Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols > Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols Other Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols from the 1950's to Present


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-06-2012, 11:17 AM
EternalKnight's Avatar
EternalKnight EternalKnight is offline
US Veteran
CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: N GA & W Central FL
Posts: 36
Likes: 2
Liked 18 Times in 10 Posts
Default CS9 Questions

I was at the range last week and at the time was shooting a Kahr CM9. The man next to me asked if he could try it since it was smaller than his S&W CS9. We switched for a couple of mags. I loved the CS9. I don't believe it was quite as accurate, but I was not familiar with it yet. It was definitely better balanced and had a better grip. When did S&W stop making it and why?
__________________
USN Ret-M&P 9 M2, 9C, Shield 9
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-06-2012, 12:15 PM
mlk18's Avatar
mlk18 mlk18 is offline
Member
CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 2,426
Likes: 296
Liked 785 Times in 356 Posts
Default

Quote:
When did S&W stop making it and why?
The CS9 was and is an excellent gun. I believe there are compromises made when it comes to sub-compacts and a lot of easy to carry guns sacrifice functionality for size. The CS9 is not one of them.

I am not sure when they stopped making it but the why involves the almighty dollar. Higher production cost and slow sales. It's cheaper and easier to make polymer frames and the CS9 came out just as industry started mass producing plastic wonder guns. I believe the fat Hogue grip didn't help either. I remember many people in the gun shop complaining that the grip was as wide a Glock 26 but held fewer rounds. Of course Big Dog has fixed that with his grips. Something S&W should have done right out of the gate.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #3  
Old 03-06-2012, 04:35 PM
Fastbolt's Avatar
Fastbolt Fastbolt is online now
Member
CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: CA Central Coast
Posts: 4,638
Likes: 915
Liked 6,591 Times in 2,191 Posts
Default

It costs less to make a plastic frame than it does a metal frame, which means the plastic guns can sell for less. (I've been told during one of my Glock recerts that a new frame pops out of the mold every 85 seconds, and during a S&W 3rd gen recert that it takes a little over 30 minutes for a CNC machine to make a 3rd gen frame. CNC machine time is costly.)

I remember thinking that it was funny how some folks complained about the chunky Hogue grips on the CS series when the guns were introduced. Why? because I was originally told by folks at S&W that their marketing surveys indicated the rubber grips were preferred by owners, so they felt it was more attractive to have them come with the guns as "stock" grips. (Which just goes to show how you can't ever please everyone. ) Also, the factory felt the increased felt recoil in the smaller CS guns might put off some shooters, so they asked Hogue to design the grips for the new series to help reduce felt recoil.

I've always found the stock Hogue grips on my CS9 fits my hand as if made for me (and I only have medium-size hands, despite what some glove makers may think).

Yes, it has more palm swell than my 3913 equipped with the flat Hogues ... but I find it very helpful, as it also allows for a bit less movement of the CS9 in my hand, especially when my hands are wet (rain or sweat) or just really cold.

The CS45 grips are a bit fatter, or chunkier, than the CS9's ... until I start doing a lot of fast-paced shot strings, at which time I find the CS45 Hogue grips keep the gun perfectly still and locked into my grip. It's like they're glued to my hand, regardless of the loads I'm using or how fast/slow I'm shooting. The extra bit of felt recoil mitigation is handy, too.

Once I'm done actually shooting, and take the time to consider and "feel" the grip again, it once again feels a bit fat & chunky, just being held in my hand. Not the same as when I'm engaged in shooting the gun.

The CS9 also seems to have its "balance point" located more rearward in my hand (shorter slide). The faster cycling gives a bit more of a 'snap' for recoil (with a little more muzzle rise), but it also seems to put the slide/sights back 'on-target' faster than when I'm shooting my 3913. It makes for what I like to call a 'fast & lively' balance when shooting, regardless of the loads I'm using at the time (which have included standard pressure, +P and +P+ loads, depending what was being issued at the time).

As far as inherent & practical accuracy? I found I could shoot the CS9 every bit as accurately as my 3913. The small main spring & stirrup may give the trigger a little different feel (as the medium main spring/stirrup of the 3913 may give a different "feel" to some shooters compared to the large ones in 3906/04), but it doesn't seem to lack for practical accuracy. Evfen back when I was first just borrowing another instructor's CS9 (thinking about ordering one), I quickly discovered I could use it to shoot "minute of wooden clothespin" (on the target backboards) at 7-10 yards with it, much the same as I could using my 3913.

Between the CS9 & CS45 that I've owned and used for some years, if I could only keep ONE of them, it would be the CS9, hands down.

I miss that S&W dropped commercial production of the excellent CS 9's & 45's, and I hope they eventually devise something of similar size in the M&P series at some point.
__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 03-06-2012, 04:39 PM
EternalKnight's Avatar
EternalKnight EternalKnight is offline
US Veteran
CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: N GA & W Central FL
Posts: 36
Likes: 2
Liked 18 Times in 10 Posts
Default

Thank you all for the info. I may look for a used one. I liked it better than my CM9.
__________________
USN Ret-M&P 9 M2, 9C, Shield 9
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-22-2012, 09:43 PM
eshap2 eshap2 is offline
Member
CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions  
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: CALIFORNIA
Posts: 101
Likes: 9
Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts
Default

