New CSX first impressions

PeterJ · #1 08-03-2022, 05:58 PM

Picked up a new CSX today and in gun friendly Pa. the whole process along with background check took about 15 minutes,,, max. Took it home, took it apart, and gave it a good once over and cleaning. Wasn't too thrilled with the disassembly but will probably get used to it in time. Taking it apart made me think of how I love putting my MK II Ruger together. Anyhow, off to the range and came to really like the gun real quick. Put about 120 rounds through it and never got to the point that I really had enough of shooting this gun. I have a Springfield Elite 9mm 1911 with a 4" barrel and shooting the CSX seemed about the same, recoil wise. Accuracy for me was even more impressive as at ten yards standing I was able to hold a 4" group, which for me is excellent. Trigger is fine, although a bit heavy with no "false reset" that I could feel. After dry firing later the trigger already seems to be smoothing out and lightening up. One thing did happen that has me wondering. When I load a semi with the one in the chamber, I always load the round before I insert the mag and hit the slide release. Did that with the CSX and on occasion, not every time, the slide would not go into full battery. Slide would stop about 1/8 inch from fully closed and of course, would not fire. When I loaded a round from the mag, it would go fully closed every time. Strange. Other than that I really like the gun and will put many more rounds through it in the next week or so.

mckenney99 · #2 08-03-2022, 06:22 PM

If you are dropping a round directly into the chamber and then releasing the slide with the slide release or pulling the slide back to release it, STOP. That action is very hard on extractors. Pistols are meant to have the round stripped from the magazine to load the chamber. Stripping a round from the magazine slows the returning slide velocity and allows the round to SLIDE UP UNDER the extractor. Repeatedly forcing the extractor to SNAP OVER the loaded cartridge rim can cause premature breakage to the beak of the extractor or what you are seeing as failures to go into battery.

PeterJ · #3 08-03-2022, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mckenney99

If you are dropping a round directly into the chamber and then releasing the slide with the slide release or pulling the slide back to release it, STOP. That action is very hard on extractors. Pistols are meant to have the round stripped from the magazine to load the chamber. Stripping a round from the magazine slows the returning slide velocity and allows the round to SLIDE UP UNDER the extractor. Repeatedly forcing the extractor to SNAP OVER the loaded cartridge rim can cause premature breakage to the beak of the extractor or what you are seeing as failures to go into battery.

Thank you ! That has never been explained to me. I always thought it was simpler to feed the round directly rather than messing with double feeding the mag.

Marshal tom · #4 08-03-2022, 07:02 PM

The way I always teach it is to insert a loaded or partially loaded mag into the gun, cycle the slide to chamber a round, then top off the mag and reinsert the mag. The advice given above it right on!

Furrball · #5 08-04-2022, 04:49 PM

I am planning on getting a CSX.
Thank you for posting your experience with one.

IAM Rand · #6 08-22-2022, 10:19 AM

I was thinking about starting a new thread to drop my rant in but, figured it would be best to put it here. I still, for the life of me, do not understand people's criticism of triggers on guns that don't need a competition trigger. The CSX is a gun for just one purpose, protection. I took my CSX out again and still love it, trigger and all. I have not had any issues with the trigger at all. I find it hard to believe that it is much different from others out there that have been complaining about their trigger. I have always been told that it is usually the jerk behind the trigger that is the problem.

Granted, I have not shot 500+ rounds through it but, every time I have shot it, it has function at or better than my expectations(usually better). I have never had a short reset on the trigger. I am not sure what people want in a trigger. I can see if you are shooting competition with a pistol and want an ultra smooth trigger but, I don't see the CSX as ever having been designed for that role. It is a small carry concealed pistol with a good 12 round mag. When the um.........POOP hits the fan you will never notice it. Also, if you are trying to shoot the bad guy out past let's say 25 yards, then maybe you need to be asking yourself if you should really be doing that. Either you need to close the distance or get your butt going in the opposite direction.

Just don't understand. Can someone enlighten me on why a self defense pistol needs a competition trigger? If anyone just can't live with their CSX then I will be more than happy to take it off your hands........at a deep discount of course. I hear they have horrible triggers.

sigp220.45 · #7 08-22-2022, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAM Rand

Just don't understand. Can someone enlighten me on why a self defense pistol needs a competition trigger? If anyone just can't live with their CSX then I will be more than happy to take it off your hands........at a deep discount of course. I hear they have horrible triggers.

I can answer for me: These days I shoot waaaaay more paper targets than people.

