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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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  #51  
Old 01-24-2012, 02:33 PM
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According to what SmithNut told us....as best as I can recall...all the Customs Service 686 CS-1 revolvers were delivered with the Pachmyar grips - some with medallions and some without - as specified in the contract.

The public market overun guns were delivered with standard wood magnas.

I'll try and access some of my CS-1 reference material this weekend to make sure, but I'm confident that is what SmithNut told us. IMO SmithNut knows/knew more about the 686 CS-1's than anyone on the board......well.....on any gunboard really. Regards 18DAI
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  #52  
Old 01-24-2012, 05:21 PM
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How does one know if a CS-1 was issued to CS or the leftover ones. What does the box label look like and are they different for CS vs the leftovers.
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  #53  
Old 01-24-2012, 05:38 PM
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How does one know if a CS-1 was issued to CS or the leftover ones. What does the box label look like and are they different for CS vs the leftovers.
The box labels look typical. There are no "Features" listed at all on this one. I've always wondered if the feds would keep the boxes, or immediately toss them.
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  #54  
Old 01-24-2012, 05:41 PM
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How does one know if a CS-1 was issued to CS or the leftover ones. What does the box label look like and are they different for CS vs the leftovers.
Look at the yoke. The 686's that were subject to the recall are/were stamped with a letter M. The CS guns were sent back a second time so it got the 2M.

I got mine from the original CS owner. He said when they were sent back in for the second recall inspection they were returned in brown boxes not the numbered S&W box.


Last edited by 1 old 0311; 01-24-2012 at 05:45 PM.
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  #55  
Old 01-26-2012, 12:43 AM
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So what is the full feature set of these? I can see RB, satin stainless, adj rear sights, pinned front sight.

What else? Tuned action? Why are they considered the best 686s, just due to rarity?
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  #56  
Old 02-04-2012, 04:38 PM
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I found this 4" in a small gun store in northeast Kansas over the holidays. Seems to be in good shape, although someone buggered up the sideplate screws a little. The store had flooded back in the early 90's, so i'm guessing it was the owner when he was cleaning his inventory. I thought $600 OTD was a pretty good deal


It doesn't have the M stamp yet. I called S&W and got a return label, but i've read a few negative posts regarding sloppy recall work. Should I send it back, or wait and see if it has primer-flow issues?
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  #57  
Old 02-04-2012, 07:16 PM
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I wouldn't send it back unless you have a problem with the primers. Unless you plan to CC this revolver, that is.

Very nice find!
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  #58  
Old 02-04-2012, 08:28 PM
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Just got my second 3" CS-1 today. I am one happy pup.
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Old 02-04-2012, 08:58 PM
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I've been looking for one of these for along time, no luck at all. If anyone has an extra they would be willing to part with please let me know.
I have a few 686's, 2 1/2", 4", 6" and a couple of 586's also a 581 but try as I might I've not run across a CS.
Any help?
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Old 02-04-2012, 09:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Smithhound View Post
I've been looking for one of these for along time, no luck at all. If anyone has an extra they would be willing to part with please let me know.
I have a few 686's, 2 1/2", 4", 6" and a couple of 586's also a 581 but try as I might I've not run across a CS.
Any help?
RD

Run a add in the classifieds. That's where i found my 2nd.
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  #61  
Old 02-05-2012, 01:00 AM
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I was a firearms instructor for Customs when the CS-1's were issued and for a good number of years thereafter. They came originally in blue boxes which we tossed (as far as I can remember). When they were recalled, we just sent them back in whatever we had and they were returned the same way. Came with pachmeyers (can't remember medallion or not, but I think they did). FWIW, I do not know of anyone that got their CS-1 returned after the final recall.
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Old 02-05-2012, 01:33 AM
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Originally Posted by 10mmauto View Post
I was a firearms instructor for Customs when the CS-1's were issued and for a good number of years thereafter. They came originally in blue boxes which we tossed (as far as I can remember). When they were recalled, we just sent them back in whatever we had and they were returned the same way. Came with pachmeyers (can't remember medallion or not, but I think they did). FWIW, I do not know of anyone that got their CS-1 returned after the final recall.
You mean S&W replaced them with new revolvers?

