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Old 01-09-2022, 07:36 PM
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Default CSX First Look

Been away from the forum for a while due to occupying most of my range time with my Springfield EMP Concealed Carry Contour model because I decided I preferred the 1911 style semi-autos. When I read about the CSX being released, after owning the CS9 for the past couple of decades I just could not resist the latest S&W Chief Special model especially since it changed to a 1911 style manual of arms.

I have not been to the range yet, just got it yesterday, but after a takedown for initial cleaning and dry firing, these are the things I do like about the new CSX.

1. The workmanship is first rate, outside and inside. Very nice finish on it, way nicer than my CS9 looked when new.
2. The slide is easier to cycle than other comparable size semi-autos I have handled, including my 9mm Shield PC. This is important to me.
3. The replaceable different size back strap is easy to change with the little tool provided.
4. Take down for cleaning is easier, at least for me, than on other comparable size pistols I have had, not sure why, probably becase it is easier to hold the slide back a quarter inch or so while I push the pin out.
5. And typical for S&W products, the more you operate and dry fire the smoother the trigger pull was
6. I just like metal frames a little better than polymer, a personal preference thing.
7. I like having ambidextrous controls, slide release and safety. While I am right handed, I like to practice at the range with off hand.
8. The mag release has a little bit of stippling on it which I find helpful.
9. The manual safety has a very positive click on and off, you can be very certain which position you have moved it to.
10. The 12 + 1 capacity is great for the size pistol. Having the 10 round mag available can come in handy if/when traveling through a state with that 10 round mag capacity restriction.
11. It has a half cock notch, I know, some will say maybe bad, but I think there might be a time when it could possibly be helpful.

Just my $ .02, hope the info is helpful.
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Old 01-09-2022, 07:46 PM
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Thx for your first impression thoughts.
For me it clarified few things I was aware of.

Are you able to compare size of CSX vs Shield?
How is the trigger feel during dry fire?
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Old 01-09-2022, 08:25 PM
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The size and weight is very similar to the Shield. The trigger pull seems, at least to me, very good, I know this is somewhat subjective, but I like it better than the Shield, does not have the long creep up to the break that the Shield has, and no over travel I can discern.

While I did like the grip on the Shield, like the grip on the CSX more ergomically correct, at least for my hand.
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Old 01-09-2022, 09:00 PM
GerSan69 GerSan69 is offline
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Thanks neighbor, very helpful information and well-written too!
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Old 01-09-2022, 11:41 PM
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There is another thread with live fire report.
Looks like S&W made good product within that size.
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Old 01-13-2022, 09:20 PM
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Default Safety

Not sure if it has been mentioned already, but one other thing that might be of interest to some, that I think is a very good safety feature, as well as a nice convenience, is that the slide can be operated fully, or to press check, while keeping the safety in the on position. Many 1911's you cannot pull the slide back with the safety on.

If things keep going this way, my old CS may be permanently relegated to storage
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File Type: jpg S&W CS9.jpg (137.4 KB, 76 views)
File Type: jpg S&W CSX.jpg (49.4 KB, 88 views)
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Old 01-24-2022, 10:19 PM
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Default Range Report

Had an opprortunity to live fire the new CSX and put some rounds down range. Ran a bunch of Hornady Critical Duty 135 gr FlexLock, Hornady 115 gr Critical Defense and Hornady 115 gr TAP Training ammunition through it. No malfunctions of any type, all ammo fed, fired, ejected fine. Both magazines operated fine as well. My past experience with other semi autos has been that when brand new out of the box there is often a minor hiccup or two. The CSX operated perfectly.

In the past, I have had quite a bit of range time with my Shield PC so very familiar with its accuracy and felt recoil. I have to say that the accuracy of the new CSX is pretty much the same as the Shield PC. Felt recoil definitely seemed a little less than the Shield PC, not sure why, perhaps the different grip shape, but I felt comfortable shooting the CSX more than I would be comfortable with the Shield.

Also, with regards to ammo, I have found that not every semi auto or their respective magazines likes to feed the pointed projectiles of the Critical Duty, but the CSX cycled them all flawlessly.

Anyway, the only other feature of the new CSX that I think is worth mentioning again is the ability to cycle the slide while keeping the safety in the ON position, the folks at Smith & Wesson really got that one right, definitely a worthwhile design feature. This is a great safety as well as convenience feature.

