Florida Guy
Well-known member
Thinking about buying one, and would like to know your experience with it.
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Your thoughts on CS9 Chief's Special
- Thread starter Florida Guy
- Start date
Finest sub compact 9mm, single stack made by anyone - IF it fits your hand.
Sadly the CS9 did not fit my hand and I went with the finest compact single stack 9mm made by anyone - the 3913.
Reliable accurate little gun. Conceals easily. Consider Big Dog grips too. The only improvement that can be made on the CS9, IMO of course.
Why anyone looking for a compact 9mm would consider anything else is beyond me.
I advise you to buy it, shoot it, love it. Regards 18DAI.
Sadly the CS9 did not fit my hand and I went with the finest compact single stack 9mm made by anyone - the 3913.
Reliable accurate little gun. Conceals easily. Consider Big Dog grips too. The only improvement that can be made on the CS9, IMO of course.
Why anyone looking for a compact 9mm would consider anything else is beyond me.
I advise you to buy it, shoot it, love it. Regards 18DAI.
PX15
Well-known member
JMOfartO:
I bought a new CS9 several years ago, and it was 100& reliable and more than self defense accurate. I sold it recently in "like new" condition because I also had the CS45, and the CS45 was not too much larger but offered the IMMENSELY better 45ACP round..
The only negative you ever hear about the CS9 is the width of the grips.. It your hands fit's 'em (mine did) no problem, but if the grips are a bit too thick for your taste "Big Dog" can fit cha' right up with a set of his thinner "factory customized" thinner grips.
IMO all 3rd Gen Smith pistols are top quality, absolutely RELIABLE, and the CS 9's/40's/45's are becoming more difficult to find (in great condition) every day..
And respectfully, I'd had to disagree with the gentleman who says the 3913 is the "finest compact single stack 9mm pistol made by anyone"..
I believe what he meant to say was, "in his opinion"....
I have a 3913 bought new and while it's a very nice pistol, for me, it's not a better choice than the 3913LS.. I prefer the LS of the two, but again, that's just personal preference.
And I have an HK P2000sk (V3) that I like better than either.. Not because I think it's any "better' as to quality, but because I can shoot mine more accurately and that's probably because the three white dots of the HK are considerably larger than those (Novak) of the Smiths..
I wish S&W had put larger white dots on the 3rd Gen Smiths sights for old farts like myself with declining vision who need all the help we can get in such matters.
I love all 3rd Gen Smiths... I still have the CS45/5906/6906/3913/3913LS and I've NEVER had one fail to fire for me.. I believe the reliability inherent in the entire line of 3rd Gen Smiths is 2nd to none..
Of course, having said that..
I have a Ruger LC9 that is less expensive to buy, actually smaller, thinner, and more easily concealed than any off the above, and it, so far, have also proved absolutely reliable, and MORE accurate (at self defense range) than any of the Smiths..
Of course for personal defense at self defense range ANY modern, quality firearm should offer more accuracy than the average person can take advantage of.
To me the 3rd Gen line of Smith pistols excel in two areas..
1. ABSOLUTE RELIABILITY (Job 1 for my self defense firearm choice)
2. IF bought new, they come with a lifetime warranty, backed by S&W.
Other than that, there are many 9MM sub-compact offerings out there that do a fine job..
Too many choices actually, but IF you decide to buy a new CS9 I believe you will NOT be disappointed..
But, get your wallet out... Nice CS9's are pricey... (deservedly so, because like land, they aren't making any more)
No offense to anyone.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
I bought a new CS9 several years ago, and it was 100& reliable and more than self defense accurate. I sold it recently in "like new" condition because I also had the CS45, and the CS45 was not too much larger but offered the IMMENSELY better 45ACP round..
The only negative you ever hear about the CS9 is the width of the grips.. It your hands fit's 'em (mine did) no problem, but if the grips are a bit too thick for your taste "Big Dog" can fit cha' right up with a set of his thinner "factory customized" thinner grips.