And, what was the 'final recall'?

I'm only aware of the one involving the primers flowing into the firing pin hole.
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Old 02-05-2012, 09:13 AM
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Just got my second 3" CS-1 today. I am one happy pup.
sweeeeeet!!!

ahem...pics please
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  #64  
Old 02-05-2012, 11:06 AM
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sweeeeeet!!!

ahem...pics please
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Old 02-05-2012, 12:21 PM
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You mean S&W replaced them with new revolvers?

And, what was the 'final recall'?

I'm only aware of the one involving the primers flowing into the firing pin hole.
Sorry. Final recall was the wrong term. I meant when we were forced to turn them in because the USCS transitioned to 6906's. (We were allowed to tag the CS-1's so we would be given the option to buy them, but to my knowledge, it never happened.)
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Old 02-05-2012, 01:18 PM
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Sorry. Final recall was the wrong term. I meant when we were forced to turn them in because the USCS transitioned to 6906's. (We were allowed to tag the CS-1's so we would be given the option to buy them, but to my knowledge, it never happened.)

The CS-1 legend continues: WORD is they were issued with a M stamp then sent back in for the 2 M stamp. After they were returned to each Unit they then got the option to buy them. The CS-1 sold to civilian market only have a single M stamp.

Once again I WASN'T there through this transition and am just repeating the CS-1 lore as I heard/read it.
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Old 02-05-2012, 02:51 PM
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It's been too long since I took this chunky little beast out of the safe. Here's are few pictures I took this afternoon on my (cold!) back deck.





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Old 02-06-2012, 02:49 PM
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That 3" CS sure looks NICE, and your pics of it are outstanding!
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Old 02-06-2012, 03:36 PM
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I remember when the first CS guns came out. A dealer that I helped run his booth at the local gun shows had several of the 3 and 4 inch versions. He was selling them for around $320.00 new in the box and no one was interested. If I only knew them what I know now.......
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Old 02-06-2012, 07:18 PM
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Here is mine. It has the 2M mark. The finish is "bead blasted".



I paid $250 for it 5 years ago, purchased from a retired Detroit LEO.
I think it spent most of its life in Windsor at the Border.

I have been collecting CS-1 posts from where ever I can find them. I asked about them here 4 or 5 years ago, and have run into other pieces of information over the years.

IIRC Smithnut said there were 3000 3" CS-1's made. Janet Reno destroyed around 1500 of them. Buy it and hang onto it. They won't make any more like that. A 3" 686 is a nice revolver to have. Mine shoots nice (a little low with WWB). If nothing else, they make great trade bait. Enjoy your CS-1. Regards 18DAI.

Has staked front sight. Narrower than std.

The SMITH & WESSON 686 CS-1 A Post by woodscustom on The Firing Line
The SMITH & WESSON 686 CS-1
________________________________________
In 1988, Smith & Wesson, working in conjunction with requests from the US Customs Service, went to work on the greatest combat revolvers of all time. The Smith & Wesson CS-1 (Customs Service 1st Edition), also called by some the "Treasury Model" (U.S. Customs is under the Treasury Dept.).

Using the Famous .357 Magnum L-Frame 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum, S&W hand built 3500 CS-1 revolvers using the following Improvements.

Forged Hammer
Hammer Mounted Firing Pin
Pinned Sear on Hammer
Forged Trigger
No Internal Lock

3” barrel that allows the use of a Full Length ejector rod unlike the 2 ½” Revolvers.

Some were made with 4” barrels for uniformed officers.
Satin Stainless steel finish
Round Butt
Thinner front blade pinned sight
Polished internal surfaces
Modified firing pin bushing for use with High pressure loads.
Tightened tolerances

When Janet Renoe took office as Attorney General, the US Customs service made an ill advised switch from Revolvers to the SIG semi Auto. Upon implementation, Janet Renoe ordered the destruction of 1500 of the 3500 S&W CS-1 Revolvers less they fall into Civilian hands. 2000 of these revolvers were sold to US Customs agents for personal use. As of this day, these are the only CS-1 Revolvers in existence.

