Considering a CSX-E
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BillinAlamo
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Just picked up my CSX-E 3.1 yesterday and can't wait to shoot it this weekend. I had the original with the trigger re-set issue and loved it, so expect joy from the E series. I, too, am looking at leather IWB holsters including the Galco pictured above and the elegant Ultra Custom from 1791 that you boil to mold to the gun.
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I just bought the CSX E Series 3.6 and put 50 rounds through it at the range. I shot it better than my carry gun S&W EZ performance 9mm. When I get more rounds through it I will probably start carrying it instead. Better accuracy and more rounds. Seventeen rounds versus 7+1. The problem for me is being in my late 70s and having arthritis in my right hand, having lost some hand strength is the take down!!! I really struggled to get the take down pin out!!! I finally got a q-tip bent in two in the slide which got the take out pin lined up with the TH in the wording WITH only then could I get the pin out. But the pressure to get it out is substantial hopefully it will loosen up with more range time!!?? I was very frustrated in the beginning. I took a photo for future reference!!! I probably won't clean this gun as often as I normally do. Just my initial post here.
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Shootist00
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Have you read the manual? You PUSH out the take down, Slide Lock/Release, lever from the right side using a small pin of some type. IIRC they actually give you a tool to do that. At least they did in the one I bought, IIRC.
Let me add that you cock the hammer and then grab the front of the slide with your hand and place your thumb of that same hand on the trigger guard and move the slide back slightly.
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steve99
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I had the same problem with my CSX take down pin. Sent it back to S&W. No joy. Your solution with the Q tip is similar to what I use. And I have read the instructions more than once.
Mine has a sweet spot where the pin just pops out.
It feels like winning a carnival game.
steve99
Member
There's my problem right there, I've never won anything. I don't clean as often as I otherwise would but that is a poor solution.
Are there aftermarket sights available for this gun? Does it share dovetail dimensions with any other Smiths?
After market M&P front sights (like M&P Shield) should work on the CSX.
I believe the rear sight is proprietary to the CSX.
mckenney99
Member
XS Sights now has 2 different models available. I have the DXT2PRO on my EDC CSX.
https://xssights.com/products/sights/handgun-sights/smith-and-wesson/?_bc_fsnf=1&Model=S&W+CSX
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At my age with a lack of hand strength and severe arthritis in my right hand I had to find something better than q-tips. I got my Weaver tool kit and started trying flat head bits. I eventually found one that when inserted into the loaded chamber indicator cutout was the exact spacing to get the take down pin out. Put that bit in and a couple taps on the punch with a hammer and out it goes! That's my solution.There's my problem right there, I've never won anything. I don't clean as often as I otherwise would but that is a poor solution.
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An origional CSX is my wife's favorite self-defense handgun. It's what she carries on her or in her car when she goes out for past 2 years. It replaced her Kimber Ultra Carry in 9mm that she's had for previous 14+ years. I know people have complained about the CSX trigger reset feel but we never noticed anything unusual. Since day one, this pistol has never malfunction and is very accurate. Only thing we do is to keep the mags downloaded by 1 round (9+1 or 11+1 rounds) so it will seat with the slide down easier. She keeps it loaded with 124 gr Speer Gold Dot ammo.
I have a bit of an embarrassing story about the CSX-E
As a gunsmith (now mostly retired) I don't care much for striker fired guns and I went to look for a CSX-E to use as a hideout or a BUG . I was specifically looking for one that would not leave my little figher without a purchase on the grip frame (I don't really care for guns so short they pinch my little finger on a reload).
Well the clerk showed me one and sure nuff the grip frame was too short. I mentioned my not likeing short frames and he didn't say anything - I did not know until later that there was that adapter in the box!
So I broke down and bought a Sig P-365XL - that allows me to get all my fingers on the gun barely. So far it has worked OK but I'm not hunge on any 9mm for self defense - even in +P+ loads, so I don't use it a lot except around the house to shoot small critters if needed.
I will say it is small and light and seems accurate enough - it would make a dandy .22 LR!
Now that I know about the CSX adapter I may get one of those as well.
Riposte
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OP
Tanners Owner
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I shot my 3.1 CSX E today before Thanksgiving dinner. Was a fun day. I used the IDPA 5x5 classifier as a standard, scoring SS which is my current BUG classification.
I put in about 75 rds through it today
I also have a 3.6 CSX E that I enjoy and seem to shoot better. Don’t think the 1/2 inch really matters much, but suspect its trigger is smoother than my 3.1
I’ll need to do a comparison between the 2 in the next few weeks.
Regardless both are winners in my book
I put in about 75 rds through it today
I also have a 3.6 CSX E that I enjoy and seem to shoot better. Don’t think the 1/2 inch really matters much, but suspect its trigger is smoother than my 3.1
I’ll need to do a comparison between the 2 in the next few weeks.
Regardless both are winners in my book
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