CS-3 686 3 inch bead blast refinish question

[twomoons]

guys,just picked up a cs-3 3 inch .a USA marine buddy of mine bought it when he was overseas 20 years ago.the gun has been shot 30 rounds.my friend gave me the original box of shells he bought at the rod and gun club at his military base,and there are 20 rounds left.there are real good threads and posts in the search section on these guns.type in cs-1,cs-3 and you will find pages and pictures.
my question is this folks.and i want to be carefull how i ask this as not to be misleading about my intent of what i want to do with this rare gun.
as you know,these cs-3 guns have 357 magnum security inscribed or engraved on the sideplate.some guys like it,some dont. i have called sw,and they will bead blast the inscription off,and the gun will look like a cs-1 3 inch 686. i have had the luxury of being befriended by one of the nicest guys ,here on the forum.he has spent hours teaching and educating me on sw guns,and the company.every minute i spend visiting with him i consider a gift. a real smith wesson purist and really an authority on the history of smith wesson and the importance of keeping guns original. i wont reveal his name,but he is amazing in his lifetime of experience with sw guns, he is sharing with me folks.would you keep this gun original,a 3 inch 686 cs-3 with the 357 magnum security inscribed on sideplate,or would you have the sw custom finish shop bead blast the inscription off and have a gun looking exactly like a cs-1,3 inch 686 .what do you guys think as far as value.would it lessen keep the same value or increase value??
thanks guys for any and all advice

 

[18DAI]

Hi twomoons,

Were I you, I'd get that CS3 done up the way I wanted. As a well made pre lock 3" 686 it is always going to be worth a bit. I'd not worry about collector value. Once you re do it, the collector value will be diminished - BUT, you will have a superior revolver, the likes of which will evidently not be made again. And it will be customized the way YOU like it.

I'd wager you will not part with it after that, for any amount. My 0.02 Good luck with your decision! Regards 18DAI

 

[hihosilver13]

leave it as it is! you can always buy a cs-1 but they are NEVER making anymore cs-3s!!!

 

[twomoons]

i agree with both you guys.18 dai,always respect your opinion,especially on these k and l frame guns.your always right on when a model 19,66 question pops up.we know the extra work sw put into these cs guns.and i agree dai,they are one of the best shooters ever made.
and the other gent is right also,they will never ever ever make anymore 357 security magnums in 686 3 inch setup with no mim or lock

 

[jughed440]

maybe someone that owns a CS1 is willing to trade?? personally, i would keep it, and keep it original.

any pics?

 

[JohnAC]

I'm not real fond of the script on the side, but...

What if the bead blasting job on the side plate does not match the rest of the gun exactly?

Or what if they blast it enough to leave low spots where the script used to be?

I'd leave it alone.

 

[murphydog]

You indicate from the description that the gun is factory new, or nearly so - I would keep it that way. It is not a major problem to remove the factory inscription but it would be to have it put back on.

By the way, what did your expert Forum friend recommend?

 

[twomoons]

murphy,he said always keep guns as original as possible

 

[glock_556]

Keep it original


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[twomoons]

i know this thread is worthless without pictures, i will get some shortly,
although sportsterguy,aka roger has some great pictures of this cs-1 or cs-3 gun on the search section of the forum

 

[stmry]

Very tough decision, no right or wrong, but........I would lean to leaving it as is. In the end, nothing beats original. You're priorities may change over time as well.

 

[colt_saa]

If it were me, I would leave it original.

If you do not like it, I would gladly trade you a CS1 for the CS3. That would save you what ever S&W plans on charging for the refinish job.

 

[fisco]

Do both- leave it the same and change it.
Just get another side plate and when you want to sell it, change it back.

 

[twomoons]

i used to look at these when they would show up.and to be honest,they were so unique and such a small run made,i like the inscribing on the side plate.it sets them apart from other 686 3 inch guns i read where these cs-3 guns were all ordered to be destroyed by janet reno.that a memo had been sent out to turn in all the cs-3 guns, that customs agents had.and only about 1000 or so survived.now thats gun shop talk,so dont hold me to the fire on that guys,but it does add to the mystique of the cs-1,cs-3 guns.especially the 3 inch cs-3 686 guns.to me they are just as valueable as the 66-2 3 inch guns.my marine gunny friend said these cs-3 guns that made it through the janet reno days only survived because they were overseas in military rod and gun clubs.that all the ones that were here state side got torched.

 

[colt_saa]

Do both- leave it the same and change it.
Just get another side plate and when you want to sell it, change it back.

Great solution

 

[murphydog]

Many of the USG CS-1s were destroyed, but many from the production overrun were sold on the civilian market. I would guess finding one that letters as being shipped to the Customs Service would be unusual.

 

[jframebill]

Where can I learn about the cs-1 and cs-3 Customs service 686 revolvers? If anyone knows a source please send me an email at [email protected].

 

[one eye joe]

leave it as it is! you can always buy a cs-1 but they are NEVER making anymore cs-3s!!!

DITTO ! ! !