotguns. Over the years, the company has been improving them, and the pump-action 535 shotgun was one of the upgraded models.  

One of the updates on the Mossberg 535 is the lengthened receiver, which can chamber 2.3/4inch, 3inch, and 3.1/2inch shells. This is great because it gives you the flexibility to use your 535 shotgun in different situations.

It is also fitted with twin action bars and an anti-jam elevator for smooth performance. It has dual extractors to allow it to extract more reliably. If one breaks, at least you can use the other one. Most shotguns have only one extractor, but it’s usually made of hardened steel to reduce the risk of breakage.

But having two extractors does give this model a more significant advantage over shotguns that have only one. In addition to these upgrades, the Mossberg is well-built, and it uses durable components for longevity. One of these components is the steel-to-steel lockup. 

The company has gone a step further to ensure that the model has met the appropriate standards and is reliable enough to be used by law enforcement and the military.  

Generally speaking, the Mossberg 535 shotgun is well-made, lightweight, and designed to handle abuse. Some users have stated that it is also easy to clean and that it can withstand harsh conditions.

Mossberg 835

The Mossberg is a pump-action shotgun that accepts 2¾ inch, 3inch, and 3½ inch shells, which makes it ideal for turkey and waterfowl hunting. It’s an all-purpose gun and comes with a 28-inch over-bored barrel, which reduces recoil and improves accuracy.

In addition, the barrel has 10 ports that expel excess gas, reducing felt recoil and preventing over-heating.

That said, the model comes with a full choke that helps keeps the pellets in a uniform pattern when shooting at long ranges, and it uses a front fiber optic. 

Besides that, the molded polymer frame and stock are well-built and sturdy. The receiver is made of aluminum, and the bolt is made of steel. There are two steel action bars, dual extractors, a fixed ejector, and an action release.

In short, it’s a great hunting shotgun that is well-built, sturdy, rugged, and durable. Furthermore, it comes with a 10-year warranty, which is a huge plus point. 

However, one of its downsides is that it’s heavy and, therefore, not the best gun option when it comes to portability, particularly when you are out in the field hunting and you need to move from one place to another. Also, it’s expensive. 

Differences

The Mossberg 535 is a standard 12-gauge shotgun, while the 835 model is a 10-gauge. Also, the 835 model utilizes an over-bored barrel, while the 535 does not, and because of this, the 835 provides better and more uniform patterns. But, some users say they don’t see much of a difference in how both shotguns shoot. 

Both have ported barrels, but the 835 is heavier and more expensive than the 535 models. Aside from that, both shotguns don’t have many differences. They are both durable, tough, reliable, and ideal for hunting geese, turkey, and waterfowl.

Final Remarks

Both the Mossberg 535 and 835 have their advantages. The 535 model is lightweight, durable, and it shoots great. The Mossberg 835 shoots a little better than the 535 because it uses an over-bored barrel. 

The differences between these two shotguns are not many. Ultimately, when deciding which one to buy will depend on your pocket and your needs. That said, they are both great for hunting geese and waterfowl.  

When comparing cartridges, you need to consider factors like weight and energy because both these factors play an essential role in how much kinetic energy a bullet produces. 

Many shooters tend to compare the 10mm to the .41mag, and as it goes, they all have different opinions as to which is more powerful. To understand these cartridges more and how they differ, we have reviewed each one and highlighted their differences.  

10mm

The 10mm cartridge is considered to be powerful, more powerful than a standard .357 magnum cartridge. It propels a 180-grain, 40 caliber bullet at 1200 feet per second; this is why it’s considered as a high-velocity cartridge. 

The semi-automatic, rimless cartridge is loaded in a variety of full-size semiautos like the Glock 20, Ruger SR 1911, and Remington R1 Hunter. It is the preferred cartridge for hunting, tactical use, and personal defense. 

41 Mag

The .41 mag was invented in the 1960s by Elmer Keith, who is well known for making the .357 magnum in the 1930s. It is a rimmed cartridge designed for revolvers, and it falls between the .44 mag and the .357 mag.

The .41 mag is slightly heavier and wider than the .357 mag and slightly lighter and narrower than the .44 mag. It has a velocity of between 1300 and 1600 feet per second. Generally, it has more energy than a .357 mag, which means it’s more powerful. It allows quick and accurate follow-up shots, which makes it an ideal choice for self-defense. 

Compared to the .44 mag, the .41 mag has less recoil, and therefore, shoots better. However, the heaviest load a .41 mag can hold is the 256-grain bullet, while a .44 mag can hold a 300-grain bullet. Nevertheless, the .41 has adequate power to bring down big game. 

The .41 mag is designed for large-frame revolvers like the Ruger Redhawk and Smith and Wesson 57 and 657 models.