I plan to get a CSX and carry it, but I suspect I will only acually shoot it on the range. I doubt I’ll have a problem with the trigger, but a really terrible trigger makes for a terrible range day.

quikdraw67 · #8 08-23-2022, 07:43 PM

I can tell I'm a railroad fan, not one of the new S&W pistols.

Every time I see CSX I think of trains.

Go figure

dmthomp32 · #9 08-23-2022, 08:15 PM

I’ve been curious about the CSX but honestly the Shield plus has been just too outstanding. I love single action manual safety pistols (1911’s are my first love) but for everyday abuse and carry the Shield + has been my go to. My LGS just got a CSX in stock, I plan to handle it this week. Maybe it will change my mind!

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Furrball · #10 08-23-2022, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAM Rand

I was thinking about starting a new thread to drop my rant in but, figured it would be best to put it here. I still, for the life of me, do not understand people's criticism of triggers on guns that don't need a competition trigger. The CSX is a gun for just one purpose, protection. I took my CSX out again and still love it, trigger and all. I have not had any issues with the trigger at all. I find it hard to believe that it is much different from others out there that have been complaining about their trigger. I have always been told that it is usually the jerk behind the trigger that is the problem.

Granted, I have not shot 500+ rounds through it but, every time I have shot it, it has function at or better than my expectations(usually better). I have never had a short reset on the trigger. I am not sure what people want in a trigger. I can see if you are shooting competition with a pistol and want an ultra smooth trigger but, I don't see the CSX as ever having been designed for that role. It is a small carry concealed pistol with a good 12 round mag. When the um.........POOP hits the fan you will never notice it. Also, if you are trying to shoot the bad guy out past let's say 25 yards, then maybe you need to be asking yourself if you should really be doing that. Either you need to close the distance or get your butt going in the opposite direction.

Just don't understand. Can someone enlighten me on why a self defense pistol needs a competition trigger? If anyone just can't live with their CSX then I will be more than happy to take it off your hands........at a deep discount of course. I hear they have horrible triggers.

I have looked at the CSX several times. It feels excellent in my hand. I love a handgun with a hammer. I have shot dozens of different types and makes of handguns and long guns. It looks to be a perfect carry pistol for me. I don't know if that trigger would be a problem for me but it boogles my mind that a defensive handgun would have a trigger that creates doubt.
I would love to rent one and give it a try.
I feel like I can shoot about anything.
I am very likely to find out one way or another in the next few weeks.
I have shot so many different types I don't even know if I ride the reset or not. I just know it goes bang and I am accurate enough, Quick enough, for my needs routinely
I'm going to be very unhappy if my shooting style causes reset problems.
I can't believe they make a pistol that instills doubt.

huthike · #11 08-23-2022, 08:35 PM

My CSX had a horrible creepy crunchy trigger out of the box. Dry firing smoothed it out pretty quickly and I really liked it at the range in live fire. Shoots well for such a small pistol and the ergonomics are great.

Mustang93 · #12 08-23-2022, 08:53 PM

In the world of modern pistols I have a very low tolerance for pistols with bad triggers just like I do heavy canoes. I have a CSX that after some minor work and rounds through the gun has no false reset and a 5 1/4lb trigger which I find acceptable. My expectations for myself and my pistols is different than yours including accuracy and distance for self defense. I don't have a problem with your expectations but they are not mine. I guess I can't understand your dislike for others who have higher expectations than yours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAM Rand

I was thinking about starting a new thread to drop my rant in but, figured it would be best to put it here. I still, for the life of me, do not understand people's criticism of triggers on guns that don't need a competition trigger. The CSX is a gun for just one purpose, protection. I took my CSX out again and still love it, trigger and all. I have not had any issues with the trigger at all. I find it hard to believe that it is much different from others out there that have been complaining about their trigger. I have always been told that it is usually the jerk behind the trigger that is the problem.

Granted, I have not shot 500+ rounds through it but, every time I have shot it, it has function at or better than my expectations(usually better). I have never had a short reset on the trigger. I am not sure what people want in a trigger. I can see if you are shooting competition with a pistol and want an ultra smooth trigger but, I don't see the CSX as ever having been designed for that role. It is a small carry concealed pistol with a good 12 round mag. When the um.........POOP hits the fan you will never notice it. Also, if you are trying to shoot the bad guy out past let's say 25 yards, then maybe you need to be asking yourself if you should really be doing that. Either you need to close the distance or get your butt going in the opposite direction.

