Beretta APX A1 Ported Review: Is This Ported 9mm Worth It?
We took the Beretta APX A-1 Ported pistol to the range to test its accuracy, reliability, and ergonomics. Spoiler alert: things didn't go as planned...
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Is Beretta's answer to the compensated-pistol trend, the Beretta APX A1 Ported, actually worth carrying?
I put 700 rounds through it for this review to find out if this pistol and all its features (lightened recoil spring, larger controls, and ported slide and barrel, to name a few) can hold its own.
I've followed this lineup since the original APX launched in 2016, so I know what this gun needed to fix and what it has (and hasn't) with the new version.
The verdict on the Beretta APX A1 Ported is...complicated.
Keep reading to find out why!
Table of Contents
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By the Numbers
Reliability: 5/10
Unfortunately, reliability seemed largely dependent upon the ammunition we used, and it couldn’t be categorized into a type like “all 147gr is good to go.” Some brands/weights of ammo produced highly reliable performance, while others made it a chore to get through a magazine.
Accuracy: 7/10
From 7 yards, the 10-shot groups averaged around 2 inches, with the best group coming in at 0.89 inches.
Ergonomics: 8/10
The APX A1 Ported has very good ergonomics, with a well-designed grip and oversized controls. The slide is also very easy to manipulate due to aggressive serrations on both the front and rear.
Customization: 6/10
There are quite a few accessories available for the APX A1, but being a fairly recent line, there isn’t an incredible amount of aftermarket support for it yet.
Value: 7/10
With an MSRP of $629, the APX A1 Ported is competitively priced for the category.
Overall: 6/10
Beretta APX A1 Ported Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent recoil mitigation
- Good ergonomics
- Extended capacity
Cons
- Ammo dependent reliability
- Challenging field strip
The Bottom Line
The Beretta APX A1 Ported adds a compensator to a previously great pistol, making it shoot faster, but also causing it to be finicky with ammo.
Beretta APX A1 Ported Specs & Features
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 21+1
- Overall Length: 7.5”
- Barrel Length: 4.25”
- Height: 5.6”
- Width: 1.3”
- Weight: 28.5 oz
- Country of Origin: Italy
- Comes with: Plastic lockable case, 21-round magazine, (2) 17-round magazines, magazine loader, large and small backstrap, cleaning brush, gun lock, owner’s manual
Features
- Ported barrel and slide
- Ambidextrous, oversized controls
- Lightened recoil spring
How I Tested the Beretta APX A1 Ported
I tested the Beretta APX A1 Ported with a total of 700 rounds, 200 rounds more than our standard testing.
The bulk of this was AAC FMJ at 115 gr, while the rest consisted of Armscor 115gr FMJ, Blazer 124gr FMJ, Winchester Defensive 147gr, Federal HST 147gr, and Nosler ASP 124 gr to make sure defensive ammo cycled.
All accuracy testing was completed at 7 yards using 10-shot groups. I fired these groups from a Ransom Rest on a tripod to achieve the best possible accuracy.
9mm Ammo in Stock
Additionally, I fired the APX A1 Ported from several different positions, shooting one-handed as well.
Reloads were tested as they occurred naturally during shooting. Reliability was assessed by the total overall performance of the pistol during the 700-round count.
Range Testing the Beretta APX A1 Ported: Accuracy & Reliability
During the range portion of testing, I typically try a few different weights, brands, and styles of ammunition to see how they all perform.
Reliability issues soon reared their ugly head as soon as I started testing out different ammo types.
Beginning with AAC 115gr FMJ, I experienced a stovepipe early on.
Next, the extended magazine suffered a complete failure when the follower got stuck in the magazine body.
I was able to get shooting again quickly with a reload, but the offending magazine was so badly out of whack that I had to disassemble it with tools to try to resolve the jammed follower.
During this period, the APX A1 Ported also demonstrated a couple of failures to lock back on the last round.
Switching to Blazer 124gr FMJ during accuracy, I had another failure to lock back.
Moving on to Armscor 115gr FMJ, I experienced a failure to feed, another failure to lock back on the last round, and a stovepipe.
I mostly weigh these malfunctions based on how quickly I can resolve them.
Even a catastrophic magazine failure can be quickly bypassed with a reload, and failures to lock back are inconvenient, but certainly not fight-stopping.
Even though I had completed our testing at 500 rounds, I decided to gather some additional ammunition to give the gun a fair shake.
It became evident that the ported gun was particular with certain types of ammunition.
During the next set of tests, run on an entirely different range day, I tried 147gr Winchester Defense for 100 rounds. I experienced three double feeds.
I then switched back to AAC 115gr for two magazines. I had perfect reliability.
Finally, I tested a box of 147gr HST from Federal. This defensive ammunition cycled and fired perfectly for another two magazines.
This leaves the final reliability score with a huge “it depends” asterisk.
One final note on the magazines: these steel-bodied models were solid (with the exception of the 21-rounder), came with an orange follower, and a plastic base plate with a lip to grip for malfunctions.
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Accuracy
Accuracy was compiled after measuring the 10-shot groups fired from a Ransom Rest at seven yards. Although there was some vertical stringing, most groups were in the 2-3 inch range in size.
| Ammunition | Weight | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Armscor | 115gr FMJ | 1.73” |
| Blazer | 124gr FMJ | 1.88” |
| Nosler ASP | 115gr JHP | 1.93” |
| AAC | 115gr FMJ | 2.21 |
While heavier-weighted ammo like Winchester Defense and Federal HST were rolled in for reliability testing, I did not complete accuracy testing with them.