Differences

The 10mm cartridge is designed for pistols, while the .41 mag is designed for large frame revolvers. Besides that, the .41 mag has a slightly higher velocity than the 100mm. The .41 on average has a velocity of 1280 feet per second, while the 10mm has a velocity of 1200 feet per second.   

In addition, the 10mm has a muzzle energy of 550 foot-pounds, while the .41 mag has a muzzle energy of 760 foot-pounds. This means that the .41 Mag has more felt recoil than the 10mm. 

Lastly, the .41 mag is heavier than the 10mm, which means it has more speed, more pressure, and better ballistics than the 10mm. 

Which is better?

The fact that both cartridges load into totally different firearms, deciding which one to go with comes down to your needs. It all depends on your shooting situation. Both cartridges are great for hunting and target shooting. 

When it comes to self-defense, some shooters prefer the .41mag to the 10mm, and others prefer the 10mm to the .41mag. 

Final Remarks

Both the 10mm and .41 mag in different ways have their abilities. They may differ in muzzle energies and weight, but they are ideal options for self-defense, tactical shooting, and hunting.  Although some shooters prefer one to the other, choosing which one serves you best depends on your shooting level of expertise and your shooting situation.  

Both the .44 Magnum and .44 Special are large-bore cartridges that are chambered in revolvers. Both cartridges have their pros and cons, and they are both suited for different situations.

In this article, we have discussed each of them, how they differ from each other, and what situations they are best suited for.  

44 Magnum

The .44 Magnum is a large-bore cartridge designed for revolvers, and it’s sort of the updated version of the .44 Special cartridge. The cartridge fires large and heavy bullets at high velocities. Generally, it uses a 240-grain bullet, and it has a velocity of 1350 feet per second. 

Its muzzle energy is 971 foot-pounds; therefore, it does pack a punch, which is why it is the preferred cartridge for hunting and target shooting. However, it produces a lot of muzzle flash and felt recoil because of its high pressure, so it’s not ideal for use by law enforcement. 

But when it comes to hunting medium to large-sized game like elk and buffalo, shooters prefer it because it’s accurate. In addition, there is an advantage to the heavy and flat-point bullets the cartridge uses compared to the thin pointed bullets used in many hunting cartridges. 

According to ammo experts, pointed bullets deflect easily when they come into contact with, let’s say, a bush or twigs. This is not the same with the flat-point bullets the .44 magnum uses, which explains why it is the preferred choice of cartridge for hunting. 

The drawback of the .44 Magnum is that because it delivers heavy bullets at high velocities, it’s only accurate at 100 yards. A heavy bullet tends to move slow, and its trajectory drops past 100 yards. So ammo experts say that for accuracy purposes when shooting a .44 magnum, shooters should limit the range to 100 yards or less.

44 Special 

The .44 Special is a revolver cartridge that was developed in 1907 by Smith and Wesson. It is a decent cartridge, and although it’s not as powerful as a magnum, it’s a good option for self-defense. 

The ballistics of the cartridge don’t match those of the .44 Magnum. Its muzzle velocity is about 900 feet per second with muzzle energy of 300 foot-pounds. The .44 Magnum has more velocity and muzzle energy. 

Besides that, the .44 Special loads bullets that weigh between 135 grains to 256 grains. And it has less felt recoil and muzzle flash than the .44 Magnum. 

That being said, the cartridge can be loaded to .44 magnum revolvers, which is why most people use it for practice shooting. 

Differences

The .44 magnum cartridge has a higher velocity and muzzle energy than the .44 Special. Although both cartridges are good options for self-defense, the .44 Magnum is better suited for hunting. 

In addition, the .44 Magnum has a slightly longer case than the .44 Special, which means that it cannot be chambered in weaker or older .44 Special guns.

The other difference is that the .44 Special uses a standard 200-grain bullet, while the .44 Magnum generally uses a 240-grain bullet. Also, the .44 Magnum has more recoil and muzzle flash than the .44 Special, which is why it is recommended for experienced shooters and not newbies. 

Which is better?

This all depends on your shooting situation.

The .44 Special is more suitable for self-defense and target shooting because it has less recoil and muzzle flash, and it’s less expensive.  

Also, if you are a newbie, it’s best to go with the .44 Special than the .44 Magnum because it is a medium-velocity cartridge, which means it’s easier to handle.   

Conclusion

Looking at the differences between the .44 Special and the .44 Magnum, it’s clear that the Magnum has better ballistics than the Special. Both cartridges are ideal for personal defense, but when it comes to hunting big game, the .44 Magnum takes the cake. 

