The days before SHOT Show are always very busy. Every manufacturer tries to find the perfect place and time to show the new products to journalists and business partners. This all before the official Industry Day at the Range on Monday January 22, 2024. For the first time in many years, SIG Sauer USA has cancelled their event parallel to the Industry Day.
Beretta made a good move to decide for the Sunday. More than 200 journalists from U.S. print and electronic media and business partners attended the event at Pro Gun Club Vegas. Only the weather could have been better: drizzling and just little sunshine. But the atmosphere was absolutely great. We also had the chance to talk to Beretta’s CEO Carlo Ferlito, to the Marketing Manager Alessandro Acrerbis and many more people from Italy and from the U.S. And we also saw products we won't be reporting on here yet – so stay tuned. In fact we also saw many U.S. first or U.S. only launches. Also in this respect: we’ll keep you updated in the coming days and weeks until the IWA.
Let us tell you a little about the course of the Beretta Range Day 2024... There were five shooting ranges in total. Two for Beretta pistols and three for Beretta shotguns and rifles. All the new products (and also many classics) could be extensively tested in small rotating groups of just five people. We can tell you: we had a lot of fun. Tanja and Marijan Loch as well as Franco Palamaro represented all4shooters.com. And they also took part in the two shooting competitions on site. There was a Tomcat Challenge for pistol shooters. By the way: Marijan took 3rd place out of 70 participants! Congratulations, well done, mate! And on the other shooting ranges there was a BRX1 Speed Shooting Challenge on metal plates for sports shooters and on rolling targets for hunters with the Beretta BRX1 repeater. The ammunition for all guns came from the Beretta Holding brands Norma and Sako.
Beretta Range Day: Beretta's new products for 2024
- Beretta Squalo – a new sport pistol for dynamic disciplines (initially for the USA)
- Beretta BRX1 straight-pull rifle: For the US it's a new product launch. For EU-markets Beretta is presenting additional colors
- New spurless variant of the Beretta Px4 Compact 9mm pistol series, with single and double action only trigger. A gun specially developed for concealed carry
- Additional version of the PX4 for the USA only with a lower profile safety
- Beretta DT11 over-and-under shotgun featuring a new diamond-like carbon coating and new motifs for this classic sporting shotgun (on the market since 2012)
But now let's take a closer look at a selection of new products from Beretta and the Group:
Beretta Range Day 2024: the sporty Beretta 92XI Squalo semi-automatic pistol for dynamic disciplines (U.S. launch)
Also on the Beretta USA range, the Beretta 92XI Squalo, which we have already presented here. Inspired by the efficiency of the shark ("squalo" in Italian), this variant is characterised by a single-action only trigger that deviates from the traditional DA/SA trigger of the U.S. Army service pistol known as the M9. Based on the Beretta 92 platform, the Squalo features a Vertec M9A4 frame with steel slide and an RDO interface for optics, easy-grip serrations and an X-Treme S single-action only trigger with DLC finish. With a barrel length of 4.7 inches (119 mm), a skeletonised hammer and a Picatinny rail on the dust cover, it offers a wide range of customisation options. The Hogue grips with sharkskin-like texture provide excellent control and grip. A Cerakote finish protects the metal parts from corrosion and wear. The gun comes with three magazines, the capacity of which is adapted to country-specific laws. A 5-inch barrel with muzzle thread and an IPSC-compliant Thunder holster are optionally available. In the USA, the Beretta 92XI Squalo is already available from a price of $1,299.
New competition shotgun from Beretta: 687 Silver Pigeon V in the two versions Field and Sport
In the shotgun segment alone, Beretta launched half a dozen new or updated models and variants. One highlight in the 2024 Olympic year was certainly the 687 Silver Pigeon V over-and-under (i.e., the 5th generation), both as a hunting Field version and as a sporting competition shotgun. The 687 SPV is therefore the top model among the standard over-and-under shotguns from Gardone, characterised by a new look combined with high-quality wood. The fine engravings, which also allow shadows in the depths and glitter effects, are made using the latest 5-axis laser technology, which also allows engravings on round surfaces. The three decades of model development of the Silver Pigeon can also be seen in the polished and water-resistent Class 3 wood stock, which shows a clear difference in class to the Silver Pigeon III (Class 2.5). The Steelium Optimabore HP barrels made of tri-alloy steel are available in 12- and 20-ga, with 71- or 76-cm barrel lengths for the Field, and 76- to 81-cm barrel lengths for the V Sport model, each with Optima chokes. Of course, there was also the top Olympic model Beretta DT11 to see and try out, under the expert guidance of none other than multiple Olympic champion Kim Rhode.
Beretta Range Day 2024: we show here the new variants of the Beretta 1301 semi-automatic shotgun
The Beretta 1301 Tactical Model 2 took centre stage among the semi-automatic shotguns. This sets new standards in the field of tactical shotgun models. It has an improved fore-end with an aggressive surface that ensures a firm grip and M-LOK interfaces for easy accessory attachment. A new tactical-style trigger releases crisply with minimal reset, and a new Pro-Lifter allows for effortless reloading. The power of the B-LINK gas operating system combined with the precision of the rotating bolt guarantees fast and reliable operation. With a synthetic stock, Ghostring sights and Picatinny rail from factory. Available in a range of colours, including Black, FDE, OD Green or Gray and a magazine capacity of 7+1.
