Sometimes when a new gun hits the market our first response is "I gotta get one!"  For me, the Beretta Storm was one of those guns.  I liked the reversible controls, the short length and light weight, and most of all; the sleek styling.  This gun looks like it should be battling aliens with Ripley, it is that futuristic in it's molding.  Surprisingly it was every bit as ergonomic as it is pretty.

I did not want just any Storm, I wanted one in 45acp.  40 was nice, but then I'd have another caliber to stockpile for, another set of dies to buy...  9mm picks up some velocity in a carbine, but it's just not the same as 45acp!

Now there are pros and cons of 45 versus 9mm in the Storm.  Since the design uses existing Beretta magazines your magazine choices are 30 rounds in 9mm, 20 rounds in 40 cal, and 8 rounds in 45.  Yes, you read that right, in 45 cal you get the two eight rounders that come with it and that's all that's available currently.  Sure, Beretta'll make some hi-cap mags soon, what with the popularity of the Storm.  But till then, all you get is 8 fat little rounds.  I've heard tale of adjusting 40 cal mags, but have not met one with direct knowledge on this topic.

Despite it's futuristic lines, the Storm is at its heart, a blowback action.  To soak up all of the recoil of the mighty 45, the Storm has a large heavy milled block receiver that is noticeably loud when going into battery.  On the plus side, unless the round is in the magazine sideways, that meaty bolt is going to strip it off the magazine and into the chamber every time.  It's quite a freight train.

The entire storm is designed to be ambidextrous.  The safety, magazine release, cocking handle, and ejector can all be reversed.  Additionally, the Storm comes stock with sling points on both sides of the weapon.  One of the neatest features it the built in light rail that telescopes into position by pressing in the front sling point.  Also included with the rifle is a handsome molded carrying case, cleaning kit, and a side mounted picatinny rail.  All for the cost of a middle grade pistol.

Now, the big trend is to put ass-loads of lights and lasers and red dot sights all over your rifle.  While I like a tac light, I actually preferred the telescoping rail because it mounts the light along the centerline of the weapon, keeping the weapon's profile as slim as possible.  I do not care for mounting lights to the sides of weapons.  Really all you need is a light and an aimpoint.  If you absolutely need a laser then spend the money and buy an M6 light/laser combo unit. 

As for optics,  I don't think any are needed in a home defense role.  The Storm points naturally out to 15 yards.  Beyond that, an red dot scope would make the Storm a fast handling little rifle out to a hundred yards.

I did have some complaints about the Storm.  For one, I thought they could have done more with the storm.  An example would be that huge, empty foregrip.  For a few bucks more Beretta could have turned it into an integral bipod similar to the Steyr Scout Rifle.  

The second disappointment with the Storm was the shoulder stock.  Large and hollow, they could have really done a lot with the empty space.  Here again, the Storm could have borrowed from Cooper's scout rifle and incorporated a dual, magazine holder.  Maybe even add a simply battery storage compartment.  Either that or replace the big, hollow shoulder stock with a H&K style sliding stock.  

Shooting the Storm was different than I expected.  There is a noticeable slapping sensation between your cheek and the stock as the shockwave travels through the weapon.  I suspect this is more pronounced in 45acp than the smaller calibers.  Regardless, It took some getting used to.  Other than that, the rifle handled well and hit everything I aimed it at.  

Overall I found the weapon to be capable, light, and a pleasure to carry.  However, the lack of high capacity magazines in 45acp makes this rifle more toy than tactical.  If you own a M92 or 96 then this would be a great companion weapon.  The Storm has a lot of innovative features but its bad trigger and limited capacity are strong points against it.  

What part of NO TRESPASSING didn't you understand?  Nothin' says lovin like the pair above.  All the Storm needs is a tac light to make it the perfect home defense weapon.   

The Storm has many ingenious features.  The sliding picitinny rail in front puts the tac light where it belongs.  The fully reversable action allows you to set up ejection, safety, and cocking handle to whichever side you prefer.  However, Beretta has not chosen to manufacture high capacity magazines for the Storm in 45acp.  In 40 cal you can only get 15 round magazines.  Bad Beretta!!

There is a lot of wasted space in the stock.  The shoulder stock should have been molded to accept a pair of magazines.  The foregrip would have been perfect for an integral bipod like the Steyr Scout.

Field stripping the Storm is ridiculously simple.  Just slide out the pin (marked by yellow arrow) and pull the two halves apart (blue) and the bolt slides out (red.)  Both the bolt and the frame slide together on rails molded into the plastic stock.  Note the plastic parts inside including the hammer and trigger.

BlackHawk® S.T.R.I.K.E.™ M-60 Ammo Pouch - 100 Round Detachable top lets you decide when your need speed outweighs retention concerns.

Reflex II RX06 Sight Official Issue! Designed for shooting with both eyes open.