Are the CS semi auto pistols (CS9, CS40, CS45) part of the "value line" series that the 908 and 910 are part of? Is a 3rd gen gun like the 3913 of equal value and craftsmanship to a CS9?

The CS series is part of the value line, although some did leave the factory with metal sights and other parts.

A 3913 will have more craftsmanship than a CS9, but they perform equally.

I must have a different CS9. I have a 908 with a plastic guide rod, disconnector and rear sight and the CS9 has none of those. Also, the CS9 slide is the same shape as the 3913, not the blockier 908 shape. My CS9 doesn't have the grip checkering normally found on the 39xx series.

The CS9 *may* be the value line, but I see more in common with a 39xx than a 908.

I agree.My CS9 also has all metal parts.I put the CS9 and the 3913 side by side and essentially the CS9 is a baby 3913.Because of my small hands the CS9 just fit me better...All the best and God Bless....Mike

I'm no expert, but I believe that when the Chief Specials first came out they had plastic sights and possibly other plastic parts. Later S&W changed out the plastic parts with steel parts. My two CS9s and my CS45 all have steel parts.

I find most of this strange, since every CS pistol I've owned or handled, even the ones with steel sights, had the slide milled flat on the rear and at the top edges, just like the value series. Not at all like curves on standard 3rd gen models. No frame checkering or serrations, either.

In 2001, the retail price of the CS40 was $717. That price definitely excludes it from the "Value Line" series.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

I don't recall the Chief's Special model line ever being referred to as being part of the Value Line models.

The earliest TDA (meaning not the DAO versions, of course) CS models came with a single side manual safety of matching finish. They had metal guide rods, although depending on production they could have either plastic or metal guide rod plungers. They also had plastic sights when first introduced.

The later production models came with ambi manual safety assemblies and steel Low Mount 3-dot sights.

The disconnectors were the standard nylon parts used in the rest of the 3rd gen series after their introduction.

The CS series had the original "stepped" frame & slide rails instead of the larger dimension box-type rails incorporated into the TSW models.

I'd have to say the CS series were of the same overall quality as the rest of the standard 3rd gen standard model line, although they naturally had differently shaped & finished slides & frames unique to the CS series, as well as the Hogue grip panels designed for the CS series.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

The CS9 has a lot more in common with a 908 than a 3913. Most notably the fact they lock up on the barrel hood, instead of a barrel lug on the 3913. There is also the lack of frame serrations and a slide that was shaped with a hatchet.

Mine were early versions with the plastic parts. I also noticed some versions of the value series left the factory with metal parts.

When they first came out, before there was a "D" version, I had a lengthy conversation with the PC to make sure they could convert one to DAO for me. They said no problem, and referred to it as just a mini 457. Of course, back then they did not have an oblong firing pin retainer to fit the hole, so they just milled the safety lever flat, for me to use a sort of locking device.