Hello all,

 

Having just purchased a Beretta Px4 and being driven by a wallet-destroying combination of completism and OCD, I am already finding myself staring at internet pictures of Beretta Cx4 carbine.

 

 

It looks like a neat and fun piece of machinery, with a price that makes my missus complain about how many Italian made luxury goods she could buy with that money.

 

But as much fun as this weapon promises, there seems to be no talk about it on this forum (or, I don't know how to use the Search function properly). The internet reviews seem to be positive, and a healthy accessories aftermarket points to the fact that this rifle is probably popular. Current prices still going strong are another indication of that. So, my questions to the experts are as follows:

1. Is this indeed a decent firearm, or an expensive toy?
   
2. Am I significantly better off with just building myself an AR instead (I know I am going to be better off. The question really is by how much)?
   
3. Any current or past owners that care to share their experience?
   

 

Thanks for any info,

G.

I have had a bunch of goofy accessories on mine.. but recently scaled it back down...

my CX4 has the following..

 

top rail

Trijicon reflex

vltor offset flashlight mount

surefire G2

sierra papa fire control group (makes a huge difference)

sling

 

if I heard a "bump in the night" it is the gun I would grab.. it is extremely light.. it points very naturally.. there is next to no recoil.. and as a bonus the accuracy level is obnoxious.. I was ringing steel plates at almost 200 yards..

 

the only downside is low capacity mags.. but if you live in NJ doesn't really matter a whole lot.. working on higher cap mags now.. and the factory trigger is kind of meh..

 

but for a pistol caliber carbine.. in an interior situation.. it is really smooth..

this gun is incomparable to an AR15..

 

 

an AR15 is substantially more expensive.. but it will also provide longer range.. but is much heavier..

the reason I have a CX4 is because I trust the gun in an interior HD situation.. I trust the AR as well.. but just feel the CX4 does it in a tiny light package..

I own a cx4 but in 45 cal. there is a guy who makes a kit to add more capacity to the mags right here...

http://sierrapapacx4.com/CX4_mag_extension.htm

I also have a CX4 in .45acp. Bought it new in 2005

Had some buyer's regret for a time afterwards, but I've gotten over that

I have a decent reddot on top and the factory sights flipped down (a nice feature)

Still have the factory plastic fire control group parts, but they've been carefully "smoothed out" to make the trigger acceptable

Mag capacity (8 factory, 9 discontinued Promag) is the biggest negative

The Sierra Papa kit referenced above is an extension that requires a factory mag in addition, so it's an *expensive* 15 rounder!

Nicest thing is that as a left-handed shooter, it's completely reversible from factory setup to be totally left handed

16.1" of .45acp power down range! A real thumper with hot loads

And the dissimilar materials of the stock and the cheekpiece will pull your whiskers out one-by-one :wild:

I had one but got bored of it. At the rifle range I'd rather shoot a full on rifle cartridge, indoor range I wanted to shoot pistols. I built an AR that is super light with a 14.5" barrel + pinned brake that I prefered over my CX4 as the rifle to grab if needed. Otherwise HG's are the rest of my main HD plan. So my Cx4 was just being underused, without a home in my HD plan, and not being taken to the range, so I sold her.

 

Make no mistake, I'm not bashing the gun, it was a great handling and handy gun, and very may well fit that need for you. Just sharing my experience.

Thanks, gents... Looks like it's exactly what I am looking for -- a neat little gun that is both fun and versatile enough. Vlad's endorsement is enough for me to put down a deposit on it

 

I understand full well that it doesn't hold a candle to an AR in terms of potency and distance. My question was more about what my acquisition priorities should be -- I don't have any long guns yet whatsoever.

 

 

I own a cx4 but in 45 cal. there is a guy who makes a kit to add more capacity to the mags right here...

http://sierrapapacx4...g_extension.htm

 

I wouldn't order it for use in NJ. BTW there are 20 and 30 round mags available now (plus 92 conversion adapters).

A stock configuration JX49220M comes with 15-rounders.

 

Edit: those are 9mm magazines, to be precise.

