MikeyCNY
6.5 Creedmoor
Part 2 of my "Summer Splurge Series". Part 1 (Taurus TX22) is here
My first pistol was a Beretta PX4 Storm... I've talked about it before, and while I did like it for the most part but I probably wouldn't recommend a DA/SA pistol for a beginner. The other issue is that the safety on the PX4 worked opposite of the safety on a 1911 (that I had recently purchased). So I sold my PX4 after a year or two and picked up an M&P Compact (the original 1.0 "real compact" version, before they had a Shield).
Right around this time everyone started switching to striker-fired pistols (for the most part), and even the military was looking for a new pistol. The Beretta APX was submitted as a replacement for the Beretta 92. Like the SIG P320 that eventually won, the APX is a modular design. The fire control unit is the serialized piece and you can swap out grip frames with ...... some work. (it's not as easy to change as the P365, at least to me) There are several models available, from the full-size APX, the "ultra compact" APX Carry, to the mid-size one I bought - APX Centurion. Roughly Glock 19-sized, 15-round capacity in free states.
From the factory, the trigger was.. not bad. I say that as a trigger snob (see below). An average of 5 pulls on my trigger gauge gave me 5 lbs 9 ounces. I'm not good at describing trigger pulls, and the only other striker-fired guns I have are M&Ps so...
I put 180 rounds through it with various 9mm flavors, and there were no hiccups, malfunctions or failures of any kind as you would expect. I don't have pictures of the targets but I'd say accuracy is good enough for a combat/defensive pistol.
One change I made to the factory gun after those initial 180 rounds is to replace the striker guide and spring with one from Galloway Precision. This part claims to "clean up" the trigger and reduce pull by 1-2 pounds. The factory guide rod is polymer, and there have been reports of this breaking and turning your handgun into a brick. No Bueno. Not too bad to install - you have to remove the trigger assembly from the grip frame so it's a good time to swap frame colors/sizes here if you want to - new polymer frames are $40-$50.
I kept the grip sleeve from the black frame to have a nice contrasting color scheme. Like the M&P series there are grip sleeves of various sizes so you can get the perfect fit. Unfortunately, unlike the M&P, it is very annoying to swap them out. You need to lock the slide back, use a long screwdriver (or maybe a punch) and push a metal pin to 'unlock' the grip.
So did the new stainless steel guide rod help with the trigger pull? The dry fire sound is.. different. Maybe because it is steel instead of plastic. Going back to my trusty Wheeler trigger gauge, I get a 5-round average of 4 lbs 11 oz. Almost half a pound lighter, and it definitely helped with the 'wall' a bit. I don't think replacing the guide rod is strictly necessary, unless you're worried about it breaking. (Beretta must not be too worried assuming this is the same version they submitted to the military for testing) I put another 50 rounds through the gun after replacing the striker guide - again, no issues. Range trip was a few weeks later so hard to say if I noticed much of a change in live fire.
What about the rest of the gun? I REALLY REALLY like the grip, it is rough on the front and back, but not as aggressive on the sides (so if you're carrying IWB/AIWB, less chance of it rubbing you raw). Here's a close-up of the front of the grip -
One thing I did NOT like, and I've seen other reviews mention this - the slide serrations. They look cool, and earned the APX the name of "Tactical Toblerone" from numerous sites. I didn't have an issue working the slide until a 90+ degree day at the range - sweaty hands made for slick gripping. One review online mentioned putting skateboard tape in the "notches". It's also possible my hands are too soft.
Speaking ofsites sights - the APX uses 3-dot white sights, steel I believe.. Perfectly usable, no complaints there. Because there is a striker-indicator just in front of the rear sight, this pistol is not (easily) able to be machined to accept a red dot - though Beretta did recently come out with a version able to mount an optic.
So does this model replace my M&Ps? Not at all. I bought it because I had a Cabela's/Bass Pro gift card I wanted to use up - paid $379 at Bass Pro, I think pre-COVID I saw them for as low as $319. Of course throw in the magazines, new frame, holsters... ugh.
