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[DavidR]

Took her to the range today. Fired 180 rounds. 140 FMJ (New Republic, SAR and American Eagle), 20 Federal Punch 124 grain and 20 Federal HST 124 grain. Zero malfunctions.

Overall impression: the APX A1 far exceeded my expectations. Maybe my expectations were too low due to some of the complaining on YouTube but I’m thoroughly pleased. This feels like a quality firearm and at $289 plus tax and FFL transfer fee it’s a steal.

Operation - fed fired and ejected everything. Magazines ejected nicely. Slide stop/release loosened up and works nicely as a release. Sights are good. This is the first blacked out rear I’ve owned and I like it.

Ergonomics - great for small handed shooters. Better ergonomics than the Walther PDP-F. Very easy to get a high grip with great trigger reach and rarely a need to re-grip after shooting. The stippling on the back strap and front strap is great. The gun does not move in my hand and seems to point naturally (i.e. it’s easy to find the front sight).

Trigger - this is not a “competition” trigger but feels like a great compromise between an easy to shoot trigger and a “safe” trigger. This was my biggest surprise and greatly exceeded my expectations. Despite being on the heavier side, it didn’t seem to impede my accuracy (or lack thereof ). For me, it’s a perfect “it’s 2 AM and the house alarm just went off” trigger.

Probably my only complaint at this time is that the full length rails have sharp edges so you need to be careful when cleaning not to cut your finger.

EDIT - maybe one more minor complaint. Not really a complaint but an observation. Beretta makes the little things with this gun a little harder than other guns:
- field stripping is a little more complicated than many other guns
- changing the backstrap is a little more complicated than many other guns
- removing the fire control unit is a little more complicated than it is with a Sig
- even opening the nice plastic box the gun came in is more complicated than any I’ve had before


I’m not a great shooter so I usually don’t post my targets. This is 6 yards firing roughly one round per second.

[berettabone]

Looks good enough to take care of business.....................let me guess, the first shots are the low ones off the blue. I think you need to see a bit more front sight on these APX models. I had some trigger concerns before I got my compact but after shooting, I can live with it just fine.

[DavidR]

Yeah, it’s easy to shoot low with this pistol. I noticed it especially when shooting at targets at the top of the paper.

I also noticed that mine has weak ejection. Usually my pistols throw a bunch of brass over the lane divider or way behind me. Most of the A1 brass hit the divider next to me and landed on the floor right at my side.

[berettabone]

I don't know if that's "weak" ejection or design. Doesn't sound like a bad thing. Were you using different ammo than usual? Sounds better than having them bounce off your noggin or down your shirt.

[DavidR]

I don't know if that's "weak" ejection or design. Doesn't sound like a bad thing. Were you using different ammo than usual? Sounds better than having them bounce off your noggin or down your shirt.

Same ammo as always. Just doesn’t throw the brass as far as every other pistol I’ve owned. “Weak by design” is fine with me.

[DavidR]

Here’s a brief review of the APX-A1 full sized. The reviewer does say that Beretta provided him with the pistol but I’ve never seen this guy as a shill. His review is consistent with my take on the gun.

https://youtu.be/uAr2yW-dvVw?si=xXuuHKvgGqDmbrQ-

[berettabone]

He sure makes it look like a smooth shooter. I've always been a bit biased (ahem) towards the Beretta brand. Except for the PX models. Always felt a bit plastic/hollow, and the triggers weren't great. There are SO many options in firearms these days, it's probably a partial reason why the APX " isn't talked about ". I'm not sure how much advertising they're doing on the model. I think it's one of the best buys out there. So far, I'm happy with my compact. For the money, they're built very well, and they feel like it.

[187911]

Took her to the range today. Fired 180 rounds. 140 FMJ (New Republic, SAR and American Eagle), 20 Federal Punch 124 grain and 20 Federal HST 124 grain. Zero malfunctions.

Overall impression: the APX A1 far exceeded my expectations. Maybe my expectations were too low due to some of the complaining on YouTube but I’m thoroughly pleased. This feels like a quality firearm and at $289 plus tax and FFL transfer fee it’s a steal.

