I have a very senior uncle that lives in a rural area, with the nearest neighbor around 2-3 miles. He has an 92FS that has been on his belt since he saw Die Hard some twenty years ago. 
Anyway, he is looking for a rifle for the occasional cayote or jackal that wanders onto his property and maybe HD. He loves the nine and shoots nothing else. Anyway, I am almost tempted to suggest the CX4 for ammo and mag compatibility. That way he doesnāt have to carry a different magazine and he is already good on his preferred ammo. What do you guys think? Thanks.
I didnāt realize the made a cx4 that took 92 mags. now Iām even more tempted to get that 92G at the LGSā¦
wish they made the .45cx4 take the px4 .45 mags
If a 9mm carbine will meet his needs then the Cx4 will work. I had one for awhile. Itās more ergonomic than it looks. It is very accurate and has plenty of rail options.
I found the iron sights to be a tad too small, something else it has in common with the Uzi. A RDS setup took care of that.
Also MecGar makes 20 round Beretta mags so that is a big plus.
If a 9mm carbine will meet his needs then the Cx4 will work.
I agree with thisā¦butā¦I donāt for one second think the magazines being similar is, or should be, an issue. If you are loading 28 rounds in an AR mag, you are at twice the capacity of a CX4 Storm, with MUCH better ballistics. Any gunfight/hunt you are going to get into is going to be solved by well placed rounds, not volume of fire.
We issue them at work. I hate them. The only thing it brings to the fight is a mounted flashlight and a mounted RDS. Thatās it. The ammo capacity for a long gun is at the retarded level. The trigger is just down right horrible.
I would much rather bring an AR15 with a 30 round mag into a fight than a CX4.
If he is comfortable with using a 9mm carbine then there isnt anything wrong with using a CX4. I do recommend replacing the hammer and other internals with some of the metal components from SierraPapa (http://www.sierrapapacx4.com/).
While it is easy to say that everyone should use an AR, some people are physically unable to use one and something like the CX4 gives them something slightly better than a handgun to use. Also, 20 round mags are in ample supply and help to mitigate any decrease magazine capacity issue one might have.
Iāve been using a CX4 as my closet gun for a few years now and have yet to find it lacking after I changed out the internals. Iāve added a VCAS sling, M2 Aimpoint, TLR1, and a stubby VFG and am more than happy with it.
Although the CX9 is a great option if you want a 9mm carbine, I think their are better options out there if you are looking for a light easily carried carbine/rifle. My reasoning for this is that a 9mm carbine really doesnāt get you much better ballistics than a full size 9mm pistol. If I was your uncle I would also take a look at the following:
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14.5 or 16 inch pencil barrel M4 from a good manufacturer (DD, BCM, or Colt): These carbines are going to be somewhat more expensive $850-$1000 vs $700 for a CX4 but I think everyone would agree that a m4 is far more capable platform and than a CX4 carbine. In addition, the M4 is a much more proven platform than the CX4. This would be my personal choice.
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M1 Carbine: IMO, is one of the most underrated carbines out there. A USGI carbine can be had for similiar money to a CX4 and has readily available 15 and 30 rd magazines. Although the .30 carbine is relatively weak for a rifle round it still has much better ballistics than a 9mm carbine. It is a very handy and easy to shoot carbine that weighs in under 6lbs. Plus it is a very combat proven carbine.
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Marlin 1894 in .357 or .44 magnum. Although not a tactical carbine and limited to 9 or 10 rounds in its tubular magazine, I actually think a for a carry around carbine in a rural area a Marlin may be a better choice than the CX4 for equal or less money. Unlike a 9mm, shooting a .357 or .44 through a 18 or 20 inch barrel really takes the performance of these rounds up a notch or two. A 158gr .357 should be in the 1800-2000 fps and the 94 in .357 actually makes a very handy light deer carbine as well. The 1894 in .44 magnum is a very capable short range carbine (under 150yds) which IIRC can push a 240-265 gr round around 1800-1900FPS range. Plus a Marlin is not going to attract any attention carrying it around unlike a more tactical looking carbine.
Although it is a bit heavier and larger than the CX4 or the others listed, an AK such as an Arsenal SGL21 is a great rifle that can be had for around $700. A VZ58 from czechpoint is also an option for slightly more money than a CX4.
I know this response is pretty long winded but I wanted to list a couple of other good options available.
Iāve been using a CX4 as my closet gun for a few years now and have yet to find it lacking after I changed out the internals. Iāve added a VCAS sling, M2 Aimpoint, TLR1, and a stubby VFG and am more than happy with it.
Except you still have all that weight and 9mm ballistics. If you can handle a CX4 there is no reason you canāt handle an AR15.
If hunting is even a thought, I think it hinges on irresponsible to use a 9mm CX4 in that role.
I have much more confidence in any budget AR15 over a CX4.
Thanks everyone. Good points all around. Based on his intended purpose, I think I will go ahead and have him get a CX4. Steyr and NCPatrol, you re-enforced what I was thinking. I am looking for the something with almost no learning curve.