So, another $ .02 on the CSX, hope some find it of interest. Think that makes a total of $ .04
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Old 01-25-2022, 01:24 AM
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My impressions are slightly different from those mentioned, which illustrates just how personal felt recoil, ergonomics and accuracy is. I put 200 rounds thru my new CSX yesterday. For the most part I was shooting BB 115 FMJ and I only had two stoppages which I am sure were ammo related. I also ran two mags of HST with zero problems.
Here are my thoughts so far:
1) This pistol is snappy with more felt recoil than my 9mm Shield 2.0
2) The trigger, being single action, is just different. Some of the online reviews complained of no felt reset or a false reset. This is a nonissue as the trigger travel is so slight to begin with. I can’t imagine ever short stroking the trigger. With that said, I also like the trigger on my Shield 2.0 as it is a vast improvement from earlier Shield models. Being a striker gun it’s just different.
3) As a consequence, I did not shoot the CSX better than my Shield 2.0. I’m sure this will improve asI get more experience with the CSX, but I was shooting the Shield really well right out of the box.
4) I like the feel of the CSX. It seems to fit my hand well even with the shorter 10-round mag.
5) I found the mags hard to load — they are stiff. I had to use my Maglula.
And, when the slide is fully into battery I could not load a full magazine. I had to retract and hold open the slide to insert a full magazine. This means the advertised 10+1 is more like 9+1.
6) I was practicing from a low ready position and flicking safety off as raising the pistol. I did this for every magazine and found it difficult to re-engage the safety without relaxing my grip and using two hands — it is stiff. But, as previously pointed out, the safety is very positively engaged with an audible click and I had no problem flicking the safety off with my thumb when presenting the pistol.
7) I did have problem with disassembly the first time. Even though I’m well experienced with 1911’s I had trouble lining up the notch in the slide to remove the slide stop pin. The tolerance here was very tight and even when you do line it up exactly right you must use a drift or similar instrument to punch out the slide stop pin — unlike a 1911. I don’t know about you but I dislike having to use some sort of tool for disassembly.

Bottom line here is that Ido like this pistol. I have a a P365, P365XL, Hellcat, Kimber Mako, and a Kimber Micro 9. The CSX just feels better in my hand than any of these, and I wear an XL glove. I intend to invest more range time in this pistol to improve speed and accuracy. But, I do see working it into my carry rotation at some point in the future.
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Old 01-27-2022, 08:47 PM
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Default A few More Thoughts

As I continue on my journey with the new CSX, I find a few more things noteworthy in case anyone is interested.

The Slide Lock: I know many firearms enthusiasts are somewhat rigid about only referring to this device as a slide lock and not to be used to release the slide. However, I have over the years accustomed myself on other pistols to using this as a slide release as well as a slide lock. On the new CSX, it is very easy to release the slide using the slide lock. On some pistols I have found this to require a lot of pressure to push down to release the slide, as perhaps it was previously not deigned as a slide release. The CSX on the other hand has a slide lock that is very easy to operate to release the slide. I believe the designers at S&W intended it to be used as a slide release in addition to a slide lock due to the flact that it has a small step with serations on the top locgically indicating to use it as an option to release the slide with that rather than pull back the slide and let it go forward.

Rack Assist Bumps (technical name probably something else): The rear of the slide has small bumps that make it much easier, at least for me, to grasp the slide to pull it to the rear. I think this design feature would be especially helpful for some like me that may be getting a bit long in the tooth and/or experiencing some arthritis in the hands.

Rear Sight Adjustment: The set screw that secures the rear sight is not the same size as my Shield PC. I have found that a 5/64 inch hex key (I grew up calling them Allen Wrenches) works nicely. I went on ebay and bought a pack of 5 for $8 so I can keep one on my work/cleaning bench, one in my range bag, and a few extra because I know that any small parts I am absolutely sure to lose.

Better With Use: Like every other S&W semi-auto and revolver I have had over the past 55 years, the action gets better with use.

Hope this info is of interest to some.
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Last edited by 0849; 01-27-2022 at 08:49 PM.
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Old 01-28-2022, 10:04 AM
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Default Very Good Review

I liked the review you have presented. I do have a question for you and others. I thought I read somewhere that the night sights available for the Shield pistols will work on the new CSX. Any insight on this bit of info? Thanks.

PS-I just ordered my CSX and am curious about the night sights.
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Old 01-28-2022, 02:45 PM
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I just took a look at the sights comparing the Shield to the CSX. As best I could measure it appears that the dimensions of the dovetail cut in the slide may be the same. The potential problem is with the shape/contour of the sights. The night sights on my Shield PC have what I would describe as an overhang towards the rear that if placed on the CSX would extend beyond the rear of the slide. One of the nice features, at least in my own preference, of the CSX being hammer fired is that it does not have that extended length of the slide on the rear that striker fired pistols like the Shield typically have.
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File Type: jpg CSX sight.jpg (41.1 KB, 14 views)
File Type: jpg shield sight side view.jpg (85.4 KB, 15 views)
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Last edited by 0849; 01-28-2022 at 06:03 PM. Reason: Added photos of sights
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Old 01-28-2022, 07:16 PM
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Default NIght sights

Well, got my own answer. NO they won't or so it seems
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Old 01-28-2022, 07:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 0849 View Post
I just took a look at the sights comparing the Shield to the CSX. As best I could measure it appears that the dimensions of the dovetail cut in the slide may be the same. The potential problem is with the shape/contour of the sights. The night sights on my Shield PC have what I would describe as an overhang towards the rear that if placed on the CSX would extend beyond the rear of the slide. One of the nice features, at least in my own preference, of the CSX being hammer fired is that it does not have that extended length of the slide on the rear that striker fired pistols like the Shield typically have.
Thank you sie. I stopped at a nearby LGS a while ago and they had a CSX. I compared them and as you so rightly said, the shape/contour is the problem
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Old 01-28-2022, 07:48 PM
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I intend to purchase two should it get 'approved' in our state
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