After seeing the question about re-barreling CX4 Storm to be non-restricted pop up in a new thread for the 3rd time this week, I decided to write down the answers to some common questions about CX4, in hopes that they will be useful to others. At least now I'll have something to point to when the same questions pop up next time.
So, without further ago, off with the frequently asked questions.
Changing the CX4 Storm barrel, and getting the classification changed from restricted to non-restricted
CX4 is classified as a restricted firearm because it has a 16" barrel.
A number of gunsmiths can create a 18.6" or 19" barrel for CX4 Storm, which will be the pre-requisite for it getting re-classified as a non-restricted firearm.
Herron Arms, Elwood Epps and Bits of Pieces are known to do the rebarreling work for CX4 Storm. There probably are many others who do, but do not advertise. Ask your local gunsmith.
Bits of Pieces reportedly does both thin and heavy profile barrel. Elwood Epps does heavy profile barrel (and might be able to do thin profile if you specify it).
Here is what Barry from Bits of Pieces quoted by e-mail in August 2009 (for a thin profile barrel):
Bits of Pieces are in Delta, BC. http://www.bitsofpieces.com/
Here is what Elwood Epps quoted in August of 2009.
Please look here: http://www.ellwoodepps.com/new_firearms_beretta.asp As of March 2010, Elwood Epps has a selection of CX4 Storms for $1121.25 with 16" barrel (restricted), and a CX4 Storm in 9mm with 19" for $1599. Taxes and shipping are extra. Elwood Epps are in Orillia, Ontario. http://www.ellwoodepps.com/
I never contacted Herron Arms, so I don't know the price, but I've seen a firearm that was allegedly done by them, and it was a thin profile barrel.
Generally you want to ship your firearm to the gunsmith for the conversion, for two reasons. It becomes a gunsmith's problem to remove an existing barrel, and once a barrel is replaced, the firearm might need to be re-verified by an approved verifier (Opinion on the verification differs - others are reporting that a phone call to CFC was sufficient). In addition gunsmith will be able to do test-fitting, and make sure that the firearm is correctly operating with a new barrel. All of the above are worth the money you spend on gunsmith's labor and on shipping the firearm back and forth.
If you decide to buy just the barrel, you will need to make an appropriate barrel wrench for the caliber you are dealing with. Here is an explanation of what a barrel wrench for 9mm barrel looks like. Once the barrel was installed, you need to contact CFC and notify them of the change. Depending on what you tell them, they might be satisfied with information provided over the phone, or might want you to take the firearm to a verifier.
With a slightly longer barrel, you are going to have a slight muzzle velocity increase. Difference in muzzle velocity between 16" and 18.5" 9mm barrel is about 150 fps. It depends on the load and the type of bullet. If you really care, either google for the table, or get yourself a copy of QuickLOAD (or any other decent ballistic software), plug in the data, and graph the results for yourself.
QuickLOAD chart coming soon
Legality of converting a non-restricted CX4 Storm back to restricted, or restricted to even shorter barrel
I've seen much confusion about this topic. What happens if you want a restricted CX4 with a barrel length other then 16"?
First of all, do not take anything you read on the forums for granted. Before continuing further with a short barreled CX4, call Canadian Firearms Center (1-800-731-4000), and ask to speak to a gun lab tech in Ottawa (extension 1090 as of February 2010). If confusion still prevails, and money is on stake, request a judgment in writing before proceeding.
To summarize the law:
If the barrel is longer then 18.5" (confusion is present here, since occasionally it's stated that the limit is 18.0" Call CFC!) you can shorten it to 18.5" or longer on your own.
You can not change the length of the barrel on a firearm with a barrel 18.5" or shorter. The only way you can possess a firearm with barrel shorter then 18.5" is if was manufactured this way. In other words, if you have a CX4 Storm with 16" (restricted) barrel, if you take a hacksaw to the barrel while the barrel is attached to the firearm, and shorten it to 8', you will create a prohibited firearm. Do not do it, even though your firearm is already restricted. If you take a CX4 with a non-restricted 19" barrel, and cut off 3" from the end of the barrel, even though the barrel length will be 16", and even though there exist CX4s with 16" barrel, yours will be a prohibited firearm, since the barrel wasn't manufactured at that length.