IMO all 3rd Gen Smith pistols are top quality, absolutely RELIABLE, and the CS 9's/40's/45's are becoming more difficult to find (in great condition) every day..
And respectfully, I'd had to disagree with the gentleman who says the 3913 is the "finest compact single stack 9mm pistol made by anyone"..
I believe what he meant to say was, "in his opinion"....
I have a 3913 bought new and while it's a very nice pistol, for me, it's not a better choice than the 3913LS.. I prefer the LS of the two, but again, that's just personal preference.
And I have an HK P2000sk (V3) that I like better than either.. Not because I think it's any "better' as to quality, but because I can shoot mine more accurately and that's probably because the three white dots of the HK are considerably larger than those (Novak) of the Smiths..
I wish S&W had put larger white dots on the 3rd Gen Smiths sights for old farts like myself with declining vision who need all the help we can get in such matters.
I love all 3rd Gen Smiths... I still have the CS45/5906/6906/3913/3913LS and I've NEVER had one fail to fire for me.. I believe the reliability inherent in the entire line of 3rd Gen Smiths is 2nd to none..
Of course, having said that..
I have a Ruger LC9 that is less expensive to buy, actually smaller, thinner, and more easily concealed than any off the above, and it, so far, have also proved absolutely reliable, and MORE accurate (at self defense range) than any of the Smiths..
Of course for personal defense at self defense range ANY modern, quality firearm should offer more accuracy than the average person can take advantage of.
To me the 3rd Gen line of Smith pistols excel in two areas..
1. ABSOLUTE RELIABILITY (Job 1 for my self defense firearm choice)
2. IF bought new, they come with a lifetime warranty, backed by S&W.
Other than that, there are many 9MM sub-compact offerings out there that do a fine job..
Too many choices actually, but IF you decide to buy a new CS9 I believe you will NOT be disappointed..
But, get your wallet out... Nice CS9's are pricey... (deservedly so, because like land, they aren't making any more)
No offense to anyone.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
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psquarejr
Well-known member
Love mine, never a problem, acurate for its size at the distances it is made for, great for carry, highly reliable, you will not be disappointed!
Before I retired from the job, I bought myself a CS9 DAO. No safety/decocker. It is very concealable and the rubber grips fit my hand perfectly. My service pistol was a 5946, before that revolvers, so I am used to double action. I ordered big dog grips, they are on the way, but I may stick with the rubber. Between the stock rubber and a big dog grip, the gun would probably fit anyones hands. It is well balanced. I just picked up a CS45, nice gun, but doesnt feel nearly as nice as the 9. To me the CS45 feels better with the stock rather than the BD grips Get one if you like them.
Other choices are the ruger LC9 or the Rohrbaugh for conceal carry. It's all personal opion, so we are giving them.
http://rohrbaughfirearms.com/
Other choices are the ruger LC9 or the Rohrbaugh for conceal carry. It's all personal opion, so we are giving them.
http://rohrbaughfirearms.com/
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Dueeast
Well-known member
Absolutely, 100 % reliable, with ANY ammo I've shot through it. I love the original grips, but I prefer the flat magazine base plates. You won't go wrong getting one.
I love mine, it fits my hands like a glove. I use the original grips, and magazines with the curved baseplates.
100% reliable.
Way more accurate than a little pistol should be.
Thin, carries easily IWB.
Did I mention I love it?
100% reliable.
Way more accurate than a little pistol should be.
Thin, carries easily IWB.
Did I mention I love it?
PX15
Well-known member
And...
This is just personal opinion of course, but I believe the CS9 will do everything for you that the fine Rohrbaugh will do with the exception of being extremely TINY...
But, there will be occasions where even the sub-compact CS9 will be too large for reasonable cc, and for those times, the Rohrbaugh can go along for the trip.
I am in the same boat with my Seecamp LWS380, and my Ruger LCP..
