Is there a way to remove the right side decocker on my CS45 without a gunsmith?

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Anchors

Sounds like you have a later production CS45. The earlier ones came with the single side manual safety/decocker.

That being the case, the ambi assembly in the CS45 can be replaced with a single-sided assembly.

It does, however, require some knowledge of stripping the slide and installing the other assembly.

It also requires checking the decocking timing afterward to see if a new sear release lever has to be fitted to work with the new safety/decocker assembly. Since fitting the sear release lever requires filing, and knowing how to identify when the decocking timing is within the recommended range, it's not a kitchen table project for someone unfamiliar with working on S&W pistols.

It's possible for the new assembly to be installed and have its relationship with the existing sear release lever result in working tolerances which fall within the recommended range and provide for proper decocking, but it doesn't happen nearly as often as most armorers would wish.

Bad things can happen when people tinker with firearms without knowing what they're doing and how to properly do it.

For example, if you were to mix up the ambi lever plunger spring and the safety body plunger spring and put the ambi spring under the safety body plunger ... the pistol might decock itself each time it's fired. Not good.

Probably best left to someone who has some knowledge and experience in making the switch.

BTW, the ambi assembly costs more than the single-sided assembly. That little ambi lever is surprisingly pretty expensive all on its own.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

Thanks Fastbolt, If there is ever a time I can be without it I'll send it back to S&W.
I'm not a good at tinkering.

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Anchors

A licensed gunsmith familiar with S&W pistols can do it easily enough in less than 5 minutes. A little longer if a new sear release lever has to be fitted.

It's not that it's terribly complicated, or anything (an armorer can be taught to do it, after all ), but since you're replacing parts essential to the normal safe functioning of the firearm you wouldn't really want to risk causing a problem, right?

If you lived close to me I'd offer to do it as a courtesy (presuming you bought the part ).

I once had a fellow ask me to switch the blue/black side plate and manual safety/decocker on his CS pistols to stainless parts for the color contrast.

Also, occasionally it might be possible to find a particular slide/frame/manual safety-decocker combination that didn't quite work well as far as matching tolerance ranges. Parts is parts to a great degree, but it's always possible to come across a part which doesn't simply 'plug in' to a particular gun. That's why it's handy to have spare parts (plural) on hand from time to time.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

If your decocking lever is like most other 3rd generation S&W autos you should be able to remove that lever without removeing the safety from the slide..
Is there a small hole in it?
If so you depress the detent inside it with say a toothpick & gently slide the safety lever off then note that the spring loaded detent & spring will fly loose once the lever is removed..
As Fastbolt said without some knowledge of the workings of the pistol taking the safety lever out of the slide wouldn't be advised..
I tore my 3913 apart when I first got it & had no troubles but I could see how others would..
Gary/Hk

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MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson