About 18 months ago, I had the opportunity to review a Beretta PX4 Carry that I found used at my local gun store. It was a factory gun but had a prescribed Langdon Tactical trigger upgrade, making it even better than the original. However, Langdon Tactical now offers the Beretta PX4 Storm in a brand-new, fully custom package.
The Langdon Tactical Beretta PX4 Storm
The PX4 Carry handled very well, had a mild recoil response, and was exceptionally accurate. I was very impressed with the package, not just for its value proposition but also for its superb performance. Ever since then, it’s stuck in the back of my mind, and I’ve been mulling over jumping into one. Even more, I’ve been thinking about taking it a step further with some custom upgrades.
As you can imagine, I was pleasantly surprised when Langdon Tactical recently announced a brand new custom package available for the new and improved PX4 series. Not only did Beretta make a couple of enhancements for its factory models this year, but Langdon Tactical did as well with its custom package.
Needless to say, I wanted to try out the new LTT PX4 Full-Size G-SD, and it definitely did not disappoint.
The Basics
Before we get into the Langdon package, we will start with the basics of the PX4 series. The Beretta PX4 is a more traditional Double-Action/Single-Action pistol that utilizes a hammer rather than a more modern striker. Despite the more traditional operating system, the PX4 series does showcase a polymer frame rather than a metal one. Thus offering a bit of overall weight savings.
Rather than use the Browning tilting-barrel recoil system, the PX4 utilizes a rotating-barrel recoil system. Potential benefits of this type of system include less muzzle flip, improved accuracy, and increased durability.
For the PX4’s 20th anniversary, Beretta just released two new models developed in conjunction with Langdon Tactical. Those models, the PX4 Full-Size G-SD and the Compact Carry 2, offer significant improvements over the original PX4 straight from the factory.
For example, both pistols feature the Type-G decocker with redesigned levers instead of the original flip-up thumb safety. The two different models include improved hammer springs for improved trigger control. Also, both pistols include an oversized magazine release for easier access and more rapid engagement.
Finally, the Full-Size G-SD also integrates a newly designed, heavier-profile barrel. The strategically placed additional weight of the new barrel reduces muzzle flip even more than what the rotating barrel system achieves by itself. In addition, the heavier barrel also improves upon the PX4’s already epic durability.
The Langdon Tactical Difference
When it comes to the upgrades offered by Langdon Tactical on its custom packages, I went with the Full-Size G-SD package for this review. I wanted to see what difference the heavier barrel makes in the recoil impulse.
I also wanted to try out the new rail-mounted VP Armory Compensator. The compensator can be attached to the Compact Carry 2 as well. However, I still wanted to check the overall recoil reduction as the compensator worked in conjunction with the heavier barrel profile.
The Customer is Always Right
While the PX4 Full-Size G-SD I received from Langdon Tactical was pretty much tricked out, there’s a lot of flexibility when it comes to building out your own pistol. You can choose which options you want to include.
For example, while Langdon has done trigger work in the past on the PX4 series, that work was confined to the trigger bar, the engagement surfaces, and an improved hammer spring. For the new PX4s this year, Langdon is now offering a steel, flat-faced trigger from Gray Guns.
So, even though Langdon Tactical does the internal trigger work, the customer decides whether to keep the factory trigger or upgrade to the Gray Guns trigger.
Other options the customer can choose from are a factory hammer, a spurless hammer, or a match hammer. The customer can also choose the NP3 treatment for the magazines and trigger internals and a cut and crowned barrel.
For those who want to rock a red-dot optic, Langdon offers its own low-mount RDO system. It can work with a variety of optics from brands like Trijicon, Holosun, Doctor, Leupold, and Sig Sauer. Each plate includes its own rear sight for co-witnessing with the factory front sight.
For me, the PX4 Full-Size G-SD would be a house gun or an open-carry type of arrangement. So, I didn’t mind increasing its size a bit. That led me to the next add-ons that improve the overall performance and efficiency of the package.
First, you can select the magwell and extended baseplate kit produced by Springer Precision. This provides a nice capacity bump to 21 rounds for one of the magazines (17 rounds for the other two) and facilitates faster and more confident reloads.
Adding a Compensator to the PX4 Storm
The next add-on, of course, is the rail-mounted compensator. Because of the way the compensator is built, a weapon light is integral to the arrangement. For the Full-Size model, a Surefire X-300 is included. For the Compact Carry 2 model, a Streamlight TLR-7 Sub is included.
The VP Armory Compensator is nice because it is attached to the rail and not the barrel. So, it does not shift the point of impact or affect the pistol’s reliability.
But to be fair, there are a few steps you need to take to ensure the compensator is properly installed to avoid any problems. Then a bit of maintenance is required from time to time after that.
Langdon offers some details about this process on its website. So, please do take the time to review them if you’re thinking about adding the compensator to your own build.
