Differences between the S&W 3913 and CS9

[thenovice]

Good aftenoon,
I hope that somebody with experience handling these models could assist me to highlight the differences between the two in terms of size and (if any) operation.
I have a CS9 and I am trying to find out how much different is the 3913.
Thank you in advance, cheers.

[Tom 1951]

The CS9 has a shorter barrel by 1/2 an inch, a shorter magazine by one round, a different slide profile with cocking serrations of a different shape, and (I think) only a left side safety. Also, the 3913 is stainless and alloy while the CS-9 is carbon steel over alloy with this caveat; there's a rare model CS-9S that has slide stainless slide and alloy frame like the 3913. This means that the garden-variety CS-9 is more akin to the 3914.

[GaryS]

The CS9S is not that rare. It's just that people tend to keep them once they buy them. You don't see many for sale.

Later production CS9S guns have the ambi safety lever.

The carbon CS9 was introduced in August 1998, with the stainless version introduced in February 1999. At least according to the SCSW.

Originally Posted by Tom 1951

The CS9 has a shorter barrel by 1/2 an inch, a shorter magazine by one round, a different slide profile with cocking serrations of a different shape, and (I think) only a left side safety. Also, the 3913 is stainless and alloy while the CS-9 is carbon steel over alloy with this caveat; there's a rare model CS-9S that has slide stainless slide and alloy frame like the 3913. This means that the garden-variety CS-9 is more akin to the 3914.

[TercGen]

Good info Gary S., and I would add that all of the later production CS9's with ambi safeties were made in the stainless finish. They also had metal rear sights, where both the early blued and stainless versions had a plastic rear sight.

In my experience, I believe the stainless models are more prominent than the blued models (based on what I've seen on the used market over the years), though I don't know of any real production numbers.

The CS9 is technically a sub-compact version of the 908, which is the value-line version of the 3913. That means it has a blocky slide, plastic mag catch button, no forward dustcover rails, and a plastic rear sight (on the early ones). 3" barrel vs. a 3.5" barrel, and 7 round mag vs. an 8 round mag (though the longer 8- and 9-round mags work fine in the CS9).

The 3913/908 came standard with slim Delrin grips, while the CS9 was only offered with the fatter rubber Hogues. Both are very slim and concealable guns, with a slight edge to the CS9 (and the ability to pocket carry, depending on your pockets).

I personally like the CS9 for Summertime carry, and the 3913 for the rest of the year, when concealment is easier and the extra velocity from the 3.5" barrel could be helpful with thicker clothing. Many folks consider the 3913 variants to be some of the best CC guns ever made (myself included), so if you're curious, my advice is to pick one up!

[GaryS]

That's a really good way to think of the CS9, as a smaller 908.

A CS9 is sitting in my pocket as I type this. i carry it when I want a lower profile carry than my 3913TSW presents, such as social situations.

Originally Posted by TercGen

Good info Gary S., and I would add that all of the later production CS9's with ambi safeties were made in the stainless finish. They also had metal rear sights, where both the early blued and stainless versions had a plastic rear sight.

In my experience, I believe the stainless models are more prominent than the blued models (based on what I've seen on the used market over the years), though I don't know of any real production numbers.

The CS9 is technically a sub-compact version of the 908, which is the value-line version of the 3913. That means it has a blocky slide, plastic mag catch button, no forward dustcover rails, and a plastic rear sight (on the early ones). 3" barrel vs. a 3.5" barrel, and 7 round mag vs. an 8 round mag (though the longer 8- and 9-round mags work fine in the CS9).

The 3913/908 came standard with slim Delrin grips, while the CS9 was only offered with the fatter rubber Hogues. Both are very slim and concealable guns, with a slight edge to the CS9 (and the ability to pocket carry, depending on your pockets).

I personally like the CS9 for Summertime carry, and the 3913 for the rest of the year, when concealment is easier and the extra velocity from the 3.5" barrel could be helpful with thicker clothing. Many folks consider the 3913 variants to be some of the best CC guns ever made (myself included), so if you're curious, my advice is to pick one up!

[oldman10mm]

a thread from a year ago.

3913NL & CS9 size compare pictures here.

[18DAI]

I second TercGens comments and would only add that without his excellent cut down grips, I would probably not own two of the CS9s and would have stuck with my 39XX series pistols.