The Smith & Wesson CS-1 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum, is known far and wide to be the finest Smith & Wesson Revolver ever made.

With todays Prices, look to find them between $700 and $1400 Depending if it is NEW IN BOX (NIB) or used.

Ron In MD
Most dealers will not deviate from the bluebook, and will be on the low side due to turning a profit, (Business)

The Custom Service 686's have a uniqueness and are a step above the standard production weapon with refinement, also there is a limited supply
of them that is what warrants a premium price.
When these 686s where produced the production had an overrun and that overrun was released to the public unsure of the #. Probably the only way to find out if your CS 686 is an actual Customs Service issued revolver is to have a letter done on it.
Value all depends on market and location, The #s 18DAI posted seemed spot on, I have watched the auction sights and some CS-s have gone higher
but folks do get carried away with bidding also economy and time of year will play a roll on what the value is. Such as tax Refund time some may have extra cash etc? I was able to cure my itch for a CS with a 681 and a 3" 65

Sorry for being so wordy

====================================================

The SMITH & WESSON 686 CS-1

Written by “WoodsCustom”

WC

Last edited by DAdams; 02-06-2012 at 07:22 PM.
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  #71  
Old 02-06-2012, 08:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 10mmauto View Post
I was a firearms instructor for Customs when the CS-1's were issued and for a good number of years thereafter. They came originally in blue boxes which we tossed (as far as I can remember). When they were recalled, we just sent them back in whatever we had and they were returned the same way. Came with pachmeyers (can't remember medallion or not, but I think they did). FWIW, I do not know of anyone that got their CS-1 returned after the final recall.

Thanks...that may have cleared up one question that I had (did the Feds keep the boxes or toss them?)

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The CS-1 legend continues: WORD is they were issued with a M stamp then sent back in for the 2 M stamp. After they were returned to each Unit they then got the option to buy them. The CS-1 sold to civilian market only have a single M stamp.
can i add to the legend? I have a "2 M" stamped CS-1 that still has the box...which were supposedly thrown away. It was shipped to Shreveport LA.
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Old 02-06-2012, 09:36 PM
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Better late than never:




It was the only CS-1 a dealer had in a bunch of trade-ins he had.
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Old 02-06-2012, 09:59 PM
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Probably too much information, but here it is. The three inch guns were issued to k-9 officers (dog handlers) and special agents. The four inch guns were for uniformed Customs Inspectors and supervisors. In those days there were a lot more inspectors than k9's or agents. Thus the three inchers were scarce. As stated earlier they came with rubber grips and a butt window. As I recall, the boxes got tossed. When they were turned in we shipped them with whatever came along. The Customs officers tried like the dickens to purchase their issued revolvers but were flatly turned down. They were all shipped back to the Customs armory at that time located at Fort Benning, Ga. Allegedly they were sold to wholesalers in lots of 100, how true that is I do not know. Best to all. Hugh WW Chief U.S. Customs Retired
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Old 02-07-2012, 10:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DAdams View Post
Here is mine. It has the 2M mark. The finish is "bead blasted".

I have been collecting CS-1 posts from where ever I can find them. I asked about them here 4 or 5 years ago, and have run into other pieces of information over the years.

IIRC Smithnut said there were 3000 3" CS-1's made. Janet Reno destroyed around 1500 of them.......
Has staked front sight. Narrower than std.......
The SMITH & WESSON 686 CS-1 A Post by woodscustom on The Firing Line
The SMITH & WESSON 686 CS-1
________________________________________
In 1988, Smith & Wesson, working in conjunction with requests from the US Customs Service, went to work on the greatest combat revolvers of all time. The Smith & Wesson CS-1 (Customs Service 1st Edition), also called by some the "Treasury Model" (U.S. Customs is under the Treasury Dept.).

