Smith & Wesson CSX E-Series 13957 9MM Luger

It isn’t unusual for a full-size pistol to have the frame shortened and barrel cut down to create a concealable handgun. Compact and subcompact versions of 1911s, Glocks, Walthers, and SIG handguns are successful with these modifications. A less common path is to take a subcompact pistol and add a longer slide or a taller grip to enhance handling. For example, SIG modified the P365 to the XL and then the TACOPS to enhance handling of the base handgun. Extended pistols may be more difficult to conceal than the originals — but not by much — while they generate less recoil due to the slightly bigger guns’ heavier weight, and the extendeds shoot better because they have a longer sight radius and bigger grips.

Smith & Wesson surprised shooters a few years ago with the CSX, a compact 9mm handgun in some ways similar to SIG and Kimber single-action 9mm subcompact offerings. Then Smith & Wesson introduced the CSX E-Series, which likely means Enhanced, but for our purposes here, the “E” means Extended because this aluminum-frame CSX has a half-inch-longer slide and barrel. There is also an adapter to create a longer grip. Smith & Wesson also claimed to have improved the trigger action of the CSX, which is always interesting.

A trend in modern handguns is to add weight to a polymer-frame gun by creating an aluminum-frame version of it. We decided to match the aluminum-frame CSXE against a stock SIG P365-XMACRO TACOPS, a polymer-frame striker-fired handgun with an extended grip frame and slide compared to the original P365.

We next added a different option. Because the P365 is a modular handgun with an internal chassis, it is simple enough to change the chassis out for another frame. So we got an Icarus Precision aluminum frame and placed it on a SIG P365XL Spectre pistol. The A.C.E. 365 XL EVO frame, with the non-safety fire-control unit and matte-black anodizing color, is $380 as listed on the IcarusPrecision.com website. We paid $340 for ours a while back. It fits P365XL 3.7-inch and MACRO 3.1- and 3.7-inch barrels, according the website. The Icarus aluminum grip module has a memory hump in the backstrap, a flipped beavertail design, and accommodates all X/XL length magazines. However, the website says 17-round magazines will fit but will not be flush. It also has ambidextrous thumb ledges, a flared magwell, a double-undercut trigger guard, and a 1913 Picatinny rail. It weighs 4.67 ounces. It does not come with a magazine release, and Icarus says this grip works best with standard p365 non-MACRO-style mag releases.

We also added the grip adapter at one point and also compared the shorter Icarus frame to the TACOPS polymer frame and the even-shorter standard P365. We also fired the CSXE and Icarus with extended magazines, using the magazines as a type of grip extension. 

For the initial test, we fired each pistol with 50 rounds of 9mm Luger Monarch steel-case 115-grain full-metal-jacket ammo, 50 count of Blazer 115-grain FMJ rounds, and 20 rounds of Fiocchi 124-grain Covert jacketed hollow-point ammo. None of the three pistols exhibited any type of failure to feed, chamber, fire, or eject. In accuracy testing, we used three 9mm loads, the 124-grain Fiocchi Coverts, Federal 115-grain Train & Protect Versatile Hollow Points (VHP), and Federal 147-grain Gold Medal FMJs. We fired at 15 yards in deference to the pistols’ short sight radius and short slides and grips. Results were good, with some best groups smaller than 2 inches and all of the averages between 2 and 2.7 inches. Here’s what we found.

Smith & Wesson CSX E-Series 13957 9mm Luger,

$600

Gun Tests grade: B

This is a reliable handgun and a good shooter for its size and weight. We liked the trigger, the best of the test. The pistol’s all-metal magazines are well made and versatile with the interchangeable grip panels. Action Type Semi-auto single-action hammer-fired short recoil-operated locked breech

Among the leaders in the development of conceal-carry pistols is Smith & Wesson. From the original Shield to the Equalizer, Smith & Wesson has many 9mm offerings. But the CSXE isn’t a polymer-frame striker-fired gun like the SIGs, but is instead a hammer-fired gun with an aluminum frame. The pistol isn’t a miniature 1911, but it has features that are like those on a 1911.

The E-Series offers several enhancements, as the name suggests. This pistol is optics ready. The grip frame is changed and offers a special grip extension for those with larger hands. The pistol also has an improved trigger action, according to Smith & Wesson. We liked the original and felt that we would like the new gun at least as well, but there is no guarantee until we fire the gun. All changes are not for the better. 

The CSXE here features a 3.6-inch barrel compared to the original’s 3.1-inch barrel. The slide is half an inch longer, as is the sight radius. The pistol weighs 4 ounces more. All Smith & Wesson slides cut for optics now feature a special cut that re-directs gas and blast away from the carry optic because red dots may accumulate powder ash. We did not explore the red-dot option, but this feature is good to have.

