Having all three APX variants side by side was convenient for comparison, although they look so much alike that I found myself picking up the wrong gun and magazines more than once. To me, the dimensions of the Compact make it feel awkward, specifically its top-heavy feel. If I had a blindfold on and picked up all three APX models one right after another, I would have set the Compact back down and simply forgotten about it. Handling the Compact was a different story. It fits nicely in my large hands with plenty of room for all my fingers. I quickly discovered the Centurion has a good balance to it. The APX Compact is significantly shorter at 4¾-inches tall, so the “compact” moniker is appropriate here.Īs an owner of a full-sized APX, I was interested in what the Compact was going to feel and handle like. The chassis contains the fire-control assembly much like the removeable chassis found in the SIG Sauer’s P250 and P320 models. It’s new grip module can be separated from the chassis since the serialized part is the internal chassis. Dimensionally, the Centurion measures less than 5¼ inches, while the full-size APX measured more than 5½ inches. Technically, the Centurion is a mid-sized pistol. Terrorism and those with evil-intent have changed our times. Gone are the days when we believe that two or three rounds will end the fight. 40).Ĭapacity is usually compromised by the nature of compact gun designs, and many who carry concealed look at capacity as a decision point. 40), while the Compact magazine totes 13 rounds (10 rounds for the. The Centurion magazine holds 15 rounds of 9mm (13 rounds for the. Both new handguns sport 3.7-inch barrels, but capacity and grip length distinguish the Centurion from the Compact. The tradeoff for gaining more concealability is slightly less capacity and a little less room for your hands. The APX Centurion and Compact models offer less protrusion from the grip and both have had half an inch removed from the barrel length when compared to the full-size’s 4¼-inch barrel. While fundamentally the same pistol as the full-size configuration, the two new models do have their differences. Both the Centurion and Compact models are available in either 9mm or. The APX Compact features a flush-fit magazine that shortens the gun’s profile with the ability to run on full- and Centurion-size magazines. The Centurion is a mid-size pistol that’s easier to conceal than the full-size APX. It is from these considerations that Beretta’s new APX Centurion and Compact models were created. However, longer barrels offer a longer sight radius and a longer sight radius can make a shooter more accurate. With today’s defensive ammunition choices now optimized for short-barreled handguns, performance as it relates to the length of barrel is not a concern of mine. Too short and it can cause some performance concerns. Having a barrel and slide that are too long can cause comfort issues for concealed carry. On the heels of grip alteration is barrel and slide length. Rounding off the butt of the grip smooths out that gun’s imprint and can help reduce the chance for snags on clothing. Whether carrying appendix or on the strong-side hip, the grip of the pistol is the first part situationally aware bystanders see protruding and printing through clothing. Shortening the grip on a pistol reduces the portion of a gun that protrudes from the holster. Getting the most attention is usually grip size and contouring.Īs a lawman and a citizen who has carried a gun for many years, I’ve explored diverse methods and trained for a variety of circumstances. NovemBy Chris Cerino Photos by Mark FingarĪny time a manufacturer considers creating a concealed-carry gun from an established duty sidearm, scaling to a compact size is always at the forefront of design discussions.
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