CSX-Range Report

[DMcBB]

ETA: I'm happy to see metal framed new offering. Sort of runs counter to the screed we've been hearing for years that, in the plastic fantastic age, a metal framed gun couldn't possibly be made for under a grand.

CZ P-01 and PCR pistols are around 6 bills.

 

[JJEH]

I love the design and specs. I just wonder how people get their hands on them.... none of my distributors has any CSX.... nor the SA35.... nor the 10mm M&P.... very frustrating to say the least.

 

[cmj8591]

I'm not sure about this gun, but on 1911's, the half cock notch is a safety that is designed to catch the hammer if the full cock notch or sear fail. They are not like say, an 1894 Winchester rifle, where the gun is designed to be carried with the hammer half cocked. I'm sure that the CSX is not designed to be carried that way either. I don't think it is necessarily unsafe because they probably have some kind of firing pin block that requires the trigger to be pulled to release it. It doesn't make a lot of sense to carry it that way regardless of the safety factor. The fidget spinner they put on the trigger, ala Glock, is a drop safety to keep the gun from firing if it is dropped with a round in its chamber. In this case, it takes the place of the grip safety.

 

[glenwolde]

No different than any striker fired handgun. When you rack the slide, it’s cocked, and since most don’t have a safety lever, a striker fired handgun would be cocked, & unlocked. However I do own a Walther P99c, & it’s one of the few striker fired weapons that has a button to decock it. I know of no other striker weapon that has this feature. GARY.

The Canik TP9DA has a decocking button....

TP9DA | Canik

 

[sipowicz]

I can’t for the life of me figure why I would want one of those over a Shield with a thumb safety.

 

[Radny97]

I can’t for the life of me figure why I would want one of those over a Shield with a thumb safety.

Hammer fired, single action, metal frame. 1911 style battery of arms.
Different strokes for different folks I guess.


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[cnj]

I love the design and specs. I just wonder how people get their hands on them.... none of my distributors has any CSX.... nor the SA35.... nor the 10mm M&P.... very frustrating to say the least.

For whatever reason, we seem to be getting the CSX and the M&P 10mms here in Arizona. The SA 35, well that is a different story. Be patient, they'll get there!

 

[Thin Man]

I knew this looked like something else

star firestar - Google Search

I kind of agree, except that the CSX is about half the weight of the all-steel Firestar.
As much as I love my mildly customized old Firestar I'm looking hard at the CSX.
Gratuitous pic of my Firestar:

The shop I work at has a CSX on the rental range and, although the trigger is a bit heavy, it shot like a laser for me.
First new S&W auto I've been interested in in a long, long time.

 

[Radny97]

Thought I’d give an update on my range report. I finally decided to call S&W about the accuracy issues. They told me that that kind of accuracy is NOT acceptable to them and they’re sending me a label to send it in and get the problem fixed. Seems like a pretty good response so far.


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[rangemeister]

Nice report.

After 200 rds of JHP and FMJ, 124 gr I like my CSX. Having no problems and I have a definite reset on mine and trigger works as intended. Having accuracy issues though. Maybe me?

Any word on items like night sights etc? Thanks

 

[BLUEDOT37]

The shop I work at has a CSX on the rental range and, although the trigger is a bit heavy, it shot like a laser for me.
First new S&W auto I've been interested in in a long, long time.

I inspected a new CSX at the LGS & told my son that my first impression on handling it was favorable but I wanted to take more time & look closer at it.

He went there the next morning, liked it & bought it.

We had lunch today & afterwards we scrutinized it more closely.

I'm impressed with it so far, especially for the price.

The trigger pull averaged a very consistent 5.1 lbs on my digital Lyman gauge & it has a positive reset.

The "in the hand feel" is good with the large inserts installed for us.

I like that you can engage the safety either cocked or uncocked.

One thing I didn't like is it's virtually impossible to use the slide lock lever only to release a retracted & locked back slide if an empty magazine is inserted. It's crazy hard.

With a loaded magazine inserted or no magazine inserted it's way easier.

I disassembled it & gave it a fresh lube job for tomorrow's anticipated range visit.

We're both 3rd Gen fans & would have preferred a TDA or DAO over the SAO but I think it's got potential.

.