The very good LCP has external sights, a Crimson Trace Laser, and is light years easier to shoot, and shoot accurately, than my beloved Seecamp. Actually the only things the Seecamp offer over the Ruger is quality of construction, and being extremely TINY....
The LCP is easier to clean, easier to shoot, easier to shoot accurately, and overall is an excellent choice for cc in a 380cal. mousegun, BUT there are times when even the small LCP is too large for cc in a rear pocket, so for those times the Seecamp is the only game in town.
The Seecamp so so tiny in comparison that you can actually put it in a shirt pocket if you wanted to. And I have actually done that..
Seecamp in the shirt pocket, LCP in the rear pocket...
Now all I have to add is my Ruger LC9 in a FIST iwb and I'm set?
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Seecamp(s), just as Rohrbaugh fans love their classy 9's, but with the exception of extremely small size there are other, often actually better, and cheaper, options to the unique and high quality Rohrbaugh's and Seecamps of the world.
Lest you think I'm coming down on my Seecamp LWS380 that's not the case. I would sell EVERY firearm I had before the Seecamp.. The Seecamp can go anyplace, anytime, period, and it will offer me 6+1 rounds of 380cal jhp's with absolute reliability if needed.
But when circumstances allow I DO chose to start crawling up the size and caliber ladder for cc because I believe most of us subscribe to the "bigger caliber offers bigger holes" and "the bigger the hole, the better" theories...
I know I do....
So at my house for cc it starts out with my Seecamp LWS380, followed by Ruger LCP, followed by Ruger LC9, followed by HK P2000sk, followed by S&W CS45.
After that I mosey into 12ga. riot shotgun territory for personal defense....
But even when I'm carrying a larger pistol I STILL have either the Seecamp or LCP in my back pocket...
Lord knows no offense to Rohrbaugh, or fellow Seecamp pistol owners as we know both to be the top of the mark for quality of construction and desirability in their particular calibers and concealed carry..
Just telling it as I see it.
(Old farts like myself often have a bad habit of that..)
Contrary opinions cheerfully welcomed and equally cheerfully ignored.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
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finesse_r
Well-known member
Question about concealability
Hi Jesse,
As one old timer to another, how do those very small or “tiny” semi-autos compare in concealability with say a 649 body guard in SS.
For me personally once you go below a 3913 in size, I don’t see much advantage in a semi-auto over a quality revolver. This appears even more so it the gun is primarily a backup. For a long time I tried to talk myself into getting a CS9 or a CS40, but the pure simplicity and near total reliability of a snub nosed .38 with Plus P rounds just kept me out of the very small semi-auto market.
In fact I was totally a wheel gun person up until S&W began making their third generation pistols. Until then my luck with even quality semi-autos was such that I did not trust them for self-defense. Until I got my first S&W third generation pistol I simply carried a .357 magnum or a .38 for my primary concealed carry gun.
Over the last few decades the semi-autos have gotten much better and I now primarily carry a S&W semi-auto (3913 or 4013 or one of their cousins) for my primary concealed carry weapon. If I carry a back up it is a S&W 649 in my pocket.
I simply don’t see sufficient advantage in using a tiny semi-auto for a back up when a snub offers almost the same fire power and is just so much more simple and clean as a machine.
The only real advantage I can think of would be that the very small or tiny semi-autos are easier to conceal, and that is why I was asking the question as I have never really compared their size to a snub nose revolver like the 649 or even one of the air weight variants of the 649.
Hi Jesse,
As one old timer to another, how do those very small or “tiny” semi-autos compare in concealability with say a 649 body guard in SS.
For me personally once you go below a 3913 in size, I don’t see much advantage in a semi-auto over a quality revolver. This appears even more so it the gun is primarily a backup. For a long time I tried to talk myself into getting a CS9 or a CS40, but the pure simplicity and near total reliability of a snub nosed .38 with Plus P rounds just kept me out of the very small semi-auto market.
