Recently, Smith & Wesson gave the old CSX a facelift with the introduction of the CSX E-Series pistols. The new E-Series guns feature a new trigger, an optic-ready slide, better ergonomics, more modular grip options, and increased capacity. I had the opportunity to review the 3.6-inch barrel model gun and was pleasantly surprised at how it shot for a micro-compact pistol. If you’re a fan of the original CSX, the new E-Series is worth upgrading to.
What’s New with the E-Series?
Optic Ready
I mentioned in a recent review how firearms manufacturers just about have to make all new firearms optic-ready. Gone are the days when consumers purchased two guns of the same model to have one with an iron sight slide and another that’s optic-ready.
It doesn’t matter if someone doesn’t plan on mounting a red dot optic right away. They want the choice and the ability to change their mind without heading back to the gun store.
The CSX E-Series is outfitted with a modified RMS-C/507K optic footprint that features Smith & Wesson’s ClearSight cut. It is designed to divert gases from the optic lens and keep it clear of debris and carbon.
When you loosen the set screws in front of the rear sight to mount a red dot optic, the rear sight also comes off the gun. There isn’t enough space on the slide to keep the rear sight on and fit an optic. The significant benefit, though, is being able to direct mount an RMS-C/507K footprint optic without purchasing any aftermarket plates.
Wrap-Around Texture
The original CSX pistol featured a small, rectangular strip of texture on the front strap. However, the E-Series upgraded the front strap to have a larger textured area and continued that texture onto the sides of the grip, about halfway around.
The interchangeable grip module/backstraps then continued that texture, leaving a slight gap between it and the front strap texture.
Modular Grip + Increased Capacity
The Smith & Wesson E-Series CSX pistol has interchangeable backstraps, a modular grip adapter, magazine spacers, and three different-capacity magazines. The original CSX had only 10 or 12 rounds of capacity. Now, the E-Series comes with 12-, 15-, and 17-round magazines.
The CSX is set up from the factory for the 12-round magazine to sit flush when inserted. However, it will also accept the 15- and 17-round magazines.
You can make the grip longer by swapping grip adapters. Depending on what grip module you install, the magazine spacers slide over the magazine and allow the magazine to sit flush or fill in any gaps from the gun’s grip to the magazine base pad. The gun’s modularity enables the CSX E-Series to transform from a micro-compact pistol to a more compact size.
Upgraded Trigger
I love it when a brand upgrades a gun’s trigger. It’s like music to my ears! The CSX E-Series gun has a redesigned forward-set trigger.
Smith & Wesson changed the trigger pull break angle to make it a more normal, straight-back pull. The reset was also enhanced and takes minimal effort to release. There’s an audible click, and you’re ready for the next pull.
Try the different grip configurations and live-fire the gun to see what setup works best for you. The micro-compact setup didn’t fit my hand size well. My hands completely covered the frame, where I needed a little more length to the grip.
Ambidextrous Controls
The CSX E-Series pistol ships with an additional magazine release that can be changed for a left-handed shooter. Installation is simple and is the only physical change you must make to the gun for a left-handed shooter. In addition, the ambidextrous thumb safety is one of the better-designed thumb safeties I have used on a micro-compact gun.
Most small guns have small external thumb safeties that are impossible to rotate, especially under high-pressure situations. Smith & Wesson got this safety right with enough tension to stay on. But it’s an easy-to-manipulate safety that depresses when you apply thumb pressure. The slide lock or slide stop lever is also ambidextrous and can be manipulated from both sides.
Hammer Fired
The CSX is a hammer-fired pistol and is single-action only. You can manipulate the hammer to put it in a “half cock” position which acts as a safety. However, if this is your carry gun, I recommend keeping the hammer fully cocked with the safety on.
If you are new to single-action-only firearms or have not shot a lot of hammer-fired guns, I highly recommend training with this pistol before using it as a carry gun. Dry firing at home is a great way to familiarize yourself with the thumb safety before heading to the range.
I recommend a high-sweat guard holster for any single-action pistol with an external hammer. This keeps the hammer from pressing into your skin, makes the pistol much more comfortable to carry, and shields the gun from body sweat and skin residue.
Shooting the CSX E-Series
The first few rounds through the CSX allowed me to get used to the pistol’s size. It is a gun you must control appropriately with a good, firm grip. The recoil is manageable, but there is a decent amount of muzzle rise, as expected from a 3.6-inch barrel.
I would say I have medium-sized hands, and the one thing I had to adjust to shoot this pistol was my trigger press. I like to use the middle of the first pad of my trigger finger to pull any firearm’s trigger. But with this gun’s small size, I was using my first knuckle to pull the trigger rearward.
The distance from the back of the grip to the trigger is one of the smallest I have seen on a micro-compact pistol. So, no one should have any issues reaching the trigger. People with larger hands might have “too much” trigger finger. But it’s difficult to retract your finger to make your usual trigger pull.
Instead of shooting my usual 20 yards, I shot a Caldwell Shooting Supplies Orange Peel ‘Sight-In’ target at 10 yards. The accuracy was about what I expected, if not a little better than I expected. The shorter the barrel and the shorter the length of a sight radius, the less accuracy you’ll tend to have.
I was still happy with each grouping and think the gun would serve well as a carry pistol if needed. I had no issues running the different types of defensive ammunition. Occasionally, I see feeding malfunctions due to the different bullet profiles. However, this gun fed each round the same. I tried 90-grain to 124-grain 9mm and was pleased with the results (below).
The CSX E-Series is a Performer
The new E-Series CXS surprised me in terms of performance and function. This would make for a good carry gun, and I love its modularity. I recommend this pistol, especially to people with smaller hand sizes or who struggle to rack most slides.
That said, take the time to set the gun up for you. Then, sight it in with your carry ammo of choice, and train both dry and live fire.
Smith & Wesson CSX E-Series 3.6-inch Specs
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Action | Single-Action |
| Barrel Length | 3.6 inches |
| Capacity | 12, 15, 17 |
| Width | 1.12 inches |
| Height | 4.6 inches |
| Length | 6.6 inches |
| Weight Empty | 23.5 ounces |
| Sights | White Dot, Optic Ready |
| MSRP | $699.00 |
Performance
| Lehigh Defense 90 grain XD – Top Left | |
| Velocity | 1257 fps |
| Accuracy | 1.62 inches |
| Super Vel +P 115 grain SCHP – Top Right | |
| Velocity | 1037 fps |
| Accuracy | 2.71 inches |
| Hop Munitions 124-grain JHP – Bottom Right | |
| Velocity | 1118 fps |
| Accuracy | 2.11 inches |
| Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 115 grain JHP – Bottom Left | |
| Velocity | 1044 fps |
| Accuracy | 1.99 inches |
(5 Rounds Shot at 10 yards and Chronographed using the Garmin Xero C1 Pro)