The good thing is that you can use the .44 Special in .44 Magnum revolvers for practice shooting because it has less felt recoil and muzzle flash. Additionally, .44 Special cartridges cost a lot less than .44 Magnum cartridges, which is why they are great for target shooting.

It’s worthwhile mentioning that silencers don’t work on all firearms, and this is due to the way some gun barrels are designed. Firearms like rifles and pistols are compatible with silencers, while revolvers are not. And it’s only recently that a silencer explicitly designed for shotguns hit the market.  

How silencers work 

A silencer or suppressor is designed to control hot burning gases and pressure that come from a discharged bullet, thereby suppressing the resulting noise. Besides that, they also reduce felt recoil and muzzle flash.

This device is designed to thread onto one end of a gun’s barrel. So when you shoot your firearm, the silencer controls the gases that result from the discharged bullet. 

How the silencer threads through the barrel is based on the way, the barrel is designed. Since most silencers have a female threaded end, the barrel has to have a male threaded end where the silencer can screw through. 

Advantages of using a silencer

• Reduced noise
• Reduced recoil
• Reduced muzzle blast
• Improves accuracy
• Improves safety

With that in mind, let us look at why silencers don’t work with revolvers. 

Why silencers don’t work on revolvers

Although some gun owners may not know this, you cannot put a silencer on a revolver. For one simple reason, revolvers have a cylinder-barrel gap, which is a space between the cylinder and the barrel. 

This gap serves as a vent, so to speak, where hot burning gases escape through when you fire a revolver. Besides that, it also produces a lot of noise and flash.

The silenced revolver

However, this has not stopped some creative geniuses from finding a way to suppress a revolver. The M1895 is a Russian revolver created by Emile Nagant and is what is referred to as a silenced revolver. In other words, it does not mechanically function the same way or use the same kind of cartridges as standard revolvers. 

The Nagant M1895 is a gas-seal revolver that uses recessed cartridges. And how it works is that when you pull the trigger, the cylinder moves forward to press against the barrel, and the chambered round forces itself into the barrel, thereby sealing the gases. This prevents the hot burning gases and noise from escaping. Furthermore, because of that, it also increases the velocity of the chambered round. 

So when compared to standard revolvers, the M1895 is pretty quiet. Of course, other silenced revolvers have been created over the years. But it’s safe to say the only way gun makers were able to suppress a revolver is by adjusting the mechanism. 

Final Remark

Silencers are great because they help muzzle the noise that comes from a discharged bullet and reduce recoil. Unfortunately, if you own a revolver, it is not possible to use a silencer with it because of the way it is designed. 

Most firearms that were manufactured after 1968 contain a serial number. The number is located on the barrel or frame of the firearm, and it may include a series of numbers or a series of numbers and letters. 

Ideally, the numbers can help you decipher the date, month, and year the gun was manufactured. However, not all guns have a serial number, and therefore, it may be hard to determine the date they were made. Either because they were manufactured illegally to be sold for personal use. 

Decrypting the 742 Manufacture Date

The Remington 742 manufacturer dates are usually located on both the right and left sides of the firearm’s barrel. They appear as numbers and letters, each of which represents the year, month, and date of manufacture.  

To decrypt the date of manufacture for a Remington model, check to see what letters and numbers are on the barrel. The first letter you’ll see will be one of these: B, L, A, C, K, P, O, W, D, E, R, X.

These letters are the month codes, and each letter corresponds to a month on the calendar. Therefore, B represents January, L is February, A is March, and so forth. So X, which is the last letter, represents December.

The following letter or letters represent the year of manufacture. These letters can sometimes repeat, so you need to dig a bit deeper to know exactly which year the firearm was manufactured.

The year of manufacture is represented by codes. For example, if the next letter is C, this means that the year the gun was manufactured is 1934. If the letters are NN, this indicates that the year of manufacture is 1944. 

So to decode the year the firearm was made, you simply check the letter or letters that follow the first letter in the sequence. Then refer to the Remington Society website to see the year the particular letter or letters correspond to.  

For the Remington 742 model, you’ll see a 6 or 7 digit serial number on one side of the barrel. The number may or may not contain a letter. You’ll also find initials on the other side of the barrel, of which you can get information on what they represent by contacting the company. 

How long do firearm manufacturers keep records?

Law enforcement uses background records and gun sales to identify firearm sellers and buyers who break state laws.

 According to federal law, licensed gun dealers are required to maintain a record of firearm sales for a minimum of 20 years. The record should include information about the firearm, the date of purchase, and the details of the purchaser. 

That said, if you legally own a firearm, and it’s stolen or lost, it’s important you file a report with your local law enforcement agency stating that it’s lost or stolen. That way, if someone uses izt to commit a crime, you are not going to get into trouble with the police if the gun is recovered.