DVG-1 from SCCY – Best Striker Fired Budget Pistol on the Market?

Clay Martin Gun Reviews Handguns
DVG-1 from SCCY - Best Striker Fired Budget Pistol on the Market?
A new twist for SCCY.

SCCY is a very much love-hate kind of company. They have a very loyal fan base among owners and strong derision amongst the gun snobs. And to be fair, I maybe haven’t loved previous offerings. I stand by my review from last January where I called them maybe the best value. But I also wasn’t getting my checkbook out instead of asking for a shipping label to return the gun. Because while the CPX and previous models were fine, functional guns, they definitely were not my cup of tea.

DVG-1 from SCCY - Best Striker Fired Budget Pistol on the Market?
New packaging style

We can’t fault the accuracy or reliability on that. I was actually stunned by the hits we achieved with the CPX-2 red dot, having previously written the quad lock barrel system off as a marketing gimmick. The ergonomics weren’t great, but I have seen worse. The primary problem, for me and many others, was the trigger system. Every SCCY pistol in the line up was actually a double-action-only, even if the hammer was hidden. Which meant a very long, 9-pound trigger pull. It does work, and you can even get accustomed to it. We did also score some fast hits. But while it might be the preferred trigger for a segment of the population, I wouldn’t be caught dead with one in my personal collection. SCCY meant DA only. Until now.

DVG-1 from SCCY - Best Striker Fired Budget Pistol on the Market?
Two-tone finish

The new DVG-1 corrects that by moving to a modern striker fired system. SCCY has some new blood at the company, and it really shows in this new blaster. Hold onto your hats, friends. The latest model is going to rock your socks off.

DVG-1 from SCCY - Best Striker Fired Budget Pistol on the Market?
New flat trigger

That striker fired system reduces the trigger pull from 9 pounds on the CPX-2 to a much more reasonable 5.5. And it isn’t a weak sister crunchy 5.5. The DVG-1 has a legitimately decent trigger, on par with a factory Glock. No, I didn’t say custom single-action tuned STI. There is still a little bit of take-up, and it isn’t smooth like ball bearings over glass. But it’s pretty impressive, especially for a first foray into striker-fired guns.

DVG-1 from SCCY - Best Striker Fired Budget Pistol on the Market?
10 round magazines standard

Also improved is the grip. SCCY pistols in previous iterations were known as being a little chunky on the bottom, tapering up to a narrower slide. The DVG-1 still has that to a degree, but the grip is somewhat reduced while retaining 10+1 capacity.

DVG-1 from SCCY - Best Striker Fired Budget Pistol on the Market?
Internals

Our test model is a two-tone with a stainless slide, a look that has been making a serious comeback. That stainless slide has both front and rear cocking serrations, which are not only functional but pretty and well machined. They didn’t completely forget aesthetics, which should count for something at SCCY price. After all, we have seen some pricey brands forget that is even a word. Also new for the DVG-1 is a common sight cut. They don’t say which ones, but it looks very much like a G43/42. Which is fantastic, as a myriad of options exists for aftermarkets. That, to me, is very important. The white dot sights that come on the DVG-1 are functional, but they aren’t my favorites. Having the option to upgrade to a Trijicon or XS is huge.

DVG-1 from SCCY - Best Striker Fired Budget Pistol on the Market?

Other than that, the DVG-1 looks very much like an SCCY handgun. The grip difference is noticeable, but not so much you would mistake it for something new entirely. Take down is the same as a CPX, as it uses a loose 9mm casing to pop out the retention pin. Build overall is simple, but (mostly) idiot-proof to disassemble and put back together. It isn’t the smoothest slide on 4 rails, but nothing I would blatantly call out as tawdry or poorly done.

And then, boys and girls, we get to the performance. And you have to remember where we are at. Yes, we said all the bad things and insulted everyone’s mother, but at the end of the day, we are still talking about a $299 dollar gun. That is an MSRP of $299, which real world with SCCY means much cheaper. I’ve seen the Red Dot included version for $299 on the shelf and the iron sight at $210. Which should have the big boys worried perhaps. Because the DVG-1 shoots like a house on fire.

DVG-1 from SCCY - Best Striker Fired Budget Pistol on the Market?
Component parts

This little blaster will absolutely sling lead. Running and gunning, it is easy to forget you might well be using a gun that cost less than your shoes. With the common denominator now of a striker-fired trigger, the SCCY frame and accuracy live up to their potential. The DVG-1 punches well above its weight when it comes to range time.

We pride ourselves on straight-up reviews here at GunsAmerica, for good or for bad. And I am quite happy to report that this gun is a winner. Is it going to displace the P365 or Hellcat as the champion in class? No. But it is going to give an awesome CCW capability to a lot of people that maybe otherwise couldn’t afford it. It might give that new shooter both his first gun and a half a case of ammo, instead of just the gun. Or it might give you an awesome backup to have around just in case you need to arm someone else. No matter how you shake it, the DVG-1 is an outstanding value. And it elevates SCCY to another level of a firearms manufacturer.

