CS9 made in 2005

[Trooper Joe]

Just found this nice CS 9 made in November 2005. Came with two mags and an owners book for $400 out the door.

Found two NOS magazines for it last night which are enroute to my home as we speak.

Called S&W to inquire about extra recoil springs. They are out of stock but in about 2 weeks they may have more.

Great gun, can't wait to get to the range. Seems to have really good reviews on the web.

Any thoughts or advise would be appreciated.

Trooper Joe

[18DAI]

Great little 9mm! Congrats!

The only improvement I found for the CS9 was the cut down Delrin TercGen grips. Really slims the gun down.

The rounded baseplate mags from the early 3913TSW enable the CS9 to be pocket carried. Enjoy that fine nine! Regards 18DAI

[JAREDSHS]

Yer a lucky feller Joe, Enjoy that one and hold on to it.

[GaryS]

That's a late production gun and is a real find and bargain at that price. The only thing I can add to what 18DAI said is that I found a single side only safety/decocker, had it shaved and dehorned by member BMCM, and kept the original grips as they fit my hand well.

I carry mine in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster and it carries incredibly well.

Keep checking with S&W for recoil springs. A new recoil spring for any 3rd Gen is a cheap insurance policy.

I'm using Federal HST JHP 124gr in mine and it shoots to point of aim.

ETA: The part for the 3913TSW magazine butt plate is 262670000. That gun is listed as "Obselete", so parts might not be available. I got a few a couple of years ago, so it's worth a call.

[HOUSTON RICK]

The CS9 (and CS45) were very under rated when in production. They are comparably small to their modern counterparts, they are not polymer or alloy, but steel so they are relatively heavy, but built like tanks. They are more accurate than guns their size have a right to be. That was a good price.

[mauser9]

Think you did well on the price also. Mine is an early one made in 99 which I bought new. Does make a great compact size for carry and feeds and ejects without a hitch for me. Now if only S&W would make them again I would grab a blued model too. Heard the blued version was not produced very long at all.

[ladder13]

I’ve been looking for a steel one for 20 years.

[Fastbolt]

Congrats. Lucky find.

[Maddog 521]

You got a bargain there. I looked for 3 years and finally found a NIB pistol at a much higher price. Mine was made July 17th 2008, which is very unusual. It's still NIB.

[Trooper Joe]

Originally Posted by HOUSTON RICK

The CS9 (and CS45) were very under rated when in production. They are comparably small to their modern counterparts, they are not polymer or alloy, but steel so they are relatively heavy, but built like tanks. They are more accurate than guns their size have a right to be. That was a good price.

Just put a magnet on the frame. It is alloy. Did they make steel frame models?

Field stripped and lubed the gun. It is like new inside. Will get to the range next week.

Here is a better photo of mine.

[Trooper Joe]

I don’t like +p ammo so I will see if it will function with the non +P Hornady 147 grn ammo the State Police use.

Trooper Joe

This is going to be my edc gun for a while, even at 22 ounces. Usually my P365 is in a fake day planner case in the door of my truck. This CS9 will ride just as well. It just plain feels good holding it.

[GaryS]

There has been some debate as to whether or not 147gr will expand due to the short barrel length. There's probably a thread or ten on the subject here.

Originally Posted by Trooper Joe

I don’t like +p ammo so I will see if it will function with the non +P Hornady 147 grn ammo the State Police use.

Trooper Joe

This is going to be my edc gun for a while, even at 22 ounces. Usually my P365 is in a fake day planner case in the door of my truck. This CS9 will ride just as well. It just plain feels good holding it.

[HOUSTON RICK]

Originally Posted by Trooper Joe

Just put a magnet on the frame. It is alloy. Did they make steel frame models?

Field stripped and lubed the gun. It is like new inside. Will get to the range next week.

Here is a better photo of mine.

Well, aluminum alloy frame with stainless steel finish. Thank you for the good natured corrections. SCSW 3rd Ed. p326-327

[Redcoat3340]

You did good!

I've got one and love it. My primary EDC. It's now out to a member here to do an action job and add FO sights.

I kept the original grips as they fit my hand just fine.

You'll like this gun. And really appreciate the price as the years go by. DON'T SELL IT!

[TercGen]

Great price and a great gun - congratulations!!!

Good idea to pick up a bunch of spare recoil springs while they are still being offered by S&W. As of now, there is no after-market source for CS9/CS40/CS45 recoil springs.