In fact I was totally a wheel gun person up until S&W began making their third generation pistols. Until then my luck with even quality semi-autos was such that I did not trust them for self-defense. Until I got my first S&W third generation pistol I simply carried a .357 magnum or a .38 for my primary concealed carry gun.
Over the last few decades the semi-autos have gotten much better and I now primarily carry a S&W semi-auto (3913 or 4013 or one of their cousins) for my primary concealed carry weapon. If I carry a back up it is a S&W 649 in my pocket.
I simply don’t see sufficient advantage in using a tiny semi-auto for a back up when a snub offers almost the same fire power and is just so much more simple and clean as a machine.
The only real advantage I can think of would be that the very small or tiny semi-autos are easier to conceal, and that is why I was asking the question as I have never really compared their size to a snub nose revolver like the 649 or even one of the air weight variants of the 649.
PX15
Well-known member
Ranger98
US Veteran
The only thing better than the CS9 is one with Big Dog grips and a set of night sights..
VTHokiesDuckHunter
Well-known member
cost comparison for CS9 and other compact 3rd gens to anything else on the market
I really shouldn't say this as like a lot of you I'm torn between being an evangelist for the 3rd gen S&W pistols and then being a greedy ******* and wanting to keep them a secret......
But it always comes up that CS9's, 40's, and 45's, and likewise the 3913 and related Smith's are "really expensive". However; compare the cost of these guns to any other comparable gun in production today and it's actually a bargain on many cases.
If you want an all metal (either all stainless, alloy/stainless, or carbon steel) frame and S&W quality in an American made (or for that matter German, Czech, and a handful of other countries) gun, the list is very small, and the price is much higher. In full size all metal guns you have the Browning Hi-Power, Beretta 92FS, CZ's, and a few others. If you're looking for a compact gun that is all metal and well made, you're now looking at the Kimber Solo ($800?) and only a few others that are mostly compact 1911's. ($900 and up).
I see LNIB and NIB 3rd generation compact Smith's going for $400-$700 all the time, with a few guys asking $900 and $1000 (but these don't seem to sell at those prices). I see a lot of LNIB/NIB CS9's, 40's and 45's in the $550-$650 range.
For what you're getting this seems like a real bargain. Yes, you might have to search a few of the popular sites for a few weeks or months but nice 3rd gen's at reasonable prices pop up.
Note that I'm not comparing the above mentioned prices to any prices for new polymer guns. Like other posters here, I really like the LC9's , M&P compacts, and other similar weapons for the tools that they are. but there is no comparison to a CS9 or any other compact 3rd generation S&W. $500 for a M&P compact or $500 for a LNIB 3913/4013/CS9? I think the 3rd gen's are twice the gun compared to a M&P, and a M&P is a quality gun.
My son has a Walther PPS which is probably one of my favorite polymer framed semi's and I would carry it any day, but it does not compare to a CS or 3913.
In the last two months I picked up a 5906 for $375 that is LNIB/absolutely mint and a LNIB 4014 for $350. To me this a no brainer.If these guns were in production today, you wouldnt think twice about paying $750. Heck, a full size Remington 1911 goes for $675 or so.
Even at $500 or $600 a LNIB CS gun is a bargain.
I saw a blackened Shorty Forty NIB for $1000 on one of the major gun sales sites that I think is also a real bargain. With all the renewed interest in quality all metal 1911's, coupled with the surge in Concealed Carry permit holders, S&W is crazy not to bring out a line of compact alloy framed/SS slide guns like the Chief's Specials, 3913's, and Shorty Forty's again and price them in the $700 range.
Like a few of the posters above I probably like the feel of a 3913 size slightly better than the CS guns, but then again I like the extra conceal-ability of the CS. You can't go wrong with a Chief's Special.
OK I will conclude and say- the Chief's Specials really suck and are way overpriced and are "dated technology"...............
(since I will be looking for another one in about two months and they are getting more scare every day)
I really shouldn't say this as like a lot of you I'm torn between being an evangelist for the 3rd gen S&W pistols and then being a greedy ******* and wanting to keep them a secret......
