SCCY Handguns Guide

SCCY Pistols: What You Need to Know

SCCY Industries, the self-titled "king of concealed carry," built its kingdom in Florida -- but it was initially known as Skyy Industries when it was started in September 2003, much to the chagrin of that one vodka company named the same thing who soon requested a name change.

With roots firmly planted in American gun culture, this fairly young company manufactures its lineup of handguns on U.S. soil in its Daytona Beach factory.

These firearms focus on cost and quality, stressing the former heavily. SCCY's three CPX models range from $314 to $334. Before dropping three Benjamins on these, here's some key information.

SCCY Pistols for Concealed Carry

Although their products are both used to take shots, Skyy Vodka and Skyy Industries are not one in the same, something the former informed the latter of in a trademark dispute early in the history of SCCY handguns.

Makes sense -- pairing is the worst thing ever, aside from undue federal gun control legislation.

Joe Roebuck, with a job history on his resume as a tool and die maker and mechanical design engineer, started the company in 2003 and sought to niche it as a cost-effective alternative to higher priced brands.

These weapons were released with a focus on , with size and weight being a consideration. Now in the second generation, which was introduced in 2011, the first generation can be identified by a serrated grip texture. The second generation has a textured pattern on the grip and a series of slots in the back that serves as a system to manage recoil.

As successful and reliable as the company may be at this point, SCCY (pronounced like "sky") had a rough start. Unconfirmed rumors swirl in forums that the company was started by former KelTec employees. The similarity of the KelTec P11 and the first gen. SCCY CPX-1 9mm fueled these, again, unconfirmed rumors, and negative perception about faulty parts cycled the internet for some time. Some issues were caused by using incompatible ammunition.

Like any new product, there were hiccups and improvements. The CPX-1 and CPX-2 have considerable reliability these days.

Regardless of what some may consider a rocky start, the company's reputation evened out in the few years since, and their "perpetual warranty" has been lauded as reliable and painless. A particularly noteworthy aspect is that the warranty transfers from owner to owner, so those who buy it used are covered -- which may have been a strategic move at the time for a new firearms company with kinks to work out in the product.

Their third addition to the CPX series is now listed in their 2017 catalog after pushing the release date a few times. It's chambered in .380 ACP and, while the other two models are manufactured in nine different colors, is only available in black with a choice between either a stainless steel slide or a stainless steel slide with a black nitride finish.

The choice in slides is also available for the CPX-1 and CPX-2.

Recent News and Developments with the SCCY CPX-3

Although release dates are hard to nail down, the SCCY CPX-3 .380 ACP is listed in this year's SCCY product catalog. The release date has for some time mystified those looking for the product.

It will follow a few of the form factors of the SCCY CPX-2 with a slightly lighter (about 8 lbs. as opposed to 9 with the CPX-2) double action only trigger, 10+1 capacity, 1.1 inch width, 15 oz. empty weight, three-dot sights adjustable for windage and no external safety.

Its overall length is listed at 5.34 inches, with the barrel length at 2.96 inches. It has a Browning style recoil system, but there is a new locking system called the Roebuck Quad-Lock that is intended to improve accuracy by locking the barrel to the slide in four areas, two in the front and two in the back, to ensure it returns to the exact same location and reduces side-to-side movement.

What to Know About the SCCY CPX-1 and SCCY CPX-2

The difference between the SCCY CPX-1 and SCCY CPX-2 now-a-days is first and foremost the . The CPX-1 has a ambidextrous manual safety, while the CPX-2 does not.

They're essentially the same handgun aside from that main aspect, both having a double action only (DAO) trigger (listed at about 9 lbs.), 9mm caliber and containing an internal hammer that has an inertial firing pin SCCY said will prevent accidental discharge if dropped.

They have a 10+1 capacity, 5.7 inch length, 1.1 inch width, 3.1 inch barrel length, 15 oz. empty weight, three dot sight adjustable for windage and 1:16 rifling with seven grooves. The grip is made from a Zytel polymer.

Just as with the CPX-3, they come with a fully encapsulated steel recoil spring system including a steel guide rod. There are nine different color options each, with the previously mentioned slide options. The CPX-1 is MSRP $334, with CPX-2 at $314.

When purchased, they come with two 10 round double stack magazines with two finger-extension bases and two flat magazine bases included. A trigger lock with two keys comes in the padded shipping box.

The long, but consistent, trigger pull has been the dismay of some shooters, and has been difficult to reach for some with small hands. SCCY warns that +P cartridges should only be used minimally, never with more than 50 rounds of +P ammo fired in one session.

SCCY has stated that most name-brand cased ammo can be used, but warn not to use steel cased, aluminum cased or reloads. They recommend 115, 124 and 147 grain.

They also have a public safety appreciation for law enforcement personnel and offer discounts of $265 for the CPX-1 and $250 for the CPX-2.

The company has an identity revolving around affordable, American-made concealable firearms and will continue that trend with the third addition to its current line up.

Looking for the best holster on the market for your SCCY? Alien Gear Holsters has you covered:

SCCY Pistol Holster Options

About The Author Jake Smith (@notjakesmith) is a copywriter and photographer based in the pacific northwest. He graduated from the University of Idaho with degrees in public relations and apparel.