Smith and Wesson CSX Review: A Micro Compact for 1911 Guys

Updated 51 months ago

Micro Compacts have become the dominant force in the concealed carry market. These tiny little firearms fit a lot of ammo into a relatively small package. Ten rounds seem to be the standard, but these guns don't exceed the size constraints of a single stack 9mm. SIG might've started the trend, but Springfield, Taurus, Kimber, and S&W have followed the trend. S&W produced both the Shield Plus and the CSX in the micro-compact category.

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Product	Price	Store	MPN	UPC
SMITH & WESSON CSX 9MM USED GUNS	$399.99	Guns.com Used Guns and 5 more stores	-	022188885200
Smith & Wesson CSX E-Series 9mm 3.1" 10rd Black Thumb Safety	$540.75	Ferrari Firearms and 17 more stores	13956	022188898828
S&W CSX E-Series 9mm 3.6in 10rd Black (2x10)	$540.75	Ferrari Firearms and 16 more stores	13958	022188898835
Smith Wesson CSX LE Micro-Compact 9MM Pistol	$485.17	Frisco Guns and 1 more store	-	022188893311
SW CSX E-SERIES 9MM 3.6 OR TS 12/15/17RD	$522.38	Frisco Guns and 24 more stores	-	022188896886
Smith & Wesson CSX E-Series 9mm 3.1in Black	$540.75	Ferrari Firearms and 20 more stores	13897	022188893922
Smith & Wesson Micro-Compact CSX 9mm 3.12 12+1 (Aluminum Alloy) - Range Kit	$659.99	Ammunition Depot	13711-SW	022188893120
Smith and Wesson CSX 9mm 3.1" Barrel 10/12-Rounds 2 Mags Manual Safety - USED	$426.99	GrabAGun.com and 2 more stores	12615U	022188891225

See more results for Smith and Wesson CSX 9mm on Wikiarms.com

Of all the micro compacts on the market, the CSX stands out. All the others follow a similar formula. They are polymer frame, striker-fired pistols. Nothing crazy, and polymer frame, striker-fired pistols are wonderful, but the CSX breaks the molds. This micro-compact is an all-metal platform with a single action only, hammer-fired design. It's not a 1911, but it's very 1911-like.

S&W CSX

Except it actually holds more rounds than your standard 1911! CSX stands for Chief's Special X. The original Chief's Special was a snub nose 38 Special revolver designed for guys who weren't in the streets policing the town. The CSX takes the famed name and modernizes it into a smaller, lighter platform with a heckuva lot more rounds.

Smith and Wesson CSX in Hand

The CSX uses a flush fitting 10 round magazine and an optional 12 round magazine. That's alto of lead for a very little gun. The CSX popped up at SHOT Show but wasn't at range day. However, the Gathering allowed us to get hands-on with the CSX and throw some 9mm downrange.

Smith and Wesson CSX 9mm

Pew and Pow With the CSX

With a magazine full of 9mm and my choice of targets, I loaded the CSX and went at it. At the same time, the gun's small, the sights are not. They are big three-dot sights that are easy to see, zero in on, and track between shots. I sliced and diced steel targets with absolute ease.

The trigger is a single action but heavier than I expected. Yet, it didn't affect accuracy at all. I had no problems consistently ringing steel with the CSX. It's a solid and sweet shooter. While the grip is fairly small, the CSX uses two polymer inserts that are extremely well textured. These aggressively textured grips stick to your hand.

S&W CSX Shooting

Small 9mm handguns tend to be snappy and work their way out of your grip. That's not an issue with the S&W CSX. Those polymer inserts ensure the gun stays put.

The controls are impressively large. The manual safety is easy to manipulate, and very 1911 like. It sits on the frame and pops up and down without issue. The slide lock is also huge and easy to reach and use. S&W designed the CSX from the ground up to be a concealed carry firearm, and it shows.

The CSX provides shooters with an easy-to-shoot, easy-to-control platform that's plenty easy to conceal. At the same time, ten rounds of 9mm are nothing to laugh at. The CSX provides a micro-compact for 1911 fans, or just those not sold on the striker-fired, polymer-framed handgun. The CSX handles exceptionally well, and I'm excited to see micro compacts move in a different direction.