On The Range: Smith & Wesson CSX

by
posted on January 17, 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. **

Watch our American Rifleman range video above to see the new Smith & Wesson CSX in action.

One of the hottest segments of today's concealed-carry market is the so-called "micro-compact," and when looking at that market, it's dominated by polymer-frame, striker-fired handguns. Smith & Wesson went in a different direction with its CSX, which features all-metal construction with an aluminum-alloy frame and a hammer-fired ignition system.

Smith & Wesson created a worthy contender in the more-traditional marketplace of striker-fired handguns with the introduction of its Shield Plus, but to give consumers an alternative that stood out from the crowd, the company went back to the drawing board to create its CSX. In addition to its metal grip frame and hammer-fired ignition system, the pistol also features a bilateral manual safety and slide-stop lever. As configured from the factory, the gun also includes a right-hand magazine-release button, but the pistol ships with an additional magazine-release button that can be swapped out for left-hand use.

Other features of the Smith & Wesson CSX include a flat-faced trigger design that feel smooth and seamless, yet still includes a bladed mechanism for added safety. The guns are machined with serrations at the front and rear of the slide, and glare-reducing serrations also span the length of the slide's top. Each pistol is equipped with high-visibility night sights, and the gun also includes the same comfortable 18-degree grip angle found on its M&P handgun lineup for a natural point of aim. Interchangeable backstraps are also available for an improved hand fit, and the pistol is built with S&W's "EZ Tab," which reduces the amount of effort needed to rack the slide.

Suggested retail pricing on the Smith & Wesson CSX is $609. For more information, visit smith-wesson.com.

Latest

Armed Citizens Stopping Mass Murderers F
Armed Citizens Stopping Mass Murderers F

Armed Citizens Outperform the Police in Stopping Mass Murderers

A recent crime study indicates that armed citizens are better at stopping mass killers than the police.

Building A Legacy: One Hunter's Journey Toward a 338 ARC Bolt-Action

Hornady's 338 ARC cartridge was designed to pack plenty of subsonic power into an AR-sized platform. But how does it perform if you're looking to build something a bit more traditional?

Industry Manufacturers Pay $1.3 Billion Tax Bill

Last month, nearly $1.3 billion was delivered to state conservation and wildlife access programs as part of Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson excise taxes paid by manufacturers in the outdoor industry.

250 Years of the U.S. Army: Rifle Muskets, Trapdoors & Early Bolt-Actions

The U.S. Army would enter the 19th century equipped with a smoothbore flintlock musket that differed little from the designs of the past, and it would exit the century with a modern, bolt-action, repeating rifle that used smokeless powder ammunition.

Charter Arms Introduces Walker & Boomer Revolvers

With its new Walker and Boomer revolvers, Charter Arms has introduced two purpose-built wheelguns aimed at specific niches within the self-defense market.

California is Going After Out-Of-State Home Gunsmiths

A California lawsuit is targeting the Gatalog Foundation Inc. and CTRLPEW LLC, claiming that Gatalog and CTRLPEW are providing prohibited persons with plans to make “ghost guns.”

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.