CS40 in carbon...should I buy?

[3rdgenfriend]

Hello everybody !! I have the CS9 and CS45 already, and came upon a CS40, with box, docs, 2 mags with the serial # EKW7xxx, that I thought may be a good addition to the collection, but it is "carbon" color so its blue/black...I am used to seeing these in SS and Alloy frames as are my others, so my question is, is this a rare version of the CS40, and what price might this fetch...should I buy?? It is in very nice condition...thanks in advance for the assistance ! 3GF

 

[GaryS]

The frame is still aluminum alloy, it's just anodized in black instead of silver.

The slide is carbon steel.

I don't know how many "black" guns they made, but I think that they are fairly rare. Which does not necessarily make them valuable.

They are also harder to find parts for than the CS9 or CS45.

The SCSW only says that the black version was introduced in 1998, but doesn't give a production number or when it was discontinued.

 

[Jeppo]

It took me years to find one and I actually never did. A wonderful forum member came to my rescue and sold me his. If it happens to be a black D (DAO) and you decide not to buy it, I'd appreciate a lead to it.

 

[Lonestar57]

I owned a CS40 years ago and what I noticed was the slide is obviously stainless but the frame had a very light pale greenish color about it. I never could warm up that. I can pull up pics on Google to this day and see the same thing on a few displayed. Was this something unique about this model?

 

[GaryS]

The silver color anodizing on 3rd Gen frames sometimes does that.

I owned a CS40 years ago and what I noticed was the slide is obviously stainless but the frame had a very light pale greenish color about it. I never could warm up that. I can pull up pics on Google to this day and see the same thing on a few displayed. Was this something unique about this model?

 

[colt_saa]

Hello everybody !! I have the CS9 and CS45 already, and came upon a CS40, with box, docs, 2 mags with the serial # EKW7xxx, that I thought may be a good addition to the collection, but it is "carbon" color so its blue/black...I am used to seeing these in SS and Alloy frames as are my others, so my question is, is this a rare version of the CS40, and what price might this fetch...should I buy?? It is in very nice condition...thanks in advance for the assistance ! 3GF

My black one is EKW97xx but that does not necessarily mean that there are 2000 of them out there.

I do not think that they are rare or more valuable, I think the stainless version would bring more money for it's perceived better corrosion resistance

Two of the black ones have recently sold on one of the auction sites at $400 and $499. The more expensive one had the box and both magazines.

Was this something unique about this model?

Yes,
It can easily be converted to fire the 10MM Auto cartridge

I have three of the CS40s silver, black and the two tone.

Though none of mine are in 40S&W any longer.

They are all CS10s right now, chambered for the 10MM Auto cartridge

I do not have a photo of all three together

The two tone was the last one that I found and I only recently made it a CS10. It was not done when I did the photo

 

[URIT]

A black CS40 sold by a FL pawn shop on GB for $499 with a SN: EKY748x.

I have one pepper and two salt CS40s. Great shooters!

They have the same frame as the CS45, so look for CS45 holsters if not listed for CS40. Don Hume has a bunch for these guns.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I always liked the Chief Special Semi Automatics, I also have the CS9 and CS45 and like them very much. The general gun buying public never warmed up to them much although I know several LEO's who used them for back up guns due to their rugged design, safety, and extreme accuracy for their size. So far they have held their value but have not appreciated greatly. It will likely be a while, if ever, before they become valuable collector's items but the "initiated" tend to like them. If you are interested in a CS40 as a shooter no reason to avoid "carbon" though as said above the stainless may be perceived to have more value.

 

[ACEd]

Hello everybody !! I have the CS9 and CS45 already, and came upon a CS40, with box, docs, 2 mags with the serial # EKW7xxx, that I thought may be a good addition to the collection, but it is "carbon" color so its blue/black...I am used to seeing these in SS and Alloy frames as are my others, so my question is, is this a rare version of the CS40, and what price might this fetch...should I buy?? It is in very nice condition...thanks in advance for the assistance ! 3GF

CS9 were reportedly made 1998-2006, CS45 1998-2006, CS40 1998-2002 - so less CS40 out there.

I believe there may be more blue out there than silver or two-tone, but can not substantiate that. Definitely blue are not more scarce than silver. Silver may be slightly more valuable - better finish as blued CS pistols are not reputed to have as good a finish as earlier 3rd gen blued pistols.

I believe initial introduction was blue and the silver came out about a year later and two-tone in 2000. Silver may be more common in later pistols but again can not substantiate.

For what its worth, my CS40 (blue) EKW79xx dates to 11/1998 and my CS45 (also blue) EKW68xx dates to 3/1999

If I were to cross paths with a nice CS40 (blue or silver) complete with box and at least 2 mags, I would offer $500 plus tax out the door. A CS40D is rare and would probably peak my attention and I would go higher.

The ones on GB will add about $100 shipping and tax and fees plus about $25 to my FFL on receipt. Most dealers will not charge FFL fee on their sales. So the one on GB that went for $400 would be about $525 out the door of my FFL and the one with box that went $499 would be more like $625 to me.