Operation - fed fired and ejected everything. Magazines ejected nicely. Slide stop/release loosened up and works nicely as a release. Sights are good. This is the first blacked out rear I’ve owned and I like it.

Ergonomics - great for small handed shooters. Better ergonomics than the Walther PDP-F. Very easy to get a high grip with great trigger reach and rarely a need to re-grip after shooting. The stippling on the back strap and front strap is great. The gun does not move in my hand and seems to point naturally (i.e. it’s easy to find the front sight).

Trigger - this is not a “competition” trigger but feels like a great compromise between an easy to shoot trigger and a “safe” trigger. This was my biggest surprise and greatly exceeded my expectations. Despite being on the heavier side, it didn’t seem to impede my accuracy (or lack thereof ). For me, it’s a perfect “it’s 2 AM and the house alarm just went off” trigger.

Probably my only complaint at this time is that the full length rails have sharp edges so you need to be careful when cleaning not to cut your finger.

EDIT - maybe one more minor complaint. Not really a complaint but an observation. Beretta makes the little things with this gun a little harder than other guns:
- field stripping is a little more complicated than many other guns
- changing the backstrap is a little more complicated than many other guns
- removing the fire control unit is a little more complicated than it is with a Sig
- even opening the nice plastic box the gun came in is more complicated than any I’ve had before


I’m not a great shooter so I usually don’t post my targets. This is 6 yards firing roughly one round per second.

-The field strip is more involved than with the P320; however, it's easier than stripping the frame on 99% of the other handguns on the market, so there's that at least. My first couple of times were a PITA, but now I can fully strip the frame and reinstall everything in under 5 minutes if that. I did a video I planned on posting to YouTube a while back, but never got around to it. I use to go to the range every other week before Corona, and I'd completely strip the frame and slide each time for cleaning as it was my carry gun.

-What I like about the APX is that it actually has backstraps unlike the P320 where you have to buy new grip modules to fit small or medium or large hands. With all other grip modules I've ever changed, I had to drive out a pin from the frame. With the APX, you need to push the retainer to the side and pull down. It's tricky at first, but I typically push it to the side and use a punch or a hook to pull down on the backstrap retainer. These work great for quickly removing the chassis, the backstrap retainer, and the backplate on the slide. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tou...Hook/558682081. I keep those and a cheap Walmart 5 peice punch set in my range bag. I may make another video on how I strip the frame, and how I utilize those hooks to make things simpler.

-The APX recoil spring assembly is rated for 20,000 rounds by Beretta. I don't recall having any weak injection, but in your case it might be because the gun is new and needs to be broken in some more. I know that's a common complaint with newbies and their new HK pistols on the HKPro forum. HK typically suggests running X number of 124 or hotter rounds (I forget how many) to break the stronger recoil spring in.

-I haven't found the rail to be sharp on my orginal APX frames (I have several in different sizes and colors), but the great thing about the APX and a module system if that you can make permanent changes, like lightly shading the edges, without feeling guilty about it. New grip modules can be had for $35 or less on sale.

-As far as the field strip goes, I chuckle to hear those who own Kahrs and 1911s who have that opinion. Some of my Kahrs are a PITA to field strip as are some of my 1911s. My Beretta PX4 Compact is a little more involved to. Then there's my Remington RM380 as well. The only difference between the APX and a M&P and most other striker pistols with a takedown level is that the takedown lever on the APX has to be pushed in first. I guess after having experience with other designs that have me cursing at times, the APX takedown never bothered me lol.

Nice shooting by the way!!!

[King Rat]

Most under rated. Kahr and APX.

I don't always agree with this Youtuber, but I think he really hit the Mark on this one. I also think the Beretta APX is insanely underrated. Never have been able to understand the reasons why. The build quality is outstanding, they shoot
very well. Is it lack of Marketing? Two guns I seldom see at any of my LGS are the Beretta and the Kahr. I also think so many of the Beretta fans are stuck on the 92 series and just turned off by anything else that Beretta manufacturers. He rates the APX as number 1, and most especially for the Price Point, it is a terrific firearm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvC81eNlZcA&t=5s