For my birthday, at the end of this month, I’m getting a Beretta CX4 Storm carbine in 9mm. <http://www.cx4storm.com/>.
This is not a weapon that will, like modern sporting firearms of the AR-15 variety, be mistaken for an “assault rifle”. It’s been described by reviewers as “futuristic” and a “Star Trek rifle”. The owner’s manual gushes: it has “very modern, extremely captivating and ergonomic lines” and a “particularly captivating appearance”.
Appearance aside, what drew me to this weapon is the fact that it can be switched from right-handed to left-handed. I am cross dominant. I am right-handed but left-eyed. I shoot handguns right-handed but shoot long guns left-handed. When shooting a right-handed long gun, I usually get hot brass to the face or to my right arm.
The CX4 Storm allows swapping of extractor and ejector, and moving the ejection port cover, mag release, cocking handle and manual safety to the other side of the weapon.
The ol’ switcheroo probably takes 2 minutes, 3 tops. I’ve yet to receive the rifle and try it but it can be dismantled quite easily without tools. The conversion from right to left or vice-versa is so simple that I am surprised more manufacturers don’t do the same.
Not surprisingly, the CX4 (carbine) Storm uses the same magazines as the PX4 (pistol) Storm. Santa is mulling over whether to bring me the latter.
The local shooting range has a steel deer silhouette at the 250 yard range. Firing my Uzi offhand in semi-automatic, I can hit it maybe 20% of the time. The Uzi, being an open bolt weapon, the first thing that happens when you pull the trigger is that a pound and a half of bolt starts moving and causes the weapon to bobble. With a really firm grip, it will come back close to the original point of aim by the time the bolt finishes its travel and the round goes boom. The Storm fires from a closed bolt and I expect much better results from it.