Beretta has cut ports into an APX at the factory for the first time, expanding its full-size striker-fired line with the APX A1 Ported chambered in 9 mm Luger.
A single angled port near the muzzle end of the 4¼-inch barrel lines up with seven openings machined across the top of the slide. Propellant gas escapes through that stack before the bullet clears the muzzle, and the upward jet works against the muzzle rise that lifts the sights off target under recoil. Beretta says the arrangement keeps the pistol flatter and shortens the return to target between shots. Additionally, the slide and barrel carry the Aquatech Shield coating Beretta uses across the A1 family for corrosion and chemical resistance.
Controls receive the second round of attention. Beretta enlarged the magazine release and added a slide release on both sides of the frame, with both adjustable for a left- or right-handed shooter. Iron sights are an orange high-visibility front post paired with a blacked-out serrated rear U-notch on a 6-inch sight radius, and the slide is cut from the factory for a red-dot optic. Mounting plates are sold separately.
Competitors should check the rulebook before checking the price tag. Ported barrels and slides land a pistol in Open under both USPSA and Steel Challenge rules, and IDPA’s Enhanced Service Pistol and Carry Optics divisions likewise require a non-ported barrel. That leaves the APX A1 Ported as an Open-legal gun, a practice gun or a carry gun, depending on the owner, but Carry Optics shooters eyeing the ambidextrous controls and the optic cut will likely need an aftermarket barrel to make it fit.
Beretta lists an unloaded weight of 28½ ounces, an overall length of 7½ inches and a height of 5.6 inches, with a 1.1-inch grip width. Each pistol ships with three magazines, extra backstraps, a magazine loader, a cable lock and a barrel cleaning brush. Six catalog numbers cover FDE and OD Green frames in three magazine configurations: three 10-rounders, three 15-rounders, or a pair of 17-rounders plus one 21-round magazine for buyers whose states allow it.
Factory porting used to mean a custom shop and a lengthy wait list. Beretta’s new APX A1 Ported arrives in a hard case with a red follower in the magazines and a cleaning brush in the tray, which says something about where the aftermarket has pushed production lines in 2026.
“The APX A1 Ported brings a new level of speed and control to the APX A1 family,” said Logan Killam, senior product manager for Beretta USA. “The combination of the ported barrel and slide, enhanced controls and optics-ready configuration offer a platform designed to help them stay on target and make faster, more controlled follow-up shots.”
MSRP for the Beretta APX A1 Ported is $629 and it’s available now through Beretta dealers nationwide. Learn more at beretta.com.
Most Popular
