Picked Up a CS-1 Today

[Shakey357]

Only my second post here. I have been a long time subscriber and "lurker". But now I have to post. Went down to the Cabela's in Buda, TX this morning. Today was my son's 13th birthday. The trip was for a pair of hiking boots for Scouts and anything else he might be interested in.

My son likes firearms so we went to the handgun section right after coming in. On a whim; I started looking at the used guns. I have been looking for a model 13 in 3 inch to go with my model 65.

And then I saw it. Top row, third over. I could tell by the finish it was a CS-1. It turned out to be a 3 inch "no dash" model. Pretty clean (about 90% in my view), good bore, no nicks, etc... Original wood grips, box (matching serial number of course) with all the cleaning tools and manual's and such. It took me 5 minutes to decide what to do.

The wife isn't happy and I'll probably end up parting with some other firearm or some ham gear. Either way; this was something I have been looking for 5 years. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow. My son said it best - he will never forget his 13th birthday!

 

[M3Stuart]

Welcome to the forum!

Is that CS-1 a 686 you are referring to?

Either way - it's a S&W and you're happy - so good for you!!!

 

[dscampbell]

Lose ham gear for a CS-1 sound ok to me (N6DOA)

 

[DAdams]

Far and few between. Did they know what they had?
Great find and I frequently shoot mine.

 

[Sportsterguy]

Welcome! Congrats on a great revolver! If I were to recommend any mods to it they would be a better set of sights. The plain black sets don't cut it on a self defense revolver as you can't see em in low light conditions. A tritium JUST on the front would have made it the ultimate fighting revolver. Just had a set of Meprolights installed on my 2.5" 66-2. Love em and am a true believer in them. I wouldn't recommend using it for SD as IF you ever had to use it the revolver could be locked up in a evidence vault for years of forever

The originals came with rubber grips. No biggie at all as they are easy to replace. A set of Spegals or S&W Combats will really dress that baby up. The revolver deserves a great set of grips IMO. If I were to do it again I'd of went with some Spegals as they're more comfortable and the checkering makes for a better grip. Enjoy!


CS-1 with combats

 

[Rapidray]

CQ...

Lose ham gear for a CS-1 sound ok to me (N6DOA)

Ditto

KF4BBK

 

[diamonback68]

Shakey are you going to tell us how much it set you back?

 

[41steve]

Nice cs 1

Would like to buy it if u would consider selling it , also looking for some finger groove grips of anybody has some they would sell thanks 41steve

 

[jughed440]

congrats on finding a 3" CS-1 with box and all. you WILL post pics of it and let us know what it cost you

... I wouldn't recommend using it for SD as IF you ever had to use it the revolver could be locked up in a evidence vault for years of forever

couldn't agree more.

 

[hawgleg]

Nice find and even nicer buy. Some are worth getting into a little hot water. I 've been looking for years and have never been able to lay my eyes on one live and in person.

 

[riverrat38]

"Lose ham gear for a CS-1 sound ok to me (N6DOA)"

I believe that I may have done that myself!

rat K7MW

 

[Sportsterguy]

Nice find and even nicer buy. Some are worth getting into a little hot water. I 've been looking for years and have never been able to lay my eyes on one live and in person.

I traded my first 3" CS-1 for a very nice model 58 as I let a pristine nickel one go in a moment of stupidity years ago and had to have another. Did not regret the trade as I love .41's. Found this one for sale on base in the "For Sale" section marked as a 2.5" 686. $525.00 dollars and 2 hours later it was mine, never to leave the nest again. I was really exceeding the speed limit to get to the bank and back BTW.

@ Jughead. Thanks for backing me up. I've been in quite a few police gun vaults and seen some beauties in there, never to see their owners again. Sure many of you LEO's have seen the same shameful thing. I would be slobbering at the mouth over them! What a shame as the cities, counties, state and federal govenments could make some serious money if they would just auction them off. When we swapped over from 1911's to Berettas back in the mid 80's saw many of the old Colts being cut in half on bandsaws. Actually brought a tear to my eye as that was the weapon I learned to shoot well with, even with the crappy sights. They too could have been put up for sale/auction and made the govt. money plus give folks a great weapon to either keep for their collection or modify to one's hearts content.