I have not seen any testing with Hornady's 147g out of 3" barrels, but it has shown good performance out of 3.5" barrels. The only 147g round I have seen perform well out of 3" barrels online is the Federal 147g HST. I personally recommend the 124g HST in the CS9 (I prefer the +p myself), but all of the 9mm HST's have shown good performance out of 3" barrels. The new 150g micro HST is specifically designed for sub-compacts and is not +p, but I have not seen it offered in 50-round boxes online like the others.

[jtj5002]

Some good SD ammo for 3" barrels from this guy's videos. He spent 6 years testing every single round possible from a 3" barrel. Note these test do not take hard barrier blind performance into consideration.

YouTube

HST 124 standard pressure meets the 12"-18" from all barrel lengths. Penetration is on the low end of passing 12"
HST 147 and 150 micro (or all HST for that matter) also works well.

Winchester 147 defend (not pdx-1 or sxz) best overall performance out of a 3" barrel.

Hornady Critical Defense expanded consistently out of a 3", but were on the low end of penetration. This round is not suited for longer barrels. It tends to over expand and under pen.

Winchester 147 Ranger T fully expanded 9/10 times, and the partially expanded bullet did not over penetrate. This is one of my favorite round that works well in all barrel lengths.

Hornady Critical Defense 135 standard pressure failed to expand consistently out of 3" barrel and over penetrated. However this is one of the best barrier blind round and performs perfectly after going through windshield.

If I were to only stock up on 1 type of ammo for all my guns, it would easily be HST 124 and Ranger T 147. Both are much cheaper than the test @ 60c/round. I will still probably pick up some Winchester Defense for my CS9.

[Fastbolt]

I carry much the same ammo in my 3" CS9 that I carried in my 4" & 3 1/2" 9mm duty and off-duty weapons for so many years ... once we'd started issuing some of the better designed modern JHP's.

That means I usually have one of the following loads in my own CS9 (and 3913, 3913TSW, G26 and SW999c):
W-W 127gr +P+ RA9TA
Rem 124gr +P HPJ/BJHP Golden Sabre/non-bonded
W-W 147gr RA9T (either the SXT or T-Series labeled RA9T)
W-W 124gr +P RA9124TP

I have some Fed 147gr HST, but it's mostly set aside for range ammo, at least until I start to exhaust my older supply of the other loads.

When we were being issued the old style W-W & Rem 147gr JHP's I carried them, but I didn't exactly hold out a significant expectation that they might resist plugging and consistently exhibit robust expansion, even if fired from 4" barrels. Got to put the hole where it matters, first and foremost, anyway.

This is an old pic of a couple of the mid 90's version of the 147gr SXT/RA9T (meaning the version after original black lubalox coated SXT/RA9SXT) and a 127gr +P+ SXT/RA9TA, fired from a CS9 in a 4LD test done at our range during a hosted Winchester gel shoot. 147gr on left and 127gr on right.

I don't have the notes close at hand, as they're buried in a box somewhere, but if I remember right the penetration depth after defeating the 4 layers of new 14oz denim was approx 11 3/4". If we'd fired more rounds, the "average" might've changed a bit.

Anyway, after these "last minute" test shots using the CS9 belonging to my boss (and a couple shots done using my own CS45, for the .45 loads), I stopped worrying about carrying either of the Winchester loads in my 3913 or CS9. Learning of other testing done over the years using other major maker premium JHP's, I don't sweat using most any of the more modern JHP designs.

[18DAI]

147 grain RA9T or RA9B is all I run in my 3 inch CS9. Good ballistics and a VERY good track record in actual shootings.

When my agency switched to Winchester Ranger, the rep told us they had designed the RA9T to perform well out of short barrel 9mm guns. Regards 18DAI

[18DAI]

Trooper Joe, how did the CS9 shoot? Regards 18DAI

[Trooper Joe]

Originally Posted by 18DAI

Trooper Joe, how did the CS9 shoot? Regards 18DAI

At 15 yards shot mostly quarter size groups from 115 fmj, 147 HST/standard pressure, and 115 1/2 jacket hp Federal defense ammo.

I like the last the best but they all fed and grouped very well.

Trooper Joe

[Fastbolt]

Originally Posted by Trooper Joe

At 15 yards shot mostly quarter size groups from 115 fmj, 147 HST/standard pressure, and 115 1/2 jacket hp Federal defense ammo.

I like the last the best but they all fed and grouped very well.

