Posted: 9/3/2005 4:56:25 PM EDT
[#11]
Here is an old review I wrote: I just took my new Storm out to the range for the first time. I also took my 9mm "Colt-style" AR15 to do a side by side comparison. Both were fed Wincheser white box 115gr FMJ Wal Mart special. I tried to make this as unbiased as possible. Even though my 9mm AR has always been my favorite and the newness of the Storm hasn't worn off I am going to try to put both feelings aside. Here is what I came up with:
9mm AR15:
Specs: RRA 16" upper, Bushmaster lower, Fobus grips, YHM Specter FF forearm, RRA 4-position stock, ASA mag block, Promag magazines, EOtech 502 6 moa dot, and Magpul rail panels.
The good. The 9mm AR will always have a special place in my safe, I built it from parts and it is unique. It is pretty accuarate too. I can usually shoot a 3" tattered hole in any target with enough ammo at 25 yards oft-hand. It is quick and agile. Not to mention fun to shoot. The recoil and report are minimal, and manageable during rapid fire. Since it is an AR it has all the cool mounting options, accessories, and other things you can piece together like an adult Lego set. The stock is also adjustable. Which to me is important depending on the season and the amount of clothing I have on, as well as others of different stature being able to shoot it comfortably. There are also tons of 25-30 round magazines available.
The bad. This was definitely the expensive route to get a 9mm carbine. I don't recall the exact dollar amount but around $1000 sounds right. It's a pretty hefty gun too. I can usually shoot about 15 rounds before my arms start to fatigue. I am no body builder, but I don't think I am a weakling either. There is no bolt hold open with the Uzi and promag magazines I am using, so last shot bolt hold open doesn't work.
9mm CX4 Storm:
Specs: Stock Beretta CX4 9mm Storm and factory 92f magazines.
The good. This a pretty light weight compact carbine. The controls (safety, mag release, and bolt release) are easily accessible. It has quite a few mounting options, such as side, top, and bottom rails. The iron sights flip away when using optics. The stock is adjustable using spacers. Everything is also reversible for left handed shooters.The recoil and report are both minimal, and it is easily controlled during rapid fire. Factory magazines are available (as well as non-factory 30 rnd), and it has the last shot bolt hold open feature. It is also a pretty reasonably priced carbine, especially from Beretta where heir 92F is priced as much as the Storm.
The bad. The sight towers seem like they would interfere with the field of view when using optics. Even though the stock is adjustable in length it involves a screw driver and some time to change around. The pistol grip is what you get, no way to change it out.
9mm AR15 vs 9mm Storm:
Stock: The AR15 wins here. There are far more options for stocks on the AR. However, just comparing a 4-position telescopic stock vs the Beretta's stock, the AR wins. It is much quicker and easier to adjust length of tools or time.
Recoil and Report: Tie. Though the Storm has slightly more "kick" but the report seems less than the AR.
Weight and length: The Storm wins. The Storm is lighter and more compact. Granted you can probably lose some weight on the AR and get it SBR'd, but comparing the two guns I shotwithout takinf any SBR opton into consideration, the Storm was lighter and shorter.
Mounting options: Tie. At first I thought the AR1 had it hands down. Then I considered the options for the Storm and what a practical person would want to mount on their weapons. Like the 9mm AR15 the Storm as mounting options on the top, both sides, and bottom. As well as a pull out rail under the barrel. The AR15 has a 4 rail FF tube. Inch for inch th AR has more real estate, but when you consider the amount of space you actually need to mount an optic, light, vertical foregrip, and possibly a laser, both have plenty of room.
Accessories: The AR15 wins. We all know you can swap out ertually every par on the AR15 for something more "tactical" or ergonomic to tailor fit the weapon to your individual needs. The Storm has some accessories, but its design limits its modularity.
Accuracy: Another tie. I shot at 20 feet and 25 yards, bench rest supported and standing unsupported. Both were very accurate in both situations. However, when I shot the AR15 at 25 yards it was right on the money, but shot extremely low at 20 feet unlike the Storm which was pretty close to point of aim at both 25 yards and 20 feet. I called this one a tie because the grouping of the shots were tight and accurate.
Price: The Storm wins. At $600 for a complete rifle with 2 magazines, the Storm is the cheapest compared to an AR15. Even a simple 9mm AR15 without accessories is still a couple hundred more than a Storm.
Sighting: Tie. This is a hard one to judge. When comparing iron sights between the two, they are very similar. Both have a rear peep sight with 2 apetures. Both have a front post. The stock Storm sights do have the option to flip down, while stok AR15 sights do not. However, one can remove the sites all together from an AR and replace the sites with aftermarket options, like I had done. The Storm is stuck with what it has. Even though my AR as an EOTech, I thought it would be unfair to compare optics to irons. This is more of an accessories diference though. Iron sights to iron sights, they are equal in function.
Comfort: The Storm wins. The Storm fit much better for me. The smooth and flowing lines made it comfortable to shoot. It is much lighter and easier to shoot for sustained periods before muscles start to fatigue. The cheek weld is good and the plastic forearms feels good to the touch. The shorter overall length adds to the compact feel of it.
Reliability: Tie. I have put thousands of rounds through the AR15. The only issues I ever had were related to a cheap USA Uzi magazine. Otherwise, it is flawless. I have only put about 300 rounds through the Storm, but at this point it hasn't given me any reason to doubt its reliability. I didn't have any issues in the 300 rounds I fired. However, my first 300 rounds in he AR15 had issues, even though they were magazine related.
The Bottom Line: This is tough, really tough. They both are top end carbines, accurate and customizable. I did leave a couple differences out of the comparison. Magazine well placement and familiararty of controls have come up in past comparisons, but doesn't really seem to be relevent when comparing two different guns. People are smart (for the most part) and adaptable. They are able to learn to use more than one weapon efficiently. So to me it isn't a fair issue, just an argument people that are afraid of change use. Anyway, wit that aside, I think the Beretta Storm is my new favorite. My opinion is prone to change, but when given the price, feel, accuracy, aftermarket options, functionality, and reliabiltiy, the Storm has won for me.
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