I RECENTLY SPOKE TO S&W FACTORY AND ASKED THE SAME QUESTION. THE PRODUCTION OUT WAS NOT ENOUGH AND THAT IS WHY THEY WENT TO THE M&P. IN MY OPINION THE CS9,40,40 ARE THE BEST COMPACT GUNS THAT WERE MADE. I HAVE THE CS40 AND CS45. I SURE WOULD LIKE TO FIND A CS9 TO ROUND OUT MY COLLECTION.
GOOD LUCK
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-23-2012, 09:37 AM
J D Allen's Avatar
J D Allen J D Allen is offline
Member
CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions  
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: hamilton ohio
Posts: 129
Likes: 14
Liked 15 Times in 6 Posts
Default cs9

The chief special pistols are great guns. I've got a cs9 and cs40. They are ther best of the 3rd generation.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-24-2012, 10:27 PM
eshap2 eshap2 is offline
Member
CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions  
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: CALIFORNIA
Posts: 101
Likes: 9
Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by EternalKnight View Post
I was at the range last week and at the time was shooting a Kahr CM9. The man next to me asked if he could try it since it was smaller than his S&W CS9. We switched for a couple of mags. I loved the CS9. I don't believe it was quite as accurate, but I was not familiar with it yet. It was definitely better balanced and had a better grip. When did S&W stop making it and why?
THEY WERE MADE FROM 1998 UNTIL 2006 WHEN PRODUCTION STOPPED. BIG MISTAKE!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-25-2012, 02:42 PM
Texas1941 Texas1941 is offline
Member
CS9 Questions  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Texas Gulf Coast
Posts: 378
Likes: 6
Liked 36 Times in 24 Posts
Default

I guess my take on the CS9 is a little different. The CS9 is the only 3rd Gen Smith that I've owned and then sold. There were a couple reasons I decided it wasn't for me.

I have large square hands. There was too much of a "fumble factor" drawing from an IWB holster. I'm not talking about speed (my draw is slow as Christmas with anthing), but about having a reasonable certantycertainty of a secure grip when the pistol clears the holster, without having to move the gun around too much to get a firing grip. To come out of the holster with a useable firing grip, everything had to go just right. I found the 3913 type frame a lot more forgiving in this respect.

The other issue was one handed shooting. I found that with a two handed grip, there was little difference in practical accuracy between the 3913 types and the CS9. When shooting one handed or weak handed there was a considerable difference. Even with the flat base plate, I can get a whole hand grip on the 3913 type; the CS9 is a two finger grip, and that just didn't work for me.

The standard I use for one handed shooting is five shots of carry type ammunition on a 10" paper plate at 10 yards in 6 seconds. I know that for many IDPA and USPSA types, that sort of time might require a lunch break, but with my sixty something eyes and joints, it's really a pretty realistic test.

Also, I think the particular CS9 I had was a "slow" gun. The difference between the CS9 and the 3954 I used for comparison was about 125 fps with the CorBon 125 gr +p, which is my preferred carry load in 9mm.

The little gun just wasn't for me. I traded it for a 4013 TSW, which I still have. I would have been better off keeping the 9; the 4013 is a disagreeable gun that eats recoil springs like breath mints, but that's another rant.

Just my experience, for what it's worth.

Charles
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-06-2013, 08:27 AM
usasales usasales is offline
Banned
CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions CS9 Questions  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times in 8 Posts
Default SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT

FIRST THE CS 9 & THE 3913 NL ARE DIFFERENT GUNS WITH BIG BOGS DRELIN CUSTOM GRIPS. THEY MAKE THESE TWO GUNS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT IN COMPARISON TO THE HOGUE ORIGINAL GRIPS, ESPECIALLY THE CS 9. THEY FEED EVERYTHING IN 9MM THAT IS MADE AND ARE MUCH MORE CONTROLABLE THEN ANY OF THE BABY GLOCKS OR ANY OTHER POCKET 9 s, ESPECIALLY WHEN USING 147 STANDARD LOADS. OVER 95% OF DEFENSE SHOOTINGS OCCUR IN LESS THAN 15 FT AND A 147 GRAM LOAD WILL KNOCK DOWN AN ELEPHANT AT THAT DISTACE. FOR ALL OF YOU WHO PRACTICE AT 50 FEET GET TARGET PISTOLS NOT SELF DEFENSE HANDGUNS.TRY THIS! FIRE ONE CLIP OF YOUR CURRENT SELF DEFENSE WEAPON AT 25 FEET THEN JOG IN PLACE FOR 15 MINS SO IT WILL BRING YOUR HEART RATE UP TO WHERE IT WOULD BE IN A TIME OF STRESS THEN QUICK FIRE 2ND CLIP .YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT HOW BAD A SHOT YOU ARE

Last edited by usasales; 03-06-2013 at 08:31 AM. Reason: MISSPELLING
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
Reply

Tags
3906, 3913, 3954, 4013, commercial, cs45, cs9, glock, hogue, idpa, kahr, polymer, smith & wesson, smith and wesson

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
A Few Questions for Marines - Questions answered. Tanx! bmhiii The Lounge 15 03-03-2019 06:03 PM
Questions and more questions about a 27-2 from a nube Jeffrod S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 31 06-10-2017 06:50 AM
Quick 15-22 Questions/Rifle Questions zachnelson Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 17 01-10-2013 04:02 PM
some 356 tsw questions Jaect Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 20 03-27-2012 09:28 PM
m58 questions Pilgrim S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 2 03-03-2010 01:41 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:12 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)