I had one for about a year then got rid of it. It was a nice gun for all the abouve mentioned reasons. I had the 92FS configuration so it took 15 rounds mags. I eventually pieced it out. I had the tri-rails, shroud, front grip etc. I just got tired of it and dont regret selling it. I do regret however selling my Kel-Tec Sub 2000

Expensive toy , but fun to shoot ! I have one in 9 mm.

I had a 9mm cx4 an it was a fun gun but it does not take the place of an ar at all. I sold mine.

I had one but got bored of it. At the rifle range I'd rather shoot a full on rifle cartridge, indoor range I wanted to shoot pistols. I built an AR that is super light with a 14.5" barrel + pinned brake that I prefered over my CX4 as the rifle to grab if needed. Otherwise HG's are the rest of my main HD plan. So my Cx4 was just being underused, without a home in my HD plan, and not being taken to the range, so I sold her.

 

Make no mistake, I'm not bashing the gun, it was a great handling and handy gun, and very may well fit that need for you. Just sharing my experience.

 

this is exactly how I feel about this gun, probably the only gun I sold that I wish I hadn't..

i have the 9mm that takes 92 fs mags and it the combo i use for shooting 3 gun matches at sjsc.....very accurate, uses same mags and my pistol so no need for new equipment just run and gun its alot of fun

its probably the finest pistol caliber carbine ever made, certainly the best you can get thats available now. i have one and love it. the only drawback is the price. even used, theyre 5-600. a much cheaper, but just as fun, alternative is a hi-point carbine. i also have one, and for the price, you cant beat it. it nowhere near the quality of a beretta, and youre limited to factory 10rnd or garbage 15rnd pro-mags, but still worth it for the money.

I'm looking to buy one as well ..I would buy off the shelf a .40 cal version , but if a really good used deal on the 9mm or .45 came around I would consider it. Seems a good firearm for HD .

That's it! You all are not going to keep me drooling much longer. Will order it as soon I get the safe installed.

I had one but got bored of it. At the rifle range I'd rather shoot a full on rifle cartridge, indoor range I wanted to shoot pistols. I built an AR that is super light with a 14.5" barrel + pinned brake that I prefered over my CX4 as the rifle to grab if needed. Otherwise HG's are the rest of my main HD plan. So my Cx4 was just being underused, without a home in my HD plan, and not being taken to the range, so I sold her.

 

Make no mistake, I'm not bashing the gun, it was a great handling and handy gun, and very may well fit that need for you. Just sharing my experience.

 

I'm another one who was in your exact same position. I agree with everything you stated in your post, Dan, except for the AR part...because I don't have any AR's.

 

But I will agree that the CX4 was light, easy to move around with, and was very accurate for a pistol carbine. If I had money to burn, I would pick another one up just to have as an 'in between' gun.

Only if we all had money to burn.

I use my CX4 for rilfe matches after the USPSA match at Shongum. I have a 92FS so the CX4 in 9mm was a perfect fit. Same mags and pouches. It works well for shooting steel at Tenafly too. The next biggest item was the cost of ammo. I can load 9mm for about $6.50 per 50. Power Pistol is one of the best powders for the CX4 and I am going to try 3N37. I just loaded some test rounds.

I'd get one in 9mm if I could find a good deal or used. I have a 92f and plenty of mags

 

Only if we all had money to burn.

 

Ah yes, only...

My buddy and I are both going to buy the 9mm version of the CX4.

 

I kept thinking of the High Point but just couldn't do it. Besides, I have plenty of magazines for my 92FS so that sealed the deal.

 

I actually think both rifles are ugly, but I need a pistol caliber center fire rifle so the Beretta gets the knod.

I never understood the attraction of pistol caliber carbines. Sure, if you were in the wild west it might have made some sense to have the same cartridge for your pistol and rifle, but even then you gave up performance. Subguns made some sense when the primary rifle cartridge had some kick to it and even then it only made sense for fully auto fire, note that subguns are kinda disappearing in "real world" being replace by compact rifles or PDWs (which are a different kinda thing). To me they are the worst of both worlds. They have the performance of a pistol with none of the handiness of a pistol shoved into the heavier package of a rifle with none of the caliber advantages of a rifle.

I only want one for competitions. I can't use my 7.62x39 for knockdown steel, speed on steel, or indoor events................ If I could I wouldn't be buying a pistol caliber carbine! I happen to LOVE my 7.62x39 but hardly ever get to use it for anything other than plinking.

