Anyone own a CS9? What are your thoughts? Do you prefer it over the 3913?

regards

There are a couple of other threads about this, one going on right now. I'll say that I have both and prefer the CS9 only because it's slightly smaller. Either one is a fine self defense pistol.

My search-fu must be weak. I did a search and had zero results. Thanks for the info.

CS9 Questions
Need some info on the CS9
Comparison Pics CS9 vs M&P9c
Chief Special 9mm questions
CS9 - New to me
CS9 mag extension
My CS9 is a joy to shoot
Your thoughts on CS9 Chief's Special
S&W CS45...Tell me everything.

There are a lot more CS9 thread topics having to do with more technical questions, and a LOT more threads on the CS45 (although I tossed a CS45 thread in that list just for your reading enjoyment).

Suffice to say the CS9 was a dandy little subcompact 9mm made in the 3rd gen model line. I have a CS45 & CS9, the CS45 being older. I've long since lost count of the rounds I've fired through them, but it's a fair amount. If I were only going to keep one of them, it would be the CS9.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

I gotta be doing something wrong. I just typed in CS9 and again came up with zero matches. Thanks Fastbolt, I'll sift through these links.

regards

I have a CS9 and a CS45. The CS9 is pretty much everything you could want in a small 9mm. It has a safe and smooth double action first pull with double strike capability. The subsequent shots are smooth, crisp break single action pulls with short reset. It has a thumb safety with decocker. Some CS9's have ambidextrous safety. The slide release is a true release and not just a slide stop and easily releases the slide. It is easy to maintain and clean with stainless slide and stainless barrel. I really like the low profile Novak sights. The CS9 is very accurate. More accurate than any other small 9mm I think. I discovered the CS9 S&W Gen 3 pistols by accident about a year ago and now own the CS9, CS45, 3913, and 3913NL. Also own a 686P. I think the Smith Gen 3 pistols are some of the best guns you can own. I intend to buy a few more.

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686P, CS9, CS45, 3913NL, 3913

I have two and will never part with either. One is a stainless TDA. The other is black and DAO. FYI, if you are a Fobus holster fan as I am, the Sig 239 9mm holster fits like a glove.

Sometimes the Search function seems "sensitive". Dunno.

I didn't waste the time, but simply looked for posts listed under my forum name and looked for CS9 being mentioned in the thread title.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

You can search the site via Google as well. Just type in the following (or cut and paste):

site:smith-wessonforum.com CS9

I had a power outage (electrical not cerebral) during my reply, but I see that fastbolt picked up my slack. His vBulletin foo is strong.

I agree, but for different reasons. I have the 3913 and the CS9d (double action). They are both great guns. I carry either one at different times. Take Care.

i have both weapons and it is a toss up. both are exceptional weapons and i switch what i carry every day. you can' lose with either.

FWIW, when I only owned a late production 3913, I had little interest when the CS9's were released. I had a friend that bought one of them when they were only available in blue, in the early configuration (plastic sights, single side safety/decocker). I think he picked it up for something like $269-$279 (with a CS45 at the same time for the same price). I didn't shoot it, but I inspected it when he brought it to me. Seemed nice enough. Small. I remember thinking it was a big grip frame for a small gun (although the Hogue stocks were nicely hand-filling).

It wasn't until another instructor bought one and let me try it for a few range sessions (alongside my 3913) that I realized that it was a handy, well-balanced and surprisingly accurate little pistol. It easily rivaled the practical accuracy of my 3913.

The grip's fatter, more curved stocks and shorter slide/barrel gave it a unique balance in the hand. The weight was more rearward over my hand, versus the 3913's heavier slide putting more weight just forward of my hand. The stout little hammer spring and different grip made for a little different trigger pull, but not necessarily in a bad way. Just different.

The CS9 didn't seem to have any problem feeding & firing any of the regular ammunition in use for training and/or duty at my agency at different times, which included 147gr JHP, 115gr JHP/FMJ, 115gr +P+, 124gr +P & 127gr +P+. The felt recoil was a bit sharper than with the 3913, with seemingly faster cycling (less slide weight and a rather short, flat-wound recoil spring). Fast & brisk ... but with similarly fast return-to-target, and the Hogue grips stocks easily soaked up any felt recoil. No stinging in the hand.

