SCCY has been around since the early 2000s, specializing in affordable, yet reliable, pistols. Even if you’re not necessarily familiar with the name, you’ve likely noticed one of its pistols in the gun case at your local gun store, as the frames are offered in 10 different colors.
The DVG-1 is SCCY’s first striker-fired pistol, which makes for some noticeable differences from its predecessor and SCCY’s flagship gun, the CPX-2. The CPX-2 is a hammer-fired DAO, so it has a heavier trigger pull and longer reset. For many of us, the striker-fired model is exactly what we were asking for from SCCY.
After handling the DVG-1 RDR (red dot ready) at Shot Show earlier this year, I’m glad I was finally able to get my hands on one to test and review.
Unboxing and First Thoughts
The SCCY DVG-1 is technically considered a sub-compact, but I would say it’s right on the border of being a micro-compact. Since it was several months since I handled the DVG-1 for the first time, I forgot how nice it fit in my hand. It comes standard with two magazines, both featuring pinky extensions. It’s a good thing they do, since without them I don’t believe my pinky would have been able to rest on the grip.
Before hitting the range, one of the first things I noticed was how slick the slide serrations felt to me. I was able to rack the slide fine, but I had to use a stronger than normal grip on the slide to do so. One last thought to note from the first few minutes with the DVG-1, I didn’t feel the grittiness I’ve heard some folks talk about with the trigger pull, even from the first pull. Overall, my second first impression was a positive one.
SCCY DVG-1 Features
SCCY did a nice job combining both aesthetic and functional features with the DVG-1. As far as the aesthetics go, like I mentioned earlier, the frames are available in 10 colors. The slides are available in black or stainless.
The two-tone black and stainless combo I have catches the eye and makes you take notice, without screaming, “I’m obnoxious look at me!” SCCY also added front slide serrations that make the pistol, overall, look more finished in my opinion. Even in the basic color schemes, it’s a good-looking gun.
Now to the more important features that increase its functionality and accuracy. The flat face trigger comes in around 5.5 pounds and has a clean break and quick reset. It also has a nice curve at the bottom of the trigger to help you keep your finger placement consistent. I didn’t have any issues adjusting to the trigger quickly.
Then, you have the optics-ready slide. After I completed my testing with iron sights, I mounted a UTG mini micro red dot. It required no additional mounting plates and took all of about two minutes to attach. The slide cut was very clean and came with a cover plate for when you’re not running an optic.
The most unique feature is the Roebuck Quadlock, which locks the barrel in four different areas. This helps it return to the same location after every shot. In turn, this helps to increase accuracy potential — especially when shooting quick follow-up shots. It’s not something you’ll necessarily notice right away while shooting it, but understanding it’s there, can help explain some of the accuracy in such a small pistol.
There are some small features that shouldn’t go unnoticed. While some people do not like finger grooves on the grip, I really appreciated them on this one. Since the grip is somewhat small, the grooves helped me keep a hold of it — especially when shooting quickly.
Next is the lack of a manual safety. This can be a pro or con, depending on how you look at it. I personally prefer to not have a thumb safety, but I know many who do. To my knowledge, there is not a DVG model available with the thumb safety, like some of the CPX models have.
Lastly, I did enjoy the thumb notch in the grip. It was just big enough to rest my thumb in without it getting in the way if I didn’t want to. The small features aren’t going to make or break my thoughts on the SCCY DVG-1, but I do like touching on them.
Specifications
Caliber: 9mm
Action: Striker
Capacity: 10+1
Length: 6.01”
Width: 1.10”
Height: 5.06”
Weight: 15.50 oz.
Barrel Length: 3.10”
Sights: Three Dot White
Trigger Pull: 5.5 lbs.
Frame: Polymer
Range Report
The SCCY DVG-1 happily ate any ammo I put through it, whether they were FMJ or JHP rounds. 160 rounds over three range trips consisted of Federal American Eagle 115-grain FMJ, Blazer Brass 124-grain FMJ, and Federal Punch 124-grain JHP, which all cycled with no issue. I’ll eventually try some different lower-quality ammo to see if there are any issues, but I’m not too concerned there will be.
An interesting note from my range time, is that the grip began to feel a bit slippery after a few magazines. The reason being, that my hands were starting to sweat due to the higher temperatures at the range, but the grip texture on the DVG is slick and only really found on the sides of the grip.
Having large hands that barely fit on the grip to begin with, I had to slow down and take extra time. When my hands were dry though, I enjoyed not having too aggressive of a grip texture. However, if you have smaller hands that fit well on the grip, it may be less of an issue than it would be for me.
Accuracy wise, it performed how I expected. Four-inch groupings out to 30 feet were easy to obtain right out of the box. It was shooting a little low and to the left at first, but I wound up figuring out it was operator error. I was able to correct it by simply loosening my grip slightly when pulling the trigger.
At distances beyond 30 feet, I began to have groupings I was not necessarily happy with. However, I felt I was asking more than a gun of this size was designed for. With it being such a small sub-compact, I don’t think many people are trying to shoot Pepsi cans at 100 yards anyway.
Final Thoughts: SCCY DVG-1
I liked the CPX-2, but I like the DVG-1 much more. SCCY made a good choice, in my opinion, to expand into the striker-fired arena. At this price point, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find such a reliable and optics-ready sub-compact. While it’s not a gun I would carry often, strictly due to the size of the grip in relation to my hands, I believe the value the DVG-1 brings to the table makes it an excellent option for the budget-minded concealed carrier.
Have you had the chance to shoot a SCCY pistol? Do you daily carry a SCCY? What do you think of the SCCY DVG-1? Share your review in the comment section.
Even if you don’t plan to mount an optic right away, the included slide cover plate adds a little flare to the slide with SCCY stamped into it. During the author’s first range trip, he found the himself shooting the DVG-1 low and to the left. After paying more attention to slightly loosen his grip while pulling the trigger, he was able to correct the groupings. 
The new UTG mini micro red dot fits perfectly without the need for any mounting plates. The DVG-1 has a simple and clean aesthetic. The two-tone slide/frame combo makes it stand out nicely. The author found the three white dot sights easy enough to pick up quickly when switching between targets, but does wish that they were a tad taller, especially given the fact this is a red dot-ready pistol. Packed neatly in the compact box, you’ll find the pistol, two mags, standard literature, and lock. The ammo pouch on the left was brought to the range by the author.
Of course I meant the gun illustrated has no safety!
D hu on my part
You mentioned the DVG does not come without a thumb safety.
Yet the pistol illustrated has a thumb safety. So what is going on?
o my knowledge, there is not a DVG model available without the thumb safety. Lastly, I did enjoy the thumb notch in the grip. It was just big enough to rest my thumb in without it getting in the w