steveus101
Member
The CSX kind of slipped up on me, haven't heard much about it. It has some features I like, but is it available with a de-cocker? Just wondering about it in general. Thanks,
Steve
Steve
How is everyone liking the S&W CSX ?
- Thread starter steveus101
- Start date
I had one, it shot well and functioned flawlessly. My only gripe was the safety was extremely easy to flip to off. Several times at the end of the day I took the holster off and the safety was off. That was with a DeSantis pocket holster. I ended up trading it off.
CajunBass
Member
I too had one, and while I can't say there was anything wrong with it, in the end, it really just didn't "grab" me. I liked it, I shot it (reasonably) well,, had a good trigger, good sights, good magazine capacity, etc., etc.. I think mostly it was just too small for me. It went on down the road, along with several other small 9mm/380's I've experimented with.
No, it's not available with a decocker. It's a single-action only, sort of like a 1911. I think that hurt it really. A lot of people wanted to say it was "like" a 1911, but it's not. It's not bad. Just different.
No, it's not available with a decocker. It's a single-action only, sort of like a 1911. I think that hurt it really. A lot of people wanted to say it was "like" a 1911, but it's not. It's not bad. Just different.
Boarhunter
Member
I like mine. A lot.
BOARHUNTER
BOARHUNTER
steveus101
Member
Thanks, just the kind of information I was looking for. Others?
Nuke8401
Member
I have one and carry it. I have a little over 500 rounds through it and the new gun stiffness is gone. Mine has been very reliable with both reloads and factory ammo.
My trigger was initially at about 8 lbs and now is closer to 5 with many dryfires (on a snap cap) measured with a spring trigger gage. The trigger is not like a nice 1911 so I would try one before you buy. I hoped APEX would make a trigger kit for it but so far they haven't.
Since I live in a 10 round state I only have 10 round/short mags so my pinky hangs off the grip which I don't like. I have a mag finger extension for a Shield which I plan to modify to fit. I have about 4 holsters and currently use a CYA supply IWB/appendix kydex. I also installed a Dawson FO front sight. The front sight cut is the same as an M+P.
I think the down side for many people is carrying it cocked and locked. While this really isn't any different than carrying a striker fired gun I think people don't like to carry that way. I think if someone has carried a 1911 then they will be comfortable with the CSX.
Bottom line for me is I like an all metal pistol and it feels good in my hand.
"All metal" as far as slide and frame, the trigger and some other parts are plastic.
My trigger was initially at about 8 lbs and now is closer to 5 with many dryfires (on a snap cap) measured with a spring trigger gage. The trigger is not like a nice 1911 so I would try one before you buy. I hoped APEX would make a trigger kit for it but so far they haven't.
Since I live in a 10 round state I only have 10 round/short mags so my pinky hangs off the grip which I don't like. I have a mag finger extension for a Shield which I plan to modify to fit. I have about 4 holsters and currently use a CYA supply IWB/appendix kydex. I also installed a Dawson FO front sight. The front sight cut is the same as an M+P.
I think the down side for many people is carrying it cocked and locked. While this really isn't any different than carrying a striker fired gun I think people don't like to carry that way. I think if someone has carried a 1911 then they will be comfortable with the CSX.
Bottom line for me is I like an all metal pistol and it feels good in my hand.
"All metal" as far as slide and frame, the trigger and some other parts are plastic.
cnj
Member
Mine is on consignment at my local gun shop. Good gun, but after shooting it a bit, I found I really don't like the whole single action thing for a defensive pistol. Nothing wrong with the gun though. Zero malfunctions for me.
steveus101
Member
For me, Nuke8401 nailed it. Although it sounds like the CSX is a winner for S&W, I think to put a de-cocker on it (I know some don't like them) would put it in kind of in the category of a CZ 75 compact, but much smaller. That would be awesome, unless they jacked the price to CZ levels.
Thanks everyone!
Thanks everyone!
Mizar
Member
Why exactly you feel the need for a decocker in a single action pistol?
steveus101
Member
Mizar, you are correct, what I am really imagining is the CSX with the same operating system as the CZ
WheelGunMan
Member
I've had my CSX going on 10 months and it still pushes all the buttons in what I like in compact firearm. I have around 400 rounds thru mine. The trigger pull is at 4 lb 6 oz with a nice crisp break. The perceived reset problem doesn't exist in mine. I like that it carries 12 rounds with a similar grip height of of my Shield Plus with the 10 round mag and that I can get a full three fingered grip on it. I like that I can put the mag release on the right hand side to accommodate my stubby thumbs. I like that it has an exposed hammer that allows me to thumb it safely into the holster. I like the optional grip palm swell to accommodate my larger hands so I can get a solid two hand grip when shooting. The beaver tail design gives it a higher bore axis that helps reduce muzzle rise... It has an easy pull lug at the rear of the slide that allows for easy slide manipulation for those with weaker hand strength..and one very important feature from a safety standpoint is the ability to chamber a round with the safety on... last but not least... the aluminum frame ... it speaks for itself.
