Beretta unveiled the new APX pistol at the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi. The APX is Beretta’s first-ever striker-fired full sized handgun, and its introduction makes the company one of the few gun makers that offers full size polymer and metal frame pistols in both hammer and striker fired operating systems.
The APX was designed with military and law enforcement professionals in mind and has been put through demanding and extensive testing and evaluation in order to ready it for the international market. Final testing is currently underway and qualification is scheduled for completion within the next month or so.
The modular APX will be available in 9x19mm, .40 S&W, and 9x21mm IMI. All components except the barrel, slide, and magazine well are common between the models. It has a 4.25-inch cold-hammer forged barrel, a fiberglass-encased polymer frame, and interchangeable grips and backstraps for the perfect fit. The barrel offset from the grip was kept to 21mm to reduce muzzle climb. The trigger guard is enlarged for operators wearing gloves and a coarse slide serration makes cocking easier. It will come standard with a three-dot sight but tritium illuminated sights will be available as an option.
The APX has an overall length of 7.55 inches and weighs about 26.8 ounces, depending on caliber. The 9x19mm model has a 17-round magazine while the .40 S&W and 9x21mm IWI models have a capacity of 15. It has a standard rail for accessories.
"Beretta waited to enter the striker fired market until we had a pistol we knew would meet the needs of the operator,” said Carlo Ferlito, General Manager of Beretta and Beretta Defense Technologies (BDT) Vice President. “The APX has been more than three years in development. We tested it extensively with professional end users and incorporated that feedback at every opportunity. The result is a pistol platform that delivers superior performance in durability, reliability, accuracy and ergonomics."
IDEX is one of the premier events in the international arms market, with many companies unveiling their latest and greatest military-oriented guns and gear there. “IDEX is one of the first venues where defense contractors present their wares to worldwide military customers,” said Ferlito. “Beretta felt this was the ideal environment to present the international offering of its APX pistol.”
Beretta will be marketing a civilian version of the APX later in 2015 and will also be entering the pistol in the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System competition. With the company’s new M9A3 being submitted as an Engineering Change Proposal to the current Army handgun contract, Beretta is gunning to make sure to remain the military’s leading handgun supplier for years to come.