TercGens grips make the CS9 much slimmer and faster handling as well as easier to conceal. With his grips on my CS9s and the rounded baseplate from a 3913TSW magazine, I can pocket carry my CS9 in either a coat pocket or the side pocket of 511 pants.

I can not do those things with my 3913. I again agree with TercGen as to the 3913 series being the finest 9mm carry guns made, by anyone. To date. But the CS9 being slightly smaller, and slightly lighter makes it very useful. A gun for when you can't carry a gun. Regards 18DAI

[HOUSTON RICK]

I suspect that the Model 3913 and CS9 are the most popular S&W carry semi-automatics. I carried the CS9 and CS45 with original grips for decades. For carry purposes, I prefer the CS9 (or CS45) over the 3913 as it fits better in my pocket (I am 6'2") and concealed holsters. If Santa gave me a 3913, I would certainly keep it. I still carry the CS9 or CS45 sometimes, but more often a J frame Model 340PD Airlite these days.

[GaryS]

The CS9 is my every day pocket pistol. When I wear more than casual clothes, I usually carry my 642. A couple of years ago, I was looking at a 342 that a LGS had. I dithered too long and someone else got it for the $350.00 they had it listed for.

Another "hesitate and lose" moment.

Even though I like the Hogue's that come with the CS9, so many people have been raving about the Terc Gen grips that I might have to buy a set. I figure that if I don't like them, I can always resell them.

Originally Posted by HOUSTON RICK

I suspect that the Model 3913 and CS9 are the most popular S&W carry semi-automatics. I carried the CS9 and CS45 with original grips for decades. For carry purposes, I prefer the CS9 (or CS45) over the 3913 as it fits better in my pocket (I am 6'2") and concealed holsters. If Santa gave me a 3913, I would certainly keep it. I still carry the CS9 or CS45 sometimes, but more often a J frame Model 340PD Airlite these days.

[growr]

One last difference between a 3913 and CS9 is that you can actually find a 3913....................

Randy

[WTN1271]

The 3913 allows ME to get a nice, comfortable 3 finger grip.The CS9 is a 2.5 or 2.75 finger grip for ME. I tried replacing the magazine base plate on the CS9 with others from different manufacturers but still couldn't match the feel of the 3913. My CS9 was very accurate and I probably should have kept it, but now just stick with the 3913.

[Jeppo]

Originally Posted by growr

One last difference between a 3913 and CS9 is that you can actually find a 3913....................

Randy

They’re definitely out there. You just gotta keep searching.

Guess why I know.

[HOUSTON RICK]

I remember when I was looking for my CS9 and CS45 that many dealers said no such thing existed or ever existed, not because they were not out there, but because they could not wrap their heads around an S&W that had letters in the model number (the CS). Many times I heard that "all S&W's only have a model number and there was no CS anything". CS9s are out there a quick internet search yielded a few for sale.

[Jeppo]

Originally Posted by HOUSTON RICK

I remember when I was looking for my CS9 and CS45 that many dealers said no such thing existed or ever existed, not because they were not out there, but because they could not wrap their heads around an S&W that had letters in the model number (the CS). Many times I heard that "all S&W's only have a model number and there was no CS anything". CS9s are out there a quick internet search yielded a few for sale.

Try asking for a Shorty 45.

[Fastbolt]

There's a difference in shooting the CS9 compared to the 3913/variants, too.

The slightly heavier 3913 has a bit more weight forward of the hand, and that half inch in added slide/barrel length seems (to me) to have a noticeable effect when it comes to cycling and the front sight snapping back on-target.

The CS9's recoil and cycling is faster and more abrupt. The weight, or at least the balance point, is located farther back in/above your fist. There's less 'muzzle forward' feel in weight, and the fast cycling snaps the front sight back on-target (again, to me).

The 3913 might have a bit less muzzle lift (depending on your grip, of course), but it seems to happen more slowly, so you might notice it a little more.

The slightly lighter weight of the CS9, combined with its more rearward balance, offers me a faster and more lively feel of balance and responsiveness in moving the gun to address different targets. Reminds me of being better able to make a succession of quick and short punches, but without the effort.

The CS9 is much more accurate in a very practical sense of the word than it has any right to be.

[Redcoat3340]

Good stuff here! I keep wanting to buy a 3913 but have the CS9 (and a 3914) and just can't justify it.

And I settled on a 4513TSW as my .45 carry gun. I like the extra grip length for 45acp...as much as I'd like to complete the "set" of CS's.