We liked the original CSX trigger, and the new CSXE trigger is improved at 4.6 pounds of let-off. We thought the CSXE trigger was easily best of the test. The trigger itself features a blade safety similar to the striker-fired Glock. This blade safety is pressed easily enough during trigger take up and doesn’t slow anyone down. This straight-to-the-rear trigger action and rapid reset are well executed. 

The pistol features an ambidextrous safety. The wings are easily manipulated and snap in place with a definite, positive lock up. The pistol doesn’t have a grip safety or magazine safety. The handy magazine release is easy to reach. We feel the new front-strap treatment is superior to the older gun’s. The slide features a reversed rib running between the sights, white-outline three-dot sights. They are okay, better than some, but not as good as the SIG night sights. XS Sights offers aftermarket sights for $140. This would drive the price up quite a bit. Still, we found the CSXE sights were fine for most uses. 

The Smith came with a modular grip adapter and three magazines, with 12-round, 15-round, and 17-round counts. The grip adapter is changed by using a supplied tool to depress a spring-loaded pin in the frame. The spring is stout, as it should be. The adapter makes the grip longer. Overall, we preferred the shorter grip because we could slip the CSXE into some pants pockets. With the longer grip, the 12-round magazine could not be used. All three metal magazines are stiff to load, as they must be to maintain reliability in such a compact high-capacity feed device. It is asking a lot for a magazine to feed reliably at all times from full compression to almost no compression. We could not load the longest magazine to 17 rounds without a magazine loader. During the test, we loaded the 15-round magazine down one and the 17-round magazine down two cartridges to save wear and tear on our thumbs.

The safety does not lock the slide in place. In contrast to a true 1911, the CSXE may be loaded with the safety on. 

Takedown isn’t as simple as the SIG P365 or most polymer-frame pistols, but it is a reasonable design choice. Clear the pistol with the magazine removed and the chamber digitally checked for a chambered cartridge. Remember, it isn’t the tip of the slide lock, the tip that locks into the slide, but the forward part of the slide lock that must be lined up with the slide notch to remove it. Hold the slide to the rear and use the supplied punch to bump out the slide lock. The slide is easily removed and the recoil spring and guide lifted out, then barrel drops out easily. Reassembly is in reverse with the slide lock snapping in place. 

Before firing, we lubricated the pistols, especially the CSXE. Its steel slide and aluminum frame demand more lubrication than polymer-frame guns. This is a locked-breech handgun with a severe barrel tilt, thus it locks up via an angled wedge, and the internals need lube to work right. During the firing tests, we found the CSXE had an average of 25 fps velocity advantage over a CSX as originally tested because of the E’s slightly longer barrel. 

We drew and fired the CSXE from a belt slide and also from the appendix position. We also experimented with pocket carry, learning to ride the thumb over hammer during the draw to keep the pistol snag free.

The pistol balances well, despite the short grip. We brought the pistol on target and fired quickly, shooting at quickly as we could realign the sights during recoil. We fired combat groups at 5, 7, and 10 yards. In one stage, we fired a magazine offhand at 25 yards. This is an extreme test of a subcompact pistol. We were never off the target. We punched rounds into the aiming point. A fast 6-inch group at 25 yards is decent with any 9mm, but if we slowed down, we did better. 

The primary reason for the pistol’s accuracy was the good trigger. The TACOPS pistol bested the S&W in accuracy while the SIG/Icarus was close. In combat shooting, we cannot fault the S&W. It actually fired better than the TACOPs, while not grouping quite as well in combat shooting as the exceptional SIG/Icarus combination. But then this is a different handgun. We thought the S&W was more comfortable to fire than the SIG/Icarus, with the TACOPS bringing up the rear.

We like the CSXE. We answered the question of its superiority to the original CSX — the E is clearly the more useful handgun. It compares well to any handgun its size. With an ambidextrous slide lock and safety, it is well suited to left-hand use, and the magazine release is reversible, if needed.

Our Team Said: We rated the pistol down a half grade on takedown. The takedown and non-captive slide lock were not in the class with the SIGs’ easy takedown. Another demerit was the sights. We agreed the extended grip resulted in better control and may be an option for some, but the majority preferred the CSXE as a capable pocket pistol.

To collect accuracy data, we fired five-shot groups from a bench using an MTM Case-Gard K-Zone rest. Distance: 15 yards. We measured velocities with a Competition Electronics Pro Chrony with the first screen 10 feet from the muzzles.

Written and photographed by Bob Campbell, using evaluations from Gun Tests Team members. GT