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cc-hangfire
Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2014
- Messages
- 589
I got one earlier this year and am happy with it. My EDC was - and most of the time still is - an Sig P928, and my S&W CSX is basically the same manual of arms with higher capacity and only slightly larger size. Depending on what I’m wearing, the CSX is the EDC instead of the Sig. I don’t have a bunch of rounds through it yet, maybe 200-300, but it has been reliable and accurate.
One more note: The “false reset” that is notorious on the internet reviews is not noticeable to me when shooting (other popular handguns have similar tactile clicks in the trigger return, and no one points those out)
One more note: The “false reset” that is notorious on the internet reviews is not noticeable to me when shooting (other popular handguns have similar tactile clicks in the trigger return, and no one points those out)
JR24
Member
I was pretty excited to try one when they came out but was underwhelmed by the trigger.
I guess for a SAO I want something a little better. Personally, I liked my 365XLs triggers better.
Didn’t really fit my hand that well either, but few small guns do.
Cool idea and I hope folks love them, just not quite for me.
I guess for a SAO I want something a little better. Personally, I liked my 365XLs triggers better.
Didn’t really fit my hand that well either, but few small guns do.
Cool idea and I hope folks love them, just not quite for me.
Riomouse911
Member
I live in Ca. so I have never seen one, much less held or fired one. 
Neat idea to break the poly-pistol mold, I hope it works out for S&W.
Stay safe.
Neat idea to break the poly-pistol mold, I hope it works out for S&W.
Stay safe.
someguy2800
Member
I got one a few weeks ago and have been shooting it and tinkering with it. I initially did not like it but it has really grown on me.
Mine did have the “false reset” issue that pretty much ever reviewer has found. The solution to this is to disassemble the pistol and polish the hump on the firing pin block actuator inside the trigger group. Also polish the top hook which depresses the firing pin safety block. The issue is that Smith and Wesson made this part from laser cut stainless and did not tumble polish them so the part has a jagged edge finish and the trigger bar snags on it during the reset. Once this part is polished the false reset will be completely gone.
While I was in there I also stoned the sear surfaces and shortened the sear spring. This brought the trigger pull down to 4 lbs on mine. Out of the box it was 5.5 lbs on my gauge. I did handle 2 different examples from earlier production and they both felt more like 7 or 8 lbs, so perhaps they have addresses the pull weight on the newer production ones, but the false reset issue remains for the consumer to fix.
I agree this would have been way better with a CZ 75 bd trigger mechanism. The way it is though is pretty decent after fixing the reset and addressing the pull weight.
I do not like the ambi safety. I think it’s too easy to bump on, and I have a hard time flipping it off quickely. The safety does not block the hammer or the sear in any way unlike a 1911. The only thing the safety does is actuate the trigger reset which pushes the trigger bar down off the sear. Considering it has a trigger blade safety and a firing pin block safety, it should be perfectly drop safe even with the manual safety switched off. I personally feel that a manual safety is pretty redundant with two other passive safety’s, so I think I’m going to carry mine in a good holster that protects the trigger and leave the manual safety off. With a 4-5 lb trigger and a firing pin safety I don’t see it as any different really than a shield or glock 43. I know most people that carry 1911’s will curdle at the idea of carrying a single action with the safety off, but despite vaguely looking like a 1911, this is not a 1911. The trigger group is completely different. The trigger mechanism is more like a Shield EZ which by the way is also a single action hammer fired gun and is sold with and without a manual safety. I am going to try just carrying it with the manual safety flipped off so that I can still use it while holstering, and then flip it off while in the holster, which is what I do with my SR9 and SR40. If I have trouble with the safety getting flipped on inadvertently, I will just take out the little lever that the safety uses to flip down the reset lever.
The only malfunctions I’ve had were that I’ve had the slide stop come on several times when the mag wasn’t empty. I’m pretty confident I wasn’t hitting it with my hands, though I may have been brushing it. The coil spring that holds the lever down is on the right side and is pretty weak. I took mine out and stretched it out a bit to increase the tension and since then it has not done it again.
Next thing I need to sort out is to get tritium sights for it. The front dovetail supposedly fits M&P sights so that is easy, but no option currently for rear 2 dot sights so I might just drill and put tritium vials in the stock rear sight.
I also want to tackle making a new mag base for the 12 round mags. That stupid spacer they put on is criminally idiotic.
Mine did have the “false reset” issue that pretty much ever reviewer has found. The solution to this is to disassemble the pistol and polish the hump on the firing pin block actuator inside the trigger group. Also polish the top hook which depresses the firing pin safety block. The issue is that Smith and Wesson made this part from laser cut stainless and did not tumble polish them so the part has a jagged edge finish and the trigger bar snags on it during the reset. Once this part is polished the false reset will be completely gone.