First Impressions
In its Langdon configuration with the VP Armory comp attached, the PX4 G-SD is a substantial weapon with a good bit of heft. Pictures of it are a bit deceiving, and I was surprised (not in a bad way) by its weight and feel in the hand.
It’s definitely different from the Compact Carry model that I reviewed a while back. This full-size pistol is probably not going to be in your carry rotation unless you go heeled with a battle belt on the regular.
Adding to the difference in feel is the Talon Grips wrap-around rubber grip that provides a non-slip purchase on the pistol for more control. However, you don’t have to use that option if you prefer the original grip. The pistol ships without the grip installed and can be applied by the user if desired.
The pistol I received for review had the grip already mounted, and I really liked the feel of it right off the bat. It had a slightly cushiony feel, making it comfortable in the hand. Additionally, the multi-colored speckles added a bit of contrast to the rest of the pistol’s all-black appearance.
Another nice touch that you don’t appreciate until you see it is the cosmetic and functional enhancement of the NP3 treatment on the barrel, magazines, hammer, and trigger internals.
Aside from the visual appeal that contrasts with the major parts of the pistol, there are several functional benefits. NP3 is very corrosion-resistant and offers improved lubricity to reduce friction. Likewise, it offers a bit of micro-hardness to surfaces and is self-lubricating.
These aspects are especially beneficial in firearms since NP3 does a great job of sloughing off carbon fouling that occurs as a result of shooting.
The Langdon Tactical Trigger Treatment
In addition to the NP3 treatment, the folks at Langon take a few other steps with their trigger work. This includes an 11-pound Chrome Silicon hammer spring, an Armor Lube DLC coated trigger bar, and a Langdon gunsmith tuning all of the engagement surfaces for a perfect mating of parts.
It’s hard to adequately convey how much this trigger package improves on the factory original. First, the double-action pull is exceptionally smooth, with no catches or hitches in the middle. It’s just a nice, clean pull all the way to the break.
The pistol I received had the optional Gray Guns flat-faced trigger, which also improved the feel of the trigger. Likewise, it changes the geometry of the trigger for an even better trigger stroke.
The only downside to the optional trigger is that it doesn’t leave much room between it and the trigger guard for a gloved finger. It was even slightly snug getting the hand of my Wheeler Engineering trigger gauge inside to measure the pull weight.
That said, the double-action trigger pull measured an average of 7 pounds, 6 ounces. Of course the measurement depended upon whether I was pulling at the very bottom of the trigger or in the middle. But, either way, the pull weight was well under 8 pounds, which is very light for a double-action trigger.
The single-action pull weight was fantastic as well. My trigger gauge registered an average of almost exactly 3.5 pounds. That’s the territory of upper-crust 1911 triggers. The folks at Langdon Tactical definitely outdid themselves with their improvements on the PX4’s factory trigger.
Shots Fired
Of course, all the visual aesthetics and theoretical design enhancements only go so far in evaluating a firearm’s efficacy. The proof is always in the pudding. So, it was time to take shots downrange to see how all those modifications worked together to maximize the user’s shooting experience.
My shooting companion and I cobbled together a good variety of range loads and premium rounds for the evaluation. Then, we struck out for the range with the LTT PX4 Full-Size and a couple of shooting buddies in tow.
We had a good mix of different types and weights of 9mm ammunition on hand, including TMJs, FMJs, and hollowpoints ranging in weight from 115 grains to 150 grains. Ammo brands represented in that mix were Federal Premium, Remington, Winchester, Sig Sauer, and Hornady.
Before we got too deep into drills and free fire, we sat down to shoot some groups with a few premium loads to get a feel for the PX4’s accuracy. For barrels lengths of 4 inches, we tested at a distance of 15 yards.
Like most other Berettas I’ve shot in the past, the LTT PX4 Full-Size delivered phenomenal accuracy with its preferred load. It also still offered excellent accuracy with all loads across the board.
The best five-shot group was achieved with Remington’s 147-grain Bonded Golden Saber, which measured only .50 inches, with a three-group average of .75 inches. The average group size for all premium loads tested was 1.02 inches.
That’s a fantastic overall result that allows the user to select the ammo they want based on terminal performance without having to worry too much about group sizes.
The Easy Shooting PX4 Storm
After that, we did our usual routine with challenge trees, plate racks, and other steel targets, as well as some silhouette targets. Compared to a few recent pistols we’ve shot, our splits had a noticeable improvement. This was thanks to how easy it was to shoot the LTT PX4.
The PX4 had a very soft felt-recoil response and virtually no muzzle flip, which allowed us to stay on target with fast and accurate follow-up shots. Some of this was due to the rotating-barrel system. Some was due to the compensator, and a bit was due to the heavy barrel profile.
It’s tough to isolate which factor mitigated muzzle flip the most. But as a whole, the package was extremely easy to shoot quickly and accurately.