 

[Mongo1958]

Ok, got it out. Shot the following:
-100 rounds WWB 115 gr. FMJ;
-50 rounds Blazer Brass 124 gr. FMJ;
-10 115 winchester silvertips;
-10 124 gold dot
-10 147 gr. Winchester Ranger T
The Good:
-100% reliable with everything tested. Function was perfect;
-accuracy was excellent (once i figured out the trigger-took a couple mags-see below and see pic below at 10 yards) ;
-great grip, i have to hold a little lower than normal as i think big hands might get a little slide bite but i held a little lower and no issue; Conceals well in my jacket pocket. A little heavier than my old Glock 43, but i have a safety and 3 more rounds in the CSX;
-nice big 3 dot sights,
The "To Note" (notice i did not say "Bad"):
-trigger is a little quirky. Took about 3 mags to get it down. There is really no reset. Pull, let it all the way out, pull again, repeat. If you try to release until reset you will short stroke it. I actually like this because i will carry in a pocket holster cocked and locked and its not discharging unless the safety is knocked off and the trigger gets pulled;
-it was surprisingly a little snappy but not at all unpleasant. It was fun to shoot and i could have had fun putting a couple hundred more rounds thru it just didn't have the time. I think i was surprised only because it was an all metal pistol, and i had in my head it would be less snappy.
-I have 10 round mag here in CT. The 10th round was very hard to load. But i could do it. Once loaded with either 9 or 10 the mag expanded so it did not "glide" (took just a little pressure) in and out but it functioned 100%. I think until the new mags come out i will probably load a round, chamber it, then put 9 in the mag when i carry it for 10 total.
Conclusion:
If you are looking for a reliable, accurate, metal, concealable, with good sights, carry 9mm with a safety then get one. I was and this pistol is a homerun for me.
If that's not your spec sheet then get a Glock 43 (which i had and loved but traded for a 43x MOS) or a Sig P365 (which i had and hated-too small for my hand).
Target below was 2 mags at 10 yards.

Do you have a Shield? If so, how does it compare?

 

[Rclark28]

I checked one out last week and came out very impressed. Seriously considering getting more time with a rental and getting one. This is a very informative thread, and I may just take the chance and get one.
*First time in a while I have been excited about a new semi-auto!

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

OP report seems consistent with all that I heard. NLP. Nice little pistol. Hard to justify though with my existing carry guns.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

One thing I didn't like is it's virtually impossible to use the slide lock lever only to release a retracted & locked back slide if a magazine is inserted. It's crazy hard. Without a magazine installed it's fine though.

When I posted this it didn't have my CSX yet. Mine does not have this issue. I haven't tried my son's CSX since then & I can't say if it's changed or not in his.

.

I've shot a little over (500) rounds, overwhelmingly handloads, thru mine so far with virtually no feeding issues.

Mine does not have the false reset some have reported, neither did my son's.

My trigger tested today at an average pull of 5.06#.

Mine shot about 3" left of POA at 12yds out of the box. I drifted the rear sight over to correct that. My son's was pretty much the same.

Mine suffered from the sticky full mag syndrome, which I fixed.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/141607510-post27.html

My son's did not have this problem.

I loaded up some SIE-SIG 124gr V-Crown bullets with 6.4grs of Long Shot to be my SD ammo for it. They chrono tested at 1151mv & 365me from the 3.1" bbl.

I like it's feel & how it handles recoil & it's been a good shooter so far.

.

So now something odd I noticed.

While practicing at the range recently with it one thing I noticed when drawing & switching off the safety as you come on target, from cocked & locked, is that if you have inadvertently applied even a light amount of pressure on the trigger's play as you switch off the safety it will not fire until you fully release the trigger first.

This is not something I've encountered before & none of my 1911s do it.

Has anyone else noticed this or can replicate it on theirs?

.

 

[Erich]

I'm happy to say that I've never had my finger on the trigger at all when releasing the safety. But you know how fussy we lawyers can be about liability.

 

[IAM Rand]

Just like you need to do what Dirty Harry said and "Know your limitation," you also need to know the limitations with the gun you carry. Am I going to be shooting out to 100 yards, no. Do I feel comfortable out to 25 yards, yes. I have had my CSX for months now and feel very comfortable carrying it. I have an Urban Carry with a mag on the front side of the holster. In home or an OH S$%T moment I feel that the CSX will do what you need and then some AS LONG AS YOU PRACTICE WITH IT.

Always amazes me when people criticize guns after 1 or 2 times out at the range. If there is something wrong, send it back and have S&W fix it. Most reports I see here say that they will do a good job and get it back. I am under no illusion that everything that comes out of their factory is equivalent to a $4000 Staccato. You get what you pay for.

I could pick up any firearm on the planet and criticize it for something. Like it, love it, or friggen leave it. As for me, the CSX if my go to everyday carry sooooooooo Booyah

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I'm happy to say that I've never had my finger on the trigger at all when releasing the safety.

I'm sure we all aren't as perfect as you but if you had, on a 1911, you wouldn't have known that you did "touch" it because everything would still work normally.

The point is that "if" you did with the CSX, it won't come off safety, and then you'd know, which may come as a surprise when you're expecting it to fire.

The CSX has a pretty flat safety lever & when drawing & trying to flip the safety off one-handed with your thumb it sometimes requires a second swipe & repositioning your hand.

Again, for the hard of hearing, I'm talking about barely touching the trigger & taking up a fraction of the trigger's play which is long before you take up all of the play and get to the action of the trigger.

My son checked his & it does the same thing.

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