Anyway, thought people would enjoy.
My first pistol was a Beretta PX4 Storm... I've talked about it before, and while I did like it for the most part but I probably wouldn't recommend a DA/SA pistol for a beginner. The other issue is that the safety on the PX4 worked opposite of the safety on a 1911 (that I had recently purchased). So I sold my PX4 after a year or two and picked up an M&P Compact (the original 1.0 "real compact" version, before they had a Shield).
Right around this time everyone started switching to striker-fired pistols (for the most part), and even the military was looking for a new pistol. The Beretta APX was submitted as a replacement for the Beretta 92. Like the SIG P320 that eventually won, the APX is a modular design. The fire control unit is the serialized piece and you can swap out grip frames with ...... some work. (it's not as easy to change as the P365, at least to me) There are several models available, from the full-size APX, the "ultra compact" APX Carry, to the mid-size one I bought - APX Centurion. Roughly Glock 19-sized, 15-round capacity in free states.
From the factory, the trigger was.. not bad. I say that as a trigger snob (see below). An average of 5 pulls on my trigger gauge gave me 5 lbs 9 ounces. I'm not good at describing trigger pulls, and the only other striker-fired guns I have are M&Ps so...
I put 180 rounds through it with various 9mm flavors, and there were no hiccups, malfunctions or failures of any kind as you would expect. I don't have pictures of the targets but I'd say accuracy is good enough for a combat/defensive pistol.
One change I made to the factory gun after those initial 180 rounds is to replace the striker guide and spring with one from Galloway Precision. This part claims to "clean up" the trigger and reduce pull by 1-2 pounds. The factory guide rod is polymer, and there have been reports of this breaking and turning your handgun into a brick. No Bueno. Not too bad to install - you have to remove the trigger assembly from the grip frame so it's a good time to swap frame colors/sizes here if you want to - new polymer frames are $40-$50.
I kept the grip sleeve from the black frame to have a nice contrasting color scheme. Like the M&P series there are grip sleeves of various sizes so you can get the perfect fit. Unfortunately, unlike the M&P, it is very annoying to swap them out. You need to lock the slide back, use a long screwdriver (or maybe a punch) and push a metal pin to 'unlock' the grip.
So did the new stainless steel guide rod help with the trigger pull? The dry fire sound is.. different. Maybe because it is steel instead of plastic. Going back to my trusty Wheeler trigger gauge, I get a 5-round average of 4 lbs 11 oz. Almost half a pound lighter, and it definitely helped with the 'wall' a bit. I don't think replacing the guide rod is strictly necessary, unless you're worried about it breaking. (Beretta must not be too worried assuming this is the same version they submitted to the military for testing) I put another 50 rounds through the gun after replacing the striker guide - again, no issues. Range trip was a few weeks later so hard to say if I noticed much of a change in live fire.
What about the rest of the gun? I REALLY REALLY like the grip, it is rough on the front and back, but not as aggressive on the sides (so if you're carrying IWB/AIWB, less chance of it rubbing you raw). Here's a close-up of the front of the grip -
One thing I did NOT like, and I've seen other reviews mention this - the slide serrations. They look cool, and earned the APX the name of "Tactical Toblerone" from numerous sites. I didn't have an issue working the slide until a 90+ degree day at the range - sweaty hands made for slick gripping. One review online mentioned putting skateboard tape in the "notches". It's also possible my hands are too soft.
Speaking of
So does this model replace my M&Ps? Not at all. I bought it because I had a Cabela's/Bass Pro gift card I wanted to use up - paid $379 at Bass Pro, I think pre-COVID I saw them for as low as $319. Of course throw in the magazines, new frame, holsters... ugh.
Anyway, thought people would enjoy.
. Def would have bought a fullsize for sub $300 and ran to the permit office.
