The hot thing in defensive pistols these days are handguns in the micro pistol class. Micro pistols are typically an inch or less wide, have a 3-inch barrel, and double-stack magazine hold 10–12 rounds. SIG is recognized by many as having started this trend with its P365. In reality, SCCY (pronounced “sky”) was building micro pistols long before the P365, and other guns in the class from Glock, Springfield Armory, Smith & Wesson, and Ruger.
Most of those guns are selling for $500–600, yet SCCY pistols are selling for a fraction of the price of the others. The CPX-1 or CPX-2 will comfortably fit in your pocket while carrying enough rounds to get you out of practically any defensive situation. However, they have a 10-pound trigger pull. That is not bad in and of itself.
Many police departments issue guns with double-action trigger pulls of 10 pounds or more. The reason is safety. You don’t accidentally fire a gun that requires a trigger pressure of 10 pounds or more. Yet, if you need to fire it, overcoming 10 pounds can be done.
Although there are many people who understand SCCY’s double-action trigger philosophy, others might say, “That’s all well and good, but I want a trigger pull that closely matches the Glocks, M&Ps, and Springfields at around 5.5 pounds, but only pay in the neighborhood of $300.” SCCY’s answer is the DVG-1.
SCCY DVG-1 Features
If you’re familiar at all with the SCCY CPX Series pistols, the DVG-1 has some interesting differences. The DVG-1 is striker-fired. The CPX series pistols are hammer-fired. While the DVG-1 has an advertised 5.5-pound trigger pull, the CPX guns have a 10-pound trigger pull.
The trigger on the DVG-1 is straight and the CPX triggers are curved. The DVG-1 has front and rear slide serrations. The CPX slides only have rear serrations. The DVG-1 has a reduced grip circumference compared to the CPX grip. It measures 5.5 inches in circumference at its widest point, compared to 6 inches on the CPX. The barrels are completely different, as are the recoil springs.
Why the change in barrel design? It’s because the owner, Joe Roebuck, is a mechanical engineer who has the ability to improve his existing designs. The DVG-1 features the Roebuck Quad-Lock operating system first made available in the CPX-3 .380. This system provides a more stabilized barrel and therefore improved accuracy.
I found it interesting to compare the DVG-1 barrel design to that of my CPX-1. The difference is visibly evident, but it took a little study for me to understand how it works. The top of the barrel lug is flat and angles down approximately two-thirds of the way to the front. At the rear, there is a tang with a curved edge that marries up to the slide when the gun is fully locked.
The rear of the barrel is forced up when the slide is in battery, which produces two of the four lock-up points. Where the opening for the muzzle on most slides is perfectly round, the opening on the DVG-1 is oval-shaped. When the barrel is locked at the rear of the lug, the Quad-Lock recoil system forces the front of the barrel downward. This leaves a crescent-shaped gap just above the barrel while the bottom of the barrel is sitting almost flush against the muzzle opening. It looks off-center, but it’s not, because the muzzle opening in the DVG-1’s slide is not round.
The barrel won’t move from side to side if you push it. This arrangement defines the other two lock-up points. When the gun is fired, the barrel is forced further into the narrower part of the muzzle opening so that it is locked up tighter at the moment of discharge. Another difference with the DVG-1 is the recoil spring, which is a compound spring, one inside the other. The CPX-1 and CPX-2 utilize a single recoil spring.
The DVG-1’s machining is flawless. Its fit is tight and smooth. Everything about it says quality, yet it’s a gun that retails below $300. That’s with two magazines and a trigger lock. Also, with each of the magazines, you have the choice of a flat baseplate or one that is extended with a slight pinky-finger curve. You may be tempted to use the flat baseplate for carrying, but trust me, when you shoot the gun, you’re going to want the extended baseplate.
The sights on the DVG-1 are three-dot sights — easy to see. But if you want to change them, any aftermarket sights that fit a Glock will fit the DVG-1. More and more, manufacturers are adopting the Glock pattern sights, and it was a smart move on the part of SCCY to follow that trend.
The front slide serrations are helpful, as the slide is small, and the recoil spring is stiff. You must exercise caution to keep your hand clear of the muzzle when using the front serrations to rack the slide. The slide lock mechanism is the same as on the CPX models and is plenty big to do the job.
Breaking It Down
Take-down on this gun is done by locking the slide back and removing the disassembly pin, which will require a little prying. You then ease the slide forward until it comes to rest. Next, after ensuring the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction, pull the slide back slightly, and pull the trigger. The slide will move forward off the rails. Depress and remove the recoil spring, and the gun is ready to clean and oil. Reassembly is done by putting the barrel and recoil spring back in the slide and sliding the slide back on its frame rails until it clicks into position.
Range Time
I shot three types of FMJ ammo and two types of JHP in the DVG-1. I didn’t find the DVG-1 to be a tack driver, but at 10 yards I could put 10 rounds into a 4-inch target consistently. The DVG-1 will benefit from a little break-in period, say 200–300 rounds. Although the trigger pull is advertised at 5.5 pounds, my Lyman trigger-pull gauge initially measured the one on my test gun at a consistent 7 pounds, plus an ounce or two.
I talked with a customer service rep at the plant about that, and he checked with the engineers. They tested four different guns on the production line and admitted they were getting trigger pulls “slightly over the target 6 pounds on three of them, but one was on the mark at 5.5 pounds. They suggested I dry fire it for a while and then run some live rounds through it. Then I was to check and see whether it improved.
I did, and it did. It was a little grungy at first, but with close to 500 rounds through it, the DVG-1’s trigger is smooth, and measures close to the advertised 5.5 pounds. I consider it a major improvement over the 10–pound triggers on my CPX-1 and CPX-2.
Final Observations
I would have no trouble trusting this pistol as my EDC gun. It will carry easy in a pocket using a Sticky Holster size MD-4, or an IWB holster such as one I have from ComfortTac for small guns.
Should you get one of these? Heck, yeah! The cost is insignificant compared to a lot of other things you can spend money on, and this one has the potential of saving your life. You can stash one in your console or glove compartment, put one in various (secured) cubby holes around the house, and carry one as a primary or backup pistol whenever you go out. The SCCY is the limit!
For additional reviews of SCCY pistols, check out:
Do you have experience with a SCCY pistol? Share it in the comment section.