I can't decide! Owners of each, please jump in.....

i have the new style of the 4513tsw and it is my main carry gun. so thats what gets my vote.

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I like the smallness of the CS45, but tend to think that the slightly longer grip of the 4513 would be easier to acquire in a stressful situation.

Between the two I'm not sure what I'd rather have. I wish they put a better rail on the TSW with the cross cut further back so some of the smaller weaponlights (X2/TLR-3) could fit on bettter, but I do LOVE my 4513TSW. The CS45 is a smaller gun but not "that" small.

Between the two I chose the 4513 but I wouldn't feel bad if I had the CS45.

Several years ago I found one of each in a gun store, if I remember correctly they were the same price. I picked the 4513TSW, I really liked both but could afford only one. The difference being the 4513 just seemed to fit my hand better. Jim.

The CS45 is a pretty blocky gun. When you put it next to a 3" 1911 style gun it looks like it's twice as big even though the overall dimensions aren't too much different. The rear sights are pretty tall on the gun due to the barrel placement in the slide (it points down, enough that it is plainly visible if you look for it).

The magazines, grips, and many other parts are unique to the gun and there is little to be had for bolt on parts. The retrofit of 'Big Dog' grips are a real favorite of many as it slims the gun down nicely and improves hand placement for those who didn't get along with the stock Hogue rubber. All that aside it runs like top and is surprisingly accurate.

My biggest gripe, along with many others, is the magazine extension which tends to favor those with small hands and ruin hand placement for those with larger hands. There are a few threads about replacing the floor plates with those from other guns but the real trick involves heavy modification to the mag body and fitting a custom base pad to shorten it up.

I would highly recommend handling a CS45 before buying one. You'd be even better off shooting it first. If you can get along with it you'll fall head over heels for it. Otherwise you'll have that 4513 in your safe and feel good about your decision.

There are a few different variants out there, and a current flood of police trade-ins are what seem to be the most available. Keep in mind that these guns have 10 year old Trijicon night sights on them (mine still work quite well) and are a de-cock only gun (when you de-cock, the lever springs back up to the ready to fire position). Several other owners have had their guns modified at S&W to be DAO. The gun was also originally available this way. Of course the traditional DA S&W safety is found on all of the civilian guns.

Check my thread on the size of the gun and perhaps it will give you a feel for what you're in for if you take one home.

Pretty subjective topic.

I own both, although my 4513TSW is one of the original models with the cutaway grip frame and sans rail. My last duty weapon was a current 4513TSW, though, so I've had a fair amount of time to run rounds through it, as well.

The 4513TSW with the standard grip offers a bit more to hold in the hand, as well as 1 more round in the magazine. The balance (for me, subjectively speaking) is fairly light and well balanced. It feels almost muzzle heavy compared to a CS45, though.

The felt recoil is decently controllable for a compact alloy-framed .45 pistol.

The CS45 is a bit lighter feeling in the hand, with more of the weight feeling as though it's centered more over the top of the hand instead of in front of it. The felt recoil is brisk and a bit sharp, but fast enough to get it back on target fairly quickly. I tend to think of it as having a 'fast, lively balance'.

I'd offer that if someone were susceptible to 'limp wrist' (grip stability/unlocked wrist) issues, the 4513TSW would probably be the better choice.

I find both models to be very accurate, although the somewhat brisker felt recoil of the CS45 would probably make it seem a less favorable choice to some folks who might compare shooting the both of them.

If I had to choose between the two of them, I'd keep the 4513TSW. The extra slide mass and the double non-captive recoil spring setup do seem to make it an easier-shooting compact .45 compared to the slightly smaller & lighter, fast cycling CS45 with its short, single, flat wound recoil spring.

The difference in length is approx half an inch (CS45/3.25" barrel & 4513TSW/3.75" barrel), but the grip on the CS45 gives it a feel of a larger gun. Personally, I find the chunky Hogue grips to serve their intended purpose in mitigating felt recoil and aiding in controllability ... but hey, some folks don't mind losing some of the cushioning effect by using modified plastic grips ... and some folks actually claim to enjoy shooting a Kahr MK40, too.

Seriously, it would probably be beneficial to try both, if possible, before deciding.

Or else simply doing what I ended up doing and owning both at some point.

Here's some images of my original model 4513TSW & CS45. The butt plate with the straight front profile is what originally came with the early 4513TSW mags. I simply switched a couple of them between the different model mags because the flat one felt better in my hand when using the CS45.




Here's my older 4513TSW compared to a current production 4513TSW.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

A matter of personal preference. I vote for the CS45 but understand the 4513 lover's point of view. The CS45 is a wonderful little gun that asks little and cycles all brands of 45acp. The grip, the recoil and other factors need practice to become comfortable but that is true of all guns. The CS45 appears blocky because it is solid and well made. It was the first gun that I ever bought new and it is a certain keeper. Good luck with whatever you choose.

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There are a few different variants out there, and a current flood of police trade-ins are what seem to be the most available. Keep in mind that these guns have 10 year old Trijicon night sights on them (mine still work quite well) and are a de-cock only gun (when you de-cock, the lever springs back up to the ready to fire position). Several other owners have had their guns modified at S&W to be DAO. The gun was also originally available this way. Of course the traditional DA S&W safety is found on all of the civilian guns.



I agree the ones im seeing now are de-cock only, however mine is ex police with night sights and is not de-cock only so it must depend on what deparment they came from.

I'd recommend the 4513TSW.

i highly recomend the cs45 it's my carry and my shooter.at 20-25 feet it's as accurate as a larger frame 45,(i have tested both)trust me,you will NOT be disapointed.also i have big hands,and fits comfortly,with minamal recoil for a smaller frame gun.........just my 2 & half cents........

It is truly a matter of personal preference.I have small hands and the CS series just feels better in my hands as opposed to the full size 4513.The only reason I don't own the CS45 is because of MRS CRN who has banned me from buying any more guns,especially a 45 because my Dad In Law is going to be giving me his Colt Govt 1911 that was his sidearm for 30 + years of military service.God Bless......Mike

Buy both : )

I have the CS45 and like it. Is it possible to rent \ borrow each and take to the range to decide?

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For God and Country

+1 for CS45

I shoot it as well as longer barreled .45's- it's balanced very well, recoil is less than some of my other bigger .45's. -Just built very well and is probably the most accurate and comfortable compact .45 I've shot.

Dog Soldier,I have several .45 cal pistols and love my CS 45 for what it is,a smaller concealed type gun. It is 1 1/4 shorter than the 4513 & 5.6oz (almost 1/2#) lighter than the 4513. I carry the CS45 in a thunderwear inside the pants holster & no-one knows. I have gone thru our police qualification with the CS45 with no problems. I use 7 rd mags from my 4516-1 in this pistol to bring me up to the 4513 capacity. So consider what you want to do with your pistol and go for it. Good luck,

Bob

I own a CS45 and postively love it. It shoots fine, feels great in the hand, great groupings at 15 and 25 yards and is small enough to place in IWB holster!

In the end, you have to decide what's best. The larger frame S&W is a also a fine firearm. Hence whatever choice you make will be a good one!

Jet.

Can't speak to the 4513, but my CS45 is a hoot to shoot. Accurate, tame and never a malfunction.

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NRA Life Member

If anyone is looking for a Factory New CS .45 there are about 5 or so left on GunBroker.com I wonder why S&W decided to discontinue this beautiful firearm. I am going to try and afford 2 more, one for parts and the other as a collectors item.

chazzman5369