CS-1 Owners, shoot it or safe queen?

[sw4566]

I shoot and carry my CS-1 3" on a regular basis. I just wouldn't "customize" it.

 

[photoman]

If it is truly NIB with all the docs etc., save it. Or sell it and buy a shooter.

 

[18DAI]

Thanks fellas for all the replies. Very interesting comments.

After consideration of all the thoughtful opinions offered, I've decided to take it out and shoot it some, NOT give it a trigger job (or any other mods) and not run it through IDPA games.

I'll keep it original, clean it well after the occasional range trip, like I do all my revolvers, and enjoy it for the superb revolver it is. Thanks again! Regards 18DAI.

 

[bean357]

18DAI, enjoy that 3" CS-1!

I bought this one used, without a box or any other goodies, and it definitely gets shot. The 3" barrel balances very well for me.

 

[daveyc]

Shoot and enjoy!

 

[Rolan_Kraps]

They were made to shoot, not collect!

 

[Win52C]

Sorry but mines NIB and a safe queen..too many others to shoot to justify shooting it.

 

[SIGWolf]

I seriously doubt leaving it unfired will add much to the value at least not for decades to come and by then no one will care if it's fired or not as long as it's in good condition.

IMO, guns are for shooting. The whole collecting thing is largely a fantasy, IMO if you're talking about future value. If it's for you're own pleasure, having a NIB gun of a certain type that's one thing but as far as future value, I doubt it. Any future value will simply come from inflation.

Beside, how can you really know what will be desirable in the future. They may be now, but 10 years from now perhaps not.

I bought this one at my local FFL for $375. They didn't really know what it was and I didn't have the heart to tell them. It has already been shot so I didn't have a decision to make but I would have shot it anyway. That's what they are for.

 

[38-44HD45]

Mine was brand new in the box when I bought it, and stayed that way until about 10 minutes after I got home with it. My 3" CS-1 is one of my all-time favorite revolvers to shoot, and I shoot it fairly regularly. It's one of those that makes me look good; it is just so damn easy to shoot. I took it to the DPS range the first time I had to requalify for my instructor's license after I got it, shot it double-to-triple time, and scored 250/250, easily. I did my own trigger job on mine, but it was already so smooth that it didn't need much but spring work. Some would say that the floating hand should be replaced, but mine times and carries up so well that I've not seen a need or had a desire to. Will it reduce its value to shoot it? Sure, to a collector, but so what? There is inherent value in the joy of shooting it; totally fair trade, in my book.

 

[j38]

18DAI, It seems like you aren't really into Safe Queens, and that you don't want to shoot the value out of that nice CS-1 - leaving you with one option; sell it to me. I promise I'll take good care of it. Good Luck with your decision ( I'd shoot it, personally), Jerry

 

[Derek Enslen]

If the trigger does not work for you, maybe send it back to the factory for an "action job."
may not be as cheap or as sweet as some, but you would not be "customizing it" so to speak.
cheers
Derek

 

[ken158]

And you would save it for what? Someone else to shoot and enjoy? Maybe make an extra $50 when you sell it? Use it for what it is intended - shoot it!

 

[flashbang]

Shoot it. It was made for a steady diet of duty ammo. The CS-1 in 3 " models was issued to Us Customs Special Agents and the 4 " guns were issued to uniformed Customs Inspectors, K-9 officers and Marine Enforcement Officers.They came at time that the agency was also issuing 6906's to the Agents as well.The Inspectors carried these weapons because they had no other choice but the Agents had an option then of certain personnaly owned weapons and a lot of them opted for that or the 6906. Needless to say if these guns had come along in the late 70's or 80's they would have been better received.

 

[hitecrednek]

No thrill is so grand as taking an "unfired" gun to the range and shooting it!

when you were a kid, did you play with your toys or keep them on a shelf?

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by 18DAI:
I'm contemplating having my LNIB 686 CS-1 3" worked on. The trigger could use some work, it's heavy. If I do this, I'll shoot some IDPA with it.

My question is, will this hurt the value of this revolver? I know that my 66 3", is still worth a fair amount, even though it's been shot a bit. Will the same apply to a CS-1 that has some rounds through it?

Do you CS-1 owners shoot/carry yours, or are they safe queens? Thanks! Regards 18DAI.

Shoot it, but let NO ONE except the factory do any work on it. It is the non-factory work that will bring down the value.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

I Just aquired a Used 3" CS-1/M686..
It's been shot & that doesn't hurt my feelings any at all..
Why as others have said Leave it mint just so someone else can enjoy it down the road while you only wonder how well it shot etc..
The 3" with it's full lenth ejector rod & heavy barrel seems to balance better than the 2-1/2" in my hands, The Undercut front sight & Matte finish is just a bonus on these Little/Big Guns

Shoot it & Enjoy It!!

 

[Lt JL]

As long as it has the "M" on the crane, it's not like you could wear out a 686 CS-1. Shoot it!!! John

 

[DrDremel]

I'm not going to buy them to save for the next guy. If I was going to buy something and just look at them I would collect stmps or coins. Guns are made to be shot. That is what makes them so fun.

 

[blairgarber]

I've shot mine but then it wasn't NIB when I bought it. I've long since had to many to shoot'em all, but I really don't like having guns I couldn't shoot if I wanted to. I know there are guys that like keeping NIB guns absolutely pristine, for value and rarity, and that's cool, it's just not my thing.

/b

 

[JumpinJack]

I had one that was a safe queen, I bought it new in box and only dry fired the gun. I went through the same debate process and ultimately sold the gun unfire for more than twice what i paid for it.