USA – -(Ammoland.com)- “You get what you pay for,” and “What’s your life worth?” are quotes I often hear used to pressure budget shoppers into spending a little more or pressure someone out of buying a budget firearm. While the quotes have some merit to them not everyone is ready to drop $600 on a pistol (that may or may not be any better), especially if it is their first gun. SCCY Firearms has been producing affordable guns for years including the .380 models we’ve reviewed previously (CPX-3 and CPX-3 Red Dot). The CPX-2 is very similar and chambered in the more popular 9mm.
SCCY CPX-2 Handgun
The CPX-2 like the other SCCY pistols is US made and a hammer-fired with a double-action-only trigger that serves functionally as a safety against startled trigger pulls or mishandling. Construction, take down, and overall look and feel are simple which also lends itself to new shooters. All of this is available for a retail price that hangs around $200 regardless of buying trends, bull, or bear markets. So what does one get with the CPX-2 for only $200? Take a look at the tabletop video below to see fit, finish, and what’s in the box.
The CPX-2 feels like an affordable pistol in hand, but not like a cheaply-built gun, just one that hasn’t gone overboard on materials or aesthetics. Tolerances are looser than more expensive guns, but that can also lend to increased reliability much in the way an AK that rattles is an AK that runs and runs. SCCY hasn’t built a glamour gun, they’ve built one that anyone can afford. As much as we all love the look and feel of a pistol that costs as much as most teenager’s first car, that’s not always necessary or practical and the right to self-defense should not require a credit check. Unlike some of the other budget-friendly options out SCCY offers options for manual safety or not, several colors, and all for a platform that’s quite practical for concealed carry.
Taking our notes from the tabletop video we wanted to see how the pistol would shoot. Range testing included of course our crowd-favorite, “What’s For Dinner?™” ammunition compatibility test which includes ten different loads of various bullet weights and profiles, case materials, and implied applications. It’s worth noting that although we tested steel-cased and aluminum-cased ammunition SCCY advises against this for the same reason we test it; not all chambers and cycles like the difference in residual pressure while extracting. See how the CPX-2 did in the Shooting Impressions video below:
Our sample may not have been perfect, but it was functional. We did experience a challenge with one magazine and a particular load, but the pistol was still functional and as our viewers on YouTube have pointed out SCCY is quick and friendly to repair or replace anything under warranty. That is a characteristic of a company that is to be admired. I’ve personally experienced other companies reply to my warranty concerns with insults and dismissal for guns costing more than three times what the CPX-2 retails for. We’ll be in touch with the warranty department to see if we can’t get the few hiccups ironed out but overall I’m impressed with the CPX-2 and wouldn’t shy from recommending one to a potential new owner looking to learn.
About Graham Baates
“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel and blog on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .
SCCY fills a niche. Affordable being that niche. Definitely more streamlined than a Hi Point. It is reliable, but the DA only trigger pull is a tough hurdle especially for beginners to master. I’ve watched at my LGS, too many people trading their SCCY in for that very reason. So if you’re competent shooting DAO, it’s a great buy. If you struggle to stay on target DAO, spend a little more and get a striker fired gun.
@chuckfab – May I suggest a DA/SA hammer model for beginners? Yes you’ve got two separate trigger pulls to master, or just rock it cocked and locked. Have made much progress and continue to get better, but the shorter and lighter SA pull helps me stay at target far better than with a striker fired pistol. When I first fired my full size M&P (striker fired), difference in grip put my finger in the wrong place. Adding that together with stiffer trigger pull resulted in groups more than ten times as large as I was used to getting from my… Read more »
I have owned A SCCY cpx2 for several years and have enjoyed shooting it. I have read about the magazine issues that are shipped with the gun, but I have not had any problems with the magazines. That being said, the gun is well made and works great. I own some of the more expensive guns that cost 3 times more, but have had issues with magazines that have given me problems. I only wish SCCY would come out with a gold colored one, frame and slide. An all colored Gold SCCY would be great to have to not only… Read more »
I have had a SSCY CPX2 for several years, I use it as my CC gun, I love mine. I have a Beretta, but I like my SCCY better. I did when I first got it do like it said in manual, to set and dry fire to get use to it. And I took some 600 grit sand paper and smoothed everything. Put a armalaser green dot laser on it, works great. Carry it IWB in back and have a Ruger LCP2 in front pocket.