686 CS-1's

[Goony]

Maybe these have been discussed before here, but in searching the forum I can't find anything.

My questions regarding the CS-1 marked variant(s):

1. Does anyone have a notion as to how many of these were produced, and also the ratio of 4" barrel to 3" barrel?

2. Were any of either type sold commercially, or are all of them that are out there now former U.S. Customs guns?

 

[timpitera]

Hope this helps

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...-info-686-cs-1-stamping-updated-pictures.html

Smith & Wesson 686 (CS-1 2M) 3 inch The CS-1 marking was originally used on M686 revolvers that were ordered by the US Customs Service, and stands for "Customs Service - Version 1". These guns were made in 3" and 4" barrel lengths with round butt gripframes. The Customs Service guns (about 3500 3 inch) 1500 were destroyed by Janet Reno when the agency switched to Sig. It's now somewhat of a "grail" gun. The 686 CS-1 was an order built by S&W for the US Custom Service in 1988. My research tells me that there were only 3500 made, and 1500 of those were destroyed by Janet Reno to prevent them from seeing the civilian market. About 2000 were sold to the officers that carry them. The 3" guns draw a real premium

 

[cobra44]

On the CS -1, there were a much larger number of the 4 inch than the 3 inch.
The 4 inch were for the customs officers, and the 3 inch were for the customs plain clothes officers.
It is hard to tell how many are out there as many of them were destroyed by the government, but that is another story.
I have been told that some of them went to private individuals.
Both the 3 inch and the 4 inch are very good revolvers, with the 3 inch being the most sought after.
Hope this helps.

 

[PattonTime]

CS-1 ?

I am lucky enough to have a four inch model. I bought it on AA for about $425.00. I could not believe my luck as I think a plain one of any dash in
a four inch is worth that. It came with Pachmeyer grips , which is what it should have shipped with , or so I have been told.
Although it is a very fine gun , I have always wondered , what else if anything is different between it and a Non cs-1 four inch barrel of same vintage ? The only thing I thought of off hand is that it is a four inch round butt and that was not as common until more recently. Most others I have seen from that time frame were square butt in four and six inch barrels.
Anyone have any other thoughts ?

 

[murphydog]

I have always wondered , what else if anything is different between it and a non CS-1 four inch barrel of same vintage ? Anyone have any other thoughts ?

Black, thinner (1/10") front sight; matte stainless finish; tuned action (I've read this but not sure what it entailed); and the cool CS-1 stamping . There may be other details I am forgetting.

I have seen at least one letter to a commercial distributor, so they did not all go to US Customs. Someone may know the percentage breakdown to each destination.

 

[Dale53]

I have had a 4" CS-1 since they first hit the market. Mine was bought from a dealer (new) as an "overun". They are mat finished, full underlug, with round butts.

Mine is a superb example of the gun makers art. I shoot it as well as any other revolver I own with similar sights. It is nearly the perfect .357 magnum platform, in my opinion.

Quite a few of them went to civilians as overruns, as I remember.

Dale53

 

[jughed440]

this link gives some details on CS-1s

The SMITH & WESSON 686 CS-1

...I have seen at least one letter to a commercial distributor, so they did not all go to US Customs. Someone may know the percentage breakdown to each destination.

out of curiosity as to where it was originally shipped, i lettered mine.
it was shipped to Sport South Inc., Shreveport LA., on 3-4-88

 

[Coaltminer]

I am lucky enough to have a four inch model. I bought it on AA for about $425.00. I could not believe my luck as I think a plain one of any dash in
a four inch is worth that. It came with Pachmeyer grips , which is what it should have shipped with , or so I have been told.
Although it is a very fine gun , I have always wondered , what else if anything is different between it and a Non cs-1 four inch barrel of same vintage ? The only thing I thought of off hand is that it is a four inch round butt and that was not as common until more recently. Most others I have seen from that time frame were square butt in four and six inch barrels.
Anyone have any other thoughts ?

