3" 686 CS1 2M

[686PC]

Hi folks,

I have the chance to buy a 3" 686 CS1 with box and the 2M stamp for $1,899. Condition wise the only issue with it is a scuff on the outside of one of its cylinder (scuff not shown on the photo below). The rest of the pistol looks great and it comes with the original rubber grip.

What do you folks think? A fair deal under current market conditions? I've seen 2 SC1 sold on GB recently for around the same price range. One a 3" and the other a 4". I also seen a 3" CS1 sold recently in GB for $1,450, but that one did not have the 2M stamp.

 

[jrc1]

I paid 1700. For my 3" two years ago and 1300. For my 4" last year

 

[ColumbusJBR]

Forgive my dumb question. Why do these bring so much money? Is it simply the rarity?

 

[Hawg Rider]

I think that their asking price is in the ballpark, especially with its original box. I have my eye on one locally, but the seller is not ready to part with it yet. I'm expecting to pay $1800-$2K whenever he's ready. I believe that the price reflects its Customs Service provenance (CS-1), and the fact that in 1988 S&W did not produce many of these 3" (3,281) or 4" bbl. (5,419) versions. There are a couple of Forum members that are collectors of these revolvers, so perhaps they will chime in shortly to share their knowledge.

 

[686PC]

Forgive my dumb question. Why do these bring so much money? Is it simply the rarity?

Not a dumb question, if this sort of stuff interests you, like it interests me. This 686 CS1 was commissioned in 1988 by the US Customs Agency (during the pre-MIM era). The agency had pretty stringent requirements and lore is that these guns were made as well as the first Performance Center guns, even though that division did not exist yet back then.

To paraphrase the more in-depth post below, the rumor of these CS-1's being "better made" and having "DX" accuracy is likely true. Periodically a 686 CS-1 was selected from a production lot and required to demonstrate the durability and accuracy requirement. If it failed to do so it was sent back to S&W and a subsequent example pulled and subjected to the same test. We are told that there were few that failed - but there were a few examples.

As to their rarity, most of these were service weapons owned by the federal government. Approximately 2500 686 CS-1s were released through the Sales Exchange Program before then Attorney General Janet Reno ended that program and ordered federally owned service weapons destroyed rather than sold.

More information can be found here: https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/us-customs-service-686-cs-1.231410/

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

I would like to own a 3" or 2.5" L-frame S&W

 

[Rodan]

IMHO that price is a little high without the box, but there's about a 70% chance it would hammer for that on an online auction. I would be more comfortable paying $1600-1700 OTD for the gun in the OP.

I have been following 3" CS-1s for some time. It's one of my grail guns, but I just can't bring myself to pay the current prices for one. I have seen a couple of rougher examples and one that I think was faked go for $1500-1600, but pristine examples with the box can easily bring $2k+.

IMHO the prices on these are higher than they would be due to the relative scarcity of 3" pre-lock 686s.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I would like to own a 3" or 2.5" L-frame S&W

You won't regret a snub, especially with combat grips. Best S&W I've ever owned and not particularly close.

 

[Yendor357]

I don't like the big crane/frame gap on that one. For $1800, me personally, I'd pass. I know those guns are cool because of their history, but
For $1800, you could get a new 3 inch stainless Python with a hairline crane/cylinder gap, send the hammer and trigger to Mike Heffron for a trigger pull that rivals any Smith. And have money left over for a Wilson Combat rear sight.

Or for $920 OTD, and a lighter trigger return spring and about a bazillion dry fires, and a plug, have a 7 shooter that does what that gun does and have almost $900 left over.

 

[686PC]

Thanks for your inputs, jrc1, Hawg Rider and Rodan. I went to my LGS today and ended up taking the CS1 home for $1,800 after verifying the box was original. It also came with warranty paper, user manual, and tools.

The pistol was in a lot better shape than I originally estimated. It does not appear to have been shot much at all. Upon getting it home I was going to do my usual full cleaning and oiling of the internals but decided not to open the side plate once I took the grips off and saw the original inspection stickers attached to the frame. So just a light oiling on the CS1 for now.

From the Spec. Ord. number on the box, I believe that this CS1 was manufactured on September 22, 1988.

Here are a few more detailed pictures:

 

[Rodan]

At $1800 OTD with the original box, that's a solid buy in this market.

Congrats!

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

You won't regret a snub, especially with combat grips. Best S&W I've ever owned and not particularly close.

I have semi snub 586 3 5/34" RB

 

[Hawg Rider]

That's a real beauty, you did very well! All original and ANIB. Like I said above in Post #4, I'm still waiting to get my hands on a 3" CS-1. But for the time being I had to settle for a very slightly used 3" Model 686-6 Plus for substantially less money ($750 OTD). I hate those small "3-5-7" laminated stocks and have installed some Hogue's, but I think I'll get some Eagle or Altamont combats for it. It's a great shooter and easy to carry OWB. Enjoy!

 

[xfarfuldog]

Congratulations. I owned 4" CS1's years ago. Could never find the 3" version at a what I considered a reasonable price. The prices listed above are above my pay grade, but I admit I'm a cheapskate. I am continually looking for a pre Hillary hole 3" 686, preferably a 7 shot. Never found one and probably never will. My only problem with the CS1s is the finish. I prefer the standard finish

Yendor357 - You've got me thinking. I'm a Python guy as well as a Smith owner. I have turned my nose up at the new Pythons as well as the newer 686s with holes in them. Been happy with my 66s until your post. Dirty rotten enabler! LOL

 

[Exchipy]

Originality and collectibility don't mean much to me. But, excellent configuration and quality construction do. So, I'll be making my own 3" 686 round butt revolver.

I've had, for some time now, a 3" 686-5 barrel which came to me installed on a 686-1 square butt frame (sacrilege!). So, a 6" Shilen PPC barrel was made and installed onto that dash-1 frame:



But, that left the 3" dash-5 barrel orphaned and waiting for an appropriate 686-4 round butt frame (my favorite) to come along. It has, and is on its way to me now:



Within maybe minutes of its arrival, it'll be sporting the 3" barrel and become a near identical 686 .357MAG companion to my 696 .44SPL (the S&W factory installed a dash-5 replacement barrel [all they had left by then] on it for me):


The S&W factory gun mechanic inadvertently made for me the combination of what I believe to be the best barrel on the best frame.

 

[Exchipy]

Yendor357 - You've got me thinking. I'm a Python guy as well as a Smith owner. I have turned my nose up at the new Pythons as well as the newer 686s with holes in them. Been happy with my 66s until your post. Dirty rotten enabler! LOL

Think SMOLT SMYTHON.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Congrats OP over the long run that 1,800$ will feel like a bargain. We have the same box!!! I dig the 80's aesthetic of the repeating Revolver text. I keep my box on my mantle with my other prized items, because it is just so cool. I like that you have the flash chromed hammer/trigger combo too, I know case hardened is fine but the flash chroming looks cool and adds corrosion resistance.