But it always comes up that CS9's, 40's, and 45's, and likewise the 3913 and related Smith's are "really expensive". However; compare the cost of these guns to any other comparable gun in production today and it's actually a bargain on many cases.
If you want an all metal (either all stainless, alloy/stainless, or carbon steel) frame and S&W quality in an American made (or for that matter German, Czech, and a handful of other countries) gun, the list is very small, and the price is much higher. In full size all metal guns you have the Browning Hi-Power, Beretta 92FS, CZ's, and a few others. If you're looking for a compact gun that is all metal and well made, you're now looking at the Kimber Solo ($800?) and only a few others that are mostly compact 1911's. ($900 and up).
I see LNIB and NIB 3rd generation compact Smith's going for $400-$700 all the time, with a few guys asking $900 and $1000 (but these don't seem to sell at those prices). I see a lot of LNIB/NIB CS9's, 40's and 45's in the $550-$650 range.
For what you're getting this seems like a real bargain. Yes, you might have to search a few of the popular sites for a few weeks or months but nice 3rd gen's at reasonable prices pop up.
Note that I'm not comparing the above mentioned prices to any prices for new polymer guns. Like other posters here, I really like the LC9's , M&P compacts, and other similar weapons for the tools that they are. but there is no comparison to a CS9 or any other compact 3rd generation S&W. $500 for a M&P compact or $500 for a LNIB 3913/4013/CS9? I think the 3rd gen's are twice the gun compared to a M&P, and a M&P is a quality gun.
My son has a Walther PPS which is probably one of my favorite polymer framed semi's and I would carry it any day, but it does not compare to a CS or 3913.
In the last two months I picked up a 5906 for $375 that is LNIB/absolutely mint and a LNIB 4014 for $350. To me this a no brainer.If these guns were in production today, you wouldnt think twice about paying $750. Heck, a full size Remington 1911 goes for $675 or so.
Even at $500 or $600 a LNIB CS gun is a bargain.
I saw a blackened Shorty Forty NIB for $1000 on one of the major gun sales sites that I think is also a real bargain. With all the renewed interest in quality all metal 1911's, coupled with the surge in Concealed Carry permit holders, S&W is crazy not to bring out a line of compact alloy framed/SS slide guns like the Chief's Specials, 3913's, and Shorty Forty's again and price them in the $700 range.
Like a few of the posters above I probably like the feel of a 3913 size slightly better than the CS guns, but then again I like the extra conceal-ability of the CS. You can't go wrong with a Chief's Special.
OK I will conclude and say- the Chief's Specials really suck and are way overpriced and are "dated technology"...............
(since I will be looking for another one in about two months and they are getting more scare every day)
I completely agree with this assessment. The Chiefs Special models all suck. If you find one for sale, do yourself a favor and pass it up.
Here's my CS40.
Fletchman
US Veteran
I own a CS45 and love it. Paid through the nose for it but I had followed prices closely and this was the first NEW in box I had found. I wouldn't trade it. The CS9 I have heard nothing but good things. I am just a fan of the 45acp and reload them. As for sub-compact 9s. If you are considering a Ruger LC9 I would look at the Kel-Tec PF9 as well.
The Ruger LC9 is almost an exact copy of the Kel-Tec PF-9 with enough small changes to keep them out of legal trouble. The Kel-Tec is a good pistol, every bit as good as the Ruger and $100 bucks cheaper.
The Ruger LC9 is almost an exact copy of the Kel-Tec PF-9 with enough small changes to keep them out of legal trouble. The Kel-Tec is a good pistol, every bit as good as the Ruger and $100 bucks cheaper.
finesse_r
Well-known member
Almost Convinced
It would be very helpful to see a side by side picture of the CS9 and the 3913 to see just how much more concealable the CS9 is that the 3913. The last two posts have almost convinced me to avoid these cheaply made CS9's like the plague, but just for curiosity sake I would love to see it side by side with the 3913 as I had not realized they were that much more concealable.