Trooper Joe

Well, if you don't mind boring reliability and pretty decent practical accuracy, the CS9 is a pretty handy smallish 3rd gen 9.

[GaryS]

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I hardly carry my pre rail 3913TSW since I got my CS9 operational. It sits in a DeSantis Nemesis in my pocket very nicely. It's essentially the same size as my Bersa 380CC and weighs a touch more. It's still completely concealable.

Definitely not selling this one.

Originally Posted by Fastbolt

Well, if you don't mind boring reliability and pretty decent practical accuracy, the CS9 is a pretty handy smallish 3rd gen 9.

[18DAI]

Mine is a keeper too! Perfect for summer carry or on those occasions where you can't carry a gun.

I am debating taking my stainless CS9 on an upcoming vacation, in leiu of my 457. Fast handling, easily concealed (thanks to TercGen!) and light weight for all day carry. The perfect carry 9mm, for me. Regards 18DAI

[cherrypointmarine]

If you really want to squeeze all the performance you can get out of it , send it off to BMCM (Bill.) Mine had seen it's better days when I got it , and when he was done with it she was a tack driver . Nice thing is he shoots it and sends you the target so you know what it's capable of .

[GaryS]

My Bersa has become a "travel gun" when I go out of state. I can't replace it if something happens to it, but I don't much care any longer. As long as I can drop my CS9 in my pocket when I'm not traveling, I'm good.

My other "travel gun" is a 642. Good gun, but absurdly easy to replace if something happens to it. I'm surprised those aren't in blister packs at Walmart.

Originally Posted by 18DAI

Mine is a keeper too! Perfect for summer carry or on those occasions where you can't carry a gun.

I am debating taking my stainless CS9 on an upcoming vacation, in leiu of my 457. Fast handling, easily concealed (thanks to TercGen!) and light weight for all day carry. The perfect carry 9mm, for me. Regards 18DAI

[Trooper Joe]

Follow up to my original posting on this neat S&W CS9, 9mm, I found at a local gun shop. Had two magazines and was made in 2005.



Found three more magazines and a set of grips made by a gentleman in Minnesota (TercGen) from another S&W model. Shot this with the original Hough rubbery grips and these modified slim grips. The new grips, are very nice and any increase in recoil was not even noticeable.

The gun handles the 147 grn, Federal, non-+P with no problems. I found that it handles 115 fmj, and hp ammo just as well.

Fits perfectly in this "no name" 1911 paddle holster that I have had for years.





Going to give my P365 a rest and use this as my edc for a while. (Feels great to have an all metal gun again.)

I retired as a State Police Det/Lt. before these S&W Chiefs Specials were even introduced. This would have been a great carry gun when I was working plain clothes.

Just some thoughts,

Trooper Joe

[TercGen]

Your CS9 is looking good Joe, especially in that red leather holster! Glad to hear that it's in the EDC rotation (the perfect Summertime carry gun).

Your grips were made from new-production factory 3913 grips and will still have nice sharp checkering, but if you want to take it up a notch, apply some strips of grip tape to the frame and back of the grips. Locks the gun in hand nicely and provides a good tactile reference for grip alignment.

[18DAI]

TercGen what make and model are those night sights on your CS9? After BMCM is done with my current project pistol, I am planning on some night sights for my other CS9, the early black version.

I had been debating the Novak low mount night sights that are currently on my stainless gun, but your set up looks to have an easier to see front sight. Is it a Big Dot? Thanks! Regards 18DAI

[TercGen]

Originally Posted by 18DAI

TercGen what make and model are those night sights on your CS9? After BMCM is done with my current project pistol, I am planning on some night sights for my other CS9, the early black version.

I had been debating the Novak low mount night sights that are currently on my stainless gun, but your set up looks to have an easier to see front sight. Is it a Big Dot? Thanks! Regards 18DAI

Actually 18DAI, they are just standard Trijicon SA29 night sights, but I have darkened the rear sight dots with a black sharpie. This really helps the front sight 'pop' in daylight (provided your front sight still has a fresh, crisp white ring), and in the dark, it dampens the glow of the rear sights and makes the front brighter as well.

Some adjustment/buffing is necessary with a q-tip after the ink dries so that the rear sights can be dimly seen in the dark, and periodically it will need to be touched up as the ink gets worn by clothing, but I actually do this to all of my Trijicon night sights now and while not the classiest thing, it is very effective.