CS9 Needed a Recoil Spring

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Ed58

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When I buy a used semi auto, I always replace the recoil and mag springs. Unless I forget....
Several years ago I bought a used CS9 and intended to replace the springs, but unlike 3913 springs, I couldn't find them anywhere. So I added it to my long list of things to do. In the meantime the CS9 shot great; accurate and 100% reliable.
Last month I took it to the range and experienced failures to return to battery?! The slide had to be pushed forward 3/8 inch or so on a number of rounds, independent of ammo type.
I have owned seven 3rd Gen Smiths, and this was the FIRST TIME I had ever experienced an issue with any of them. In fact, I'm still waiting for my first FTF or FTE.
Luckily, I was able to buy a recoil spring (plus 2 spares) online. Put it in today, and the CS9 just cycled ~50 rounds with no issues whatsoever. If ammo wasn't so scarce and pricey these days, I'd still be at the range. For a small 9mm, that gun sure is a joy to shoot. Looks like the problem was my fault for dropping the ball on routine maintenance.
So, the moral of the story is replace those 3rd Gen recoil springs every 5 years or 5k rounds, whichever comes first. And don't forget to keep half an eye on that To Do list. ;)
 
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The CS9 is a GREAT little 9mm. I was shooting mine today. Accurate and reliable IF .you keep it maintained. ;)

I use synthetic grease on the frame rails and change my recoil AND mag springs every 3 years or 3K rounds, whichever comes first. But I shoot mine a lot too.

Enjoy yours! :) Regards 18DAI
 
Synthetic grease here as well. I think it makes sense on fast moving parts like the slide, especially with an alloy frame. Forgot to mention for the benefit of other CS9 owners, Midway had the recoil springs on backorder, and they arrived in my mailbox in about 10 days.
 
I just ordered a bunch of parts for my 3rd Gens, including a spare recoil spring for my CS9.

Both Midway and Brownells still carry some parts for the 3rd Gens, but availability can be iffy.

Ed58 said:
Synthetic grease here as well. I think it makes sense on fast moving parts like the slide, especially with an alloy frame. Forgot to mention for the benefit of other CS9 owners, Midway had the recoil springs on backorder, and they arrived in my mailbox in about 10 days.
Click to expand...
 
I just stumbled on Fastbolt’s detailed answer to a fellow member who was having the exact same problem with their CS9. Dated 8-16-14, 9:31 pm.
One point that really caught my eye was his practice of replacing those flat CS9/45 recoil springs even more frequently: 2-3 years or 800-1200 rounds +/-. That plus 18DAIs post above have me thinking...at about $4 per spring, why not replace it every 2-3 years.
There was a bunch of other good info in his post and that thread as well.
 
I have found one that I intend to buy especially since Smith confirmed that they are still supporting the CS9.

Can anyone explain the design , I ask because there is virtually no barrel tilt just like a 1911 but no bushing, very mysterious to me.
 
gsn said:
I have found one that I intend to buy especially since Smith confirmed that they are still supporting the CS9.

Can anyone explain the design , I ask because there is virtually no barrel tilt just like a 1911 but no bushing, very mysterious to me.
Click to expand...

The bushing is the silver ring, pressed into slide.
 
As Steve912 pointed out, the CS9 does have a barrel bushing. Pressed into the slide as he said. And the barrel does tilt slightly to unlock.

As far as the design, it is the smallest descendant of the 39XX series pistols. Unlike the 39XX series guns, the barrel does not have a locking lug, It locks up on the hood and slide.

When the CS9 first appeared, there were gun scribes who wrote articles claiming it was not an accurate pistol. I own two examples, currently. An early production black CS9, with plastic sights and cheap sharpie marker finish (and those are the ONLY bad things I can say about that pistol) and a late production LE Special order with Novak night sights and ambi safety. Both are VERY accurate out to 7 yards. Especially with 147 grain defensive rounds. I don't shoot them beyond 7 yards as that is not what the CS9 was designed for.

It was designed as an up close defensive pistol that is easily concealed. And it is extremely successful in that mission. Mine will keep a 3 inch group in rapid fire at 7 yards. All "A" hits. It will also put 2 rounds of 147 RA9T, into a sub 1 inch group, on a B27 target at 3 feet, drawing from concealment, in less than 2.3 seconds. Great 9mm carry gun. My stainless example has become my most carried gun. My 3913s and 4513TSW rest in the safe.

Buy it, shoot it, love it. You will be glad you did. Practice with it too. Like snub revolvers, it takes practice to maintain proficiency with tiny semi autos. But shoot realistic targets at realistic ranges. Shooting the CS9 at 25 yards and expecting a 1.5 inch group, with any ammo, is a frustrating excercise.

I am giving two lessons in defensive pistol use this afternoon and will be using my CS9 to demonstrate drills/technique with. Regards 18DAI
 
May I add, "Ditto."

