686 "CS-1"

[helilogger]

I am the proud, soon to be owner of a 686 CS-1 3". According to the S&W catalog, they were made for the US Customs. With the round butt and compact 3" barrel, it would seem to be a great medium bore trail gun.

A few questions. Being an L frame, will it be able to handle a steady diet of magnum loads? How about heavy 180 gr CastCore hunting loads?

I see that they were made in 1988 only. Does this make them fairly uncommon? Not that I was looking, but I don't recall ever seeing one.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. I look forwrd to the arrival of this new, to me, revolver!

Dave

 

[Dale53]

First of all, this is a great revolver. I have a four inch one. They will handle all factory .357 loads indefinitely. The "L" frame came into being as it was discovered that the "K" frame was a bit "tender" for constant use of .357 Magnums (was actually intended to be shot mostly with .38 Specials for practice, then carried with .357's for duty use).

However, there is one caveat. There was a recall on some of the early ones. They had complaints of firing pin+firing pin bushing problems. These were and are taken care of under warranty by Smith, if there are any problems with yours.

Excellent handgun and mine is a "keeper" - bought it new as an overrun for the Treasury Department (Customs is a part of Treasury).

FWIW
Dale53

 

[WFR]

Some things are soo good that one is just never enough!
You bought yourself a great .357 that will meet your needs for many years to come! They shoot like a gun with a longer barrel and are getting harder to find each day.
I loved my first one so much that I bought a 2nd one just in case anything ever happened to the first one.
Looks like someone installed a Target Hammer on yours but that should be even better for extended range sessions and trail use.
Here's my 2 and a picture of the Lobo holster I am using.

 

[helilogger]

The target trigger/hammer struck me as being a little different. I am looking forward to the arrival of this revolver and getting it to the range. Are the grips shown on mine correct?

Dave

 

[WFR]

No, those grips are Hogue Bantams and not what the CS-1 would have left the factory with. They are a very good grip for shooting/carrying though. I have them on my 66 snubby.
Search the 1980-present forum for "Custom Service" and you shoudl find plenty of info.

 

[helilogger]

No, those grips are Hogue Bantams and not what the CS-1 would have left the factory with. They are a very good grip for shooting/carrying though. I have them on my 66 snubby.
Search the 1980-present forum for "Custom Service" and you shoudl find plenty of info.

WFR, thanks for the heads up. There IS lots of info on this revolver. Thanks!

Dave