Alright, so after all of the "why don't you shoot it before you bash it" (outside of CGN) responses from the PX-4 thread I started, This was a natural followup to conclude with.
I took my 229 (9mm), PX-4 (Type F - 9mm) and Hi-Point .45 (only Hi-Point I own) to the range today to fire them all of in a sort of "survival of the fittest" type test. All in all I fired 300 rounds through the PX-4 (250 as a break in and 50 for the test, 100 total through the 229 and 50 through the Hi-Point.
These are the only 3 handguns I own right now so before anyone gets their f**king panties in a bunch about an "unfair" comparison or comparing guns of 2 different calibers, this is what I own and it's all I had access to. You can take or leave the results for whatever you think there worth. I think you'll find the tests aren't really a reflection of 9mm vs .45, but more how inherently accurate each gun is vs how well they handle in a rapid fire situation.
The "tests" include 3 variations. All tests were a full 10 rounds fired at 15,10 and 5 Meters. For my American friends, 1 Meter = 1.1 yard rounded up.
First, was a straight forward 15 Meter accuracy test. This was semi-rapid (1 shot per second - roughly)
Secondly, the same as above except 10 Meters.
Thirdly and the most important test to me was a rapid fire accuracy test using a sheet of paper with 5 separate targets on it. 2 rounds per individual target shooting as quickly and accurately as possible moving left to right and working my way down the sheet of paper.
*Disclaimer*
I don't claim to be the best shot in the world, not even close. I figured that these would be a good tests because really the only variable that determined the results is the gun. I can assure you that my shooting skills did not improve in between guns, therefore, the end result I think should be quite valid, or at least to me it is.
Moving on:
First test was the 15 Meter "long range" accuracy test.
Results:
Beretta PX-4
Sig 229 *note* should be 7 hits 4 misses
Hi-Point
Secondly 10 Meter "medium range" accuracy. Same parameters as above.
Results:
Beretta PX-4
Sig 229
Hi-Point
Lastly and most importantly for me is the 10 round rapid fire test target. 5 individual targets on one sheet of paper. In order, I put 2 rounds in the upper left hand, upper right hand, middle, bottom left hand and bottom right hand targets.
Results:
Beretta PX-4
Sig 229
Hi-Point
Overall here are my thoughts.
I bought the PX-4 as a replacement for the 229. There's nothing wrong with my 229, but it just gets boring shooting the same gun over and over and over again. The 229 has never jammed on me or given me one ounce of trouble - ever (I do keep on losing grip screws, however which is a PITA).
I had some initial qualms with the PX-4 and the way it was manufactured. I still feel the same way about the gun (at least in that respect), but overall, I do like the gun. I just don't happen to like it more then the 229 it was meant to replace.
The accuracy was more then acceptable to me, I like the light weight and fantastic ergonomics of the gun, which is why I bought it in the first place. Felt recoil is certainly reduced with the rotating barrel system. It's not like shooting .22LR, like someone claimed, but recoil is significantly less (if I had to put a number on it I'd say 20% less) then the the 229.
My final conclusion about the PX-4 is that it does almost everything well, but does not excel in any one part. It's a jack of all trades and master of none. If there is one aspect of the gun I like more then any other, it's the way it feels in your hand. Whomever designed the grip and controls of the gun was quite good at it. Everything is easily reached including the safety, magazine release and slide stop which I hand no problem reaching with my thumb without changing my grip. That's something I cannot say about the 229, especially with the CT laser grips installed.
I think the PX-4 would make a good first pistol for someone who was looking at easing into pistol shooting or a very nice gun for those who are sensitive to big recoil.
Myself, I'm not going to keep it because the SA trigger pull is still the same as when I bought it, full of creep, slop and over travel. It's something that I cannot easily get over and it is the #1. reason why I dislike this gun as it stands. If Beretta could overcome the trigger issue, I'd consider buying another one.
I took my 229 (9mm), PX-4 (Type F - 9mm) and Hi-Point .45 (only Hi-Point I own) to the range today to fire them all of in a sort of "survival of the fittest" type test. All in all I fired 300 rounds through the PX-4 (250 as a break in and 50 for the test, 100 total through the 229 and 50 through the Hi-Point.
These are the only 3 handguns I own right now so before anyone gets their f**king panties in a bunch about an "unfair" comparison or comparing guns of 2 different calibers, this is what I own and it's all I had access to. You can take or leave the results for whatever you think there worth. I think you'll find the tests aren't really a reflection of 9mm vs .45, but more how inherently accurate each gun is vs how well they handle in a rapid fire situation.
The "tests" include 3 variations. All tests were a full 10 rounds fired at 15,10 and 5 Meters. For my American friends, 1 Meter = 1.1 yard rounded up.
First, was a straight forward 15 Meter accuracy test. This was semi-rapid (1 shot per second - roughly)
Secondly, the same as above except 10 Meters.
Thirdly and the most important test to me was a rapid fire accuracy test using a sheet of paper with 5 separate targets on it. 2 rounds per individual target shooting as quickly and accurately as possible moving left to right and working my way down the sheet of paper.
*Disclaimer*
I don't claim to be the best shot in the world, not even close. I figured that these would be a good tests because really the only variable that determined the results is the gun. I can assure you that my shooting skills did not improve in between guns, therefore, the end result I think should be quite valid, or at least to me it is.
Moving on:
First test was the 15 Meter "long range" accuracy test.
Results:
Beretta PX-4
Sig 229 *note* should be 7 hits 4 misses
Hi-Point
Secondly 10 Meter "medium range" accuracy. Same parameters as above.
Results:
Beretta PX-4
Sig 229
Hi-Point
Lastly and most importantly for me is the 10 round rapid fire test target. 5 individual targets on one sheet of paper. In order, I put 2 rounds in the upper left hand, upper right hand, middle, bottom left hand and bottom right hand targets.
Results:
Beretta PX-4
Sig 229
Hi-Point
Overall here are my thoughts.
I bought the PX-4 as a replacement for the 229. There's nothing wrong with my 229, but it just gets boring shooting the same gun over and over and over again. The 229 has never jammed on me or given me one ounce of trouble - ever (I do keep on losing grip screws, however which is a PITA).
I had some initial qualms with the PX-4 and the way it was manufactured. I still feel the same way about the gun (at least in that respect), but overall, I do like the gun. I just don't happen to like it more then the 229 it was meant to replace.
The accuracy was more then acceptable to me, I like the light weight and fantastic ergonomics of the gun, which is why I bought it in the first place. Felt recoil is certainly reduced with the rotating barrel system. It's not like shooting .22LR, like someone claimed, but recoil is significantly less (if I had to put a number on it I'd say 20% less) then the the 229.
My final conclusion about the PX-4 is that it does almost everything well, but does not excel in any one part. It's a jack of all trades and master of none. If there is one aspect of the gun I like more then any other, it's the way it feels in your hand. Whomever designed the grip and controls of the gun was quite good at it. Everything is easily reached including the safety, magazine release and slide stop which I hand no problem reaching with my thumb without changing my grip. That's something I cannot say about the 229, especially with the CT laser grips installed.
I think the PX-4 would make a good first pistol for someone who was looking at easing into pistol shooting or a very nice gun for those who are sensitive to big recoil.
Myself, I'm not going to keep it because the SA trigger pull is still the same as when I bought it, full of creep, slop and over travel. It's something that I cannot easily get over and it is the #1. reason why I dislike this gun as it stands. If Beretta could overcome the trigger issue, I'd consider buying another one.
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