Anyone use or carry a PX4 subcompact?

OhioGuy · September 19, 2017, 08:37 AM

I got to shoot one of these recently. I've shot the full size PX4 in the past, and I kind of liked it, though I'm not terribly familiar with DA/SA guns.

I had a heck of a time hitting anything with the subcompact, though. The sights were clearly visible, it was an easy gun to hold and point, but for whatever reason my groups were all over the place. I've shot plenty of subcompact guns and I'm pretty good with all of them--I shot the PX4 worse than I shoot a .380 Bodyguard with its stiff, ugly trigger!

Even running it all in SA mode with a light trigger, I still just couldn't seem to get into a groove. Not sure what was going on. The guy who owns it is a pretty bad shot with any gun, so I lacked a point of reference

I've shot a 92fs quite a bit before, and was very accurate with it, even running it all DA.

Anyways, despite that, I thought the little PX4 was actually a neat gun. It's probably the weirdest looking little animal I've seen in a while, but the dimensions were great for carry (a little thick, but otherwise very compact). The combination of a 3" barrel and a 13 round magazine put it in a pretty small class...maybe G26 with an extended magazine, and XD subcompact are the only others I can think of that blend the capacity with such compact dimensions.

Does anyone carry one?

Big Shrek · September 19, 2017, 07:27 PM

Might just need a good break-in...
more time practicing and more rounds downrange

I've had the occasional fussy pistol but usually it or I settle down
eventually!

elde · September 19, 2017, 08:53 PM

I have a PX4 subcompact. It's a little too "chubby" imo for concealed carry. I do open carry it when circumstances allow. The switch to a D-spring does wonders for the trigger and is an $8 expense - quite easy to install. The safety levers can also be switched to somewhat reduce the width. Mine has been both accurate and reliable with the D-spring addition. 13+1 rounds are handy to have available as well.

OhioGuy · September 20, 2017, 06:02 AM

Thanks for the answers. Any gun that's new to me requires some practice, but usually my groups are fairly consistent, just "off." This was the only gun of dozens I've shot that produced a shotgun-like pattern. (See what I did there? the GUN missed, not me!

)

Maybe I'll try it again. And yeah, "chubby" is a good word for it

Inazone · September 21, 2017, 01:59 PM

Years ago, I bought a PX4 sub as my first carry gun, and had a miserable time shooting it with any sort of accuracy. Everything was low-left. Friends with substantially more shooting experience than myself would likewise shoot it low-left. I spent the money to get an adjustable rear sight from Beretta, and that helped somewhat, but the adjustable sight was taller and prone to snagging my shirt. I sold the PX4 to somewhat who really, really wanted one.

I haven't had that issue with other guns, but I do wonder if it was the "chubby" grip. I've owned numerous other double-stack 9mm handguns in the years since, and some had correspondingly thick grips, but none quite like the PX4.

adamBomb · September 21, 2017, 02:10 PM

Quote:

I've shot the full size PX4 in the past, and I kind of liked it, though I'm not terribly familiar with DA/SA guns.

The subcompact does not use the rotating barrel system like the full size and compact so they are very different in that regard. The size/capacity of the gun makes it a great option for CCW.

OhioGuy · September 22, 2017, 01:14 PM

I also had a problem impaling my hand on the pointy safety levers. I couldn't find any good way to quickly rack the slide!

I had a chance to mess with one again yesterday in a store, and then messed with the P30SK. Except for price, the HK seemed to eat the Beretta's lunch. Although Beretta does fit more rounds into the available space.

September 19, 2017, 08:37 AM	#1
OhioGuy Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2016 Posts: 1,089	Anyone use or carry a PX4 subcompact? I got to shoot one of these recently. I've shot the full size PX4 in the past, and I kind of liked it, though I'm not terribly familiar with DA/SA guns. I had a heck of a time hitting anything with the subcompact, though. The sights were clearly visible, it was an easy gun to hold and point, but for whatever reason my groups were all over the place. I've shot plenty of subcompact guns and I'm pretty good with all of them--I shot the PX4 worse than I shoot a .380 Bodyguard with its stiff, ugly trigger! Even running it all in SA mode with a light trigger, I still just couldn't seem to get into a groove. Not sure what was going on. The guy who owns it is a pretty bad shot with any gun, so I lacked a point of reference I've shot a 92fs quite a bit before, and was very accurate with it, even running it all DA. Anyways, despite that, I thought the little PX4 was actually a neat gun. It's probably the weirdest looking little animal I've seen in a while, but the dimensions were great for carry (a little thick, but otherwise very compact). The combination of a 3" barrel and a 13 round magazine put it in a pretty small class...maybe G26 with an extended magazine, and XD subcompact are the only others I can think of that blend the capacity with such compact dimensions. Does anyone carry one?

September 19, 2017, 07:27 PM	#2
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	Might just need a good break-in... more time practicing and more rounds downrange I've had the occasional fussy pistol but usually it or I settle down eventually! __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

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September 19, 2017, 08:53 PM	#3
elde Member Join Date: March 18, 2016 Location: RR12 Posts: 34	I have a PX4 subcompact. It's a little too "chubby" imo for concealed carry. I do open carry it when circumstances allow. The switch to a D-spring does wonders for the trigger and is an $8 expense - quite easy to install. The safety levers can also be switched to somewhat reduce the width. Mine has been both accurate and reliable with the D-spring addition. 13+1 rounds are handy to have available as well.

September 20, 2017, 06:02 AM	#4
OhioGuy Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2016 Posts: 1,089	Thanks for the answers. Any gun that's new to me requires some practice, but usually my groups are fairly consistent, just "off." This was the only gun of dozens I've shot that produced a shotgun-like pattern. (See what I did there? the GUN missed, not me! ) Maybe I'll try it again. And yeah, "chubby" is a good word for it

September 21, 2017, 01:59 PM	#5
Inazone Member Join Date: April 27, 2012 Location: Minnesota, USA Posts: 89	Years ago, I bought a PX4 sub as my first carry gun, and had a miserable time shooting it with any sort of accuracy. Everything was low-left. Friends with substantially more shooting experience than myself would likewise shoot it low-left. I spent the money to get an adjustable rear sight from Beretta, and that helped somewhat, but the adjustable sight was taller and prone to snagging my shirt. I sold the PX4 to somewhat who really, really wanted one. I haven't had that issue with other guns, but I do wonder if it was the "chubby" grip. I've owned numerous other double-stack 9mm handguns in the years since, and some had correspondingly thick grips, but none quite like the PX4.

September 22, 2017, 01:14 PM	#7
OhioGuy Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2016 Posts: 1,089	I also had a problem impaling my hand on the pointy safety levers. I couldn't find any good way to quickly rack the slide! I had a chance to mess with one again yesterday in a store, and then messed with the P30SK. Except for price, the HK seemed to eat the Beretta's lunch. Although Beretta does fit more rounds into the available space.