- he is already familiar with the location of the mag release, same as his 92 FS
- shares magazines with his sidearm
- since he is already familiar with loading his magazines, no learning curve there. I got him an UPLULA and he loves it, arthritis and all
- CX4 is relatively light
- no additional caliber to buy
- not for hunting, just occasional encounters with coyotes and such
- very simple to operate
Iāll probably get him a Aimpoint, so he doesnāt have to worry about keeping it on and battery life. Iāll just probably change the batteries for him every Thanksgiving. Will also get him some Mec-gar 20rd mags the he can use for his pistol and carbine.
MecGar makes 20 round mags and there are aftermarket 30 rounders. That said, the 30 rounders arenāt exactly a reliable magazine.
The main draw of the storm is same control features, etc.
Grimm, I think you are a very good nephew for picking up your uncle an Aimpoint!
The trigger is pretty bad, and the one I used to have was somewhat ammo picky. That said, it is very accurate for a PCC and ergonimic and compact. Iād venture to call it the perfect home defense weapon for someone like your uncle who cant/wont use a shotgun or AR and wants something more substantial than a handgun.
Which is almost a non-issue as AR15 controls are very close to that of a 92F.
Iām lost as to why your uncle canāt use an AR15, or why you think that learning curve would be out of his grasp?
Not at all. The magazine release is not in the same place at all, or even on the same side. The bolt hold open is not in the same location as the slide release not does it function in the same manner and the safety is completely different. In fact they have almost no commonality of features.
Sounds like more of a preference issue than a competence issue.
While the AR would probably be the one Iād pick for that given environment, not everyone is a Navy SEAL and NEEDS an M4 for every civilian firearm application.
My wife is unable to handle an AR due to the weight and how it is distributed across the gun but can handle the CX4 just fine (due to the different disturbution of weight and more compact size of the CX4). remember that not everyone is capable of handling the firearm we might view as our personal best.
If hunting is even a thought, I think it hinges on irresponsible to use a 9mm CX4 in that role.
I think the 9mm would work fine for the animals he listed. Itās not like he is talking about taking bear with it.
Then I would take him to a gun range and try one before making a judgement about his personal preference.
From someone who is stuck using the CX4 as an issued weapon, they are less than ideal. I donāt know what your time on one is like, but they consensus from everyone I work with is that they would rather have an AR15. Weāre also not SEALs.
My statement about the controls is that they are similar. They layout of a 92F and a CX4 arenāt exactly the same. In principle, the same basic controls exist on the AR15. Bolt lock/release, safety, and mag release button. Itās not overly complicated.
I really donāt see it. I have both in front of me. My thumb just can reach the mag release. I tried it both weak and strong hand, just wonāt reach. Same thing for the bolt release.
Iām lost as to why your uncle canāt use an AR15, or why you think that learning curve would be out of his grasp?
Have you read my previous post? Why would I subject an old man to a steeper learning curve when there is an easier/familiar path to take for his specific needs? The controls on the CX4 are located at the same place as the 92FS, it is almost intuitive, but you already know that since you are issued one. The AR has its place, just like the mallet is not used for all hammering jobs. Can I use a mallet to install night sights? Sure, but there are better tools for that specific job. I really do appreciate your input though.
Again, why even complicate it when point A can be connected to point B with a very short straight line? Anyway, it is a done deal. He ordered it and will be in before this long weekend. I also got him a CompC3, a basic Blue force sling, and extra mags. I will be visiting him over the long weekend so I can set it up. Again, gentlemen, thank you for your input.
Given the mere fact that you have one as an āissue weaponā means you have some specific firearm requirements that the average run of the mill āordinary personā does not have. I thought it was obvious where I was going with that statement.
I donāt mean to flip shit your way but every now and then when someone suggests they can get by without a firearm in current use by special operations some people on this forum act like someone is going to take a Hi Point carbine into Beruit.
There are recreational firearms and applications.
Iām picking up what youāre throwing down, I just donāt agree. Simple as that. I would heartily recommend an AR15 to a family member under similar circumstances.
Needs/wants are fluid. There is less flexibility with the CX4. With the current state of the market as it relates to AR15s, you can get a very capable lightweight system pretty cheap, with room to expand.
My other bitch, which I realize wonāt effect most users, is the lack of BUIS.
Our department went with the CX4 for just about the same reason, mostly relating to training curves. Now were trying to figure out how to put an AR15 in every car. The biggest argument being ballistics.
No matter the system, youāre going to have to train for it.
I dont think anyone here has said that the CX4 is ideal. Ideal is distinctly different than viable which was the original question.
I donāt know what your time on one is like,
Iāve been using one for about 3 years now and have no qualms with it being my household bump in the night long gun. Iāve spent a good amount of time on the square range and in shoothouses with one and like the way it handles for me. My wife has also doesnt have issues with operating the CX4 in the same way that she does with an AR