CS45, pass or buy?

Maximumbob54 · Dec 28, 2011

I have an offer for a CS45 priced at $500. It comes with two mags and the box. It has obvious wear from use, but it doesn't look like anything I would call abused. I tried reviewing a few threads about the CS's and they don't seem to be posted about much but they all seem to have nothing bad to say about them. I did find Big Dog's grips mentioned a few times. Is there anything special to know about these? Anything to highlight one over another? The worst thing I can say about the gun is the original Hogue grip is pretty nasty. I'm guessing it became a victim of oil. Besides that, a general cleaning should make it look darn good. I know I usually love all things .45 ACP so it feels like I should jump. Any reason to stay away?

Erich · Dec 28, 2011

Seems a little pricey to me for a used one with noticeable wear. I mean, you can get a SIG-Sauer P220 Compact Elite SAO (which would fulfill the same role as a small IWB .45, since you're not going to be carrying either of them in your pocket) brand new for $549 from CDNN right now.

Maximumbob54 · Dec 28, 2011

Erich said:
Seems a little pricey to me for a used one with noticeable wear. I mean, you can get a SIG-Sauer P220 Compact Elite SAO (which would fulfill the same role as a small IWB .45, since you're not going to be carrying either of them in your pocket) brand new for $549 from CDNN right now.

But then I wouldn't have a sweet old third gen S&W metal frame auto...

But I do see your point. I can just never tell what is a decent price these days since they all seem vastly inflated.

kcode · Dec 28, 2011

It all comes down to how much do you want to pay and how bad do you want it. Its more of a personal thing. There have been some CS45 on GB and other auction places that are somewhat less than your price, but, by the time you factor in FFL transfers and shipping you are close to being at your price. I lucked into my CS45 at a local pawn shop that didn't really know what they had.

Onisius · Dec 28, 2011

Great gun, but $450 would be the price in my area.
If you really want it, it's worth the $50 more. Enjoy.

Maximumbob54 · Dec 28, 2011

I'm on the fence here. I can't figure if I can live without it or not...

TACC1 · Dec 28, 2011

MaxBob,
Whether you can/cannot live without it is beyond me. But,
I'm very happy with the well used one I've got. $375, and 1 mag.
It shoots just like it's supposed to, just fine. The BigDog grips
don't have any noticeable effect on felt recoil. No different than
a full-size 1911. I'm pretty small, and it is a pleasure to shoot.I'm guessing that the 45ACP is a low-pressure round to start with, so
it isn't :snappy". I guess mechanics is what make the difference.
Does it seem to still be pretty unworn? TACC1

Maximumbob54 · Dec 29, 2011

TACC1 said:
MaxBob,
Whether you can/cannot live without it is beyond me. But,
I'm very happy with the well used one I've got. $375, and 1 mag.
It shoots just like it's supposed to, just fine. The BigDog grips
don't have any noticeable effect on felt recoil. No different than
a full-size 1911. I'm pretty small, and it is a pleasure to shoot.I'm guessing that the 45ACP is a low-pressure round to start with, so
it isn't :snappy". I guess mechanics is what make the difference.
Does it seem to still be pretty unworn? TACC1

If it was a used revolver, I would say it has holster wear on the bluing, a cylinder turn line, and the grips look pretty beat up. That describes the worst about this gun. The finish they put on the frame shows the same kind of wear my 3913 has and the slide to frame has that tight but not too tight feel to it. I do love all things .45ACP so at this point I think I'm going to see how long they will let me make payments on it and just go for it. If they bite, then I can't live without it...

PX15 · Dec 29, 2011

FWIW:

I have all sorts of pistols in various calibers but I only have one 45ACP pistol, and it's a CS45......

And I like it..

Jesse

Onisius · Dec 29, 2011

As for prices, I know what you mean... the same shop I got my 469 from yesterday, has a very good CS40 for $500.
No thanks, I'll go with my 12+1 469 for $300.
Although if it had been the CS45 for $500, I might have gotten it also.
Prices are rather odd in the gun universe.

Maximumbob54 · Dec 31, 2011

I guess I couldn't resist. She was a filthy little piggy, but I cleaned her up and she has almost no wear. But there is one major exception. I had to ask them to knock down the price because she needs a new rear sight. It looks like her unfaithful previous owner was something of a clutz and dropped her on her rear sight. Easy fix that won't break the bank. Call me a sucker, but I do tend to love all things .45ACP...

Erich · Dec 31, 2011

Mazel tov!

jfd · Dec 31, 2011

Nice looking gun...they are nice cc guns, great combo of size/concealabilty, wt, capacity (I personally usually carry an extra magazine with whatever CS I am carrying however). Some like the fattish Hogue grips but if you desire a slimmer profile, forum member BigDog makes a nice pair of slimmer Delrin grips. Congrats, bet you'll never regret the purchase.

Onisius · Dec 31, 2011

Nice, I have the big brother, the 457.

You will be very happy together.

Cruiser RN · Dec 31, 2011

I love the CS line of pistols and I would buy a cs45 in a heartbeat if Mrs CRN would allow it.They are getting harder to find so I would bite the bullet and buy it even though the price is a little high.I have a CS9 that I had converted to DAO.With the 9mm the gun shoots a little low with the Novak sights so I put on trijicon night sights which solved that problem.Also the grips make the gun print out in Concealed Carry so I put on Big Dog's custom Delrin Grips http://www.griftac.com/ .I am sure you will love it.BTW if you need new sights midway is the place to go http://www.midwayusa.com/

panther96 · Jan 1, 2012

One word for your purchase MaximumBob. Congratulations !!! You did well.

I searched high and low for a stainless CS45 before acquiring one through gunbroker almost one year ago and I couldn't be happier.

If you wish, I am sure you could turn around and sell it for what you have in it but I doubt you will want to.

Enjoy...

magenta · Jan 3, 2012

Get yourself a set of Big Dog long straight grips and the get some magazine floorplates from a 4513 early model six round magazine. They blend in to the frame all around, better than the floorplates that come with the CS45. You can see what it can look like on Big Dogs website.
Jeff

Maximumbob54 · Jan 3, 2012

magenta said:
Get yourself a set of Big Dog long straight grips and the get some magazine floorplates from a 4513 early model six round magazine. They blend in to the frame all around, better than the floorplates that come with the CS45. You can see what it can look like on Big Dogs website.
Jeff

He already has my order and I can't wait. Thanks foe the tip on the mags. That will be next.

$2Ray · Jan 4, 2012

That's a great looking pistol that doesn't show much wear at all.
Nice score. I would have grabbed it myself.

Maximumbob54 · Jan 4, 2012

It turned out most of what I thought was wear was filthy uncleaned gun. My only regret was that I raided savings to cover the tab. I'm good though, I will put the money back.

CS45, pass or buy?

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