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  • Lawrence C Bufalini January 9, 2022, 6:11 pm

    Got a DVG1 RD now with Riton red dot that could not be centered so had to send it back. Without the red dot the gun has been rendered useless since there is not an optic cover plate and NO rear sights!! SCCY would better serve it’s customers with an optic cover plate with rear sights so user can operate pistol without the optic if it fails and mine failed out of the box! Also wanted to buy a replacement slide with sights as a go around and of course SCCY does not offer a DGV1 replacement slide so we are at strike 2 and since 2 out 3 magazines do NOT lock the slide back after the last shot we are at strike 3!! Not a good first impression Mr. Roebuck, when are you going to improve?

    • Nolan February 10, 2022, 8:34 am

      They don’t sell them with a red dots on them anymore. Only with the option to add a red dot that is cut in front of the rear sight. They are learning from their mistakes.

      • Joseph May 5, 2022, 12:27 pm

        Yes there do sell them with a red dot I don’t know what you are smoking but it must be some really good stuf yes there sell the red don’t on them because I just bought one for $450: with it I should know so don’t say something if you don’t know what you

      • Joseph May 5, 2022, 12:29 pm

        Yes there do sell them with a red dot I don’t know what you are smoking but it must be some really good stuff I bought one with a red on it for $450 2 days ag

  • hipshot November 7, 2021, 4:07 pm

    I have carried a CPX-2 for the last 5 years and love it.after I sanded down the finger grooves and dimpled the whole grip the gun fits my big hands great,with the mag finger x-tensions installed.Ilove this little gun. Bob

  • N6JSX November 5, 2021, 5:21 am

    Might be OK, but I’ll not buy another semi-auto that does not have a rail built into it. I want to be able to add a laser sight, period.

  • Rick Radford November 2, 2021, 12:39 pm

    Have TRIED to teach several new shooters with SCCY DAO pistols after starting them off with a 22 semi auto as it is properly done. IMHO as an instructor for many years it is most assuredly NOT a beginners gun. And the reason for that is the trigger.
    OTOH this new pistol…………… I will reserve judgement until I have a chance to shoot one at the range where I work. I might be surprised and will say so if that is the case.
    Lastly, I think the KING OF BUDGET STRIKER FIRED SEMI-AUTOS currently is hands down, the Taurus G2C. Great trigger, restrike capability, tactile loaded chamber indicator, accurate, 100% reliable, 12 and 17 round mags available, (own 2 of them) and can be had for around $240 on the street. And there is a solid aftermarket of sights etc to boot.
    Wish SCCY well but they have a ways to go to equal the G2C.

  • Nicky J. November 1, 2021, 4:22 pm

    Your not telling the truth,(Taurus) Spectrum 380Acp is the first striker fired system pistol.2019

  • Will Edwards November 1, 2021, 2:07 pm

    I have the CPX-2 and put about 1,000 rounds through it with no problems. My wife tried it and didn’t like the trigger and she settled for a G-43. While she was trying out different handguns I shot alongside her and compared my CPX-2 with a Shield 9mm and found out I was more accurate with the Shield. I switched my carry gun to the Shield because of this, but this was a personal thing, maybe the way I held the Shield and CPX-2 made the difference. I may have to give the new DVG-1 a try, although my eyes have been looking at the new PX4 Storm Compact, which is more money.

  • rastoboy November 1, 2021, 12:46 pm

    I’ll never buy a SCCY again–they don’t stand behind their guns. Bought a .22 of theirs, it was a POS, sent it to them for repairs, got it back, still unreliable AF. Then they stopped returning my calls.

    • bob n November 7, 2021, 3:58 pm

      hey ratsoboy they don’t make a .22…dumbass

  • c banker November 1, 2021, 10:45 am

    Whaaaa the trigger!!! It’s a true double action with hammer ( unlike Khar) kind of like ……. a bleeping revolver. Thats why some of us like the SCCY. Great for SCCY catering to the striker crowd, but please dont forget some people want a true DAO.

  • Chuck Pulliam November 1, 2021, 8:26 am

    SCCY is a Great Gun and the service is Great!

  • Mark November 1, 2021, 8:23 am

    I love my CPX 2 it shoots great and fits in my BIG hands I did get the trigger kit for it tho. I have my CC permit and it’s a Great Back up and it works great in my coat pocket when I’m out riding and don’t want to carry the 45. and this thing is quite accurate for a 2.5″ barrel,

  • Steve November 1, 2021, 7:54 am

    Is this pistol not locking open on the last shot?

  • Dean Heinz November 1, 2021, 5:38 am

    Looks like, acts like, shoots like a Kel-Tec.

    • TIm November 1, 2021, 7:44 am

      I agree. My wife and I each had one. Hers was ok, Mine failed to eject constantly. Tried different mags and loads. Dumped them both! Customer service was terrible.

    • William Sanders November 1, 2021, 9:36 am

      I’ve owned several kel-tecs and several sccy. The sccy is a much better shooter for me.

    • Blue Dog (he/him) November 1, 2021, 9:56 am

      Kel-Tec looks like, acts like, shoots like Grendel.

      SCCYs have better fit and much better finish than Kel-Tecs.

  • Blue Dog (he/him) October 31, 2021, 5:21 pm

    I have been impressed (for budget tupperware) with the SCCY offerings in the past. For the money, they are hard to beat. I have recommended them to more than one person looking for their first budget handgun. They are an excellent example of using modern manufacturing techniques to make a decent product cheaply IN AMERICA. These striker fired ones are a noticeable improvement over the previous CPX-es. I just wish they made one in .45 ACP.

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