The funny thing is that I'd originally bought a CS45 first (just because it was the smallest .45 S&W had ever made), and while it was a fine little TDA .45, the slightly fatter grip and the level of felt recoil in the CS45 didn't make it one of my favorite .45's to shoot a lot ... at first. My original model 4513TSW enjoyed more range use for quite a while.

Sure, over the years I've subsequently lost track of the rounds I've fired through the CS45. It became a gun that I took to use when working range sessions simply because it wasn't a "favorite". I wanted to make it work as well for me as the larger .45's I used.

Once I'd picked up the CS9, though, that quickly became the pistol I reached for when wanting to train/practice with a diminutive pistols that was an enjoyable & accurate range gun, as well as a light and easy-to-carry 9mm.

My 3913 started seeing increasingly less range time in favor of the CS9.

Over the ensuing years I've made myself pretty much rotate usage of the little 3rd gens, alongside the Glock subcompacts, as well as the excellent SW999c, so they all see a fair number of rounds as they're used for range sessions.

That little CS9 is still one of my all-time favorites.

I'd have a hard time choosing between the 3913, CS9 & SW999c if I were only going to keep ONE of the S&W's, though.

The SW999c has a better trigger and grip profile/ergonomics than either the 3913 or the CS9, but the little 3rd gen 9's are still about as close to state-of-the-art as anybody's ever achieved when it comes to a metal-framed TDA compact/subcompact, at least to my way of thinking.

If pressed, I'd suggest the 3913 is probably an easier gun for more shooters to use, while the CS9's lighter weight and slightly increased felt recoil might be better utilized by a more experienced shooter. Dunno.

Just some thoughts, since this thread is still going ...

I don't have the answer which is "better", though the CS9 or the 3913. You'll notice I still own BOTH.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

Thanks for all the comments guys. It's on my "Next Gun" list but having a hard time finding one.

Regards

Thanks for all the comments guys. It's on my "Next Gun" list but having a hard time finding one.

Regards

Thanks for all the comments guys. Now if I could just one of you guys to sell me one

I have been looking for a CS9 for a long time. In the meantime I bought a 3914. Maybe some day I'll get lucky and come across one.

I also have a 3913 which I love, just like to add a CS9 to the collection.

I have both and like both but if I could only have one it would be the cs9. Mine's a cs9d and it took 6 months to find one. Good luck with your search!

Ya had to say that didn't ya...

I love my CS9.With the Novaks it shot a little low so I put on Trijicon Night Sights and it is point of aim and I would seriously consider Big Dog's Custom Delrin Grips which are nicer and don't print out as easy in concealed carry mode.......Mike

I found a CS9D at a gun shop going out of business. $349. Is that a good deal?

If you do not want, please PM me with the details. That's a great price if it's 80% and up.

I think the OP should get first dibs

The CS9 didn't fit my hand well, so I went with the 3913.

Both are superb pistols, superior to anything being produced today - by anyone. Regards 18DAI

I carried a 908S for years before being lucky enough to find a CS9 from a member of this forum. With as much as I like the 908S, I am extremely impressed with the CS9. Keep looking, keep your fingers crossed and you will come across one. When you do, snatch it up as quickly as you can as you will not be disappointed with the CS9. As with all other 3rd gen 9mm guns that I own it shoots flawlessly and is very dependable with any ammo fed through it. Good luck in your quest.

I've seen a couple of references to a DAO version of the CS9 and a couple of references to the CS9 D. I don't see anything about either in the SCSW. Was that a post production modification done by S&W?

S&W had early Chiefs Special models in DAO, known as the MCS9D, MCS40D & MCS45D. You can find references to them in the retail parts lists.

The company would also do modifications to CS guns that were originally produced as TDA models, similar to how they'd change over other 3rd gen TDA guns, making them DAO.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

Thanks! I learn something every day on this list.