Yea Vlad, what Mike said, while I don't have one, I got to shoot one at the last knockdown steel match and it was a blast. Will I own one, well maybe down the road but have I too many other guns ahead of that on the list, and at the top of that list at the moment is a new Brazos Limited gun..

I never understood the attraction of pistol caliber carbines. Sure, if you were in the wild west it might have made some sense to have the same cartridge for your pistol and rifle, but even then you gave up performance. Subguns made some sense when the primary rifle cartridge had some kick to it and even then it only made sense for fully auto fire, note that subguns are kinda disappearing in "real world" being replace by compact rifles or PDWs (which are a different kinda thing). To me they are the worst of both worlds. They have the performance of a pistol with none of the handiness of a pistol shoved into the heavier package of a rifle with none of the caliber advantages of a rifle.

 

Accuracy

The CX4 in 40 hits man sized steel out to almost 200 yards.. I plan to use the gun at sub 100 yards.. so yeah.. it excels.. also when compared to a pistol.. 2 hands supporting the rifle against the shoulder is going to more stable than a pistol..

 

Power

when compared to a pistol you are shooting the round out of a 16in barrel which should increase velocity..

 

Maneuverability

The carbine is obnoxiously agile.. it is smaller and lighter than my 14.5in AR15 with the stock fully collapsed.. therefore it is very mobile and easy to move with..

 

the only con is magazine capacity (but I am working on that).. but the gun for the most part excels in every aspect I need it to.. and for me.. it is the ideal interior HD carbine.. I prefer it over my $2k AR15.. it would be a lot easier to hand over to police after a "shoot"..

So what you are saying is that it has no advantages over a real rifle except it is a bit shorter? Not for nothing but anything with a 16" barrel will hit man size targets at 200 yards, a .22 lever gun included. Its velocity will be faster then a pistol but still slower then any rifle made since .. the 1870s? I don't understand the smaller and lighter stuff because I actually find most carbine sized ARs way to damn short most of the time but that's persona ergonomics so I'm putting that down as a maybe.

 

But hey .. its your money, spend it how you want.

So what you are saying is that it has no advantages over a real rifle except it is a bit shorter? Not for nothing but anything with a 16" barrel will hit man size targets at 200 yards, a .22 lever gun included. Its velocity will be faster then a pistol but still slower then any rifle made since .. the 1870s? I don't understand the smaller and lighter stuff because I actually find most carbine sized ARs way to damn short most of the time but that's persona ergonomics so I'm putting that down as a maybe.

 

But hey .. its your money, spend it how you want.

 

the weapon has absolutely no recoil.. and is smaller than most rifles.. my fiance can operate it with confidence.. more confidence than an AR or AK.. due to the lack of recoil follow up shots come much easier.. as stated.. easier to control than a pistol.. and well far less costly than an AR... I really have no interest in shooting anyone.. but if I need to shoot someone and turn the gun into evidence.. I would much rather it be a $500 carbine VS a $2000 AR15.. but hey that is just what works for me..

 

just to recap.. for me.. it is a more stable.. more accurate weapon than a pistol.. a more powerful weapon than a pistol.. in a package that is lighter easier to wield, AND has less recoil than a rifle..

 

what is there not to like..

The price!

 

Can't find any of these CX4's right now either.................

 

Which one do you have Anthony? I was going to get either the 9mm or .40 since I have a 92FS and a 96FS already.

 

One of the FFL's I deal with had a .45ACP in stock, but unless I start to reload that is an expensive round compared to the other two.

The price!

 

Can't find any of these CX4's right now either.................

 

Which one do you have Anthony? I was going to get either the 9mm or .40 since I have a 92FS and a 96FS already.

 

One of the FFL's I deal with had a .45ACP in stock, but unless I start to reload that is an expensive round compared to the other two.

 

I have 40S&W to match common caliber with my Glocks....

I got mine used on gunbroker.. I really dont buy guns new.. well except Saigas.. lol

i wonder how much more power do you get firing a pistol round out of a longer carbine barrel? my cx4 is 45 cal, probably doesnt go as far as 9mm or 40 cal. or does it?