SCCY CPX-1 and CPX-2 RD EDC 9mm Pistols: Full Review

Carry pistols with red dot sights have become increasingly popular, but red dot optics can be quite expensive and mounting one on your existing EDC pistol may require modifications. The new SCCY CPX-1 RD and CPX-2 RD pistols come with a factory-installed red dot sight at an affordable price point, making them a great option for any American who wants to carry a red dot pistol without spending a significant amount of cash to do so.

The SCCY CPX Red Dot Series combines the reliability with superior ergonomics and outstanding accuracy of their existing line of 9mm pistols with a rugged Crimson Trace CTS-1500 red-dot sight. The 3.5 MOA red dot is auto-dimming and automatically adjusts to ambient light conditions. A sturdy reinforced polymer housing is both durable and lightweight, and the large glass window allows for co-witnessing of the iron sights without being susceptible to scratching. Battery life on the unit is about 20,000 hours, and the CTS-1500 uses affordable CR 2032 batteries, should you ever need to replace them. The compact design of the CTS-1500 makes it a lightweight, low-profile red dot that won’t interfere with your draw and is the perfect companion optic to SCCY’s CPX line of pistols. It’s also backed by Crimson Trace’s three-year warranty.

Check out the new Crimson Trace CTS-1550 red-dot sight, check the price and purchase

The CPX-1 and CPX-2 RD pistols weigh in at just 17.5 ounces with the Crimson Trace sight and an empty magazine, making them noticeably lighter than many competing carry guns with iron sights. Those weight savings are due in part to the CPX’s compact size (the slide measures just one-inch wide and the entire pistol is just over six-inches long) and the use of high-strength billet in the gun’s frame. CPX slides are made from heat-treated 416 stainless steel. The 3.1-inch barrel and aluminum frame are both machined from bar stock, which reduces mass without sacrificing strength and durability. From traditional black to lime green, SCCY offers a wide range of frame color options as well as your choice of either a natural stainless or black nitride slide.

The SCCY CPX RD pistols offer a long list of shooter-friendly features. Overall construction is excellent, and the red dot allows shooters who aren’t familiar with iron sights or have vision issues to quickly get on target and deliver accurate shots. The Zytel grip is suitable for both large and small hands and the slide isn’t difficult or heavy to operate, making it the ideal firearm for all shooters, ranging from beginners to experienced. The finger grooves and texturing allow for a secure hold on the pistol, plus a generous trigger undercut and beavertail to promote a high hand-hold for improved recoil management. SCCY has also incorporated their advanced RE-COIL cushion on the gun’s backstrap to offer even more comfort and better control when firing defensive loads. The CPX-1 and CPX-2 RD pistols are also easy to disassemble and reassemble for cleaning. With the gun unloaded, simply lock the slide back, remove the takedown pin, and the slide, barrel, and encapsulated steel recoil spring can be removed from the frame.

CPX pistols are internally hammer-fired and offer a smooth, consistent nine-pound trigger pull. Additionally, the double action-only design offers something found on few compact semi-auto carry pistols — second-strike capability. Should you encounter a hard primer that is reluctant to ignite, the CPX allows you to pull the trigger again and re-strike the primer. This can prevent the need to clear the unfired cartridge from the chamber and offers peace of mind in self-defense situations. Most notably, all CPX pistols use double-stack magazines that boast 10+1 capacity.

The CPX-1 RD and CPX-2 RD are ideally suited for concealed carry; boasting quality and precision without the compromise, they’re light and compact enough to be hidden under light clothing, yet they offer enough grip space (especially with the finger extension magazines in place) to accommodate even the largest hands. CPX RD pistols come with no fewer than two 10-round magazines, including extended base plates as well as flat-base plates for maximum concealability.

The SCCY CPX-1/2 RD pistols carry a starting MSRP of just $339 to $349, which makes them the most affordable red dot-equipped carry pistol on the market. SCCY also released their CPX-3 and CPX-4 Red Dots, chambered in .380 with the addition of a smoother slide racking system and Roebuck Quad-Lock.

SCCY CPX-1 RD and CPX-2 RD on the Range

The gun I tested was a CPX-2 RD with a black nitride finish and black Zytel grips. SCCY has done an excellent job balancing portability and comfort, and this 17.5-ounce gun fits neatly in an IWB holster and can be easily concealed under a light layer of clothing, yet it offers an impressive 10+1 capacity and ample grip space. Most subcompact pistols offer very little space for a thumbs-forward grip, but even with large hands, I found the CPX-2 RD to be comfortable to shoot. Many subcompact, single-stack 9mms are easy to conceal but brutal to shoot, especially with high-energy ammo, but that wasn’t the case with the CPX-2 RD, which proved to be quite manageable and rather enjoyable.

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The Crimson Trace red dot is a thoughtful addition to an already well-appointed pistol, perfect for delivering fast and accurate shots at close range in any light conditions. Point of impact adjustments are made by turning the elevation and windage screws using the supplied wrenches. Even under moderately heavy clothing (an unzipped jacket and loose-fitting sweatshirt), I never had any issues drawing the pistol, getting on target, and firing quickly.

I ran three different defensive rounds through the CPX-2 RD during range evaluation and there were no issues with misfeeds. The trigger pull is long — not a bad thing on a carry gun — but it’s smooth, manageable, and predictable. It was easy to keep shots within the vital zone of a torso target at self-defense ranges and transitioning from one target to the next is fast and easy with the red dot.

The $339/$349 is an unbeatable bargain for a quality carry pistol, but it’s an unbelievable value for a carry pistol that comes equipped with a quality red dot sight. More and more shooters are switching to pistols with red dot optics, and the CPX-1 RD and CPX-2 RD pistols from SCCY are the simplest, most cost-conscious way to join the red dot revolution. Odds are once you fire a few test rounds downrange with SCCY’s new red dot-equipped pistols you’ll want one — or two.

SCCY CPX-2 RD 9mm Pistol Specs:

• Action: Double-action semiauto
• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Capacity: 10+1
• Sights: Crimson Trace CTS-1500 Red Dot with Iron Sights
• Finish: Natural Stainless or Black Nitride
• Barrel Length: 3.1 inches
• Overall Length: 6.1 inches
• Maximum Width: 1.26 inches
• Weight: 17.5 Ounces (Unloaded)
• MSRP: $339-$349
• Contact: www.sccy.com