Just don't understand. Can someone enlighten me on why a self defense pistol needs a competition trigger? If anyone just can't live with their CSX then I will be more than happy to take it off your hands........at a deep discount of course. I hear they have horrible triggers.

Electraclyde · #13 08-23-2022, 09:51 PM

My experience with my CSX (Train) is much the same as the OP. I only have about 250 rounds thru mine, but zero issues with the trigger or anything else. I do wish that someone would come out with a set of night sights for it. I have found front night sights, but so far, no front and rear.

squidsix · #14 08-23-2022, 11:02 PM

Mine is holding up well. With the 12 round mag, I can mostly kinda get my pinky on the gun, and I shoot it well. Its a great pistol for when I am in a 1911 state of mind.
When I want double action, nothing beats the 3913, but for a micro single action, the CSX is hard to beat.

Radny97 · #15 08-24-2022, 12:17 AM

I do shoot a lot competitively but I don’t ride the reset. For real competitors, accuracy is so much more important than speed that riding the reset really is just bad technique.

As to the CSX, I have about 800 rounds through mine. It’s 100% reliable, comfortable to shoot (it really shoots like a much bigger gun than it is) and the trigger is excellent in mine. There is a slight false reset, but the trigger travel is so short anyway that anyone who is riding the reset that tightly for their self defense training needs to have their head examined. It’s literally only about one millimeter of movement between the very light false reset and the actual reset. In a self defense situation if you’re training is so ingrained that you ride the reset that tightly while shooting to defend your life, you must have ice for blood. Just not gonna happen.

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waffles · #16 08-24-2022, 01:03 AM

The trigger complaint is easy for me. The CSX differentiates itself from the P365/Glock 43X/Shield Plus by way of its metal frame and SAO cocked and locked carry method. This appeals to the more 1911 minded among us, and as such people expected a 1911-ish good trigger. When that didn't happen for some people, they wondered why they bothered with a SAO pistol over a striker gun.

Furrball · #17 08-24-2022, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waffles

The trigger complaint is easy for me. The CSX differentiates itself from the P365/Glock 43X/Shield Plus by way of its metal frame and SAO cocked and locked carry method. This appeals to the more 1911 minded among us, and as such people expected a 1911-ish good trigger. When that didn't happen for some people, they wondered why they bothered with a SAO pistol over a striker gun.

A swing and a miss.
A trigger that goes bang every time you squeeze it, on the range or under stress, is all I expect.
Especially in a defensive handgun.
No more, no less.

I will add, seems some of the folks that actually own one are saying "no problems" or "smooths up with break in" on this tread.

Grayfox · #18 08-24-2022, 12:08 PM

Being an old 1911 guy, I find myself intrigued by the CSX. I'm quite used to SAs and cocked and locked carry. I also like the metal frame as I never have warmed up to plastic.
The size seems to be somewhere between an Officer's 1911 and the .380 Mustang. Both of which I have been known to carry. Size is really the point with me. I haven't been able to get a CSX in hand as of yet. If it feels good and is what I hope, I'll likely buy one and carry it.

Furrball · #19 08-24-2022, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grayfox

Being an old 1911 guy, I find myself intrigued by the CSX. I'm quite used to SAs and cocked and locked carry. I also like the metal frame as I never have warmed up to plastic.
The size seems to be somewhere between an Officer's 1911 and the .380 Mustang. Both of which I have been known to carry. Size is really the point with me. I haven't been able to get a CSX in hand as of yet. If it feels good and is what I hope, I'll likely buy one and carry it.

I have carried a Mustang Pocketlite for years.
The CSX is very similar in size, a little bigger, certainly going to be heavier loaded. It has 3 dot sights and really feels good in the hand.
Very hard to believe it will hold 13 rounds.
I am betting you will like it.
It's darn near perfect.

IAM Rand · #20 08-24-2022, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang93

My expectations for myself and my pistols is different than yours including accuracy and distance for self defense. I don't have a problem with your expectations but they are not mine. I guess I can't understand your dislike for others who have higher expectations than yours.

I guess I am in the "There is a different tool for every job" camp and my expectations are based upon that. Being in a certain job where you have to be able to explain yourself for every time you pull a trigger and account for ever round fired, I look at it that a pistol like the CSX is more of an "Oh POOP" kinda gun where you need to use it at closer ranges. Could I use it to, at the very least, to keep someone's head down until I get more help, yes. Could I be effective at distances greater than 25 yards, I believe I could. It just seems to me that it was designed to be a closer range Poop-hitting-the-fan kinda gun and I base my expectations upon that. It is not that I have low expectation, just realistic expectations.