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I took my new CPX-1 to the range today and put 125 rounds thru it before I had to cut my trip short. Below is my evaluation of the CPX-1 and a comparison of it against a full size Ruger P-85 and the ultra compact Kel-Tec P-38T.
Ammo used and how it performed.
I used four different types of 115-grain ball ammo for my test, WWB, American Eagle, regular CCI Blazer and CCI brass. I fired approximately thirty rounds of each brand, sometimes with one brand per magazine and other times with the different brands mixed together at random. I had no failure's of any kind with the brands used aside from two hang fires after about the 10th and 15th rounds. Both fired after a second pull on the trigger. I remembered a comment I read in another post that the trigger needs to be fully released to reset and after I made an effort to ensure I did so, there were no more problems. I fired single, slow aimed shots, groups of two or three, fired off two full magazines as fast as I could pull the trigger and there were no problems of any kind. Nine rounds fitted easily into eack of the two magazines. The gun didn't seem to prefer any particular brand, though I didn't have any hollow points or semi-wad cutters on had to try out.
How the gun performed.
I am not a big fan of DAO pistols, but the trigger pull on the CPX was very smooth, even more so than with my smaller P-38T. There was no noticeable trigger creep and the pull was consistent from shot to shot. Another shooter was also at the range with a Glock (I didn't get the model), tried the CPX and commented how much easier and smoother the trigger on the CPX was compared to his gun. The loaded magazines were easy to load into the gun and there were no problems with ejecting empty mags or having them stick in the magazine well. At 15' the gun hit POA, at 25', it hit slightly high and to the left. Using slow fire, I was able to put five shots into a 3" circle at 15' regularly. At 25' the POI increased to about 8", with most shot's under 6". The grip was comfortable, but after 40-50 shots, the mag base began to bother my little finger (it got downright sore). After I placed my pinky under the mag, the problem stopped, but it would be easier with a flat base plate. Nothing came loose, there were no broken or malfunctioning parts and the gun performed as advertised.
A comparison with two other guns.
My P-85 is a full size, service type pistol holding 15+ rounds compared to the much lighter and smaller 9 shot CPX-1. The P-85 is more accurate and has less felt recoil then the CPX, but is considerably larger and at least twice as heavy as the CPX. The P-38T is about 1/3 smaller than the CPX and about as much lighter in weight. Due to the size of the gun, the P-38T has similar felt recoil to the CPX, though it's chambered for the 380 vs. 9mm. The P-38T is less accurate at any range beyond 10' and more difficult to hold well and control. On the other hand, the K-T is much easier to conceal than any other semi-auto I've seen in caliber 380 or larger and is a true "pocket gun" compared to even the CPX. The SKYY will go into a pocket, but they should be cargo type pockets at the very least. The closest gun I have in size to the CPX is a Bersa Thunder 380. The Bersa is both larger and heavier than the 9mm CPX while the CPX holds 2 more rounds and is slightly thicker than the Bersa.
Overall opinion.
My CPX cost $220 NIB, has a solid stainless steel slide, two magazines, better fit and finish and trigger and an ambi safety, things it's closest competitor, the K-T P-11, doesn't offer, at least as standard. It was easy to control, was accurate at the ranges it's expected to be used at (under 25') and is a real bargain at a price of under $250. While a DOA pistol, the trigger was smooth and with it's small size, rounded shape and lack of sharp edges and external hammer, should make a very good carry gun. While definitely not a target pistol, I would recommend the CPX-1 to anyone looking for a home defense or carry gun. I have one and it's going to be a keeper.
Ammo used and how it performed.
I used four different types of 115-grain ball ammo for my test, WWB, American Eagle, regular CCI Blazer and CCI brass. I fired approximately thirty rounds of each brand, sometimes with one brand per magazine and other times with the different brands mixed together at random. I had no failure's of any kind with the brands used aside from two hang fires after about the 10th and 15th rounds. Both fired after a second pull on the trigger. I remembered a comment I read in another post that the trigger needs to be fully released to reset and after I made an effort to ensure I did so, there were no more problems. I fired single, slow aimed shots, groups of two or three, fired off two full magazines as fast as I could pull the trigger and there were no problems of any kind. Nine rounds fitted easily into eack of the two magazines. The gun didn't seem to prefer any particular brand, though I didn't have any hollow points or semi-wad cutters on had to try out.
How the gun performed.
I am not a big fan of DAO pistols, but the trigger pull on the CPX was very smooth, even more so than with my smaller P-38T. There was no noticeable trigger creep and the pull was consistent from shot to shot. Another shooter was also at the range with a Glock (I didn't get the model), tried the CPX and commented how much easier and smoother the trigger on the CPX was compared to his gun. The loaded magazines were easy to load into the gun and there were no problems with ejecting empty mags or having them stick in the magazine well. At 15' the gun hit POA, at 25', it hit slightly high and to the left. Using slow fire, I was able to put five shots into a 3" circle at 15' regularly. At 25' the POI increased to about 8", with most shot's under 6". The grip was comfortable, but after 40-50 shots, the mag base began to bother my little finger (it got downright sore). After I placed my pinky under the mag, the problem stopped, but it would be easier with a flat base plate. Nothing came loose, there were no broken or malfunctioning parts and the gun performed as advertised.
A comparison with two other guns.
My P-85 is a full size, service type pistol holding 15+ rounds compared to the much lighter and smaller 9 shot CPX-1. The P-85 is more accurate and has less felt recoil then the CPX, but is considerably larger and at least twice as heavy as the CPX. The P-38T is about 1/3 smaller than the CPX and about as much lighter in weight. Due to the size of the gun, the P-38T has similar felt recoil to the CPX, though it's chambered for the 380 vs. 9mm. The P-38T is less accurate at any range beyond 10' and more difficult to hold well and control. On the other hand, the K-T is much easier to conceal than any other semi-auto I've seen in caliber 380 or larger and is a true "pocket gun" compared to even the CPX. The SKYY will go into a pocket, but they should be cargo type pockets at the very least. The closest gun I have in size to the CPX is a Bersa Thunder 380. The Bersa is both larger and heavier than the 9mm CPX while the CPX holds 2 more rounds and is slightly thicker than the Bersa.
Overall opinion.
My CPX cost $220 NIB, has a solid stainless steel slide, two magazines, better fit and finish and trigger and an ambi safety, things it's closest competitor, the K-T P-11, doesn't offer, at least as standard. It was easy to control, was accurate at the ranges it's expected to be used at (under 25') and is a real bargain at a price of under $250. While a DOA pistol, the trigger was smooth and with it's small size, rounded shape and lack of sharp edges and external hammer, should make a very good carry gun. While definitely not a target pistol, I would recommend the CPX-1 to anyone looking for a home defense or carry gun. I have one and it's going to be a keeper.
I put the gun away, to strip and clean at home.