Note: Possessing the barrel on it's own is not a crime, even if the barrel is shorter 18.5". It is having a "sawed-off" that is not permitted.
On the other hand, if you buy a manufactured (or re-manufactured) barrel from a known manufacturer (doesn't have to be Canadian manufacturer), you can install it in your firearm.
In all cases, your firearm's overall length can't be less then 26"
Confused yet? Do yourself a favor, if you want to have a CX4 with a short barrel, please call CFC, and talk to the gun technician about your specific situation.
If the barrel length and manufacturer are already in the registry, you can change the classification of your firearm with a simple phone call to CFC. So if you have a re-barreled non-restricted CX4, and you decide to install the factory 16" barrel back, you can do it, notify the CFC within the prescribed time period (legally 30 days, in practice ASAP), and your new registration certificate will be in the mail.
If the barrel length and manufacturer are NOT already in the registry, follow the following steps: Take your firearm and barrel to the gunsmith/verifier. Get him to submit the information to CFC about the new barrel length, but not install the barrel yet (the moment barrel gets installed, if anything happens from point of view of CFC, your firearm becomes a prohibited item). CFC will request evidence that the barrel was newly manufactured. You will have to fax or mail to CFC a copy of invoice or other documentation supporting your claim that the barrel is newly manufactured. Once CFC will accept your information, they will create a new FRT entry for the new barrel length. Armed with this information your gunsmith can install new barrel into the firearm, and submit change to the CFC. Your firearm will be associated with a new FRT number in the registry, and you will receive a new registration certificate.
It's many hoops to jump through to stay legal, but like they say: Le pimpage n'est pas facile.
Changing the type of magazines that your CX4 accepts
CX4 Storm is available in various calibers. Originally it was available in 9mm, .40S&W and .45 Auto, however the .45 Auto model have since been discontinued.
To add to the confusion, CX4 Storm have shipped with different magazine inserts and mag release buttons, designed for accepting various handgun magazines.
Generally you want the CX4 which will accept the Beretta 92/96 magazines, since they are the cheapest and easiest to obtain.
With about $40 worth of parts from Brownells you can convert your CX4 Storm to accept different magazines then the ones it accepts now.
If you want...
Official Beretta CX4 Mag chart used to exist on Beretta USA web page, but lately has been hard to find. Archive.org has a copy, however: http://web.archive.org/web/20080302162935/http://www.berettausa.com/product/spotlight/magchart.htm
Note that Beretta 96 magazines are compatible with CX4 Storm chambered in 9mm, and designed to accept Beretta 92 magazines. Instead of 10 rounds you will get between 13 and 14 rounds (depending on how the .40 S&W magazine is pinned). This use of magazines is legal in Canada, since the magazine is intended to be used with .40 S&W cartridges in a Beretta 96 handgun.
Same situation with Beretta PX4 magazines.
If you have a CX4 Storm in .45 Auto, you are stuck with Beretta 8000 Cougar series magazines (factory ones are 8 rounds).
This brings up an interesting point. If for some reason you want to do a caliber conversion of a Beretta CX4, the hardest part to source is the bolt. 19" barrel you can source, magazine adapter you can buy, and bolt is the third part you need to make the firearm work.
Here are the part numbers for the bolts:
My understanding is that bolts are special order from Stoeger Canada, and might require serial number of your existing firearm.
Replacement of CX4 Storm labeled magazines that were not pinned to 5 rounds
Originally 9mm CX4 Storms were shipped to Canada with a 10 round Beretta 92 magazine. Since this was a magazine intended to use in a handgun, this combination was legal. Later, however, Beretta shipped a shipment of CX4s with a 10 round magazine that had "CX4 Storm" stamped on them. The Beretta 92 and Beretta CX4 Storm 9mm magazines are identical except for the stamped lettering. Since the magazines with "CX4 Storm" stamped on them were intended for use in a rifle, they became prohibited items (over-capacity magazine). This error was caught, RCMP sent out a bunch of letters to people who had CX4s, and Stoeger Canada, Canadian Beretta importer, offered to replace the magazines with the pistol ones.