While I was in there I also stoned the sear surfaces and shortened the sear spring. This brought the trigger pull down to 4 lbs on mine. Out of the box it was 5.5 lbs on my gauge. I did handle 2 different examples from earlier production and they both felt more like 7 or 8 lbs, so perhaps they have addresses the pull weight on the newer production ones, but the false reset issue remains for the consumer to fix.
I agree this would have been way better with a CZ 75 bd trigger mechanism. The way it is though is pretty decent after fixing the reset and addressing the pull weight.
I do not like the ambi safety. I think it’s too easy to bump on, and I have a hard time flipping it off quickely. The safety does not block the hammer or the sear in any way unlike a 1911. The only thing the safety does is actuate the trigger reset which pushes the trigger bar down off the sear. Considering it has a trigger blade safety and a firing pin block safety, it should be perfectly drop safe even with the manual safety switched off. I personally feel that a manual safety is pretty redundant with two other passive safety’s, so I think I’m going to carry mine in a good holster that protects the trigger and leave the manual safety off. With a 4-5 lb trigger and a firing pin safety I don’t see it as any different really than a shield or glock 43. I know most people that carry 1911’s will curdle at the idea of carrying a single action with the safety off, but despite vaguely looking like a 1911, this is not a 1911. The trigger group is completely different. The trigger mechanism is more like a Shield EZ which by the way is also a single action hammer fired gun and is sold with and without a manual safety. I am going to try just carrying it with the manual safety flipped off so that I can still use it while holstering, and then flip it off while in the holster, which is what I do with my SR9 and SR40. If I have trouble with the safety getting flipped on inadvertently, I will just take out the little lever that the safety uses to flip down the reset lever.
The only malfunctions I’ve had were that I’ve had the slide stop come on several times when the mag wasn’t empty. I’m pretty confident I wasn’t hitting it with my hands, though I may have been brushing it. The coil spring that holds the lever down is on the right side and is pretty weak. I took mine out and stretched it out a bit to increase the tension and since then it has not done it again.
Next thing I need to sort out is to get tritium sights for it. The front dovetail supposedly fits M&P sights so that is easy, but no option currently for rear 2 dot sights so I might just drill and put tritium vials in the stock rear sight.
I also want to tackle making a new mag base for the 12 round mags. That stupid spacer they put on is criminally idiotic.
steveus101
Member
someguy2800,
Thank you so much for this review! You are obviously much more knowledgeable than I and I'm sure many who read this appreciate it. If you cock the hammer and then lower it manually is it back to the same condition as if it had not been cocked? Reason I'm asking, I shoot TC Contenders, and if you lower the hammer on the original Contenders (the best ones in my opinion) you have to open the action for it to cock again. Thanks, Steve
Thank you so much for this review! You are obviously much more knowledgeable than I and I'm sure many who read this appreciate it. If you cock the hammer and then lower it manually is it back to the same condition as if it had not been cocked? Reason I'm asking, I shoot TC Contenders, and if you lower the hammer on the original Contenders (the best ones in my opinion) you have to open the action for it to cock again. Thanks, Steve
WheelGunMan
Member
You can sort all this out for yourself by going to your LGS and putting one in your hand. You can thumb the hammer down to halfcock and recock it without opening the slide.
someguy2800
Member
Yes you can recock it as many times as you like. The contender is unique because it actually has 2 hammers and 2 sears. The first hammer is in the trigger guard and it swings up and hits the sear for the hammer that hits the firing pin.
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steveus101
Member
Thanks, this is what I was needing to know. BTW, no LGS anywhere near me carries the CSX
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someguy2800
Member
Its a smith and wesson, not a CZ
steveus101
Member
Brain fart, sorry. 10-4 on the Contender
Nuke8401
Member
Trying something new with my CSX and one of my 1st gen M&P 9s. I had the CSX and one M&P milled for optics. The CSX has a Vortex Defender, and the M&P has a DeltaPoint Pro, both 6 MOA red dots. I should get to the range this week to sight them in. I had the slides done by Nameless Armament. He does a tight fit vice pins to remove the shear stress from the screws. No plates and the sights are mounted low. The Defender on the CSX has a built-in rear sight notch, and it seems to match up with my current front sight. After I sight the dot in, I’ll see how the “irons” are aligned and likely get a new front sight from Dawson. I had the M&P milled for a Glock sight behind the dot but right now I plan to use it for IDPA and 2-gun vice carry. I can always add irons later if I want to carry it. I’m using the M&Ps to compare my progress in using a dot after using irons for the past 40 or so years on handguns. I really like the look/feel of the optics on both.
Attachments
Great Scot
Member
Love mine. Great size, modest recoil for a micro 9, and points like a finger. I’ve never had an issue with trigger. Just looking for some night sights.