Another factor that played into how easy it was to shoot the LTT PX4 Full-Size was the outstanding trigger setup. I once had Cajun Gun Works do a trigger job on my CZ P-01, and it was utterly fantastic. I think the trigger work on the LTT PX4 was even a hair better than that. The Double-Action pull was incredibly clean and smooth, letting us stay on target with the red dot easier during the longer and heavier stroke.
The Single-Action pull and break were even better, and fast follow-ups were a snap with the trigger’s very short reset. While I’m a bit of a traditionalist, I did end up liking the Gray Guns flat trigger very much. It absolutely changes and improves the feel of the trigger stroke in comparison to the factory trigger.
If I was going to have Langon do any mods on a PX4 for me, I would get the trigger job and the Gray Guns trigger before anything else.
A Reliable Pistol Where It Matters
In my opinion, when it comes to a defensive pistol, reliability is more important than having hair-splitting accuracy. The LTT PX4 Full-Size did a stellar job in that regard as well. While firing hundreds of rounds of everything from TMJs to ball ammo to hollowpoints, there wasn’t a single malfunction of any sort.
The only time we had any kind of an issue was when my buddy tried to slingshot the slide with some flat-nose Syntech loads from Federal Premium.
A couple of times, the loads hung up in the chamber. However, I was watching at the time and noticed that his hand followed the slide forward a bit. This caused the slide to drag a little. It didn’t seem like he got full power out of the slide action.
I never had this issue with that ammunition, and it’s probably not even worth mentioning. But I want to be transparent about what happened and point out that some malfunctions are not always from the pistol or the ammo. Sometimes, it can just be a human-induced problem.
During the course of normal shooting and when activating the slide-stop lever to drop the slide, there were zero hangups of any kind.
Handling the PX4 Storm
As for ergonomics and handling, the PX4 Full-Size (with accessories) got top marks as well. The grip is a little girthy, but the rubber grip provided by Talon Grips worked very well for maintaining control during recoil. The magazine release was just the right size and provided easy access and engagement without being too large or too easy to activate accidentally.
Finally, the magazine well worked quite nicely to quickly funnel magazines into the pistol for faster and more confident mag swaps. Facilitating this quick action is the NP3 coating on the magazines that reduces friction for a more effortless reload.
Final Thoughts
After having the chance to shoot the LTT PX4 Full-Size G-SD, I am extremely impressed by every aspect of it. I might sound like I’m gushing over it too much. But when you consider the egos, accuracy, reliability, and how it mitigates felt recoil and muzzle flip, the LTT PX4 is just a fantastic piece of kit.
I might be a little biased since I’m more of a traditionalist and appreciate a DA/SA hammer-fired pistol. Even so, there’s no denying how good this gun really is.
About the only thing I don’t like about the LTT PX4 Full-Size G-SD is the price. I’m not saying it’s overpriced. I’m just saying it’s a good chunk of change for a pistol. If you trick it out completely with all accessories and get the Blackout package, which includes the ArmorLube DLC finish job on the slide, barrel, and cam block, you’re sitting at around $2600.
While it seems like a lot up front, that includes the PX4 Full-Size pistol itself, the custom finish work, trigger job, Gray Guns trigger, red-dot cut and plate, magazine well and mag baseplates, Holosun red-dot optic, compensator, and a weapon light. Factoring all that in, the price doesn’t seem too bad at all—if you can afford it.
The Langdon Tactical Beretta PX4 Storm is the Best of Both Worlds
The Beretta PX4 marries the best of both worlds with the polymer frame and the traditional DA/SA operating system. It’s ideal for those who appreciate a hammer-fired pistol and the extra security of the longer first trigger pull.
It offers the recoil dispersion of a polymer frame and the reduced muzzle flip that comes with a rotating barrel. With its modifications, the folks at Langdon Tactical take it to the next level. As a result, the PX4 Full-Size G-SD is one of the absolutely finest DA/SA pistols on the market.
If you can swing the coin and want the best, you’d be crazy not to give one a try.
For more information, please visit LangdonTactical.com.
Langdon Tactical Beretta PX4 Storm Specs
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Barrel | 4 inches |
| Overall Length | 8.2 inches |
| Height | 7.2 inches (including optic and extended mag) |
| Width | 1.55 inches (at mag well) |
| Weight | 27.3 ounces |
| Grips | Polymer (Talon Grips Rubber available) |
| Sights | Suppressor Height, Black |
| Action | DA/SA |
| Finish | Bruniton |
| Magazine Capacity | 17 Rnd. (21 Rnd. available) |
| MSRP | $2595 (w/all add-ons and Blackout Package) |
Performance
| Accuracy | |||
| Velocity | Average | Best | |
| Lehigh Defense 90gr. XD | 1268 | 1.23 | 1.06 |
| Hornady 115gr. FTX Critical Defense | 1104 | 1.07 | .88 |
| Remington 147gr. Golden Saber Bonded | 977 | .75 | .50 |
Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second 15 feet from the muzzle by a Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph, and accuracy in inches for three, five-shot groups at 15 yards.