If for some reason you ended up in possession of one of these, you are in possession of a prohibited item, and thus you have a few choices.
Replacement metal trigger, guide rod and hammer from Sierra Papa CX4
Sierra Papa CX4 are an American business that manufactures after-market triggers, spring guides and hammers for CX4 Storm.
http://www.sierrapapacx4.com/ - website also has a detailed description of how CX4 Storm trigger mechanism works.
Parts are either steel or anodized aluminum, and the general consensus of the users on Beretta forums indicates that after-market aluminum trigger eliminates the "play" that is sometimes experienced with the stock plastic trigger.
It used to be simple before anyone knew any better - you e-mail Brian, he sends you an invoice, you pay it by (FRAUD ALERT), and he ships you the parts. Sadly that's not ITAR compliant, and I don't suggest that you break the law yourself, or incite others to break the law.
Sierra Papa CX4 have recently partnered up with Brownell's for parts distribution in the USA, so contact Brownell's to find out if Sierra Papa CX4 is a licensed manufacturer. Guide Rod might be not on an ITAR list.
Photographs are coming
CX4 slings
There are many ways of putting a sling on a rifle.
Here are step by step instructions on how to make one yourself (Obtained from this thread) on Beretta Forums.
If you want a single point sling, personally I've had great experience with Urban ERT sling, but I am sure that there are many others out there that work.
(Tip: If you end up ordering a sling from UrbanERT, make sure to go to the Patriot in Exile link, and obtain the 10% discount code. UrbanERT ships to Canada).
CX4 accessories
Coming soon
CX4 optics
There are many optic combinations out there that work, and selecting an optic combination usually boils down to user preference and thickness of user's wallet.
Optics break down into those that are low enough to co-witness with the existing bunny ears, those that are too tall to co-witness yet too short to clear the bunny ears, and those that will have tall enough mounts to be over the existing bunny ears.
Many users are reporting that Aimpoint Micro T1 and H1, and Burris Fastfire on a Picatinny mount will all co-witness. I am sure that there are other miniature sights that work well too.
On the other hand EOTech HWS will be taller then the bunny ears. If you want to use an Aimpoint 3x magnifier with a EOTech 552 (or similar full length EOTech HWS), you will be close to running out of real estate between the bunny ears. You might be able to alleviate this with after-market mounts that will lift the optics over the sights.
For a while I've used a combination of LaRue LT-110 for EOTech 55x and LT-649T for Aimpoint 3x which worked really well, but which I do not recommend due to difficulty and costs of obtaining the LaRue mounts. Such combination of mounts and optics will cost about as much as a non-restricted CX4. It works great, however.
Large optics (but why would you want one on a pistol caliber firearm?) will likely require a mount that is tall enough to clear the bunny ears.
Another option, of course, is to cut off the bunny ears off the top of the CX4 Storm, and replace the top rail with a longer rail that will run the length of the firearm. You will need epoxy to cover up the holes in the upper where the bunny ears were.
Taking the CX4 bunny ears off - step by step[/b]
Coming soon
More information - various links
So, without further ago, off with the frequently asked questions.
Changing the CX4 Storm barrel, and getting the classification changed from restricted to non-restricted
CX4 is classified as a restricted firearm because it has a 16" barrel.
A number of gunsmiths can create a 18.6" or 19" barrel for CX4 Storm, which will be the pre-requisite for it getting re-classified as a non-restricted firearm.
Herron Arms, Elwood Epps and Bits of Pieces are known to do the rebarreling work for CX4 Storm. There probably are many others who do, but do not advertise. Ask your local gunsmith.
Bits of Pieces reportedly does both thin and heavy profile barrel. Elwood Epps does heavy profile barrel (and might be able to do thin profile if you specify it).
