Gunner Quinn
Smith & Wesson’s 2022 introduction of the CSX brought a unique handgun to the market. A micro-compact, 9 mm Luger-chambered, semi-automatic handgun, the CSX bucked the status quo by employing a metal frame and a single-action, hammered-fired mechanism. The gamble paid off, and American Rifleman staffers were impressed enough to award it a Golden Bullseye as the 2023 Handgun of the Year. Despite that accomplishment, Smith & Wesson has found room for improvement with its new-for-2025 CSX E-Series.
The new CSX E-Series brings enhanced features to Smith & Wesson’s popular CSX micro-compact handguns, including an optics-ready slide.
Smith & Wesson originally introduced the “E-Series” with its M1911s, the term referring to “enhancements” made to the original design. With the CSX, these enhancements come in several areas. The most notable is that the handgun now comes from the factory optics-ready, courtesy of the company’s ClearSight cut on the slide. This allows for direct-mount optics with an RMSc/507K footprint and is designed to divert gases from the action away from the sight to keep its window clear.
The most notable enhancement of the CSX E-Series is its optics-ready slide.
One area of complaint with the original CSX was the trigger pull. This has been updated to E-Series spec, meaning it has a lighter pull weight, more linear pull, clean break and improved reset.
According to Smith & Wesson, the redesigned E-Series trigger has a lighter pull, cleaner break and improved reset.
The CSX E-Series is offered in two versions. One has the 3.1” barrel of the original CSX, while the second has a 3.6” barrel and correspondingly longer slide. This extra length adds about 4 ozs. to its weight over the shorter-barreled version.
The CSX E-Series is available with a 3.6” (top) and 3.1” (bottom) barrel.
With two barrel length options and a modular grip frame, the size of a CSX E-Series pistol is adaptable.
The grip frame has the same dimensions as the original CSX, but S&W has added enhancements here as well. The front strap of the aluminum alloy frame has additional texturing that wraps around its radius. Each pistol ships with three magazines—one each in 12-, 15- and 17-round capacities. To utilize the 15- and 17-round magazines, the CSX has a modular grip adapter that mounts to the frame and extends it. The pistol uses the same interchangeable backstrap system as the original CSX.
Each CSX E-Series pistol includes a 12-, 15- and 17-round magazine.
The grip of the CSX E-Series is modular with a grip extension to accommodate the 15- and 17-round (pictured) magazines.
Versions of both models are available for areas that have magazine capacity restrictions. These are supplied with a standard and an extended magazine, both of which have their capacities limited to 10 rounds.
With the 3.1” barrel (pictured), the new CSX E-Series has the same dimensions and weight as the original CSX.
Smith & Wesson’s CSX E-Series pistols command an $80 premium over the original CSX for an MSRP of $699 for either barrel length. For more information, see the company’s website.
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