Today's gun show find... 686 CS-1

jughed440 · #1 10-09-2010, 05:51 PM

Been casually looking for a 586 or a 686 with a barrel under 4", and i didn't plan on paying a huge premium to get it.
This morning at the local show a seller had a very nice 3" 686, round butt w combat grips, tools, and original box, marked @ $700. I asked him if he would take less, but his price was firm and he wanted every bit of $700 because, as he stated, "3 inch guns are in high demand"
I looked it over any way, opened the cylinder and found "CS-1" stamped on it. Being naive about that mark i walked away. Went home and decided to do some online research about the 686 and see what "CS-1" stood for. I learned a lot from this site (and the Standard Catalog) in half an hour...flew back to see if it was still available. luckily it was...and his price was still firm.

It cost way more than i wanted to spend, but it looks like it should hold its value

Meanwhile, i will use it as it was intended to be used. Can't wait to shoot it!!!

pics of the 686 will have to wait (3 day B.$. waiting period) A local dealer did the transfer and let me take the box with me...here are pics of the box with the correct product code.

Chuck Jones · #2 10-09-2010, 06:03 PM

In my opinion one of the best and least discussed features of the CS-1 is the thin 1/10 inch (or dime) black front sight blade. It's much faster and easier to pick up than the standard red ramp integral stainless blade on my 2 1/2 inch 686.

You've got a great gun there, enjoy.

/c

one eye joe · #3 10-09-2010, 06:23 PM

An excellent find! Glad you didn't have to learn, ''You snooze, you lose.'' the hard way........

Nframe357 · #4 10-10-2010, 12:42 AM

Congrats! My 3" CS1 is a fav of mine, I'm sure you will love yours.

SW357Addict · #5 10-10-2010, 01:03 AM

For $700 with the box, papers, and original tools, I think you got it for $100 or $200 less than what most people would pay. So you did really good.

jughed440 · #6 10-10-2010, 08:43 AM

thanks, everyone!!

this page came from a google search. the OP's info convinced me to buy it.
http://www.survivaltopics.com/forums...86-cs-1-a.html

Sportsterguy · #7 10-10-2010, 09:27 AM

Congrats! You have one of the if not the best .357 S&W's ever made. I believe you easily saved 300.00+ on that price. Especially with everything intact. I will never let mine go. It is a very accuurate revolver and a joy to shoot.

If it had a set of wood combats on it you now have a set of grips that'll bring $150.00 to the price of that fine weapon. The new 3" 686's do not compare to these specimens IMHO. Have a gunsmith who's schooled on S&W's clean up the innards and apply some fresh grease to the contact areas if you can't do it yourself. You will be pleasantly at the improved trigger pull. Both in SA and DA modes.

Do Not Sell It! Ever! But if you do PM me first!

jughed440 · #8 10-12-2010, 08:32 PM

got it home, finally. The action is nothing like any S&W i've had before...or anything else. Can't wait for the next range visit.
my fingers don't fit the Combat grips too well, so the grips will be replced with Ahrends or Spegals

a few pics to share...the serial letters "AYD" were not stamped to well

Mike-4 · #9 10-13-2010, 01:24 AM

Very nice find. I love 3" wheel guns. Thanks for sharing.

Nframe357 · #10 10-13-2010, 01:25 AM

Gorgeous! Set those combats to the side and get something more comfortable, at the rate they have been appreciating they'll be worth as much as the CS before long!

Sportsterguy · #11 10-13-2010, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nframe357

Gorgeous! Set those combats to the side and get something more comfortable, at the rate they have been appreciating they'll be worth as much as the CS before long!

I agree 100%. The CS-1 came with rubbers. Them combats are not correct to the revolver but worth a heck of alot more than the originals ($150.00-200.00). I'd take em off when I'm ready to shoot it, slap on a set ot Pacs or Hogues, whick absorb recoil better and stash the pretty combats.