The Beretta A400 XTREME PLUS 20GA is designed for hunting use, as the Realtree camo on the synthetic stock shows. For the first time in Beretta hunting semi-automatic shotguns, a Steelium Plus barrel is used, while the other technology with oversized charging handle, reversible safety button and the new Pro-Lifter system has also proven itself in practice.
Tikka T3x Ranahan bolt-action rifle: in two calibers for American hunting
The term Ranahan was used in the days of the Wild West to denote the best cowboy on the Ranch, and today it also denotes a special version of the Tikka T3x bolt-action rifle. Based on the Finnish company's tried-and-true action, the Tikka T3x Ranahan is designed for the driven hunt enthusiast and is immediately distinguished by its light tan-colored polymer stock with Roughtec Tan non-slip coating and TRUGLO's battue-type rear sight with high-visibility fiber optic inserts, combined with a tunnel-protected front sight. Those wishing to mount an optic, however, will be able to do so thanks to the integral 17-mm rail that allows the mounting of Weaver or Picatinny interfaces.
The polymer stock is foam filled at the rear to reduce noise and has an additional attachment point that allows to change the width of the stock's forend, increasing stability in sustained shooting. The pistol grip is interchangeable, and different grips can be purchased separately, allowing its angle to be modified to better suit multiple shooting positions.
The trigger is easily user adjustable, with a pull weight ranging from 2 to 4 pounds (about 900/1,800 grams). The magazine is a removable type, with a capacity of 3+1 cartridges.
The Ranahan Tikka T3x is available for the time being in .223 Remington (a classic for varmint control) and the relatively young .350 Legend, the fastest straight-wall hunting cartridge with an energy comparable to the .30-30 Winchester. For both calibers, the barrel length is 20 inches (508 mm), with a twist of 1:7 (.223) and 1:16 (.350), respectively. The weight of the Tikka T3x Ranahan is approximately 3.6 kg. The retail price of this rifle designed especially for varmint and American deer hunters is $1,249 (about 1,150 euros).
Sako 90 Quest rifle: lightweight and versatile
The Sako 90 Quest rifle is designed for the hunter who seeks an especially versatile firearm with top-notch ergonomics. The fully adjustable Carbon Wolf carbon fiber stock was previously offered on the Sako 85 and now returns on this new model. Designed for superior shooting ergonomics, the multi-adjustable carbon fiber stock made with RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding) technology is lightweight, durable and effectively absorbs recoil. The stock's new coating provides a perfect grip in all conditions, and the Cerakote-finished action ensures maximum resistance to even the most demanding environmental conditions. The cheek piece is height-adjustable at the touch of a button while the length of pull can be adjusted to adapt to the user's anatomy.
The cold-hammer forged barrel is muzzle threaded with 5/8 "x24 thread that allow the mounting of a silencer or muzzle brake. The trigger allows the pull weight to be adjusted to five preset settings between 900 and 1,800 grams. The trigger position can also be modified as desired by the user. The action is extremely rigid and features a machined-in Picatinny rail for optics mounting. As a standard feature, the Sako 90 Quest has no mechanical sights.
The Sako 90 Quest is available in .243 Win, .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, .30-06 Sprg, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag with barrel lengths of 20” (50.8 cm) or 24” (60.9 cm). The weight is about 3,200 grams.
The U.S. retail price of the Sako 90 Quest rifle is $4,499, about 4,130 euros.
Beretta PX4 Storm pistols – Special models in co-operation with Langdon Tactical Technology
The new 9mm Beretta PX4 Storm G-SD is a joint project to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the PX4 Storm, launched in 2004, and is based on two decades of precision engineering by Beretta and a strategic partnership with Langdon Tactical Technology (LTT). The new, improved PX4 also features the ground-breaking, low-recoil rotary barrel locking system. This design not only provides easier control and improved accuracy with every shot, but also pays homage to Beretta's commitment to pushing boundaries. The Carry Type G safety and decocker lever allows for ergonomic gun manipulation. The oversized magazine release facilitates quick magazine changes and ensures efficiency in critical situations. Equipped with two 17-round magazines and an additional 20-round magazine, the PX4 Storm G-SD offers sufficient firepower for any application.
The second and most recent pistol in this series to be designed together with LTT is the Beretta PX4 Storm Compact Carry 2, which also features the Type G decocker and an oversized magazine release. It also has a D-hammer spring, which is designed to ensure exceptionally good trigger characteristics. In addition, the pistol's talon grips have an extremely non-slip texture. The pistol's hammer, which is flush with the back of the slide, makes it ideal for concealed carry, especially in the AIWB carrying method, where the gun is carried in a holster between the body and the waistband. The 9 mm PX4 Storm Carry 2 is available with both 10- and 15-round magazines. It is not yet clear whether the new pistols will also come to Europe.
Image gallery exclusively from all4shooters.com: first impressions, new products and a good atmosphere at the Beretta Range Day 2024
Here you can find more information about the manufacturer Beretta and its product range.
