By R.K. Campbell |Contributing Editor
It seems that there is more interest in compact 9mm Luger concealed carry handguns than any other single type of handgun.
While there are nice range guns and home defense guns in 9mm the compact and subcompact 9mm guns are the most packable. Not surprisingly these pistols have seen a great deal of development. Among the front runners in the field has been Smith & Wesson.
From the original Shield to the Equalizer Smith & Wesson has pioneered innovative 9mm handguns. The majority of concealed carry pieces introduced during the past decade have been striker fired polymer frame versions. Smith & Wesson’s EZ Rack guns are hidden hammer guns with a manual safety and grip safety, reflecting a continuing demand for such types from a number of shooters.
Smith & Wesson’s CSX was a surprise introduction. This is a lightweight handgun with aluminum frame. It is hammer fired with a single action trigger. While not a 1911 it is 1911 like in some particulars and a welcome development to some of us. This sub compact 9mm handgun has enjoyed a small but enthusiastic following.
E for Excellence
Smith & Wesson recently introduced the E series CSX. There are upgrades to the original CSX, including the pistol being now optics ready. If that is your line of sight, the CSX is just the sub-compact you have been looking for. Smith & Wesson developed a slide treatment intended to direct gas away from the red dot. Red dot sights will accumulate burnt powder ash on the lens over time.
The ClearSight cut seems a good option. Single action triggers are often crisp and controllable but few factory options are ideal. The newest CSX features a trigger with tighter take-up, a crisp let off and rapid reset.
While the striker fired action has its place there is nothing as combat capable as a good single action trigger. A straight to the rear trigger action and rapid reset are advantageous to a trained shooter. Fast first shot hits and rapid follow shots are satisfyingly fast with the CSX. A trigger like this results in a reduction of movement compared to a double action trigger. Simpler is better and the little gun shoots well.
The dimensions and geometry of the E series are practically the same as the original. The aluminum frame’s front strap is more aggressively checkered. It is nice to have a mix of abrasion and adhesion that favors a good grip. The pistol is supplied with a modular grip adapter. This is an interesting concept that I have not seen in use previously. The modular component slips over the grip both enlarging the grip area and creating an enhanced magazine well. Backstrap inserts are the same as the original CSX 9mm.
The pistol is available in both 3.1 and 3.6 inch barrel versions. I chose the 3.6 inch barrel for evaluation. Magazines include 10-round restricted capacity versions for non-free states and 12, 15, and 17-round magazines. The 12-round magazine is flush fit with the standard grip frame. The metal magazines are stiff to load as they must be to maintain reliability in such a compact high capacity feed device. It is asking a lot for a magazine to feed reliably at all times from full compression to almost no compression.
Sights on the CSX are well designed for personal defense. They are low profile but offer a good sight picture for rapid fire combat shooting. The square notch rear and post front offer a good sight picture. They are well regulated for 124-grain ammunition.
An ambidextrous safety lever locks the hammer in place when applied. The pistol will be properly carried hammer to the rear and safety on. Unlike a true 1911, the CSX may be loaded with the safety on. The safety does not lock the slide.
I don’t recommend carrying a single-action pistol with the hammer down. On safe and ready to fire by simply thumbing the safety off is fast and leads to more accurate fire. The CSX is so compact and the hammer so easily thumbed back that it is more of an option to carry the piece hammer down than it would be with a true 1911. If simply thrust into a back pocket for a quick run to the store hammer down is a reasonable choice. Be certain you have practiced to the point that you don’t fumble the hammer.
The pistol also features a finger lever safety in the trigger face which doesn’t slow you down at all but seems redundant. Hitting the scale at 19 ounces in the 3.1-inch barrel version and 23 ounces in the 3.6-inch barrel pistol, it is lightweight for carry. The grip isn’t as large as a full size handgun but Smith & Wesson has done a good job in creating a grip that offers a good hold and which the hand glides naturally into. I experimented with the pistol with both standard firing grip and the enlarged grip with good results. The CSX offers plenty of versatility.
I am not particularly fond of takedown. A punch is required. Be certain the pistol is unloaded. Bring the slide back enough to line up the slide lock and takedown cut out in the slide. Punch the take down pin out, which is actually part of the ambidextrous slide lock. Not too difficult but not as simple as many modern pistols.
Volleys and Salvos-Firing Tests
Since this isn’t the usual polymer frame compact, I took care in lubricating the pistol before firing. Steel slides and aluminum frames demand lubricant.
This is a locked breech handgun that unlocks by angled camming surfaces. The barrel hood locks into the slide and there are no locking lugs. The barrel tilts a bit at a tight angle.
During the test the majority of ammunition used was Federal American Eagle FMJ ammunition with a mix of Blazer thrown in. I used 124-grainers for the American Eagle, and 115-grain ammunition for the Blazer.
The pistol is controllable for a handgun of this size and weight. With straight to the rear recoil muzzle flip is limited compared to other similar sized handguns. I homed in on man-sized targets at 5, 7 and 10 yards. Performance is excellent. Get on target line the sights properly and press the trigger straight to the rear. As the pistol recoils allow the trigger to reset and get back on target. Simple as that not easy but simple.
The safety is positive in operation and falls under the thumb as the pistol is drawn. I fired 150 trouble free rounds during the initial evaluation, and I was not rubbing my wrists when the final shots were fired. This pistol makes the grade as a defensive handgun. It compares well to pistols in the same size and weight class such as the SIG P365 or Glock 43X.
Old hands with the 1911 will prefer this pistol, young shooters will also find much to recommend. I fired a number of groups from a solid benchrest firing position. I fired five shot groups with respected defense ammunition. Range was 15 yards. The results are good. This is a quality handgun, reliable and combat accurate. It is worth its price.
Carrying the SW CSX E Class
The pistol demands a good quality inside the waistband holster. The Galco StowNGo features a reinforced holstering welt, a sturdy belt clip, and good fit. This is an affordable holster but one well worth its price, a good value in today’s world. The SW CSX/Galco combination is a good one.
Firing groups/15 yards/benchrest/ 5 shot groups
Load Group in inches
Federal 115 grain Train + Protect 2.25 in.
Federal 124 grain HST 1.6 in.
Speer 124 grain Gold Dot 1.8 in.
Velocity comparison, original 3.1 inch CSX compared to the 3.6 inch barrel test gun.
Federal 115 grain Train & Protect 1110 fps/1145fps
Federal 124 grain HST 1122 fps/1149 fps
Federal 147 grain HST 888 fps/934 fps
The 3.6 inch barrel has an advantage in velocity and a clean powder burn. Perhaps the greatest advantage is in balance and the longer sight radius.
SPECIFICATIONS
Width 1.12 inches
OAL 6.61 inches
Height 4.6 inches
Weight 23.6 ounces
Caliber 9mm
Capacity 12, 15 or 17 rounds
Barrel 3.6 inches
Grips Polymer
Sights White dot
Optic Ready Yes
BBL Stainless steel
Frame Aluminum
MSRP $699.00
