Beretta TX Storm

General Firearms Shotguns
1

I have been running an 870 for years, taken a bunch of courses with it, and carry a 14 inch model during the summer in Alaska. Love the ability to keep in condition three and quickly fire, its load versatility, and the ability to drag it in and out of boats, aircraft, in cold and dirt, and still go bang.

That said, my wife isn’t keen on working a pump, and prefers a 45-70. I have been interested in getting a semi-auto that she might like and to round out my 870’s. As I reported previously, I bought a Benelli M4, but so far haven’t gotten it broken in enough to be reliable.

A few months back, I happened to see a Beretta TX Storm shotgun in a shop. I picked it up, expecting to lay it right back down, and instead was very intrigued. It is very light, just over six pounds, the butt stock has a spacer and the ability to shorten the stock, the safety is well positioned, the trigger was good, and the stock comb was just right for the aperture sights and a H1/T1. I checked here and otherwise, and just couldn’t find much by way of reviews.

Since winter is my time to get equipment, and get it squared away before summer, with the M4 still up in the air, I took a chance and bought a Beretta. Haven’t gotten it to the range because of Alaska weather the last bit, but so far I am very impressed with the ergo’s.

Impressed enough that my buddy got one as well. His first range trip, it fed everything from low base birdshot to slugs, with no stoppages. He also said recoil was mild, which I figured when he was sending me pictures of six shot slug groups – normally he is sending me pics of three shot groups with his short 870, and asking me to remind him about the push/pull so the 870 doesn’t beat him to death shooting slug groups. Over the next week or so, I will be able to put my Beretta thru the paces, but so far, I am wishing I had skipped the M4 and just gotten this, since a shotgun that is two pounds lighter is extremely appealing if you carry it for miles.

Anyone else had experience with it, and have an idea whether 14 inch barrels are available?

2

Thanks for your writeup. I hadn’t heard about this gun before and it looks interesting. If possible, could you describe/add pictures of the sights on the gun?

In regard to your barrel question, would knocking 4" off the barrel make it even with the bottom half of the gun?

3

Here are photos my buddy took of his Beretta:

4

Are there any accessories available for it? (Mag Extension, side saddle et.al.)

5

The Beretta rep in the video for it says mag extensions are available but are an LE only option.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm35b2mGcH4

6

My buddy got to the range today with his Beretta, and I asked him to shoot a Bill drill with the Beretta, and for comparison a 870, to compare the two and give an idea of the cycle rate of the Beretta. He has recently taken a Randy Cain course with his 870, and I consider him a strong intermediate 870 shooter. This was his second range session with the Beretta.

#8 shot

870: 3.16 .30 .61 .56 .57 .56 .56

TX4: 1.47 .26 .29 .24 .23 .22 .23

Not sure if anyone has similar data for the Benelli M4?

7

I’ve been doing some research on these because I am pretty interested in one. There are some threads showing that extensions for benelli’s fit these. I’m going to look at one Sunday.

8

Keep in mind that simply adding a mag extension is a violation of 922r. If there are US parts to swap and get it into compliance then I would be interested. It looks like a good gun. I like that it comes with GRS. More shotguns need this option. Would have kept me from dropping $200 on that norico hawk ripoff.

9

I thought I read somewhere that there was a provision on the NRA backed “mini bus” that passed and revoked the governments control over 922R. Not sure the validity but interesting??

10

That would be neat but I’m not holding my breath. 922r is the dumbest of the dumb gun control laws.

11

I have now had several range sessions. Feeds everything from light, low brass bird shot to Brenneke slugs. Recoil is very mild, considering the lightweight of the Beretta (just over six pounds). The stock is flat out great – comfortable in recoil, and the right comb for aperture sights and a T1/H1. Best of all, the aperture sights are usable thru the T1/H1. Brenneke slugs group well, and 8 pellet Remington LE buck patterns surprisingly tight (only slug and buck I have tried).

12

Interesting gun for sure. Kinda reminds me of the old Benelli Super 90 and M2 before they went all future space apocalyptic and wrapped the receiver with all that polymer crap.

I’m not big on semi’s and don’t own one as of yet, but this and the SLP line from FNH has me thinking of ditching a few pumps to try one out.

13

My objective is a shotgun equivalent of a scout like rifle, as I would carry it for many miles and hours in Alaska during the summer. I have used a short 870 for this, but wanted to at least experiment with a semi-auto. My criteria for the shotgun is it should be lightweight, reliable, work with irons and a H1, be at least reasonably accurate, easy for my left hand wife to run, and be able to put fast shots on a charging bear. So far, the Beretta looks like a winner, but it is still early.

14

Any updates?

15

Been carrying the TX Storm all summer, and love it. The Benelli M2, M4 and 14 inch 870’s are gathering dust.

16

Briley makes extension tubes for the TX Storm, but I have not heard any firsthand experience with them for that platform. The limited capacity in the stock configuration is a drawback, but the thing is a pleasure to shoot.