The Beretta CX4 Storm is a favorite, Sci-fi, futuristic looking, semi-automatic, autoloading, pistol caliber, carbine. The barrel is just over 16" in length, and adjustable open sights are included. Mine has the picitinny rail mount and a DOT scope. I’ve found the iron sights are excellent and can be used even as the DOT scope is mounted.
Magazine capacity varies by caliber, ranging between 8 and 20 rounds. After market mags and other accessories are available.
It is a lightweight but soild rifle, and is very well balanced. The rifle’s controls are completely ambidextrous, and quite easy to operate. The action is smooth, and I have yet to experience a failure to feed. It has almost no recoil. Cleaning the CX4 Storm is easy, and it disassembles with no tools needed.
The Beretta CX4 Storm comes in a a few pistol calibers:
1. 9×19MM (and 9×21 for those that live in a country that ban 9×19, such as Italy)
2. .40 S&W
3. .45 ACP
Mine is a .40 S&W. I normally prefer 135 grain bullets in .40 S&W. Because it has a longer barrel, this rifle using 165 grain bullets, attains better velocities than one could from a 135 grain bullet if fired from the shorter barrel of a handgun.
The Beretta CX4 Storm is currently my favorite pistol caliber carbine. It is well built but light weight, and comes in enough different calibers to make most people happy. Recoil is quite soft too. Those in the market for a pistol caliber carbine would do well to consider this rifle.
--Plus it shares mage with Beretta 96D or the new PX4 (next on my list).