Chiefs Special CS9 Operation

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rsmithtesiusa

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Just inherited a Chiefs Special CS9 and just want to double check my info on exactly how it operates. I want to use it for concealed carry and like the DA/SA operation. Please excuse the use of incorrect terminology and correct as needed.

Here is what I understand - Once loaded you can flip the safety down (engaging the safety) which lowers the hammer. You can then flip the safety back up (dis-engaging the safety) - and it is now in the fire position. The first trigger pull will be double action and subsequent pulls will be single action.

My question - is it safe to carry in this way? My understanding is that in this situation there is a firing pin block or other mechanism that prevents the gun from firing if dropped etc. Is this correct?

With the safety engaged (down position) the hammer is visibly back a little - looks like it would not be resting on firing pin. But when you disengage the safety (up position) the hammer falls forward flush with the frame and looks like it would be resting on the firing pin - which i would think makes it possible to fire if dropped etc.

I have heard great things about this model and it appears to operate like my current CC Walther PPK .380. But with the walther when it is in the position described above (loaded hammer released and safety off (fire position) the hammer is still back a little - which I understand means it is not in contact with the firing pin.

Thanks for the help.
 
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Congratulations! Chief Specials are sweet. The operate as what S&W refers to as TDA or traditional double action. As soon as you have a loaded mag, charge the first round in battery, the pistol is hot and in single action. Lowering the Decocker/Safety blocks the hammer and de-cocks the trigger. Moving the safety back up places the TDA in double action status for the first shot and single action once you fire the first round. Removing the slide reveals three levers. These levers are responsible as the ejector, mag safety and the firing pin safety. In double action and single action the firing pin block safety lever captures the firing pin until you physically press the trigger.
 
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Absolutely safe....first round is now just like firing a double action revolver.

Fabulous CC handgun in ALL regards!

Randy
 
Just to add even more reassurance, for the OP (as if there isn't enough already):


Yes, loaded chamber, decocker lever down (safety on...same thing)....is PERFECTLY SAFE. To sum up, you have essentially 3 "levels" of safety, in this condition (as follows) :

1) Trigger is disabled, so no inadvertent discharges can occur (as can with certain pistols, such as Glocks) by the trigger being pulled in error (or something getting caught in the trigger guard)....

2) Hammer is down, so no energy is retained in the system - making firing a cartridge almost impossible, anyway....

3) The hammer is blocked from hitting the firing pin....AND the firing pin block (safety) is in force, so dropping the gun, or stray impacts, will not cause a discharge, either....

Really, the safety/ decocker system, as used on the CS9 (and all other 3rd Gen. S&W's....as well as lots of others) is about as SAFE as you can possibly get. That is why, as it happens, I favor this system. I cannot abide the "pre-cocked" guns, such as Glocks....for these very reasons. (There, I said it. No offense intended to the Glockies in the crowd.)
 
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Don't forget the mag safety, no magazine inserted even with a round in the chamber then no go.
CS9D-Double Action Only, no manuel safety/decocker
aguqe4uh.jpg
 

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on thing you have to remember....dropping a handgun does not equal a discharge.

while its possible, the gun would have to land perfectly on the muzzle and with sufficient force on guns with no firing pin safety. The impact surface would have to be solid (like concrete or similar)

being on the range alot for the past 24 years in a police setting and dealing with cadets since 2008, I have seen guns fall to the ground.

I once had a loaded 4013TSW (holstered) fall out of a bag I was carrying and it landed on the beavertail area (OUCH) on concrete.

your intended carry of the CS9 is correct. with the decocker rotated downward, the hammer is pushed slightly rearward on the round portion of the decocker body. with the decocker rotated forward, the hammer rests on the flat portion of the decocker body and on the firing pin. until the trigger is pressed, only will the firing pin safety plunger be pushed out of the way. to confirm you firing pin safety works properly, unload your gun, cock your hammer to single action and using a punch, attempt to push on the firing pin. you should feel the stop of the safety plunger. make sure to press to ensure the safety plunger is not worn to the point where sufficient pressure will move the plunger out of the way. I see that alot on Glocks where they are out of time and repeated hammer presses of the trigger will swaged metal.

More unintentional discharges occur from someone pressing the trigger, not dropping the gun.
 
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Great. Thanks for the confirmation. I really like this gun and have a feeling it will become my daily CC. I am just real comfortable carrying wih this type of action from a safety standpoint as I have shot/carried the PPK for years.

What other models use this same DA/SA operation - other than the CS40 which is now on my must find list. Sad they quit making it and so few are available.
 
rsmithtesiusa said:
What other models use this same DA/SA operation - other than the CS40 which is now on my must find list. Sad they quit making it and so few are available.
Click to expand...

