The Beretta CX4 Storm carbine was originally released back in 2003. It’s had a fairly mediocre first decade, being mostly overshadowed by “real” black rifles like AR and AK variants. But it’s no secret that I’m a sucker for pistol caliber carbines, and I want to do my part to give some extra exposure to Beretta’s underdog.
I’ll be honest, though: the CX4 is not a great firearm. In its stock form, it’s pretty good, but it needs a little help to tap into its full potential. So in case you’re looking for some new ideas for how you can be quickly parted from your money, here’s what I’ve done to get the most out of my CX4.
Suppressed SBR Beretta CX4 Storm 9mm
Out of the box, the CX4 isn’t too bad when considered for what it purports to be — a reliable, lightweight, compact self-defense carbine in 9mm or .40S&W that uses the common Beretta 92 series or PX4 series magazines. When you consider the $915 MSRP, it’s… ehhh, only okay. Fortunately, real world prices often hover closer to the $650-700 range. So if you find a deal, and add a little imagination, you can end up with a pretty slick little package.
As it arrives from the factory, the extra few inches of barrel at the muzzle-end of the Storm are quite tragic. The unnecessary extra length spoils the otherwise compact profile and quick handling characteristics of the CX4 for purely legal reasons. So after a lengthy wait for the return of my “Mother, may I” ATF form, I had the last 4.5 inches of the barrel unceremoniously hacked off, and the muzzle threaded for a suppressor; in this case, an AAC Ti-Rant 9. The suppressor is made from lightweight titanium and aluminum, so after shortening the barrel, the net result is no discernible change in weight but now it can be fired without hearing protection using subsonic 9mm ammo.
The other major change I had to make was internal. One of the often-maligned attributes of the Storm is the mushy, heavy trigger pull. Mine weighed in at 11 lbs., and was about as crisp as a wet noodle. That was easily remidied with a replacement trigger and hammer from Sierra Papa, a small company specializing in custom aftermarket parts for the CX4.
To top it off, I added an Aimpoint H1 micro red dot optic. I didn’t want to add any more bulk to the CX4 than necessary, and the H1 weighs only 3.7 oz with the mount. Unfortunately, it had to be sent back to Aimpoint for some warranty work, so filling in for the time being is the larger Aimpoint Pro. Still a good fit for the CX4, though the carbine is not currently quite as svelte as before.
A final addition was the DeSantis Storm Packer, a buttstock mounted storage pouch. It holds two magazines, which is nice if you want to store the rifle unloaded but still ready to go. However, I actually got it to prevent the factory cheek pad from yanking out my beard hair, as it is prone to doing.
Even though all these mods have raised the overall cost of this CX4 up to premium AR-15 territory, this CX4 will never have the power or modularity of an AR-15. But it’s a blast to shoot, it’s a very maneuverable home defense carbine, and can be fired at almost any shooting range, indoor or outdoor.
Custom Beretta CX4 Storm Specs
Caliber: 9mm
Overall Length: 25″
Barrel Length: 12″
Weight (without accessories): 5.55 lbs
Magazines: Beretta 92 series (pictured with 20-round Mec-Gar extended magazine)
Suppressor: AAC Ti-Rant 9
Optic: Aimpoint Pro
Sierra Papa trigger and hammer
Desantis Storm Packer stock pouch
I be likin this little sweetie!
AWSOME. Small quick , can I have a free. One.
When is Glock going to come out with a carbine? The sub 2000 will except the Glock mags, but they are hard to get in the caliber I want and If Glock made a carbine I would buy it.
I am interested in more info about suppressors and the differences in suppressors offered by different companies.
I be likin this little sweetie!
AWSOME. Small quick , can I have a free. One.
When is Glock going to come out with a carbine? The sub 2000 will except the Glock mags, but they are hard to get in the caliber I want and If Glock made a carbine I would buy it.
I am interested in more info about suppressors and the differences in suppressors offered by different companies.