One thing to consider as pointed out previously, parts are an issue, but the only problem I have is I have been unable to find the factory recoil spring which I normally replace on any new purchase.

The other thing is magazines are unique and both expensive and hard to find. So more mags is good, less mags is a challenge.

 

[toddstang]

Be sure to check the magazine boxes at gun shows and pawn shops, because 99% of the time the sellers have no clue as to what a CS40 magazine is and you may get really lucky!

 

[veeklog1]

Hello everybody !! I have the CS9 and CS45 already, and came upon a CS40, with box, docs, 2 mags with the serial # EKW7xxx, that I thought may be a good addition to the collection, but it is "carbon" color so its blue/black...I am used to seeing these in SS and Alloy frames as are my others, so my question is, is this a rare version of the CS40, and what price might this fetch...should I buy?? It is in very nice condition...thanks in advance for the assistance ! 3GF

If at good price, buy it. Like one person already posted you can convert to 10mm

 

[4T5GUY]

Like others have said, if it's a good price to you get it of course.

I passed on a blackened CS40 @ 10 yrs ago and regret it still. I had a CS9 & 45, (was very impressed,) but I didn't have any .40's at all then. I tried to get them down from $450.00 but no luck.

I did get a CS40 and already had a complete extra top end that I was using on my CS45. (Thanks again to JohnHL for the idea.) My plan was to convert the extra to 10mm but I will not ever do that. Maybe my 4013 but not the aluminum frame CS. Ask "the guy" that's doing these conversions and hear what his opinion is.

Jim

 

[BLUEDOT37]

My plan was to convert the extra to 10mm but I will not ever do that.
Maybe my 4013 but not the aluminum frame CS.

?? The 4013's are aluminum frames too.

.

 

[Heymatt]

Florida Pawn shop near Jacksonville has a CS40 listed for 350 with one mag. Doesn't say whether is blued or stainless.

 

[ACEd]

Florida Pawn shop near Jacksonville has a CS40 listed for 350 with one mag. Doesn't say whether is blued or stainless.

Blue, single left safety, and shows significant signs of carry wear plus scratch on finish. Single mag. But at price its still interesting for carry. Biggest drawback I see is single mag. Interesting reference point for OP. Add $50-75 for each additional mag. Did we ever get what was OP's seller's asking price?

 

[S&W 63]

I called 10 minutes after they opened today....already had 2 calls and an email. He quoted $440 shipped. I was looking for Stainless and 2 mags, so I passed on it. Thanks Heymatt for the heads up!!

 

[heavyjim]

There was one at the big gun show in Oaks PA this weekend. Was pretty excited to see one and it didn't have a tag on it. So i asked...$845. Said he would come down to $750 but would have to charge tax and $35 fee for his buddy to do the paperwork. It was still there when I left.

 

[ACEd]

There was one at the big gun show in Oaks PA this weekend. Was pretty excited to see one and it didn't have a tag on it. So i asked...$845. Said he would come down to $750 but would have to charge tax and $35 fee for his buddy to do the paperwork. It was still there when I left.

Seller can dream - but if he wants to sell it, $500-650 out the door seems to be a good price range in good shape with a couple of mags minimum. (Blues on lower end due to quality of finish issues, Silver on higher end; CS40D = DAO add $100 or so.)

And hope you dont need to replace a recoil spring on a CS40.


P.S. Does anyone have any source or alternates for CS40 Recoil Springs?

 

[ACEd]

I called 10 minutes after they opened today....already had 2 calls and an email. He quoted $440 shipped. I was looking for Stainless and 2 mags, so I passed on it. Thanks Heymatt for the heads up!!

I was the e-mail - also passed on it - see photos my posting above.

 

[3rdgenfriend]

CS40 arrived today...sharing my enthusiasm

Hello Everybody !!

I feel fortunate to have this new-to-me CS4O. When I saw it on the one of the big auction sites, I was curious about it as I have the CS9 and CS45 in stainless and alloy, but this one was all black/carbon finish and hogue grips. I did some research (which is the fun part for me even if I don't buy, good to learn) and decided to bid on it. I think that because it was mis-labeled and possibly more than people wanted to pay, it probably slid under the radar because nobody else bid on it, so now I have it.

The seller's auction had pics which showed the blue box, docs, two mags and pistol and by the pictures, all looked to be in pretty good shape. Again, I found it odd that the seller mis-labeled the caliber as 9mm even though the pistol clearly has CS40 in white letters.

My purchase turned out to be way better than I expected when I opened the box at my FFL's place. Under the foam I found factory sealed parts including additional guide rod, a very small spring and a couple small doo-hickeys I'm not sure what they are. The pistol itself looked almost unfired and unused, with no scratches, dings or detractions, which is better than the pictures showed...I was pretty blown away by the amazing condition.

I brought it to the range to test it out after leaving my FFL and couldn't believe how great it was. I only put 10 rounds through it at the plinking range (was cold outside) and it performed as it should. I was amazed how great it felt shooting it, really light trigger in single action...just like my other 2 CS models. I can't wait to clean it up, and shoot it again!

By chance chance, does anyone know what the small parts are?