 

[bigtubby]

Curious on the sales price on that 3" 686 CS-1 I thought I overpaid for a 3" LNIB and may have at $875.00 2M stamped about a year or so ago. But wouldn't sell it for that now.

 

[1 old 0311]

Curious on the sales price on that 3" 686 CS-1 I thought I overpaid for a 3" LNIB and may have at $875.00 2M stamped about a year or so ago. But wouldn't sell it for that now.

That's about right for a 3". I also wouldn't sell mine. There was a 4" that sold on G-broker last week for $605.

 

[18DAI]

Congrats on your 3" CS1. Not only one of the finest revolvers to come out of Springfield MA, but a very good investment as well. Regards 18DAI

 

[Shakey357]

First of all, great to see fellow like minded hams and "gun toters" here on this forum. I paid $799 plus Gov. Perry's state mandated retirement fee for the weapon. I will get the pictures up tomorrow. As for the grips, this one came with the standard round-butt S&W medallon wood grips. I would call them the "small" grips. they just cover the sides of the frame. I saw another members post, where he had three versions of CS-1, stacked one above the other. He even called the bottom one a "no dash'. My CS-1 looks exactly like that. I personally like the Ahrens (sp) grips that I have seen. Might be time for an upgrade. Weren't the rubber grips that came with later models Pachmayr? I would like to keep it historically accurate. Also, is there a place to check the serial number to see about production date? Any help appreciated - 73's!

 

[Allen-frame]

I think you made the right choice.

To replace the ham all you need do is take the 686 out and go pig hunting.

Allen Frame

 

[murphydog]

First of all, great to see fellow like minded hams and "gun toters" here on this forum. I paid $799 plus Gov. Perry's state mandated retirement fee for the weapon. I will get the pictures up tomorrow. As for the grips, this one came with the standard round-butt S&W medallion wood grips. I would call them the "small" grips. they just cover the sides of the frame. I saw another members post, where he had three versions of CS-1, stacked one above the other. He even called the bottom one a "no dash'. My CS-1 looks exactly like that. I personally like the Ahrends grips that I have seen. Might be time for an upgrade. Weren't the rubber grips that came with later models Pachmayr? I would like to keep it historically accurate. Also, is there a place to check the serial number to see about production date? Any help appreciated - 73's!

These came either with Magna service stocks, or Pachmayr Compacs (usually without the brass medallion, and some with the bottom cut out to be able to read the SN). If you can post the three-letter prefix we can probably tell you its ship date, but for ensuring it is in factory configuration you would need a history letter.

 

[Sportsterguy]

Would like to buy it if u would consider selling it , also looking for some finger groove grips of anybody has some they would sell thanks 41steve

41steve. I just sold a set of RB combats for a K/L frame at work. Regretted it badly and still do! What grip size are you looking for? I'll check with a friend who has a stockpile of RB's in K/L and N Frames. They are all like new so expect to shell out some serious change for a set of N frames.

WARNING:

These grips are not the best for hard recoiling N frame revolvers, but they look really cool. Piece of cake with hot .357's in my three inch 66-2 and 3" CS-1. They (N Frames) don't fit my hand and I have to wear my PAST shooting glove when firing hot .41 mag rounds. If I don't they will draw blood on the web of my hand after 2 cylinders.

 

[jughed440]

These came either with Magna service stocks, or Pachmayr Compacs (usually without the brass medallion, and some with the bottom cut out to be able to read the SN). If you can post the three-letter prefix we can probably tell you its ship date, but for ensuring it is in factory configuration you would need a history letter.

I lettered a CS-1, mainly to find out when and where it was shipped, but also to see if the Combat grips came with it. The letter says that it was shipped with "round butt grips", nothing more than that. Talk about vague...I could assume it meant either Pachs or Magnas. But going by the shipping date and the date stamped on the grips, at least I knew that the Combats weren't original.
It now wears much more comfortable Ahrends.