Replaced the Ambi Safety on my CS9 Chiefs Special with LS version

So I just got back from vacation and was able to get around to installing the LS safety on my CS9. It’s one of the newer stainless models with ambi safety, but I don’t need the right side control. I bought the new part from Numrich along with a new sear disconnect lever in case I needed to do some fitting. There was no fitting required in this case. Here is a pic of my ambi safety removed next to the new LS safety

It was quite simple to install with the slide in a vise. Just have to pop out the tab on the right side of the ambi safety with a small punch to depress the plunger. Then depress the FPB plunger as you push in the firing pin to allow clearance to slide the safety out the left side. I checked my firing pin and spring while I had it removed. Here is a pic of my firing pin and spring next to a new spring

I then polished the new safety with a Dremel and also polished the channel inside the hole in the slide that the safety lever detent rides in, because why not at this point. I installed the new LS safety and tested until I was confident the safety is gtg.

My CS9 is now even more lean and mean than before. I’ve got the 3913tsw Delrin grips I cut down, the metal Kahr mag base mod I got from this forum, and now the LS safety. I’m even contemplating grinding a few mils off the LS safety to further reduce the slide profile, but I definitely like it this way for now. I really can’t say enough about having a modded CS9 available for carry.



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Good work, thanks for write up and pics. very nice.

I did some shopping and got a stainless 3913 trigger and stainless hammer. May later mil the safety down a bit and then have it coated to match stainless, along with a new mag release (3913 stainless release won’t fit CS9). I could even throw on the grey grips like a NL CS9. Yes I’m getting a bit out of control. Another separate post and some more pics to follow once parts arrive


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Great improvement! I don't want mud flaps (ambidextrous safety) on any of my pistols.

Nice job!

I'm left handed, so I only use the single sided safety on my black early production CS9 as a decocker. I carry it with the safety off.

I was smoking and joking with some officers the other night. The concensus was that the subcompact 9mm guns are the modern equivalents of the small snubby revolvers - and have replaced the small revolver in LE service as BUGs and off duty guns.

I love my little CS9. I carry it off duty and it is my gun for when I "cant have a gun". Like at church or social functions with non gun folks. Great little pistol. Regards 18DAI

The hardest part of this modification is generally finding a left side only safety/decoker lever. I searched for a couple of years before I found a stainless one (the last one) from Cylinder and Slide. Since then, I've found a couple of black left side only levers for both the 3913 and 457.

If I ever find a 4513TSW that I want to buy, it will get one of the 457 levers. I already did the modification to my pre rail 3913TSW.

For me at least, thinning the profile of the 3rd Gen slides makes them just that much better for carry.

GaryS said:

The hardest part of this modification is generally finding a left side only safety/decoker lever. I searched for a couple of years before I found a stainless one (the last one) from Cylinder and Slide. Since then, I've found a couple of black left side only levers for both the 3913 and 457.

If I ever find a 4513TSW that I want to buy, it will get one of the 457 levers. I already did the modification to my pre rail 3913TSW.

For me at least, thinning the profile of the 3rd Gen slides makes them just that much better for carry.

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This is so true. The LS safety is very hard to come by. Numrich just had it as in stock one day and it went out of stock after I bought it. This is why I’m a bit hesitant to cut into it even though It sticks out too far for my liking. I just use it for a decocker.


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From the time I first bought them I have appreciated the "no mudflaps" slim slide profile of my two Model 457's.

The reason I dearly love Ambi safety, and all Ambi controls,
is that I'm Ambi myself. I can write & do pretty much everything equally.
Came in mighty handy for SASS

Other benefits are being able to get all down & funky like Papa in
Boondock Saints...

The stainless hammer and trigger I ordered before came, but they were looking worn, so I returned them. Ive since found a nice 3913 stainless hammer, ever so slightly polished it up, and tossed it in the ol CS9. I also found a stainless winged disconnector to replace my plastic one, should be delivered by Friday. Still looking for stainless .304” trigger


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I watched the first 15 minutes of Boondock Saints the other day. That was as much as I could stand before it got too silly even for me. And I love Boston set movies.

Big Shrek said:

Other benefits are being able to get all down & funky like Papa in Boondock Saints...

Click to expand...

On a more serious note, will the 40xx series triggers fit in a CS9? If so, I might be able to help Mercs out.

As long as it is a TDA (SA/DA) trigger, 1st, 2nd, 3rd gen; blue, stainless; forged, MIM; wide, narrow...
They will all work.

John

I *think* it is TDA, but I'm not 100% sure. It's part of a small bunch of 3rd Gen internal parts I bought. The ad said 4003, 4006, 4046, so who knows?

The hint that makes me think it's TDA is that in the same bunch there are a Ejector/Magazine Depressor, Firing Pin Safety Lever, and Sear Release Lever. I don't think that the DAO guns have the Sear Release Lever, but have a spacer instead.

I'll just post a picture when the parts arrive and post it here. That's if Mercs is interested.

JohnHL said:

As long as it is a TDA (SA/DA) trigger, 1st, 2nd, 3rd gen; blue, stainless; forged, MIM; wide, narrow...
They will all work.

John

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Very clever. I need to look at a picture of my CS-9 right now to see if it has an ambi or not......

Nope....




I only use it as a decocker, anyway, so I never pay attention to the other side of the gun. I load it, rack it, decock it, put the decocker on fire (I don't even think of it as a safety), drop the magazine and insert one more round, put it back in, and I'm good to go. It has a long, double action, "revolver's trigger", so putting it on safe just gives me something extra to think about and I don't need that if I need to shoot - especially because I'm a revolver guy first.

I think it's only the stainless version (some of them) that have the ambi safety. Of course, we are talking about S&W, so the only rule with 3rd Gens is that there is no rule with 3rd Gens.

I think I've seen one stainless version in the wild that had an ambi safety/decocker.

If I were ever to own one again and it had an ambi safety, I'd replace it.

ISCS Yoda said:

Very clever. I need to look at a picture of my CS-9 right now to see if it has an ambi or not......

Nope....

I only use it as a decocker, anyway, so I never pay attention to the other side of the gun. I load it, rack it, decock it, put the decocker on fire (I don't even think of it as a safety), drop the magazine and insert one more round, put it back in, and I'm good to go. It has a long, double action, "revolver's trigger", so putting it on safe just gives me something extra to think about and I don't need that if I need to shoot - especially because I'm a revolver guy first.

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I have found 3 SSS's but no more. I would snap up anything else if I could find it.

GaryS said:

I *think* it is TDA, but I'm not 100% sure. It's part of a small bunch of 3rd Gen internal parts I bought. The ad said 4003, 4006, 4046, so who knows?

The hint that makes me think it's TDA is that in the same bunch there are a Ejector/Magazine Depressor, Firing Pin Safety Lever, and Sear Release Lever. I don't think that the DAO guns have the Sear Release Lever, but have a spacer instead.

I'll just post a picture when the parts arrive and post it here. That's if Mercs is interested.

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Absolutely I’m interested. I’m just looking for a clean stainless one that’ll fit. Much appreciated Gary!


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I'll post a picture so that JohnHL or someone else who can tell us for sure. That being said, we can do the rest by PM after we know.

Gary

Mercs said:

Absolutely I’m interested. I’m just looking for a clean stainless one that’ll fit. Much appreciated Gary!


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I just freshened up the old chap with some red Loctite. Good old gunsmithing trick, this should last awhile



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I was strangely able to procure a blued single-sided safety body as well as a low-profile slide stop from Numrich this week.