[LOGO OMITTED]

                                  PRESS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                               CONTACT:

CompX International Inc.                                      David A. Bowers
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700                                  President & CEO
Dallas, Texas 75240                                           Tel. 864-286-1122

                       COMPX REPORTS HIGHER SALES, PROFITS
                             FOR FIRST QUARTER 2005

Dallas, TEXAS ... May 2, 2005 ... CompX International Inc. (NYSE: CIX) announced
today sales of $46.8  million for the first  quarter of 2005, a 7% increase from
$43.6 million in the comparable 2004 quarter.  Income from continuing operations
for the  first  quarter  of 2005  increased  42% to $2.2  million,  or $0.14 per
diluted share, from $1.6 million,  or $0.10 per diluted share, in the comparable
2004 quarter.  Operating income increased from $2.3 million in the first quarter
of 2004 to $4.2 million in the first  quarter of 2005 due to the net effect of a
favorable change in product mix for security products, higher raw material costs
and the continuing benefit of cost control initiatives previously undertaken.

"We are  pleased  to see many of the  markets  we serve  experiencing  increased
strength in the past quarter. Improved margins resulted from a change in product
mix, as volumes  increased  on more  profitable  products,"  commented  David A.
Bowers, President & CEO. "Also adding to the improvement in profitability is our
continued focus on cost control and production efficiency."

Due to certain  limitations  on the  utilization  of foreign  tax  credits,  the
Company's  effective  income tax rate was higher in the first quarter of 2005 as
compared to the same period of 2004.

On January 24, 2005, CompX completed the sale of its Thomas Regout operations in
Europe for approximately  $22.3 million in net proceeds which included cash (net
of expenses) of approximately  $18.1 million at closing and a subordinated  note
for approximately $4.2 million payable over a period of four years. Accordingly,
the  results of the  European  operations  of Thomas  Regout  (which  reported a
nominal  amount of net income in the first  quarter of 2004) are  classified  as
discontinued  operations for all periods presented.  Discontinued  operations in
2005 relates  primarily to additional  expenses  associated with the disposal of
the Thomas Regout  operations.  The net proceeds from the sale  approximated the
net realizable value previously estimated.

Mr. Bowers concluded,  "With the sale of the Thomas Regout operations  completed
and a positive start for 2005, we are allocating  significant  management effort
to areas that will provide new opportunities for growth and diversification. The
proceeds from the Thomas Regout sale,  as well as borrowing  availability  under
our  credit   agreement,   provide  the  liquidity  to  take  advantage  of  new
opportunities as they are identified."

CompX is a leading  manufacturer  of  precision  ball bearing  slides,  security
products  and  ergonomic  computer  support  systems.  It  operates  from  seven
locations in the U.S., Canada and Taiwan and employs more than 1,400 people.

Statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are
forward-looking  statements based upon management's belief and assumptions using
currently  available  information.  Although  CompX  believes  the  expectations
reflected in such forward-looking  statements are reasonable, it cannot give any
assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements, by
their  nature,   involve   substantial  risks  and   uncertainties   that  could
significantly  impact expected  results,  and actual future results could differ
materially from those described in such forward-looking statements.  While it is
not  possible to identify all  factors,  CompX  continues to face many risks and
uncertainties.  Among the factors  that could  cause  actual  future  results to
differ  materially  include,  but are  not  limited  to,  general  economic  and
political conditions,  demand for office furniture,  service industry employment
levels,  competitive  products  and prices,  fluctuations  in currency  exchange
rates, the introduction of trade barriers, potential difficulties in integrating
completed  acquisitions,  the  timing  and amount of future  cost  savings  from
restructuring  actions,  the  ability to sustain or  increase  operating  income
improvement  resulting from cost control initiatives,  uncertainties  associated
with new  product  development  and other  risks and  uncertainties  detailed in
CompX's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.  Should one or more of these
risks materialize (or the consequences of such a development  worsen), or should
the  underlying  assumptions  prove  incorrect,   actual  results  could  differ
materially  from those  forecast or expected.  CompX  disclaims any intention or
obligation to publicly update or revise such  statements  whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.

                                    * * * * *



COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.
SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)



                                                         Three months ended
                                                              March 31,
                                                    -----------------------------
                                                       2004               2005
                                                    -----------------------------
                                                                 

Net sales                                           $  43.6            $  46.8
Cost of goods sold                                     35.2               36.5
                                                    -----------------------------

Gross margin                                            8.4               10.3
Selling, general and administrative                     6.1                6.1
                                                    -----------------------------

Operating income                                        2.3                4.2
Interest expense                                       (0.2)              (0.1)
Other general corporate income                          0.6                0.2
                                                    -----------------------------

Income from continuing operations
     before income taxes                                2.7                4.3
Income tax expense                                      1.1                2.1
                                                    -----------------------------

Income from continuing operations                       1.6                2.2
Discontinued operations, net of tax                     -                 (0.5)
                                                    -----------------------------

Net income                                          $   1.6            $   1.7
                                                    =============================


Net income per diluted common share

      Continuing operations                         $   0.10           $   0.14
      Discontinued operations                           0.00              (0.03)
                                                    -----------------------------

                                                    $   0.10           $   0.11
                                                    =============================

Weighted average diluted common
  shares outstanding                                   15.1               15.2
                                                    =============================






COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)



                                                            December 31,      March 31,
                                                                2004            2005
                                                         ----------------- --------------
               Assets                                                       (Unaudited)
                                                                     
Current assets:

   Cash and equivalents                                     $      16.8      $      30.4
   Accounts receivable, net                                        19.2             21.6
   Inventories                                                     20.8             20.8
   Prepaid expenses and other                                       1.5              2.1
   Deferred income taxes                                            1.4              1.6
   Assets held for sale                                            18.0              -
                                                            -----------      -----------

       Total current assets                                        77.7             76.5

Intangibles                                                        30.7             30.8
Net property and equipment                                         66.1             68.7
Note receivable                                                     -                4.2
Assets held for sales                                              11.0              -
Other assets                                                        0.2              0.2
                                                            -----------      -----------

         Total assets                                       $     185.7      $     180.4
                                                            ===========      ===========


         Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                 $      17.7      $      18.1
   Accrued income taxes and other                                   2.7              0.9
   Liabilities related to assets held for sale                      5.0              -
                                                            -----------      -----------

       Total current liabilities                                   25.4             19.0

Long-term debt                                                      0.1              0.1
Deferred income taxes                                               4.9              5.0
Stockholders' equity                                              155.3            156.3
                                                            -----------      -----------

         Total liabilities and stockholders' equity         $     185.7      $     180.4
                                                            ===========      ===========