Using the Famous .357 Magnum L-Frame 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum, S&W hand built 3500 CS-1 revolvers using the following Improvements..........
When Janet Renoe took office as Attorney General, the US Customs service made an ill advised switch from Revolvers to the SIG semi Auto................
Sorry for being so wordy

====================================================

The SMITH & WESSON 686 CS-1

Written by “WoodsCustom”

WC
I have seen this write-up before. It is very good. But there is one error. The USCS didn't make the "ill-advised" switch from the CS-1 to Sig semi-autos. At least not directly. We turned in the CS-1's for S&W 6906's. Then we turned those in for Glocks - 17's, 19's and 26's. THEN we made the ill-advised switch to SIGs (and that was only a few years ago.)
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Old 02-07-2012, 11:21 AM
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Wow....I see several additional errors in that post by WoodsCustom. His numbers are a bit off too.

Rather than derail this photo thread further, I'll try and locate all my CS-1 reference material and start a new thread. Probably be a day or two. Regards 18DAI
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Old 02-07-2012, 01:05 PM
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Looking forward to it!
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Old 02-11-2012, 11:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh WW View Post
Probably too much information, but here it is. The three inch guns were issued to k-9 officers (dog handlers) and special agents. The four inch guns were for uniformed Customs Inspectors and supervisors. In those days there were a lot more inspectors than k9's or agents. Thus the three inchers were scarce. As stated earlier they came with rubber grips and a butt window. As I recall, the boxes got tossed. When they were turned in we shipped them with whatever came along. The Customs officers tried like the dickens to purchase their issued revolvers but were flatly turned down. They were all shipped back to the Customs armory at that time located at Fort Benning, Ga. Allegedly they were sold to wholesalers in lots of 100, how true that is I do not know. Best to all. Hugh WW Chief U.S. Customs Retired
Generally true, but my basic customs inspector class at Glynco was issued the 3 inch CS-1's in early 1989, with Strong leather holster specifically cut for a three inch bbl., for uniform wear. We were told that the agents had recently adopted the 6906 for an issue pistol, so USCS was distributing the short bbl to inspector classes. I tagged my CS-1 as well when I turned it in 1992 for purchase, but never saw it again. Subsequently, we transitioned to the 9mm S&W 6946 for duty gun for inspectors.
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Old 02-12-2012, 12:03 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragonfly View Post
It's been too long since I took this chunky little beast out of the safe. Here's are few pictures I took this afternoon on my (cold!) back deck.





Yep, that gun is exactly what I was issued. Packy round butts, with no medallion. I remember the ser # was BAU something, but I can't recall the rest. Nice gun; brings back lots of fond memories.
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Old 02-12-2012, 03:27 AM
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I have a CS-1 'doppleganger'. A 3" model 686-1 created from a standard 2 1/2" gun.
3" barrel was installed before I bought it and I just had my local gunsmith
glass bead blast it .


Pictures before the bead blast work.





Note the bead blast barrel but standard finish frame.








Voila' [ Doppleganger]



A little Allen Frame action job upon reassembly........




I dare you to tell it's not one without looking at the yoke cut.

Looking at it now the rear sight comes all the way to the end of the top strap.
This may be the giveaway between an actual CS-1 and a converted 2 1/2" gun.














Allen Frame
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Last edited by Allen-frame; 02-12-2012 at 03:30 AM.
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Old 02-12-2012, 03:50 AM
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"Quote" "The Smith & Wesson CS-1 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum, is known far and wide
to be the finest Smith & Wesson Revolver ever made." "Quote"


" The finest Smith & Wesson revolver ever made." ,,HMMMMMM.

An extremely bold statement considering S&W had been creating revolvers
for more than 130 years prior to producing the 686 CS-1.

It would only be my opinion but a deep rich high polish blue pre war
357 magnum would be the finest 357 caliber revolver S&W ever created.

