On The Range: Smith & Wesson CSX

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.