Sccy CPX-3 – Solid Budget Micro-Compact .380 [Review]

Are you looking for a micro compact pistol that won’t break your bank account, and also won’t get you killed? Shopping for firearms on a budget is never fun, but the Sccy CPX-3 may be exactly what you’re looking for. We got our hands on this .380 for an afternoon, and ran it pretty hard to get some good results.

Here’s what you need to know about this little budget pistol before you shell out your hard earned cash.

Aren’t All Budget Pistols Garbage?

Sccy CPX 3 In Box

This is one of the greatest debates on the entire internet. It is true that you will sacrifice some quality and features to save money on a firearm. What that does not mean is that you are always getting a $300 piece of garbage that will never put rounds on target.

If you are of the mindset that a budget gun will always fail, you are simply wrong. Firearms manufacturers like Sccy and Hi-Point have been making guns for a hot minute now. While the guns are something of a meme within the community that doesn’t mean they are all terrible and without a market.

If we’re being totally real, some people simply cannot afford to spend $500+ on a pistol in one shot. That does not mean that those people should not have the same right to self-defense that the average person does.

For those individuals who are carrying a budget pistol, we applaud you. You’re doing more with your rights than half of the people making fun of you for owning a budget handgun. I’d wager half of them aren’t carrying at all, because they’re still “saving” for that unrealistically expensive Kimber 1911.

Meet the Sccy CPX-3 Micro Compact.

Sccy CPX 3 On Declaration

The Sccy CPX-3 is a micro compact pistol that is chambered in .380. It is a double action only pistol that features a new quad-lock system that locks the barrel to the slide in four different locations. The intent of this system is to improve accuracy by ensuring that the barrel returns to the exact same position every time the pistol is in battery.

Made in America, Sccy pistols was started by Joe Roebuck in 2003. Originally branded as Skyy, the Florida based company later re-branded as Sccy in order to avoid trademark issues with a popular liquor brand. Each product from the company comes with a perpetual lifetime warranty that is tied to the firearm, not the owner, via the weapon’s serial number.

Features and Specifications

  • NEW, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY: featuring the “ROEBUCK QUAD-LOCK” for more repeatable accuracy.
  • Magazine: Includes (3) double stack, 10 round capacity magazines. 1 with finger extension base installed and 2 with flat bases.
  • Barrel: Machined from bar stock with 7 lands and grooves having a 1:16 right-hand twist.
  • Receiver: 7075‐T6 aircraft grade heat treated aluminum alloy, machined from bar stock.
  • Slide: Quality Stainless Steel available with Natural Stainless or Black Nitride finish.
  • Grip/Frame: Made from Zytel polymer, with ergonomic finger grooves.
  • Recoil Spring System: All steel, fully encapsulated for ease of disassembly and reassembly.
  • Slide Lock/Release: Steel with a Zytel over molded polymer extension for ease of operation.
  • 3 Dot Sight System: Steel rear sight, adjustable for windage only with locking screw.
  • Hammer Firing System: Double-action only, internal hammer with inertial firing pin to prevent accidental discharge if dropped.
  • Double-action trigger: Specifically designed for shooter comfort and accuracy by designing the system to have a smooth effortless, consistent 9-pound trigger pull.
  • Trigger Guard Lock: Custom designed to properly fit and be child resistant. Includes 2 keys.Barrel Length: 2.96″
  • Barrel Length: 2.96″
  • Height: 4.90″
  • Length: 5.70″
  • Width: 1.26″
  • Weight: 15oz (Unloaded)

The Sccy CPX-3 on the Range.

Sccy CPX 3 Slide Locked

I’m not going to lie to you. The Sccy CPX-3 was not even close to the best firearm we’ve had out on the range with us. The sights were slightly lacking, the double-action only trigger felt sluggish, and the reset on that trigger was equally as bad. In fact, I found my finger hitting the trigger guard before the trigger had reset often, which was definitely something that took getting used to.

Now that we have the compromise out of the way. The Sccy CPX-3 was also not even close to the worst firearm we’ve had out on the range with us. Once you get used to the trigger action and long reset, the pistol is a breeze to use. The sights, while far from perfect, are simple to use and fast to re-acquire for follow on shots. We ran a variety of .380 ammunition through the weapon, and the weapon cycled over 200 rounds without a single incident.

For the price point, this firearm is worth every dollar and then some based on this range performance alone. Don’t sleep on this gun, it’s worth shooting, and worth picking up if this is what you are in the market for.

Comfortability and Affordability.

I have a micro-compact holster that is a one-size fits most pocket holster. A lot of people knock it, but I’ve been working with it for close to a year with my Sig P938 now, and have never had an issue with it. The Sccy CPX-3 fits into that same holster perfectly, and like the Sig P938, it’s easy to forget that you’re carrying it. I haven’t had the opportunity to carry the CPX-3 for more than a day yet, but I’m confident in saying that it will be another easy every day carry firearm just like the P938. If that changes, we’ll update this post.

Coming in at a whopping $305 MSRP, this handgun is about as affordable as they come. While you may be tempted to save for six months to purchase a more expensive micro-compact for a backup gun, we don’t think it’s necessary. If you need to stretch and budget to pickup a new gun, you’re leaving yourself very unprepared.

The Sccy CPX-3 is an outstanding little firearm that’s value is worth well over the $305. If you look hard enough, you could probably even find a rebate deal that would help you get the firearm down to $280 or less.

One last thing, we’re not sure how long this is going to last. Currently you can get this pistol for 150 dollars. Check the carousel below for more information. We did a bit of extra leg work on this one for you guys.

Final Shots on Target.

All in all, we have nothing super negative to say about this firearm. The Sccy CPX-3 is a solid .380 micro compact that will easily fill the gap in your carry collection. Once you get used to the trigger and sights, this firearm will reliably feed whatever ammunition you put into it. On top of that, it will also preserve your bank account, and allow you to pay the rest of your bills on time without having to stretch to exercise your Second Amendment right.

That’s our experience with the Sccy CPX-3 though. You may have had different results than us, and we would love to hear from you if that’s the case. Leave us a comment down in the comments section with your thoughts on the firearm, and maybe we’ll re-visit the Sccy CPX-3 to see if we can replicate your issue. As a community we can pool a lot more information, and we can do it a whole heck of a lot faster.

2 thoughts on “Sccy CPX-3 – Solid Budget Micro-Compact .380 [Review]”

  1. hi y’all 380 gun carrier’s,

    I own the sccy gen 3 380, and all I can say is buy buy buy! this lil bitty is affordable and reliable have over thousand rounds and it is very reliable, not to say its perfect; but every gun is going to have at least one hang up when shooting practice rounds, I only shoot new brass when plinking, and carry liberty light ammo, and never had a miss fire, would not trade it for any other! So many people are caught up in the advertising hype that they dont realy know how good this lil 380 is!

  2. I had a CPX2 that I still regret selling to build a custom Glock 22. That was a huge mistake. Lesson learned, I now have a CPX3 that has been excellent. 500 rounds later one failure to extract on a squib load. I have run Monarch steel thru it since day one.

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