Keep the faith,
Allen Frame
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Old 02-12-2012, 08:11 PM
vegasgunhand vegasgunhand is offline
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As a former Special Agent and firearms instructor for U.S. Customs, I think I can lend a little light on the subject of the CS-1.

The CS-1 was the brain child of Mr. Mark Humphyville. He was hired as a firearms expert by former Commissioner William Von Raab. Mr. Humphyville had come from the Aberdeen Proving Ground staff. He had no law enforcement experience, and very little handgun expertise.

Mr. Humphyville believed that the .357 Magnum cartridge was the best "one shot stop" capable handgun. And without any law enforcement experience, he had no idea what it took to carry or conceal a large frame .357 Magnum revolver, in the line of duty.

Mr. Humphyville set the specs for the new revolver as it had to have a 3 or 4 inch barrel, and have a useable service life of 10,000 rounds of duty .357 Magnum ammunition. S&W put their bid in with their standard 686 revolver in both barrel lengths. Mr. Humphyville was also a national match high power rifle shooter, so when he looked at the factory specs for the 686, he felt the tolerences were not close enough, and drew up specs with much closer tolerences. S&W developed the gun, and the contract was awarded to them.

At the time the guns came to the field, the Customs Service was using a 60 round qualification course. Most agents who carried revolvers, were carrying the .38 Spl +P+ Treasury round, instead of full house .357 Magnums. (The Treasury round preformed very well, and produced much less recoil and muzzle flash.)

When the CS-1's came into the field they were looked at as being too big and heavy for many agents to conceal or carry. Since most of the Special Agents work is done in plain clothes, the large, heavy revolver was just not a welcome sight.

Then came the malfunction problems. With many agents using the Treasury .38 round in their CS-1s, a new and serious malfunction began to arise. With the closer tolerences that Mr. Humphyville designed, the unburned powder from the Treasury load, would build up under the extractor star during firing. This would cause the extractor star to begin to push out from the cylinder face, and cause the cases to press against the frame. This caused the CS-1 to first have a very heavy trigger pull, and then eventually lock up completely. I have seen this happen many times during the 60 round qualification course. Causing agents to have to stop, and remove the unburned powder from under the extractor star, before being able to complete the 60 round qualification course.

This was unacceptable is a duty handgun. The CS-1 were recalled for repair to the Customs Firearms Program staff located at Ft. Benning, GA. The guns were modified, and sent back out to the field. However most of the agents chose not to carry the CS-1 due to it's large size, and reputation for not being reliable. (The recall seemed to cure the malfuction, but by then, most agents did not want to rely their lives on one.)

Approximately two years after it was introduced, the CS-1 was replaced by the S&W 6906 9mm pistol for all Special Agents.

To my knowledge, there were approximately 3,000 3 inch and 3,500 4 inch guns purchased on the contract by U.S. Customs. After the guns were replaced in the field, there were many sold during the exchange sale program. Lwe Horton purchased many of them, and my 3 inch gun was one of them.

Most of the boxes were thrown away by the Agents after the CS-1s were isued to them. If you got one with your CS-1 and it matches, consider yourself very lucky.

The Customs Service never did allow their Agents or Inspectors to purchase the guns directly from them. Many Agents who wanted their guns, placed their business cards in the gun, when it was returned for exchange sale. Very few ever got the chance to buy their gun from a distributor.

After Janet Reno stopped the exchange sale program, many for the guns were sent overseas to some friendly governments, as part of foreign aid packages. Some were modified to only shoot Simunition cartridges, and were sent to the field offices for use in training. Alas, I do believe many were destroyed by the Clinton administration.

I enjoy my CS-1, and it was one that was recalled and is now a reliable handgun in my collection.