Questionable legality. How did you get around 922r? What ten parts did you replace after threading the barrel?
That's not quite how 922r works. The "ten parts" rule refers to the maximum number of imported parts, not the number of replacement parts required. And I replaced enough of the internals with US made parts to make it compliant. This article explains it pretty well: http://www.tapco.com/section922r/
Waoo that is so nice I like it
Questionable legality. How did you get around 922r? What ten parts did you replace after threading the barrel?
That’s not quite how 922r works. The “ten parts” rule refers to the maximum number of imported parts, not the number of replacement parts required. And I replaced enough of the internals with US made parts to make it compliant. This article explains it pretty well: http://www.tapco.com/section922r/
Hi Chris, I sent an email via the contact form on the site.I am curious to what ten parts you replaced. I am brain numb trying to figure this out for my own project. Thank you in advance for your reply via email if possible.
Michael, I don’t think your email came through. Give it another try.
Hey Chris, I sent the email through again. Thank you Sir.
Forgot to mention, I am a fellow Tennessean, Chattanooga to be exact.
Waoo that is so nice I like it
i want one
i want one
nice piece
nice piece
nice piece
Looks good. The suppressor is just threaded on. How often do you need to tighten it?
Looks good. The suppressor is just threaded on. How often do you need to tighten it?
I have one NIB in .40 S&W. With a Baretta Class III supressor. Great balance; but I have no need for it anymore. Any takers?
I have one NIB in .40 S&W. With a Baretta Class III supressor. Great balance but I have no need for it anymore. Any takers?
How much?
Keri Jones Hill I’m not really sure of the going price, let me look into it. It you’ll send me a PM on Facebook we can talk more as long as you have a Class III stamp
Yes, still available?
How much?
Keri Jones Hill I'm not really sure of the going price, let me look into it. It you'll send me a PM on Facebook we can talk more as long as you have a Class III stamp
Chris,
Where Did you engrave it when your SBR’d the rifle?
I used a local guy here in Knoxville. It was his first engraving attempt on a polymer receiver so he did it for free.
Who shortened and threaded the barrel?
Ive had one since 2005 in .40 and there hasnt been a day that Ive shot it that I didnt say I love this gun. I always see people say they dont like the sights or dont like the trigger but I’ve enjoyed it straight out the box. I can put 10 180gr rounds within 8 inches of each other at 100 yrds at the range. Lighter rounds spread a lot at that distance, but at realistic shooting distances like 25 yrds-75yrds I have no problem trusting my life to this gun, Unless its an armed and masked Hippo, then Im going to need something a little different. 165gr ammo at 25-50yrds will leave a giant hole right in the middle of your target where paper use to be. Its definately one of my favorites
Keep in mind that this thing has a plastic hammer. I can’t believe it.
So does the Steyr AUG. That design was adopted for military service nearly 38 years ago.
Did you have to pay the $200 tax twice, once for the shortened barrel and once for the silencer?
If so, would there be a way to get away with just one if the silencer is made a permanent part of the gun?
2 stamps because the suppressor is detachable. A barrel with an integral silencer that cannot be removed would only require 1 stamp, provided the overall length of the integrally suppressed barrel is at least 16″.
I’m not aware of anyone who has done this with a CX4, but there are other integrally suppressed 9mm carbines.
Hi Chris, I sent an email via the contact form on the site.I am curious to what ten parts you replaced. I am brain numb trying to figure this out for my own project. Thank you in advance for your reply via email if possible.
I ended up getting a Grizzly Gun Works muzzle brake for mine. I also got the Desantis Storm Packer, complete SP trigger upgrade, and Magpul iron sites. SP just released a new aluminum trigger housing that they claim will drop the trigger pull to 4.5 pounds. This is my second CX4 and is chambered in .45acp while the first one was 9mm. For those debating on upgrading the trigger my advise is DO IT! It is well worth it.