I'm no expert, but... most, if not all of the 3rd gens work the same way. On top of it, many of the 3rd gens come in a double action only version as well. Characterized by the lack of safety/decocking levers and slightly different model numbers. If you're new to the game, visually they are almost identical. You're about to catch a bad disease called 3rd genitis where you'll find the next one and think you have enough until you see another one. For instance, once you collect all of the Chief Specials in stainless, you'll realize they also exist black/blue. And the ever popular models 3913 and 3914. Don't even get me started on the plethora of 45s you'll need.
 
Excuse the ignorance - but what exactly does Gen 3 mean? If you tell me I can get a 45 with this style action I am in big trouble!
 
rsmithtesiusa said:
Excuse the ignorance - but what exactly does Gen 3 mean? If you tell me I can get a 45 with this style action I am in big trouble!
Click to expand...


3rd generation denotes that 3rd generation of the Smith and Wesson semi autos. The first generation were the Model 39 and 59 9mm guns. The second generation were improvements and more variations on those. The third generation guns were further refinements and more variations.

You are in trouble. There are numerous variations available in .45. Everything from full size duty guns, to concealed carry compacts, to target variations. Available in steel, stainless steel, and alloy frame versions. Traditional Double Action (TDA) or Double Action Only (DAO). There are a lot of variations of 9mm guns, but I think that there might just be more variations of .45 guns.

Look through the threads in this forum and see what you are getting into.
 
For god's sake man don't ever fire a 4506, 4513,4516 etc!!!
You WILL be in BIG trouble........(and enjoy every moment of it while you are at at it.)

You are in for such a treat....

Randy
 
Stay out of guns shops. Before you know it, your eyes will be scanning the used gun cases for 3rd generation guns. You'll be able to pick them out from 20 feet away.

It's a disease, I tell you.




growr said:
For god's sake man don't ever fire a 4506, 4513,4516 etc!!!
You WILL be in BIG trouble........(and enjoy every moment of it while you are at at it.)

You are in for such a treat....

Randy
Click to expand...
 
"Stay out of guns shops. Before you know it, your eyes will be scanning the used gun cases for 3rd generation guns. You'll be able to pick them out from 20 feet away.

It's a disease, I tell you."



And before he knows it, he'll be perusing the auction web sites at every opportunity......searching for that next "bargain" (that he can't live without) ! (Ask me how I know.....) :)
 
What can be done to improve sights on this gun? Eyes not as good as they used to be......
 
The weapon is designed to carry with a round in the chamber. You may have the safety either on (down) or off (up). Either way, the weapon is safe from discharge due to dropping or a blow on the hammer (assuming it is operating properly and has all its parts) due to the firing pin block in the slide, which blocks movement of the firing pin until the trigger is pulled.
 
I have a blued CS9 that's rapidly come to be my favorite mid-bore. With the extended magazine floor plate it does everything I ask of a 9mm except carry 12-14 rounds. As soon as I can find a reasonably priced 69xx, I'll remedy that situation
As for the generation question, the original single stack mag 39 and slightly later double stack are first generation S&Ws. Second generation are the 439/639 (blued)/stainless) and 459/659 (b/s). There are also the 469/669 which are compact versions of the 459/659. These are shorted in the barrel and butt.
The third generation (in 9mm) are the 39xx and 59xx. There are various combinations of blued steel, stainless steel, and aluminum framed models. The compact versions are the 69xx. Also among the third gens are 3946/5946 (DA only), value line such as 908/915 and oddities, such as models that have a SIG style decock lever mounted on the frame, rather than the slide decock/safety. There are other variants; study of them is an arcane effort, but enjoyable to some of us. Don't expect the model numbers to make total sense.
Be aware the CS magazines are unique to this model and relatively expensive.
 
"What can be done to improve sights on this gun? Eyes not as good as they used to be......"


I assume that you have the Novak low-mount sights. The dots are pretty small. However, I found a big improvemant with only the application of some day-glo orange sight paint (I simply painted over the existing white dots with it).

Failing that, you could invest in a set of aftermarket sights. I can't suggest anyone, as I haven't considered changing mine, but I'm sure that someone will chime in. Or, you could Google this.
 
rsmithtesiusa said:
Excuse the ignorance - but what exactly does Gen 3 mean? If you tell me I can get a 45 with this style action I am in big trouble!
Click to expand...

Oh yeah.... You're in trouble....

One of my very favorite guns is the one on the top right....

That's a 4513TSW which is a lightweight frame, compact, performance fit and finished .45 cal 3rd gen.

It is stunning to hold and amazing to shoot. ;)

DSC_3585.jpg



.
 
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