Is there any way to tell the difference between a "Paris Theodore ASP" and a "Ken Parsons ASP"?

Kevin Parsons?

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Oops!
It is Kevin. I was reading about Kevin Parsons and Ken Nulls and unwittingly transposed their first names. Thank you for the correction.

Never having been fortunate enough to actually come across an ASP in the wild, I have researched them extensively and seen detailed photos of ASPs both from the original maker and the later examples made in Appleton Wisconsin.

A couple of shooters on other boards own examples of each and have shot them extensively and written reviews and range reports on them.

Here is the jist of their opinions - the original ASPs vary in finish quality, but not in build quality. The owners claim many problem free rounds down range with no issues other than the occasional cracked lexan grip or fogging of the Lexan due to cleaning solvent use.

The owners of the later produced Appleton ASPs claim that the heat treating used to apply the finish weakened the anodizing on the aluminum frames. So the later guns look great, but do not hold up to a lot of shooting.

What defines a lot of shooting? One owner claimed his frame was badly worn in under 500 rounds. (Thats not a lot of shooting, to me). Another owner claimed "...frame was toast at under 1500 rounds.....".

But yet a 3rd owner of a late production Appleton ASP claimed that his gun was shot regularly and was holding up just fine. So there you have it. Agamut of opinionsfrom people who claim to own and shoot both.

I will never be so fortunate. So I content myself with the CS9 pistol. "Grandson" of the famous ASP. With useable sights too! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

18DAI
Thank you so much for the info. After a six year search, I stumbled across a like new ASP 30 miles from home - no easy task in the Peoples Republik of Kalifornistan.
I collect unusual S&W's. Retired LEO, and I too carry a CS9.

Congrats on finding one. Especially in CA!

Some years back, before I retired from Investigations with the D.A.s office, I scored a nice condition 3914NL. It is a very ASP like pistol. I consider it to be the direct descendant of the ASP. I carried it on and off duty and into retirement. I still have it, but it is seldom carried or shot since I got the CS9s.

I have an early black CS9 - which will be going to BMCM for night sights - that I have shot and carried some and a stainless which I carry pretty much daily and shoot often.

I think these CS9s are what the original ASP aspired to be. Small, easy to carry and conceal and VERY fast into action. I had occasion to point the black CS9 at a miscreant a couple of years back in the court house parking lot. Afterwards, I realized just how fast that gun went from an IWB holster, concealed, to pointed down range and "ready". Sure made an impression on the miscreant. He remembered he had to be somewhere else and fled in a hurry.

If you don't know, Ken Null holds all the patents from Seventrees holsters, which was Paris Theodores company originally. Mr. Null makes outstanding holsters. He still......well, as of 4 years ago, makes all the original design ASP holsters. They are not inexpensive though.

I had him make me one for plainclothes use for a 3913. Best holster I own. If you get the ASP, you should contact him and get some of the original design holsters for it.

Good luck! Let us know if you score that fine nine! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change