Last edited by vegasgunhand; 02-13-2012 at 09:28 PM.
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Old 02-13-2012, 09:06 PM
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Nice history vegasgunhand. I went through USCS FI school in 1997 at Ft Benning. As part of the training they gave us a tour of the basement where stuff was stored, repaired, inventory, seized guns...etc...etc.. I remember asking one of the staff armorers there about what happened to all those CS-1 revolvers that had been turned in years before. He just shook his head and muttered something about "taking them to the smelter north of Atlanta". How sad !!! I'm glad that at least some examples escaped.
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Old 02-13-2012, 09:36 PM
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For only 6500 made there is SOOOOOOOOO much myth, rumor, lore. I have two and they will be the last I ever sell.
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Old 03-25-2012, 07:59 PM
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Default 686 CS-1 3" Barrel 2M

A few pics of my CS-1
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Old 03-25-2012, 11:37 PM
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I can't post a picture because I picking up my 4" CS-1 on Tuesday. I'll take some pictures once I get it and add them to the thread. Just stumbled across it while visiting another town's gun shops. Only had enough money to put it on layaway but Tuesday it will be paid for in full and come home with me. (smile)

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Old 03-26-2012, 11:32 AM
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According to the SCSW, the CS-1 is a RB with a pinned black front ramp and matte finish. Were these unusual features in 1988? I am wondering if they are so sought after because of the features, or because they are unusual and made for the Customs Service. Thanks.
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Old 03-26-2012, 12:48 PM
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The Spec Ord code on my CS-1 box label is 7342 which, I think, means mine was made/shipped/ordered on the Dec. 8th, the 342nd day of 1987 I thought the CS-1s were 1988 guns
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Old 03-29-2012, 10:34 AM
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As promised earlier, here's my most recent addition to the family:





This gun was used by the previous owner. It shows handling and holster wear. That's actually fine with me as I intend to use it as well. I can't afford safe queens so all my guns are shooters. Lucky for me I didn't pay a safe queen price for this one, more of a shooter price. (smile)

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Old 10-12-2012, 03:17 AM
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Default CS1 in Vienna

Here are some Pics of mine:








Greetings from Austria

Last edited by Frangible; 10-12-2012 at 03:21 AM.
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Old 10-15-2012, 05:13 PM
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I'm a Canadian CS-1 owner. Bought it back in 1989 when I turned 21. It was my first handgun. I knew it was different than what was on the market back then, but had no idea up to what extent. I just really liked the idea of a 3" barrel and the brushed stainless finish. Still have the original box, Pachmayer grips, instructions, sight ajustment tool and even the wax paper it was wrapped in. I should have keept the receipt.
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Old 10-16-2012, 03:44 AM
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Quote" "The Smith & Wesson CS-1 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum, is known far and wide
to be the finest Smith & Wesson Revolver ever made." "Quote"

Yea right, thanks for the good laugh today!!! Extremely far away from being the finest Smith and Wesson revolver ever made. In my opinion the CS1's are very overhyped and over rated firearm to be quite honest and that is coming from someone will who actually put thousands of rounds through his and not someone who just takes it out the safe to look at it.

Eric
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Old 01-23-2013, 05:48 PM
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my question would be...i see production figures of 3500 or so made...but what is the production number of the civilian side of the cs-1?
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Old 06-09-2013, 08:41 AM
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Old 06-09-2013, 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by mamartin043 View Post
I REALLY want one of these. Really badly.
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Old 06-09-2013, 07:58 PM
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Default My CS-1

Ok, I'll play as well. This was bought new by me in the fall of 1988. The checkered magna's are in the box. I prefer the combat stocks.


Last edited by 824tsv; 06-09-2013 at 08:00 PM.
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Old 06-09-2013, 08:06 PM
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Here is my m stamped version
Just got it a few months ago, yet to shoot it, but it will be soon...
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Old 06-29-2013, 02:44 PM
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Here is a few.

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Old 12-09-2013, 09:42 PM
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Well I'll play bought the 3" and 4" new back in the day..... sold the 3" 20 years ago and wish I had it back!!!



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Old 07-12-2014, 10:44 PM
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Old thread but I'll jump on late with a few pics of my pair. Recently picked up the 3" from a forum member to go with the 4".


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Old 07-14-2014, 04:06 PM
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My CS-1 was a real find, just walked into the local gunstore and there it was in the used case for $500.00.
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