SCCY 9mm CPX-2 Review: My Real Range Experience and Reliability Concerns

SCCY CPX-2 Review: A Florida-Made Budget Pistol with Mixed Results

As a native Floridian, I’ve always had a soft spot for homegrown brands — so naturally, the fact that SCCY Industries manufactures their pistols right here in Florida caught my attention. The SCCY CPX-2 is a subcompact, double-action-only 9mm handgun that comes in at a very affordable price point. It seems like a great value on paper, but after owning and shooting two CPX-2 pistols myself, my experience has been anything but consistent.

Let’s break it down — the good, the bad, and whether I’d trust it as a concealed carry weapon.

First Impressions of SCCY

Out of the box, the CPX-2 looks appealing. It’s lightweight, has a 10+1 capacity, and comes in a wide range of color options. It’s also compact enough to conceal easily, making it seem like an ideal everyday carry pistol for someone on a budget.

The grip is comfortable in the hand, and the sights are simple but functional. For the price (usually around $200–$250), it feels like you’re getting quite a bit of gun.

Range Performance and Reliability Issues

I’ve taken both of my SCCY CPX-2 pistols to the range on multiple occasions, hoping each time that my experience might improve. Unfortunately, reliability remained a persistent problem across all sessions.

I tested a variety of ammunition types — from budget steel-cased rounds to high-quality brass in various grain weights — to see if feeding issues were ammo-related. The pistols consistently experienced a range of malfunctions, including:

• Failure to feed (FTF): The slide often failed to chamber the next round, leaving me with a dead trigger and forcing a tap-rack remedy far too frequently.

• Stovepiping: Ejection problems were common, with spent casings getting caught in the ejection port and disrupting follow-up shots.

• Light primer strikes: On several occasions, I pulled the trigger only to find that the primer hadn’t been struck hard enough to ignite the round, even with factory-new ammunition.

• Catastrophic chamber malfunction: The most alarming incident was when a round exploded in the chamber, damaging the firearm and leaving me shaken.

To SCCY’s credit, they stood behind their lifetime warranty without hesitation. I shipped the damaged pistol back, and within a short period, they repaired and returned it — no charge, no hassle. Their customer service was respectful, quick, and professional, which I truly appreciated.

Still, no amount of support can make up for a lack of confidence in a firearm you might one day need to protect your life. After experiencing repeated malfunctions — even with a clean gun, polished feed ramp, and quality ammo — I could no longer justify carrying the CPX-2 for personal defense. A concealed carry firearm must be dependable under pressure, not a gamble.

Would I Buy Another SCCY CPX2?

In short, probably not — at least not for concealed carry.

While I do appreciate the CPX-2's affordability and compact design, the repeated malfunctions I’ve experienced have made me hesitant to trust it in a self-defense scenario. That said, I don’t regret owning one. It taught me valuable lessons about what I truly need in a carry weapon — and just how important consistent reliability is.

If I were spending in that price range again, I’d personally lean toward the Ruger EC9. It’s similarly priced, compact, and has a far better track record for reliability. The EC9 has built a solid reputation among budget-conscious gun owners, and from my experience, it’s a more dependable option if you want something simple, effective, and trustworthy.

Now, I know some folks might disagree with my opinion on the SCCY CPX-2. Some argue that if you keep the gun clean, polish the feed ramp, and stick with the “right” kind of ammo, it performs just fine. And they might be right — for them. But for me, I keep my firearms clean and well-maintained. I don’t want to have to baby a carry gun or wonder whether steel vs. brass ammo is going to cause a malfunction. I prefer firearms that will eat most types of ammunition without complaint — especially when they’re intended for defensive use.

So while I still take the SCCY CPX-2 out to the range occasionally for fun, my confidence in it as a defensive tool has faded. For range use? Sure. For carry? I’ll go with something that inspires more trust.