Beretta APX A1 Carry: Installing a New Grip Module

After owning the Beretta APX A1 Carry for awhile, I’m not a big fan of how the grip feels. I think they should have widened it up some so it could hold more ammo. Maybe a double stack mag? The texturing isn’t bad and the trigger is what I would call okay. Not bad, but not impressive either. However, I respect Beretta as a company and know everyone has different tastes. I haven’t seen any reliability issues with the APX Carry, so it’s just a matter of personal preference. Others like the compact gun and use it for a daily carry weapon.

One feature I like about the Beretta APX Carry is the ability to change the grip module (frame of the gun). Again, I wish they made some other sizes and not just colors. While the color options allow you to customize it to your liking, different grip sizes would be nice. I paid $40 for the dark green grip module that I will be installing today. The APX A1 Carry and optional grip modules are priced reasonably well.

When I purchased the APX Carry, it was on sale for under $250, not including a $50 rebate from Beretta (which I’m still waiting on). The grip that came on the gun is FDE and it comes with a black mag extension that matches the black slide. So now we’re going to talk about the grip module and how to install it on your Beretta APX Carry pistol. Beretta sells multiple colors for the APX Carry including FDE, Wolf Grey, OD Green, and Black.

Removing the Trigger Control Group From the Frame

Keep in mind I’m not a Beretta hater. Sig did this right but Beretta made it as complicated as possible. Changing a P320 grip module takes about 3 minutes. The Beretta took me about an hour because a bunch of parts fell out of the trigger control group. I’m pretty sure that’s not supposed to happen, but they come out easily; so be careful. First thing, make sure the gun is unloaded. Next, remove the slide from the frame using the take-down lever.

With the slide off, pull the takedown lever/pin out of the lower frame. There are two pins on the back of the frame (see photo above). The number one pin needs to be removed. There is a spring that sits in a groove on this pin, so you must lift it off the pin before removing it. I used a flat screwdriver made for a watch. When the spring is lifted just a little, the pin will push out with a punch. The second pin is spring loaded and does not come out. Push in on it while lifting on the trigger control group. The trigger control group will now lift out of the frame.

Try and keep it level because several parts started falling out of it when I lifted mine out of the frame. I used a diagram on Beretta’s website to figure out where they went. The trigger bar, slide stop, and pin that holds them together all fell off. If they come off on you, be patient and look at the diagram to see where they go.

Removing the Mag Release

I’ll give Beretta some credit here, they made the mag release easy to take off. With a very small punch, push in on the hole on the mag release button (left side of the gun) until a plunger pops out on the other side. Then, take a larger punch and push the mag release button out from the right side of the gun. That’s it. Put the parts back in place on the new frame and push the plunger back in to hold the mag release button on. If left-handed, you can reverse them.

Installing the Trigger Control Group Into the New Frame

There are two springs in the old frame that need to go into the new one. One is a small spring on the left side of the gun for the slide release lever. Set it in the same place on the new frame. The second spring is in the right side of the gun and looks bent. It’s supposed to look this way. Carefully lift it out of the frame and place it in the new one.

You’re now ready to install the trigger control group into the new frame. If anything fell off the trigger control group, this is where you need to put it back on. Set the trigger control group into the top of the frame. It will feel like it doesn’t want to go in because the back of the trigger control group flexes. You will need to squeeze it just a little to get it started. Don’t forget about that spring loaded pin either. You will need to push it in to fit inside the frame.

Once the trigger control group is in place, you should hear a clicking sound as the pin pops back into the hole in the frame. The takedown pin (retaining pin) can now go back in the larger hole and the slide can go back on. Cycle the slide a few times and make sure everything is functioning properly. I like to use dummy rounds to make sure the gun is cycling correctly before taking it to the range.

Easy as Pie?

No, I wouldn’t call this one easy. If everything stays in the trigger control group, it’s not bad but not easy. Sig got this one right and Beretta made it harder than it should have been. But, to give them credit, most companies don’t make the frame and trigger control group separate. So, in that respect, it’s still a plus. In the end, I have a green and black gun instead of FDE and black. I think it looks better. Even if it didn’t, I wouldn’t be switching it back. The Beretta APX A1 Carry is a reliable gun at a great price point. If you like the feel of it, it’s a good deal and you won’t be disappointed.

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