I am new here and just bought a cs9. I saw where there might be some problems with the recoil guide rod. Is there any place to get another one? Also, should I get extra recoil springs?
Can someone tell me what model as well? It just says cs9.
Thanks for your help.

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It is a Chief's Special 9mm, known by most everyone here as the CS9. Its desirable because its a hammer-fired sub-compact 9mm in stainless/alloy. If its in pristine condition, I don't recommend carrying it as in time it will ablate the finish and reduce its value. Some people want a hammer fired carry gun for personal peace of mind. I happen to be one of them and dislike the idea of the striker firing pin being under spring tension and a tiny piece of metal is holding it in check.

Its also very retro and old-school which makes it desirable and collectible. As for the parts issue, if you're concerned about it, you can keep an eye out for them on Ebay and Gunbroker as the main parts vendors are sold out of the part in question. Good news is S&W still services these pistols, so it your guide rod has a problem, you can contact them and send it for service. They may do it for free, or may not, its a roll of the dice.

DO NOT put +P or +P+ ammo in these. They are aluminum framed and won't last long with overpowered ammo. Spare mags are available on Ebay and Gunbroker as they are ten rounds or less. Have at least one spare. Enjoy your collectible and desirable vintage S&W automatic. Taken care of you won't lose money value and it will increase in value over time.

Personally, I’ve not had issues with recoil guide rods. If the gun is anything other than brand new (not fired outside the factory), you might want to change the guide rod spring. Its a $4 part and you can find it by searching MidwayUSA for CS9C recoil spring.

Enjoy your WONDERFUL gun.

The plunger on my CS9 metal guide rod was polymer, slightly flattened and chewed up a bit - I have since replaced it with a metal plunger.

Get a few recoil springs while you can - Smith & Wesson Recoil Spring S&W CS9C CS9S

How did you accomplish the replacement?

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Welcome, I suspect that my CS9 and CS45 will outlast me with their present parts. I carried them for 20 years in a pocket holster and they did not accrue much wear. They are semi-retired now. Extra parts never hurt, but are most likely unnecessary. These are very popular congratulations on getting one. They are far more accurate than anything that size has a right to be. Safe shooting!

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I harvested it from a 4516 guide rod I must have gotten in a parts kit - I've never owned a 4516.

Will guide rods from the 3913 series work? or should I just look for any of the third gen does and see if the plunger can swap out? What is the difference in a cs9d of cs9s?? I think?

You would have to cut the guide rod down and then machine a bevel at the muzzle end.

CS9D is the rare double action only version. CS9S is the stainless. CS9C is the carbon steel version. All share the same alloy frame, they are just anodized in different colors.

I haven't asked jbethel how he did the swap, but I think it's been mentioned before that the later, non staked, plungers are pressure fit and can be pulled out (carefully).

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There was a previous thread where JohnHL explained how the guide rod was put together and yes, the plunger basically just twisted out.

Congrats on the new CS9! A fine carry piece that's safe, accurate, and reliable.

3913 and most other 3rd Gen guide rods will be too large in diameter, the CS9 is one of the few S&W 3rd Gens that use a flatwire spring and a thinner .250" guide rod. You will also not be able to harvest a new plunger and spring from any of the staked-head guide rods, they use a different setup.

Chances are your guide rod is just fine the way it is, but if you want a new one, you could always call S&W and see if they have one for sale (1-800-331-0852 ext. 4125). Your other option would be to cut down a longer .250" guide rod, like the one listed here: Smith & Wesson Recoil Spring Guide Assembly S&W 457 457D This could also be a source for the correct style of plunger you would need.

The CS9s is the stainless version (what you own), CS9c is the carbon steel blued version, and the CS9D is the double-action only version (will not have a safety lever on either side).

As jsbethel mentioned, the most important thing to do for your new CS9 is to install a new recoil spring, and since there are only the factory S&W springs available for it, buy a handful of them while they are still being offered. Recoil springs should be changed out every 5 years/5,000 rounds at the most, and with these smaller guns probably even sooner than that.

That's the one I was thinking of, but only vaguely remembered.

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If you want an all steel guide rod, & plunger, then one from a model that uses the nested/dual recoil springs will have the skinny (.240" diameter) FLGR & flange.

4013TSW / 4056TSW / 4513TSW, etc: S&W PN# 108620000

It's length will need to be trimmed down too.

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