2023 Handgun Of The Year: Smith & Wesson CSX

by
posted on April 28, 2023
2023 Handgun Of The Year: Smith & Wesson CSX

The concealed-carry pistol market is awash in largely similar, striker-fired, polymer-frame models, and it was a refreshing surprise when Smith & Wesson bucked that trend by introducing something completely different into that space. In his story “A Hammer-Fired Micro In Metal,” Field Editor Jeremiah Knupp found the single-action, aluminum-frame, hammer-fired CSX to be an easy-to-shoot micro-compact with ample capacity that was comfortable for all-day carry and indiscriminately ate all ammunition it was fed.

Featuring bilateral controls, interchangeable backstraps and a comfortable 18-degree grip angle, he also found it to be a pistol that will appeal to a great many shooters. “For the shooter who wants a high-capacity, micro-compact 9 mm Luger handgun with a metal frame and an external hammer, the CSX is virtually the only choice,” Knupp said. “Even if you’re not a traditionalist, the CSX holds its own with the striker-fired, polymer-frame models in this highly competitive category.”

Magazine cover American Rifleman S&W CSX pistol shown blue background article blur behind cover

“Since the launch of the M&P Shield pistol, Smith & Wesson has been invested in the compact concealed-carry firearm market. With the design of the CSX, we started with a fresh canvas, providing the consumer with a completely different option for concealed carry,” said John Myles, S&W’s senior product manager, in a press release announcing the new pistol’s launch.

Knupp further mentioned in his November 2022 article that, "The true engineering miracle of modern micro-compact handguns like the CSX is their omnivorous appetite. High-performance cartridges in small semi-automatic handguns used to be a recipe for a finicky eater, but the CSX consumed everything we fed it—from target velocity to +P, screwdriver-tipped Preferred Defense 65-grain Interceptor bullets to flat-nose target FMJs, without a hitch. Even when the slide dragging on the web of my hand noticeably slowed the action cycling, the CSX functioned perfectly. I just couldn’t make it malfunction. Accuracy across this wide variety of ammunition was also surprisingly consistent."

A hammer-fired Micro In Metal smith & wesson's csx article magazine screenshot centerfold gun pistol

American Rifleman staff spent time on the range with Smith & Wesson's CSX, filming with the micro-compact pistol for "Gun Of The Week," noting on video that, "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." You can watch that Gun Of The Week video here to see the CSX in use on the range.

man shooting pistol on shooting range smith & wesson CSX handgun

Between the fact that it virtually stands alone, and that it is a quality micro-compact 9 mm option that deviates from the status quo, the decidedly different S&W CSX earned our recognition as Handgun Of The Year. For more information, visit smith-wesson.com.


About American Rifleman Golden Bullseye Awards: Created more than two decades ago as a way to publicly acknowledge those firearms and shooting accessories from the previous year’s crop of new products that exhibited the highest quality, the most value or that offered welcome innovation, the Golden Bullseye Awards have become one of the gun industry’s most coveted honors. That's why the editors of this magazine take the responsibility so seriously when we meet annually to deliberate and ultimately decide upon the recipients—and the process seemed to be even more significant than usual this time in light of American Rifleman celebrating its 100th anniversary in July of 2023.

Latest

heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees
heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees

Red Fifty: The Soviet 12.7 mm DShK Heavy Machine Gun

While the Browning .50-cal. M2 machine gun has been unequaled for more than a century, John Moses Browning’s genius design has had one significant 12.7 mm competitor: the Soviet DShK.

Support The NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) On Giving Tuesday

With more than 1,200 students having graduated from the program and over $700,000 in scholarships awarded since 1996, NRA's YES is an immersive leadership program for high school students eager to learn about the foundations of our nation, the importance of civic engagement and the role of the Second Amendment.

Rifleman Review: Remington 360 Buckhammer

Remington Ammunition's 360 Buckhammer is a straight-wall hunting cartridge that's designed to give deer hunters an ideal round for their Midwestern hunt.

New For 2025: EAA Girsan Witness2311 Brat, Match and MatchX

European American Armory Corp. (EAA) introduced an affordable variation of the double-stack 1911 design with their Girsan Witness2311 in 2023, continually adding additional chamberings and slide length options. New for 2025, the company is adding three new versions of the Witness2311 with the Match, MatchX and Brat models.

Review: Citadel Trakr

At less than 4 lbs., this repeating rifle is easy on the back while also being extraordinarily easy on the budget.

Freedom Munitions To Move Ammo Component Production To Idaho

Freedom Munitions has announced it will be consolidating its projectile component production from X-Treme Bullets out of Nevada into its Lewiston, Idaho, facilities.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.