Here is what Barry from Bits of Pieces quoted by e-mail in August 2009 (for a thin profile barrel):
Bits of Pieces are in Delta, BC. http://www.bitsofpieces.com/
Here is what Elwood Epps quoted in August of 2009.
Please look here: http://www.ellwoodepps.com/new_firearms_beretta.asp As of March 2010, Elwood Epps has a selection of CX4 Storms for $1121.25 with 16" barrel (restricted), and a CX4 Storm in 9mm with 19" for $1599. Taxes and shipping are extra. Elwood Epps are in Orillia, Ontario. http://www.ellwoodepps.com/
I never contacted Herron Arms, so I don't know the price, but I've seen a firearm that was allegedly done by them, and it was a thin profile barrel.
Generally you want to ship your firearm to the gunsmith for the conversion, for two reasons. It becomes a gunsmith's problem to remove an existing barrel, and once a barrel is replaced, the firearm might need to be re-verified by an approved verifier (Opinion on the verification differs - others are reporting that a phone call to CFC was sufficient). In addition gunsmith will be able to do test-fitting, and make sure that the firearm is correctly operating with a new barrel. All of the above are worth the money you spend on gunsmith's labor and on shipping the firearm back and forth.
If you decide to buy just the barrel, you will need to make an appropriate barrel wrench for the caliber you are dealing with. Here is an explanation of what a barrel wrench for 9mm barrel looks like. Once the barrel was installed, you need to contact CFC and notify them of the change. Depending on what you tell them, they might be satisfied with information provided over the phone, or might want you to take the firearm to a verifier.
With a slightly longer barrel, you are going to have a slight muzzle velocity increase. Difference in muzzle velocity between 16" and 18.5" 9mm barrel is about 150 fps. It depends on the load and the type of bullet. If you really care, either google for the table, or get yourself a copy of QuickLOAD (or any other decent ballistic software), plug in the data, and graph the results for yourself.
QuickLOAD chart coming soon
Legality of converting a non-restricted CX4 Storm back to restricted, or restricted to even shorter barrel
I've seen much confusion about this topic. What happens if you want a restricted CX4 with a barrel length other then 16"?
First of all, do not take anything you read on the forums for granted. Before continuing further with a short barreled CX4, call Canadian Firearms Center (1-800-731-4000), and ask to speak to a gun lab tech in Ottawa (extension 1090 as of February 2010). If confusion still prevails, and money is on stake, request a judgment in writing before proceeding.
To summarize the law:
If the barrel is longer then 18.5" (confusion is present here, since occasionally it's stated that the limit is 18.0" Call CFC!) you can shorten it to 18.5" or longer on your own.
You can not change the length of the barrel on a firearm with a barrel 18.5" or shorter. The only way you can possess a firearm with barrel shorter then 18.5" is if was manufactured this way. In other words, if you have a CX4 Storm with 16" (restricted) barrel, if you take a hacksaw to the barrel while the barrel is attached to the firearm, and shorten it to 8', you will create a prohibited firearm. Do not do it, even though your firearm is already restricted. If you take a CX4 with a non-restricted 19" barrel, and cut off 3" from the end of the barrel, even though the barrel length will be 16", and even though there exist CX4s with 16" barrel, yours will be a prohibited firearm, since the barrel wasn't manufactured at that length.
Note: Possessing the barrel on it's own is not a crime, even if the barrel is shorter 18.5". It is having a "sawed-off" that is not permitted.
On the other hand, if you buy a manufactured (or re-manufactured) barrel from a known manufacturer (doesn't have to be Canadian manufacturer), you can install it in your firearm.
In all cases, your firearm's overall length can't be less then 26"
Confused yet? Do yourself a favor, if you want to have a CX4 with a short barrel, please call CFC, and talk to the gun technician about your specific situation.
If the barrel length and manufacturer are already in the registry, you can change the classification of your firearm with a simple phone call to CFC. So if you have a re-barreled non-restricted CX4, and you decide to install the factory 16" barrel back, you can do it, notify the CFC within the prescribed time period (legally 30 days, in practice ASAP), and your new registration certificate will be in the mail.
