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Work order — Beretta APX

Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: medium.

Shop difficulty: Tier 2 of 3

54 line items in Beretta's APX A1 list, above the Glock range; a punch-only chassis gun but with several small snags: a magazine catch under heavier spring pressure that can fly, a sear spring that snags while the sub-frame goes back in, a fiddly striker end-plate plunger, and a stiff stamped sub-frame to pry open. Easy for Tier 2. 53 parts (Complete pistol incl. magazine and S/M/L backstraps; the parts list on this page = 'Parts Listing' (list p. 48, exploded view p. 49), full-size APX A1 in one caliber; 54 pieces). Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.

Bench time: strip ~20 min, rebuild ~30 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______

Special tools:

• Beretta Sight Adjustment Tool for APX (800J18) — Dovetail sights (manufacturer recommendation)
• Small punch — End-plate locking plunger, chassis pins, magazine release pin

Watch for:

• The magazine catch on the full-size APX is under more spring pressure than the Carry's and can fly off when its lock pin is pushed out. (both; Apex Gunsmithing)
• When the sub-frame goes back into the grip shell, the hook end of the sear spring gets trapped or crushed unless it is held out of the way. (reassembly; Apex Gunsmithing)
• The slide end plate needs the captive striker spring held out of the way while its locking plunger is pushed in with a punch. (both; Apex Gunsmithing)
• Reinstalling the chassis requires checking that the cocking lever spring leg has caught the groove of the rear chassis pin. (reassembly; Beretta USA / Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A.)
• The dovetailed steel sights are to be moved with Beretta's dedicated APX sight tool. (both; Beretta USA / Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A.)

1. Clear and make safe

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. Press the magazine release and remove the magazine.
3. Retract the slide fully to eject any chambered round and lock it open.
4. Visually inspect the chamber and magazine well, then physically feel the chamber to confirm it is empty.
   Warning: Look and feel. Both, every time.
5. Remove all live ammunition from the work area.

2. Disassemble

Field Strip

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure and leave the slide locked to the rear.
2. Rotate the takedown lever on the frame downward until it stops.
3. Hold the slide, release the slide stop, and ease the slide forward off the front of the frame.
   Warning: Control the slide rather than letting it fly forward.
4. Lift the recoil spring assembly out of the inverted slide.
   Warning: Under spring tension.
5. Lift the barrel out of the slide.

3. Refinish

The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks "factory fit" should not be swapped or reworked.

The manufacturer's full parts list (54 parts) is on the reference page.

4. Reassemble

Reassembly

1. Set the barrel into the inverted slide and seat it fully forward.
2. Seat the recoil spring assembly into the cut in the barrel lug and press it down into the slide channel.
   Tip: It seats in the lug cut, not on the barrel itself.
3. Set the slide onto the frame rails and push it rearward until it seats.
4. Return the takedown lever to its locked position.
   Warning: Confirm the takedown lever is fully returned before the pistol goes back into service.
5. Rack the slide several times and perform the function check.

5. Torque

No manufacturer torque values are recorded for this firearm.

Notes: The manufacturer's documents give no torque value. They say: "Using the screws, fasten the sight onto the slide using an allen key. Details on different screws and keys are given in the chart." (Pistol User Manual APX A1 (MAN0011 01), PDF p. 43 (Aiming device installation)) "The original screws come with a drop of glue applied; if it could not be enough the use of Loctite® is recommended." (Pistol User Manual APX A1 (MAN0011 01), PDF p. 43)

Fit or check on rebuild

• Cocking lever spring leg in the rear chassis pin groove — The manual has the tech confirm it by pushing the pin back and checking for movement
• Sear spring position before seating the sub-frame — The spring can rotate and get crushed into the grip shell
• Sight position / re-zero — Drift or pressed sights moved for coating shift point of impact unless witness-marked and returned to the same spot
• Full function check (trigger reset, safeties, slide lock-back, drop of striker/hammer only on trigger) — Standard after any fire-control strip; confirms springs and sears went back correctly

6. Function check

• Verify the pistol is unloaded with no magazine inserted before each check.
• Rack the slide and press the trigger. The striker should release cleanly.
• Hold the trigger to the rear, rack the slide, then release slowly and confirm the reset.
• Press the trigger again to confirm the striker releases.
• Confirm the slide locks open on an empty magazine and the magazine drops free.

If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

Sources

1. Beretta APX Owner’s Manual — Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta primary
2. Pistol User Manual APX A1 (MAN0011 01) — Beretta USA / Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. primary
   https://dam.beretta.com/content/dam/beretta-usa/user-manuals/APX_A1_Manual.pdf
3. Disassembly Guide: Beretta APX A1 (Full Size) — Apex Gunsmithing secondary
   https://apexgunsmithing.com/disassembly-guide-beretta-apx-a1-full-size/

Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown

Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.