I have an older blued CS9. Excellent condition. I like the looks of the stainless better, but I'm not gonna spend $600 just because it's nicer looking. I know the sights on the older ones are plastic, but I can always upgrade to Trijicon's for around $100. I'm not keeping two, so one would have to go. I really like mine, by the way.

Your blued steel CS9 isn't necessarily "older." There were both blued and stainless steel versions being manufactured concurrently in 1999. Also, some of the early stainless steel versions (including my CS40 manufactured in 1999) have plastic sights.

To answer your question, except for the plastic vs metal Novak sights and the single-side vs ambidextrous safety, there is no difference between the blued and stainless versions.

Blued CS9 pistols were manufactured 1998-1999; stainless 1999-2006.

__________________
Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

Other than the ambidexterous safety decocker and the plastic vs metal Novaks there is little difference in the two models.If you like your blued CS9 keep it and don't worry about it......Mike

I have a blued CS9 and am very happy with it. I may pick up a stainless version one of these days not because I think it is better but just because.
So far, I don't see any problem with the sights either.

i recently got a cs9 on gunbroker for $325.it was black and really nasty inside and the finish was less than desirable so out came the duracoat and a new set of 3913 grips which when NOT cut at all leave the magazine floorplate flush with bottom of the grip but still leaves the finger hook.also have a box of 3rd gen parts and for s***ts n giggles tried a novak 6906 rear sight..guess what...FITS!!!! still on it now.

Any pictures of the 3913 grips installed?

i can take some but using cell as modem so they wont upload to forum or photobucket...pm me email and i will send them to anyone who wants.3913 grip.use the factory hogue mainspring cup and dremel out grip til it fits and used soldering iron to make new pin holes...has two sests of pin holes,had a spare and put in both pins and painted them black...took about an hour total.surprised S&W didnt do it.