If the barrel length and manufacturer are NOT already in the registry, follow the following steps: Take your firearm and barrel to the gunsmith/verifier. Get him to submit the information to CFC about the new barrel length, but not install the barrel yet (the moment barrel gets installed, if anything happens from point of view of CFC, your firearm becomes a prohibited item). CFC will request evidence that the barrel was newly manufactured. You will have to fax or mail to CFC a copy of invoice or other documentation supporting your claim that the barrel is newly manufactured. Once CFC will accept your information, they will create a new FRT entry for the new barrel length. Armed with this information your gunsmith can install new barrel into the firearm, and submit change to the CFC. Your firearm will be associated with a new FRT number in the registry, and you will receive a new registration certificate.
It's many hoops to jump through to stay legal, but like they say: Le pimpage n'est pas facile.
Changing the type of magazines that your CX4 accepts
CX4 Storm is available in various calibers. Originally it was available in 9mm, .40S&W and .45 Auto, however the .45 Auto model have since been discontinued.
To add to the confusion, CX4 Storm have shipped with different magazine inserts and mag release buttons, designed for accepting various handgun magazines.
Generally you want the CX4 which will accept the Beretta 92/96 magazines, since they are the cheapest and easiest to obtain.
With about $40 worth of parts from Brownells you can convert your CX4 Storm to accept different magazines then the ones it accepts now.
If you want...
- To accept Beretta 92/96 magazines, you need magazine well insert P/N C5A511 and magazine release button P/N C89109
- To accept Beretta PX4 magazines, you need magazine well insert P/N C5C620 and magazine release button P/N C89210
- To accept Beretta 8000 Cougar magazines, you need magazine well insert P/N C5A670 and magazine release button P/N C89110
Official Beretta CX4 Mag chart used to exist on Beretta USA web page, but lately has been hard to find. Archive.org has a copy, however: http://web.archive.org/web/20080302162935/http://www.berettausa.com/product/spotlight/magchart.htm
Note that Beretta 96 magazines are compatible with CX4 Storm chambered in 9mm, and designed to accept Beretta 92 magazines. Instead of 10 rounds you will get between 13 and 14 rounds (depending on how the .40 S&W magazine is pinned). This use of magazines is legal in Canada, since the magazine is intended to be used with .40 S&W cartridges in a Beretta 96 handgun.
Same situation with Beretta PX4 magazines.
If you have a CX4 Storm in .45 Auto, you are stuck with Beretta 8000 Cougar series magazines (factory ones are 8 rounds).
This brings up an interesting point. If for some reason you want to do a caliber conversion of a Beretta CX4, the hardest part to source is the bolt. 19" barrel you can source, magazine adapter you can buy, and bolt is the third part you need to make the firearm work.
Here are the part numbers for the bolts:
- C5A512 - Bolt cal. 40 S&W
- C5A672 - Bolt cal. 9 mm
- C5A673 - Bolt cal. 45 Auto
My understanding is that bolts are special order from Stoeger Canada, and might require serial number of your existing firearm.
Replacement of CX4 Storm labeled magazines that were not pinned to 5 rounds
Originally 9mm CX4 Storms were shipped to Canada with a 10 round Beretta 92 magazine. Since this was a magazine intended to use in a handgun, this combination was legal. Later, however, Beretta shipped a shipment of CX4s with a 10 round magazine that had "CX4 Storm" stamped on them. The Beretta 92 and Beretta CX4 Storm 9mm magazines are identical except for the stamped lettering. Since the magazines with "CX4 Storm" stamped on them were intended for use in a rifle, they became prohibited items (over-capacity magazine). This error was caught, RCMP sent out a bunch of letters to people who had CX4s, and Stoeger Canada, Canadian Beretta importer, offered to replace the magazines with the pistol ones.
If for some reason you ended up in possession of one of these, you are in possession of a prohibited item, and thus you have a few choices.
