Bargain Hunting: the CPX-1 and CPX-2

SCCY (pronounced “sky”) may not have the brand recognition of Ruger or even Kel-Tec but they have been quietly gaining a following, particularly with their compact concealed-carry pistols.

Although it’s not likely that they’d be known for anything else. SCCY only manufactures concealed-carry pistols, the CPX-1 and CPX-2. Both are small, staggered-stack 9mm double-action-only (DAO) handguns with a 10+1 capacity. Both are available with bead-blasted stainless steel or nitride-finished slides.

The only difference between the two models is that the CPX-1 has a manual safety and the more recent CPX-2 does not. The DAO trigger is a solid safety, weighing in at 9 pounds, but smooth and consistent. This is partly due to the use of an inertial firing pin that also makes them drop-safe. They’re very lightweight pistols, at just 15 ounces unloaded, but they still have a rugged design featuring a machined steel slide and one-piece internal 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum receiver.

They’re no slouches in the features department, either. Unlike many other pistols in the same price range, the CPX-1 and CPX-2 have steel 3-dot sights that are drift adjustable for windage using a locking screw. They also come with two magazines, something of a rarity when you’re talking about inexpensive handguns. The recoil springs are captive, and the grip has an integrated recoil-absorbing backstrap and deep finger grooves to assist in controlling the gun.

And when we say they’re compact, we really mean it. They’re about the same size as the Kel-Tec P-11 (and have smoother, lighter triggers). They have 3.1-inch barrels and an overall length of 5.7 inches. They’re 4 inches tall and just an inch wide. Again, these are double-stack 9mms with ten-round magazines.

Of course they’re designed specifically for concealed-carry. The gun is dehorned and has soft, rounded edges everywhere. They’re hammer-fired with completely internal hammers. The sights may be discrete, but they’re still low-profile. About the only drawback is that this is a right-handed-centric pistol, with the magazine release and slide stop on the left side of the gun.

CPX pistols are now in their second generation (you can identify the first-generation pistols by their serrated grip texture). While the first generation was rocky (with loose sights and weak guide rods in particular), SCCY has addressed their shortcomings and now makes rather robust little pistols, and they’re priced right. You can find both models priced around $250, often closer to $200. Expect to pay a little more for the satin stainless slide or for a safety, or both.

And lastly, the guns are protected by a lifetime warranty, a warranty that is tied to the gun, and not the owner. If you buy one used, you still get the full warranty.

The CPX-1 and CPX-2 are a lot of gun for the money. If you’re looking for a high-capacity backup gun or even an everyday-carry pistol in a small package, but don’t have a large budget to draw on, check out SCCY’s CPX pistols. You might just find your next handgun.