BTW you are going to love how accurate the baby is. Mine is a tack driver with every bullet weight I feed it.

Nice S&W! Congrats.

SG

firecaptain · #12 10-13-2010, 05:49 PM

Great find. Well worth the $700

jughed440 · #13 10-13-2010, 06:47 PM

Thanks a lot everybody!

i've read somewhere that original grips on these Customs 686s were Pacs with a "window" on the bottom to make the ser. # visible.

i'll have to try the Uncle Mike's, now being worn by the 19. they are very comfortable, and work well with the snubbie. i had ordered two sets of Ahrends a few days before the gun show, one of which will probably end up on the 686.

USMC586 · #14 10-13-2010, 07:06 PM

Great find! Looks fantastic, enjoy the hell out of her.
She is a beautiful sister to my 3" 586!
My 586 is quite possibly my favorite gun. Nevermind the fact it was my first wheel gun!

Steave · #15 10-14-2010, 04:26 AM

Nice pick up!

Sportsterguy · #16 10-14-2010, 05:36 AM

The CS-1 in the background has the original grips. I have a set of combats for it but the rubbers make it fun to shoot as the pretty combats tear me up. I save the wood for pics and dresssing the revolver up.

Most of my carry revolvers wear Ahrends FG's. I sand them all down to custom fit them to my hand. Price is very reasonable compared to the combats who's prices are very high.

Congrats again on that baby. It would bring 1k easily on a auction site.

Don't sell it! Ever!

CS-1 in background. Love it.

CS-1 with it's holster. I have no safe queens and do shoot and pack this revolver. Not for SD as I'd hate to see it in the old evidence vault!

jughed440 · #17 10-14-2010, 07:44 AM

"Not for SD as I'd hate to see it in the old evidence vault!"

so true...

thanks for the pics, and advice, sportsterguy. what model is the one below your CS?
the Spegals that came with the 66 fit like a dream, but they are staying put and replacements are way too pricey. those pretty Ahrends are priced about right.

Glock1911 · #18 10-14-2010, 08:33 AM

Nice find. I'll trade you a pickup truck for it.

Marshal tom · #19 10-14-2010, 09:04 AM

Great find at that price. I picked up two within a few weeks of each other a few years ago. I sold one to a forum member and kept one. I have never seem another one since. I agree with everything previously said about them.

Tom

sprscientist · #20 10-14-2010, 09:48 AM

Nice pickup! I paid $800 fo mine a few months ago and it didn't have a box or the nice combat grips, just the issued magnas. I switched them out with Ahrends.

jughed440 · #21 10-16-2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprscientist

Nice pickup! I paid $800 fo mine a few months ago and it didn't have a box or the nice combat grips, just the issued magnas. I switched them out with Ahrends.

that's a sweet looking 686, those Ahrends look great on it.

i made a short visit to the range today to see how it shoots, and adjust the sights.
the pic shows the best grouping of the day..38 sp, single action @ 10 yds wearing some borrowed Spegals....nothing to brag about..i definately need more practice with the 686, but it shoots like a dream, and easily handles the magnum rounds.

JWM · #22 10-16-2010, 08:21 PM

Had mine issued at FLETC. Tried to buy it, but Clinton administration halted the sales-exchange program. Insiders later told me that many CS-1's were tossed into a smelter somewhere near Atlanta. They were nice guns, but really no more accurate than any other S&W revolvers from that era. Got a 292 out of a possible 300 on the final FLETC PPC course.

AJ1961 · #23 10-16-2010, 08:44 PM

Very nice! Now I have another one to add to my short list (Not so short) of ones to keep my eyes opened for...

Shorty4T · #24 10-17-2010, 05:46 PM

That is a nice find!! I do love my 686s, I've got 4 of them presently. I never bought a CS-1 simply for the fact that I have a -4 3". It's very close to the CS-1, I just didn't see buying the CS-1 for the stamp on the crane.

This one is NIB...

Everyone should have a stable of 686s.

Cheers,
Sam