NRA Gun Of The Week: Smith & Wesson CSX

by
posted on July 1, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

The CSX from Smith & Wesson is a robust little pistol that, unlike like many of the striker-fired offerings that have come from the legendary pistol maker, provides users with a customizable micro-compact alloy frame and hammer-fired ignition. Watch the video above to see the CSX in use.

Man with handgun pistol wearing ballcap earmuffs glasses at white shooting range shooting pistol handgun smith&wesson csx hammer-fired semi-automatic nra gun of the week


Weighing in at just 19.5 ozs. unloaded, and measuring 4.6”-tall by 6.1”-long, the CSX is tailored for deep concealment, however, the CSX isn’t the thinnest micro-compact on the market, measuring just over 1" wide due to the ambidextrous safety and slide stop levers. A reversible magazine release button is included, too, so the CSX will perform admirably, regardless of hand dominance. Smith & Wesson incorporates a few creature comforts throughout the construction of its CSX. M&P-style stippling is found on the interchangeable backstraps and front strap, and EZ-tabs are at the rear of the stainless steel slide to provide added surface area for easier purchase and manipulation. A specialized treatment is applied for a durable and corrosion-resistant finish that gives the stainless slide a matte-black appearance. Further reducing glare, Smith & Wesson incorporates a series of straight-line serrations that run the full length of the slide’s top.

Smith & Wesson INC CSX handgun pistol grip module replacement part addon accessories


The sights on the CSX are dovetailed and can be used for tactical racking, should your support hand be injured or otherwise occupied, and are made of metal making for a three-dot configuration. Combined with the 3.1” stainless steel barrel, the gun is plenty capable of producing great accuracy during defensive drills. Throughout the CSX are burnished edges that makes for smooth holstering. In addition, the muzzle end of the slide is beveled and heavily melted, too. Our testers enjoyed the generous beavertail and trigger guard undercut, considering the shortened frame height and 9 mm chambering. The beveled ejection port is an added bonus, and the gun’s 12-round extended magazine in conjunction with the flush-fitting 10 rounder, is a powerful package for those looking for a more traditionally constructed pistol with a single-action arrangement that’s made to perform in the modern micro-compact market.

left quater view front csx smith and wesson handgun pistol 9 mm


Specifications:
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson, Inc.
Model: CSX
Action Type: single-action, semi-automatic, hammer-fired centerfire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Slide: stainless steel, Armornite finish
Frame: aluminum alloy
Barrel: 3.1" stainless steel, Armornite finish
Sights: dovetailed, three-dot
Magazine: 10- and 12-round detachable box
Height: 4.6"
Length: 6.1"
Width: 1.12"
Weight: 19.5 ozs.
MSRP: $609

Latest

Chuck Yeager’s Beretta Model 1935 pistol
Chuck Yeager’s Beretta Model 1935 pistol

Take a Safe Queen to the Range

With few exceptions, there’s no reason not to shoot your classic firearm periodically.

9 New 1911s & 2011s for 2026

There is a host of new 1911s and 2011s available to today's handgun enthusiasts, with each design bringing a unique feature set to the table.

Wyoming Breaks Ground on State Shooting Sports Complex

Wyoming state officials were on hand at the groundbreaking ceremony for the state's new shooting complex, which is expected to open in mid-2027.

Beretta Holding and Ruger Agree to Partnership

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. and Beretta Holding S.A. have announced that both companies are entering into a strategic cooperation agreement.

Return of the Encore: T/C Arms Brings Back Its Iconic Single-Shot

In 2024, former owner Gregg Ritz purchased Thompson/Center Arms. Now the company has introduced a modern take on its classic Contender/Encore concept: the ENCORE PROHunter.

7 New ARs for 2026

While it's certainly a saturated marketplace these days, the AR-15 has never been more popular with American firearm enthusiasts, and many manufacturers are continuing to feed the need with new options loaded with new features.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.