Not that I would ever consider one of course given all the above negative reviews, especially those negative reviews from people actively searching for a CS9 or CS40. Still, I suppose there are many times in life, such as when at the beach or when playing volleyball, that the ability to conceal your weapon is sufficiently important to consider even an unreliable weapon to be better than no weapon at all.
Getting back to reality, in a slightly less tongue cheek manner, I do have a question about the CS line. Are all CS9, CS40, CS45 compacts double action only or are they also made in traditional double action as well?
It would be very helpful to see a side by side picture of the CS9 and the 3913 to see just how much more concealable the CS9 is that the 3913. The last two posts have almost convinced me to avoid these cheaply made CS9's like the plague, but just for curiosity sake I would love to see it side by side with the 3913 as I had not realized they were that much more concealable.
Not that I would ever consider one of course given all the above negative reviews, especially those negative reviews from people actively searching for a CS9 or CS40. Still, I suppose there are many times in life, such as when at the beach or when playing volleyball, that the ability to conceal your weapon is sufficiently important to consider even an unreliable weapon to be better than no weapon at all.
Getting back to reality, in a slightly less tongue cheek manner, I do have a question about the CS line. Are all CS9, CS40, CS45 compacts double action only or are they also made in traditional double action as well?
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Fastbolt
Well-known member
3913 & CS9 alongside each other from some different angles ...
Fastbolt
Well-known member
CS9 & 642-1
In answer to your question on action ... They were made in TDA (traditional double action, or, DA/SA) and DAO (although much harder to find).
In answer to your question on action ... They were made in TDA (traditional double action, or, DA/SA) and DAO (although much harder to find).
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finesse_r
Well-known member
Very helpful Picture Comparison
Thanks for the pictures Fastbolt,
The pictures you posted are very helpful, especially the last one with the CS9 side-by-side with the 649-sized revolver. While the 3913 will fit in some of my pockets (without a holster) in a pinch, it is too tight to be drawn quickly, at least consistently quickly. The 649 snobby however fits with ease and is easily drawn using a pocket holster.
The CS9 appears to be very comparable in size to the 649-sized snub nose revolvers and would therefore be a very handy concealed carry pistol. Also I have been surfing around the internet and it is difficult to find anyone with a bad word to say for the CS9.
Since I do not wear a pistol around the house, it is nice to have a solid pocket pistol to slip in my pocket when I make a quick short trip out. I typically carry a 3913 or 4013 in an IWB holster that requires time to get and put on especially if I take extra mags. A pocket pistol is very nice for such times and also in summer time when I want my shirt tucked in.
Thanks for the pictures Fastbolt,
The pictures you posted are very helpful, especially the last one with the CS9 side-by-side with the 649-sized revolver. While the 3913 will fit in some of my pockets (without a holster) in a pinch, it is too tight to be drawn quickly, at least consistently quickly. The 649 snobby however fits with ease and is easily drawn using a pocket holster.
The CS9 appears to be very comparable in size to the 649-sized snub nose revolvers and would therefore be a very handy concealed carry pistol. Also I have been surfing around the internet and it is difficult to find anyone with a bad word to say for the CS9.
Since I do not wear a pistol around the house, it is nice to have a solid pocket pistol to slip in my pocket when I make a quick short trip out. I typically carry a 3913 or 4013 in an IWB holster that requires time to get and put on especially if I take extra mags. A pocket pistol is very nice for such times and also in summer time when I want my shirt tucked in.
Win75
Well-known member
I am a little late to this thread but I bought a blued CS9 about 6 months or so ago. I put a set of Big Dog grips on it. It is now my favorite pistol and constant companion.
It conceals well, shoots great, and is a fine all around little pistol. I wish I had found the CS series sooner.
It conceals well, shoots great, and is a fine all around little pistol. I wish I had found the CS series sooner.
