Gardone Val Trompia, October 31st, 2026 – Beretta and Burris proudly unveil the APX Falco, an unprecedented oneoff creation that celebrates Beretta’s 500th anniversary. More than a simple one-off creation, the APX Falco is a bold expression of innovation and a vision for the future of handguns. Developed in collaboration with Burris, trusted US optics brand within Beretta Holding, the APX Falco brings an unprecedented feature to the pistol market: a natively integrated red dot, machined directly into the same block of steel as the slide. Where precision meets disruptive design, the APX Falco combines cutting-edge metalworking technology with exceptional aesthetics. Accurate. Fast. Distinctive. Like the falcon that inspired its name.
Carlo Ferlito, CEO and General Manager at Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta, commented: “APX, the first Beretta striker pistol, was launched as a platform in 2017, and it was a real revolution within our company, being so tied to the icon of our SA/DA pistol, the M9. To celebrate this incredible platform during Beretta’s 500 years, we have developed a unique innovative design with a natively integrated red dot: the APX Falco is a statement, positioning Beretta aside from the mainstream design of the tactical handguns arena. The APX Falco is a groundbreaking innovation that could not be achieved without a strong partner, especially in the pistol world. We took the opportunity to cooperate with Burris, a trusted US optics brand within the Beretta Group, to create this unprecedented product, a cornerstone of accuracy and disruptive design.”
Born from a true engineering and manufacturing challenge, APX Falco marks a breakthrough in pistol and optics design, introducing the first monolithic integration of red dot and slide. The result is minimal dot height, long-term stability, perfect alignment and lasting zero retention, overcoming the compromises of externally mounted optics. Developed by drawing on Burris’s extensive expertise in advanced miniaturization, insulation, and battery optimization, this patented innovation makes Beretta and Burris the first, and currently the only, companies to offer this capability.
Bruno Beccaria, General Manager at Burris Optics, shared his enthusiasm for the project: “Five centuries of history. When I think about Beretta’s 500 years, I don’t see simply a milestone to celebrate, but an invitation to imagine what comes next. That is the spirit with which we approached the APX Falco project. To me, APX Falco is far more than a commemorative edition. It is the result of a collaboration between Burris and Beretta that I believed in from the very beginning, because it brings together two worlds that naturally complement each other: the firearm and the sighting system, conceived as part of a single vision. This is the aspect of the project that resonates most strongly with me. The red dot is not an accessory added at the end. It has been an integral part of the design from the very beginning. We didn’t want to simply pair two components, but to create a unified system in which each element is conceived in relation to the other. I believe this is where the true meaning of APX Falco lies. Celebrating a remarkable legacy is not simply about remembering it. It is about turning it into inspiration for something new. To me, this choice reflects the exclusive nature of a project created for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. APX Falco is my way of looking at this anniversary. It pays tribute to the past, while already looking ahead to the next chapter. I firmly believe that the most authentic way to honor a legacy is to keep evolving it. Five centuries of heritage. Two companies. One new vision.”
At the core of APX Falco is a solid skeletonized steel frame with a premium Diamond-Like Carbon finish. Moving beyond the traditional APX polymer frame required a complete rethink of weight distribution and balance, enhancing ergonomics, stability and accuracy. The integrated, precision-machined oversized magwell further elevates performance, enabling faster reloads.
Building on this solid foundation, every component of APX Falco has been engineered to further enhance accuracy, stability and trigger performance. A lightweight, ported slide and integrated compensator deliver faster cycling and enhanced recoil control, while the shorter, pre-tensioned barrel increases rigidity and reduces vibrations for greater point-of-impact stability. An integrated chassis with refined trigger components ensures short travel and a crisp, clean break.
This pursuit of performance also shapes APX Falco’s distinctive design. Inspired by the fastest bird on earth, its slide translates the dynamics of a falcon in flight into fluid, tapered lines that evoke both airflow and a bullet’s trajectory. The magazine release becomes the falcon’s eye, inspiring a distinctive feather motif that extends across the grip and slide. Hand-engraved, gold-inlaid details trace the path of the eternal spark, celebrating Beretta’s 500 years and a passion continuously fueled by craftsmanship and innovation.
Extending this same design language beyond the pistol itself, the black presentation case echoes APX Falco’s fluid, tapered lines. Machined from a single block of aluminum, it features a black Alcantara French-fitted interior, handmade by the Pietro Beretta Atelier in Gardone Val Trompia, Italy. Together, pistol and case embody the duality at the heart of Beretta: the relentless pursuit of innovation and the celebration of traditional craftsmanship, with the golden Beretta 500-year logo providing the final signature, both inside and outside the case.
