The Beretta APX is a family of polymer-framed, modular, striker-fired semi-automatic pistols designed and produced by Beretta. The series began in 2016, starting with the full-size standard model. The line includes compact, concealed carry, and competition models.
History
APX (aka APX A0) Source:
Designed largely for the U.S. Armed Forces' XM17 Modular Handgun System competition. Beretta had offered to provide their M9A3 model at a reduced price as a continuance of M9 procurement program, but were informed that the changes to the M9A3 were so significant that it fell outside the scope of an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP), and that the United States Department of Defense preferred to go through a new procurement instead. If the Beretta APX had won the MHS competition, it would have been manufactured in the Beretta factory in Gallatin, Tennessee.
On February 28, 2017, Beretta USA announced the APX availability for the US civilian market starting on April 15, 2017.
In 2018, three variants of the APX were announced: the APX Centurion, with a slightly smaller frame, slide and barrel, and the APX Compact, with a subcompact-sized frame, slide and barrel, and the APX Combat, with a threaded barrel and a mounting plate for optics on the slide. Beretta started selling frames with and without finger grooves in black, olive green, flat dark earth (FDE), and grey.
In April 2019, Beretta introduced the APX Carry, a single stack magazine variant intended for the concealed carry market. (The APX Carry is based on the Beretta Nano design with some features incorporated from the full sized APX.) In July of that year, Beretta introduced three more designs, starting with flat dark earth variants of the Centurion and Compact models. The Centurion Combat was also introduced, which features a threaded barrel and mounting plate, just like the full sized APX Combat.
Finally, the APX Target was introduced, which is a competition variant of the APX with a longer slide and barrel; these are fitted to each other at the factory to ensure greater accuracy. The slide also has a mounting plate for optics and the sights have been changed to a fiber-optic front sight and a blacked out rear sight. In addition to the changes to the slide and barrel, the frame also has no finger grooves to better suit the needs of competition shooters. The frame also features an extended magazine release and slide stop, as well as a green striker guide for a competition trigger. The APX Target trigger is half a pound (~2.2 N) lighter than a standard model and has a shorter reset.
APX A1
In May 2022, Beretta announced the APX A1, an ergonomically improved standard APX designed by Giovanni Prandini. The two main differences in the design are the slide and frame construction. The slide is red dot optic ready and features more aggressive slide serrations. The frame has more aggressive stippling, a higher, undercut trigger guard and an enhanced beavertail. Other improvements include Beretta's "Aqua Tech Shield" finish, a tritium front sight and blacked out rear sight, a stainless steel chassis, a heavier competition recoil spring to reduce recoil, and the green competition striker mechanism from the APX Target for an improved trigger pull. There are also no finger grooves on the APX A1 full size frame, though users may use the A0 frames with finger grooves due to parts interchangeability.
Current APX A1 models include the standard full size, the APX A1 Tactical (threaded barrel and suppressor-height sights), APX A1 Compact (which has same dimensions as the APX A0 Centurion), and APX A1 Carry (subcompact version).
Design
The APX is Beretta's first striker-fired duty-sized handgun. The name APX refers to "Advanced Pistol X" (the "X" referring to a caliber of choice), as the firearm is fully modular and can change calibers and frame sizes somewhat easily. In order to comply with the MHS specification, the firearms must support different grip sizes to fit shooters of different stature. The APX has replaceable grip straps. The distance from the axis of the barrel to the top of the handgrip has been kept to a minimum of in order to reduce muzzle rise, which increases the ability to accurately fire quick follow-up shots. As specified in the MHS specification, the APX also features a MIL-STD-1913 rail under the front of the frame.