I have a twin to 18DAI's gun. The only difference is that I swapped in a single side safety. I use 124gr , but get very good accuracy.


18DAI said:
As Steve912 pointed out, the CS9 does have a barrel bushing. Pressed into the slide as he said. And the barrel does tilt slightly to unlock.

As far as the design, it is the smallest descendant of the 39XX series pistols. Unlike the 39XX series guns, the barrel does not have a locking lug, It locks up on the hood and slide.

When the CS9 first appeared, there were gun scribes who wrote articles claiming it was not an accurate pistol. I own two examples, currently. An early production black CS9, with plastic sights and cheap sharpie marker finish (and those are the ONLY bad things I can say about that pistol) and a late production LE Special order with Novak night sights and ambi safety. Both are VERY accurate out to 7 yards. Especially with 147 grain defensive rounds. I don't shoot them beyond 7 yards as that is not what the CS9 was designed for.

It was designed as an up close defensive pistol that is easily concealed. And it is extremely successful in that mission. Mine will keep a 3 inch group in rapid fire at 7 yards. All "A" hits. It will also put 2 rounds of 147 RA9T, into a sub 1 inch group, on a B27 target at 3 feet, drawing from concealment, in less than 2.3 seconds. Great 9mm carry gun. My stainless example has become my most carried gun. My 3913s and 4513TSW rest in the safe.

Buy it, shoot it, love it. You will be glad you did. Practice with it too. Like snub revolvers, it takes practice to maintain proficiency with tiny semi autos. But shoot realistic targets at realistic ranges. Shooting the CS9 at 25 yards and expecting a 1.5 inch group, with any ammo, is a frustrating excercise.

I am giving two lessons in defensive pistol use this afternoon and will be using my CS9 to demonstrate drills/technique with. Regards 18DAI
Click to expand...
 
Good thread on the CS-9! Had that problem a couple times with the slide not returning to battery. Blamed the ammo but greased the slide and frame as I only had maybe 100 rounds through it. Was using 124 grain Winchester or Remington FMJ white box rounds. Seems to have worked. No problems since. A fine pistol and sure wish they were making them today.
 
??? No. Not 1911 like AT ALL. First, the CS9 is DA/SA. Not single action like a 1911. You cannot carry a CS9 cocked and locked.

Engaging the safety on a CS9 drops the hammer. Completely different operating procedures and mechanisms on the CS9 and 1911.

You may want to look at the s&w 3 inch 1911 "pro" in 9mm. It is similar in size to a CS9. And is a 1911. Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI
 
...and the CS9 and (most? all?) other 3rd Gen S&Ws use a
system of interfering ramps on barrel & frame, to cam
barrel down & out of the slide lock up.

A 1911 uses a swinging link, pinned to barrel and rotating
around slide stop axis, to accomplish same task.

"True" 1911s also use a (IMO) more primitive extractor
(one 'bent' piece, using structure's spring tension) vs the
S&W's pivoting, spring-loaded 'hook'...

I think I'll leave discussion of trigger differences for 18DAI
and Fastbolt :D

Oh, don't forget S&W Customer Service. I've gotten CS9 and
other springs, etc, from them!
 
appreciate the comments very much-not a straight/direct blowback like Beretta , not a 1911-why doesn't the barrel give the 'finger' so to speak and is this design a Smith only ?
 
forgot to ask, the plastic guide rod a concern or non issue?
 
double forgot, Smith did confirm that the CS9 continues to be supported but I need to get a direct answer as to whether or not parts are still being made
 
Last edited:
gsn said:
appreciate the comments very much-not a straight/direct blowback like Beretta , not a 1911-why doesn't the barrel give the 'finger' so to speak and is this design a Smith only ?
Click to expand...

Not sure of your question--do you mean "why doesn't the
barrel protrude from front of slide, when slide moves
rearward"? The answer would be, "It does (protrude from
front of slide, when slide moves rearward)".

AFA S&W CS "dodging" question on current production vs
availability--he/she probably just didn't know if part XYZ
is still on-hand, or still in production. They probably just
look stuff up and see if there's any on hand or not, and
may not have any indication of production/non-production.

On my CS9, the recoil spring guide rod is steel. There is a
small projection at breech end made of plastic/composite/
delrin (???) that locates rod base on frame and acts as a
retention detent for the slide stop. I haven't had any
problem with any of the design, though my CS9
ownership is only a year or so.
 
tnks again, being a revolver guy I joking refer to semi auto handguns which are not straight blowback as giving the finger when the barrel tilts upward.

Its beginning to look like Smith has ceased production of spares for the CS9 and all gen 3, waiting for one last email from the Company.

I did forget to mention that Smith cs has been fantastic and I certainly many not be asking questions as clearly as I think I am.
 
Last edited:
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