I bought one of the 4" guns in '88 or '89, NIB. Mine came with wood S&W round butt Magna service stocks. Good gun, but, I traded it for something else. Wish I hadn't.

 

[ldp4570]

From 1994 to 1997 while working at Ft. Benning, part of my job was to tour all arms rooms to ensure compliance with proper storage of small arms ammo. One site on post was the US Customs storage. All this being siezed firearms and ammo. Not only was this brought in by US Customs, but from other federal agencies. During my tour of this, I also got to tour their storage area of confiscated firearms. Most of which hadn't been involved in a crime, just a screwup on serial numbers from the shipping container to the firearm. All had been slated to go to Anniston Depot for destruction. I saw everything from super high dollar shotguns an rifles to 4" by 4" crates full of old issue federal firearms. I could have cried over what they had, and what was to be destroyed. They stored for six months, then shipped out to Anniston to meet "Capitian Crunch" the machine that chewed up the guns, and scrap sold to smelting plants across the US. This was one of my jobs I hated, and hope to never see again!!

 

[10mmauto]

CS-1's

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...-info-686-cs-1-stamping-updated-pictures.html

Smith & Wesson 686 (CS-1 2M) 3 inch The CS-1 marking was originally used on M686 revolvers that were ordered by the US Customs Service, and stands for "Customs Service - Version 1". These guns were made in 3" and 4" barrel lengths with round butt gripframes. The Customs Service guns (about 3500 3 inch) 1500 were destroyed by Janet Reno when the agency switched to Sig.

Hello. It's always great to talk about the old CS-1's. I just wanted to make one, small correction to the above. For the plain clothes side, the CS-1's were taken out of service and replaced with the S&W 6906, which were then replaced by different versions of the Glock (17, 19, 26) which NOW have been replaced by the SIG.

But I'd take the CS-1 back in a second.

 

[Sportsterguy]

Great info on a great revolver. Traded my 3" CS-1 for a nice model 58 and haven't looked back as I absolutely love .41 magnums.

Prefer my 3" 66 and 2.5" K's to them as they balance better in my hands and are handier for packing. My CS-1 was a safe queen and I don't care for royalty!

 

[florange]

I have had a 4" CS-1 since they first hit the market. Mine was bought from a dealer (new) as an "overun". They are mat finished, full underlug, with round butts.

Mine is a superb example of the gun makers art. I shoot it as well as any other revolver I own with similar sights. It is nearly the perfect .357 magnum platform, in my opinion.

Quite a few of them went to civilians as overruns, as I remember.

Dale53

Likewise, my wife purchased one new as an "overrun" when they first came out from a dealer in South Florida. Some folklore back then was that the 3 inch was made for the "lady" Custom Service Agents... who knows and it didn't matter... my wife shoots it very well and its not going anywhere...great gun.

 

[sw44spl]

what about the 3inch 686s that are not marked cs-1 whats the deal with them? a production overrun?

 

[sprscientist]

I think my 3" was one that went directly to distribution to consumers. It came with magnas and not the pachmayr compact grips (with open bottom), which supposedly was standard on the ones issued to CS agents. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.

Easily my favorite S&W .357 I've owned among a 627-0, 686-5 7", 686-5 Mtn gun, 66-6 f-comp, 66-2 3", 66-6 3.25" hiviz and 60-4 2.125". Only the f-comp matches the cs-1 in fit and finish.

 

[clang444]

I found my 3" CS-1 at a gun show a couple of years ago from a dealer with a bunch a 4" surplus 686s. It was the only CS gun in the bunch. It looks like it has been carried a lot, but action is perfect:

Got to love shooter grade guns...

 

[murphydog]

what about the 3inch 686s that are not marked cs-1 whats the deal with them? a production overrun?

There have been and are regular runs of 3" 686s. I don't recall if these were also a cataloged item at the time the CS guns were built.

 

[sw44spl]

ok thanks mine is from 1988-90 it came with the blk rubber stocks as marked on the box.