- You can turn it in to police for disposal.
- You can take (or ship) the magazine to a licensed gunsmith for pinning it to 5 rounds, or you can read the pinning guidelines yourself, and do it. Length of steel wire from coat hanger epoxied to the bottom of the follower will do the job. Start with a length of wire that's too long, and gradually shorten the wire until it is long enough.
- You can get in touch with the Canadian Beretta importer, Stoeger Canada, and see if they will replace the CX4 magazine for you.
The website is known to not work. I suggest calling and confirming first.
Replacement metal trigger, guide rod and hammer from Sierra Papa CX4
Sierra Papa CX4 are an American business that manufactures after-market triggers, spring guides and hammers for CX4 Storm.
http://www.sierrapapacx4.com/ - website also has a detailed description of how CX4 Storm trigger mechanism works.
Parts are either steel or anodized aluminum, and the general consensus of the users on Beretta forums indicates that after-market aluminum trigger eliminates the "play" that is sometimes experienced with the stock plastic trigger.
It used to be simple before anyone knew any better - you e-mail Brian, he sends you an invoice, you pay it by (FRAUD ALERT), and he ships you the parts. Sadly that's not ITAR compliant, and I don't suggest that you break the law yourself, or incite others to break the law.
Sierra Papa CX4 have recently partnered up with Brownell's for parts distribution in the USA, so contact Brownell's to find out if Sierra Papa CX4 is a licensed manufacturer. Guide Rod might be not on an ITAR list.
Photographs are coming
CX4 slings
There are many ways of putting a sling on a rifle.
Here are step by step instructions on how to make one yourself (Obtained from this thread) on Beretta Forums.
If you want a single point sling, personally I've had great experience with Urban ERT sling, but I am sure that there are many others out there that work.
(Tip: If you end up ordering a sling from UrbanERT, make sure to go to the Patriot in Exile link, and obtain the 10% discount code. UrbanERT ships to Canada).
CX4 accessories
Coming soon
CX4 optics
There are many optic combinations out there that work, and selecting an optic combination usually boils down to user preference and thickness of user's wallet.
Optics break down into those that are low enough to co-witness with the existing bunny ears, those that are too tall to co-witness yet too short to clear the bunny ears, and those that will have tall enough mounts to be over the existing bunny ears.
Many users are reporting that Aimpoint Micro T1 and H1, and Burris Fastfire on a Picatinny mount will all co-witness. I am sure that there are other miniature sights that work well too.
On the other hand EOTech HWS will be taller then the bunny ears. If you want to use an Aimpoint 3x magnifier with a EOTech 552 (or similar full length EOTech HWS), you will be close to running out of real estate between the bunny ears. You might be able to alleviate this with after-market mounts that will lift the optics over the sights.
For a while I've used a combination of LaRue LT-110 for EOTech 55x and LT-649T for Aimpoint 3x which worked really well, but which I do not recommend due to difficulty and costs of obtaining the LaRue mounts. Such combination of mounts and optics will cost about as much as a non-restricted CX4. It works great, however.
Large optics (but why would you want one on a pistol caliber firearm?) will likely require a mount that is tall enough to clear the bunny ears.
Another option, of course, is to cut off the bunny ears off the top of the CX4 Storm, and replace the top rail with a longer rail that will run the length of the firearm. You will need epoxy to cover up the holes in the upper where the bunny ears were.
Taking the CX4 bunny ears off - step by step[/b]
Coming soon
More information - various links
- Beretta enthusiasts have a forum. Forum is primarily US centric, so certain aspects, especially legal, do not apply to Canada, but it has some very knowledgeable people, who can be very helpful with all type of Beretta firearms. Here is a direct link to the pictures and photos thread: http://www.berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=20017&page=45
- Beretta CX4 parts breakdown
- CX4 Storm magwell disassembly instructions. These are instructions you need when you want to replace magazine adapter or install an after-market trigger.
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Got a letter in mail with paper to take to the verifier. Just wondering whats up with that? Great post also Q