With accuracy and reliability addressed, one bright note was the recoil performance provided by the new port on the APX A1.
Even in between malfunctions, this was consistently good.
The porting works very well, but can’t truly be appreciated until you shoot with some speed.
Focusing on the target, I watched as the 1 MOA dot on the Steiner MPS dropped quickly back into place after firing. The recoil management is really good.
Here, the trick was really just finding ammo the APX A1 Ported would cycle reliably. We had the fewest amount of malfunctions with AAC 115gr FMJ and Federal HST 147gr JHP.
Ergonomics: Fit & Feel
The design intent is evident as soon as you pick up the APX A1 Ported.
This pistol fits in the hand nicely. Key touch points like the front strap, backstrap, and sides feature good texture.
There’s a deep beavertail preventing any slide bite from happening, and also a generous undercut on the trigger guard, allowing a high grip. Beretta included two other grip panels in case you want to customize the fit to your hand.
On the slide, aggressive serrations are positioned fore and aft, providing the shooter with multiple options for slide manipulation. In addition, the controls do appear to be larger than on the original A1.
For instance, the (reversible) magazine release sticks out nearly a quarter inch from the side of the grip.
This is great for general operation, but it can cause problems if the holster isn’t designed with proper clearance. The simple act of holstering can cause the button to be pressed, loosening the seated magazine.
As a result, when the shooter draws and fires, the magazine then drops for the grip.
Other controls are ambidextrous as well, such as the slide release. Notably, I rarely needed this feature because every semi-aggressive reload caused the slide to close on its own.
For the trigger, I appreciated the efforts to blend the safety device. It melts nicely into the trigger shoe so you don’t feel it during a press.
The shoe itself is plastic, curved, and has a mostly flat face. Pressing back, the trigger stops at a defined wall, then travels perhaps a millimeter before breaking.
The Lyman Digital gauge averaged this break at 4 pounds 4.3 ounces. Reset happens almost immediately upon release and is both tactile and audible.
Downsides
Testing began in the garage during prep for the actual range trip. I was reminded how much I dislike the field strip of the APX A1 when I was getting it ready to go.
You have to mash a button on the right side of the frame while simultaneously turning the takedown lever. Brand new guns are super stiff, making this a difficult task until the gun has a few hundred rounds through it.
My next observation was installing a factory optics plate provided by Beretta. I had a Steiner MPS on hand and had every intention of mounting it up.
Either the plate was a little long, or the optic cut was a little short. It wasn’t terrible, but did need to be tapped into place with a nylon-headed hammer before I could mount the optic.
After some gentle persuasion, I was able to mount the MPS and make it out to the range. There, I zeroed and began shooting for accuracy.
I have seen a few times where adding accessories that should be a real performance booster, ultimately cause the gun to fail. Magazine extensions definitely fall into this category when not properly executed.
Finally, I understand Beretta used a lighter recoil spring for this pistol, but to have so many malfunctions spread across different weights and types of ammunition points to a common cause.
The APX A1 Ported needs better tuning to handle a wider range of ammunition.
Who Should Buy the Beretta APX A1 Ported?
As a full-sized pistol with tactical features, the APX A1 Ported would lend itself to defensive applications, whether concealed carry or home defense.
The ergonomics are such that a wide range of shooters should be able to use it easily, and the recoil reduction will be appreciated by everyone.
All the features come together nicely to create a capable firearm, but there is a warning...it all depends on making sure the ammunition you want to use cycles first.
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FAQs
Final Verdict
The Beretta APX A1 Ported presents as two different guns. One of them will have you swearing and running immediate action drills while you get practice clearing malfunctions.
The other, right ammo on board, leaves you grinning with stunningly fast shooting you can absolutely control.
I experienced both extremes with the gun’s performance. Ultimately, you get to choose whether that performance is worth finding the ammunition it prefers.
Is the performance worth finding the right ammunition? Let us know in the comments below. For more compensated pistols, check out Best Comped Pistols: Gimmick or Must-Have Upgrade?
Meet the Experts
This review was written by Sean Curtis, Content Producer and Lead Review Analyst for Pew Pew Tactical.
Sean spent 22 years in law enforcement in Colorado, where he served as a Patrol Commander, SWAT Team Leader, and firearms instructor for his agency.
Sean holds multiple certifications relevant to this review, including 44-Hour POST Certified Handgun Instructor, 40-Hour POST Train-the-Trainer, 40-Hour Handgun Instructor Course (FCPD), CLEFIA Advanced Firearms Instructor Training, 40-Hour NLEFIA Red Dot Instructor, 40-Hour Principles of SWAT, High-Risk Warrant Service Workshop, and Basic 40-Hour Tactical Response Course.
Outside of law enforcement, Sean has continued his handgun training, completing Gunsite 250 and Gunsite Team Tactics.
Sean also led the review for the original Beretta APX A1, so he is well-versed in the history and quirks of this platform and how newer versions compare.
Editing this article is Pew Pew Tactical's Editor-in-Chief, Jacki Billings. Jacki is an NRA Basic Pistol Instructor and a former concealed carry instructor, with almost two decades concealed carrying a variety of pistols. She has a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and has worked in the publishing industry since 2008, specializing in gun media for the last 10 years.
She uses her extensive professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards. Jacki is a pistol girl at heart, with most of her gun time spent behind handguns.