TFB Review: Beretta/LLT PX4 Storm Compact Carry II

Several years ago, Langdon Tactical sent me a Beretta PX4 Storm Carry to review. Even then, I thought the gun shot well, performed admirably, and was enjoyable to shoot. However, as someone who owns very few compact hammer-fired handguns, I didn’t invest much time in learning to master it. After the review, I sent it back to Langdon Tactical and moved on.

Fast forward to last summer, and I found myself in the scorching desert visiting Ernest Langdon himself. Ernest regaled me with stories about the PX4 Storm’s durability and reliability, including his personal copy with over 70,000 rounds through it with only one part breakage and 9 failures (caused by that breakage).

Ernest Langdon told me flat out that he believes the PX4 Storm is the most durable and reliable pistol on the market. Coming from one of the most renowned shooters and tuners in the industry, that’s high praise. During our time in the desert, Ernest showed me the finer points of shooting hammer-fired pistols. Little did I know that these lessons would eventually convert me to the PX4 Storm’s virtues. The video with Ernest’s tips is linked at the bottom of this article.

One major advantage of the PX4 Storm is that it features a unique rotating barrel mechanism that helps reduce recoil significantly. Unlike traditional tilting barrel designs, the rotating barrel in the PX4 Storm uses the mass and motion of the barrel to absorb and reduce recoil effectively. When the gun is fired, the barrel rotates rather than tilts, spreading the recoil energy over a longer period and reducing the felt recoil. This mechanism not only enhances shooting comfort but also improves accuracy by maintaining the barrel’s alignment with the target during the recoil cycle.

Ernest Langdon was there, showcasing his fully tricked-out version of the Compact Carry II, the Blackout, which is absolutely incredible. Langdon’s 2024 PX4 Blackout model offers a host of premium features. It includes an ArmorLube DLC-treated slide, barrel, and cam block, which provides superior hardness and minimal friction. The complete LTT Trigger Job incorporates a GrayGuns flat trigger, an LTT Optimized Performance Trigger Bar, and a Chrome Silicon 11# hammer spring. The PX4 Blackout Compact model comes with a Streamlight TLR-7 SUB, rubber Talon grips, and engraved LTT logo. It also features LTT’s low RDO solution with choice of optic. The approximate trigger pull is 5.3 to 6 lbs for double action and 3.5 to 4 lbs for single action. The trigger is absolutely amazing on this pistol.

I had the chance to shoot it at Beretta’s Range Day in Vegas, and for the first time, I asked Beretta to send me the Langdon-customized versions of the Carry II for review.

The improvements Langdon Tactical made to the PX4 Storm Compact Carry II are significant. They enhanced the trigger, made the gun easier to conceal, improved the sights and controls, and included – optionally – a muzzle brake and optic. The brake, in conjunction with the rotating barrel design, makes this gun an absolute joy to shoot.

While the LTT PX4 Blackout may possibly be the best shooting gun I’ve ever handled that costs less than $5,000, it’s no longer a “carry” gun as intended when fully rigged out – and it costs over $2,000. I prioritize comfort and reliability over extreme accuracy, especially for concealed carry. Ultimately, I sent my box-stock PX4 Carry II to Langdon for a custom job tailored to my preferences. The result was the addition of a Holosun EPS optic, the world-class LTT trigger job with a Grayguns flat trigger, and an NP3 coated and crowned barrel and magazines. This setup, costing $1,623, is as close to perfect for a concealed carry gun in terms of pure performance, and the exclusion of the brake and enlarged magwell kept the gun true to its carry-oriented roots.

Despite the PX4 Storm’s incredible performance, it’s heavier, larger, thicker, and more expensive than other handguns you might consider for everyday carry. For instance, the SIG P365 X Macro is smaller, lighter, and holds more rounds, making it a more practical choice for many, in addition to costing less than half as much. When comparing the SIG P365 X Macro and the Beretta PX4 Storm Carry II, the P365 X Macro is more compact, measuring shorter in overall length and significantly lighter at 21 ounces. It also has a narrower profile, making it more comfortable and easier to conceal. On the other hand, the PX4 Storm Carry II weighs 27.2 ounces and has a wider frame, which, while potentially less discreet for concealed carry, offers enhanced stability and control during shooting.

That said, the Langdon Tactical PX4 Storm Carry II is possibly one of the most reliable, durable, and best-shooting compact carry-oriented handguns ever made. It’s light-recoiling, accurate, fast, and fun to shoot and own. While it may not be the most practical carry gun for everyone, its performance and reliability are hard to beat. If you’re in the market for a new carry gun, the PX4 Storm, especially the Langdon Tactical version, deserves serious consideration.

What do you think: Is $1,600 too much for a carry gun? Let me know in the comments, especially if you’re a fellow Langdon enthusiast.

For more detailed information, visit the official Beretta page(https://www.beretta.com/en-us/product/px4-compact-carry-2-FA0135) and the Langdon Tactical page(https://langdontactical.com/ernest-langdons-2024-px4-blackout/).