CS-1 Three inch

[WFR]

Did I mention how well it carries in a Lobo holster?

 

[Roboto]

Awesome picture!!!

 

[SAFireman]

some info here....this link convinced me to buy one

The SMITH & WESSON 686 CS-1

Thanks for the link Jughed....I just read through that thread and was surprised (not terribly) that Janet Reno had ordered the destruction of 1500 of the 3500 that were made...I wonder what the breakdown is now? (3" vs 4" survivors)

I will have some free time later this week to hit the range with mine and see just how good she really is....range report will be posted as soon as I get back.

 

[revho]

WFR that is a awesome pic.

this thread has now conviced me as well to be on the look out for a 3" and 4" CS-1.

Thanks everyone for the expanded knowledge this board and its members bring to each other.

 

[kdean]

Here is some information I found from various internet sites. None of this is confirmed through Smith&Wessen. 3,271 total production number. 700 were 3" barrels so 2,571 would have been 4". It sounds like most if not all of the guns that Janet Reno destroyed were 4" guns that the uniformed officers carried. If that is the case you are lookin at approximately 700 (3") guns and 1,071 (4") guns left.

 

[revho]

The CS1 is a far better revolver than any stock 686 made - pre or post lock.

There were demanding requirements for durability and accuracy that had to be met by S&W to satisy the customs service contract. Periodically CS1 686 revolvers were taken from production lots and tested for many thousands of rounds.

SmithNut told us of these requirements some time back in a CS1 thread. I can't find the post, and have not seen SmithNut here in some time.

IMO the only thing a CS1 and a current production 686 have in common is that they are both chambered for .357. Regards 18DAI.

Found SmithNut post?

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/110827-smith-wesson-686-cs-3-a.html

 

[sprscientist]

I count myself among the lucky few:

 

[surfdog76]

The CS1 is a far better revolver than any stock 686 made - pre or post lock.

There were demanding requirements for durability and accuracy that had to be met by S&W to satisy the customs service contract. Periodically CS1 686 revolvers were taken from production lots and tested for many thousands of rounds.

SmithNut told us of these requirements some time back in a CS1 thread. I can't find the post, and have not seen SmithNut here in some time.

IMO the only thing a CS1 and a current production 686 have in common is that they are both chambered for .357. Regards 18DAI.

Well, playing Devil's Advocate (since I own a CS-1)... Doesn't the CS-1 have the 'floating hand' installed?

Some claim that a 'regular hand' is superior to the 'floating hand' in a double-action trigger (the 'floating hand' was replaced in the 686 -3).
The CS-1 also doesn't have the -3's new yoke retention system, nor the -4's new extractor, or a drilled and tapped frame...
Don't know how important these other 'improvements' are, but threads like this one talk about replacing the 'floating hand': http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/150503-floating-hand.html

Could someone more knowledgeable than me please comment? TIA

 

[jughed440]

Here is some information I found from various internet sites. None of this is confirmed through Smith&Wessen. 3,271 total production number. 700 were 3" barrels so 2,571 would have been 4". It sounds like most if not all of the guns that Janet Reno destroyed were 4" guns that the uniformed officers carried. If that is the case you are lookin at approximately 700 (3") guns and 1,071 (4") guns left.

thanks a lot for that info!!!
i lettered a CS-1, and it gives 3281 for a production #, but it did not break it down between barrel lengths.

i lucked onto this one a few months ago. the seller didn't realize what it was, and neither did i until after doing some research.

 

[18DAI]

My CS1 does NOT have the floating hand. I don't know wether my previous one did or not.

I'll still maintain that any CS1 is superior to any 686 produced after 1997. No MIM parts, no "innovations" on the 686 CS1.

I could not locate the posts that SmithNut made. From my own records I located a couple of CS1 tidbits that may be of some interest.

There were a total of 7860 CS1 686's made for the customs service. This includes 3" and 4" totals.

In addition there were 1600 3" and 1600 4" overun 686 CS1 sent from S&W directly to distributors.

2500 CS1 686's were released from the customs service and sold to the public through the sales exchange program, before Reno put the kabosh on that. The rest were destroyed. No breakdown as to how many of the 2500 were 3" or 4". If statistically half of those were 3", that means less than 3000 3" CS1's out there.

SmithNut did tell me that if my 3" CS1 had the "2M" stamp and the Pachmyar grips vice the factory Magnas, that was a pretty good indicator that it was used by the customs service rather than one of the 1600 overuns.

So, using numbers taken from those who know, or were there - there were approximately 3281 3" CS1's delivered to the customs service. These, plus the 1600 overuns gives you a total of 4881, again, if these numbers are reliable.

So, if every 3" CS1 produced survived - and we know they did not - you still have a pool of less than 5000 examples. Less than the 3" 66-2 run for Ashland Shooters Supply.

Given the history, the scarcity of the 3" CS-1, the superior construction and accuracy, I don't think $1000 for a 3" CS1 is out of line. Especially when you see the asking price of new, lesser revolvers. YMMV. Regards 18DAI.

 

[SAFireman]

SmithNut did tell me that if my 3" CS1 had the "2M" stamp and the Pachmyar grips vice the factory Magnas, that was a pretty good indicator that it was used by the customs service rather than one of the 1600 overuns.

I have heard that the 'm' stamp was part of the recall to correct the firing pin bushing....what did the 2M signify?

 

[18DAI]

Evidently, after 4500 CS1 revolvers were already in service, S&W started the modifications to the bushing - stamping "M" to show it had been performed.

New 686 CS-1's had the bushing work already done and there was some confusion as to whether all had been modified. S&W sent a team to Glynco GA and ran every revolver in service through - Stamping all with a "2" left of the M to signify they had been modified and checked.

No indication that any of the 1600 overun guns had a "2M" stamp. Regards 18DAI.

 

[Cashdog]

Great thread. I've got a 3" & a 4" CS-1 and am always looking for more information on them. This is the first I've heard of the meaning behind the 2M stamp. My 3" is a 2M stamped gun, but I believe the 4" only has an M. I'll have to double check.

 

[jughed440]

No indication that any of the 1600 overun guns had a "2M" stamp. Regards 18DAI.

mine was originally shipped March '88 to Sport South Inc., Shreveport, La. would I be correct to assume that it is an overrun gun?? it does have the "2M" stamp.

 

[18DAI]

Anyone here ever laid eyes on one of the 6" CS1's made up for the Customs Service Pistol Team?

Theres another CS variant for y'all to lust after! Regards 18DAI.

 

[SAFireman]

Anyone here ever laid eyes on one of the 6" CS1's made up for the Customs Service Pistol Team?

Theres another CS variant for y'all to lust after! Regards 18DAI.

Got a picture?

I used to know a Customs Service Pistol Team member who lived here in town....he was always shooting a HK P7 M13.

I am curious, as the S&W book does not list a 6" version, but then they have never listed every variant.

 

[david58]

I picked up a 4" earlier this week for $350.00 (no box or papers). I am torn, since I was after a backpacking/fishing/hunting tote-along piece, not a collector gun. Funny thing is, my offers at the gun show ranged from "Ain't any difference at all between that pistol and any other 686" to "$300 in trade" to "$400 in trade." The last two from gents recognized in the area as SW experts and collectors.

I am far from an expert on revolvers, so am going to study this one a bit and see what I can find in a similar non-Taurus gun. Any recommendations?