I have both a 92 and a 96, the 92 being a Brig, but have had no experience with the PX4.
I was very pleasantly surprised how accurate I was with the 96 right out of the box, and how well it handled the recoil of the 40s&w round, compared to my first shooting experience with the 40s&w in my son's XD-40, where the shorter barrel, lighter weight and different balance presented a greater challenge in keeping muzzle flip under control. I have encountered no significant reliability issues with my 96; I have had two instances of FTFeed after about 600 rounds, but both with the same mag, and I suspect it is the mag that is the problem.
The Berettas are big for carry, and you will be doing well if you can find a lightly used 96 for $500 (mine was new for $600 .... my dealer is very good to me), but IMHO you will not be sorry if you get one. If SHTF, I would have no problem grabbing either my 1911 or the 96.