CS45 My take on it.

[JohnHL]

I agree, the two-tone look is great.
My CS40 is stainless, but I have both stainless and black (I hesitate to call it blue) slides in both .40s&w and .45acp.
The S&W "blackening" doesn't hold up well to carry so in that capacity I run one of the stainless slides.

Thanks for the holster tip!
I'm retired so I don't need to carry for long periods of time.
For a quick outing, the Uncle Mikes pocket holster gets the job done.

John

 

[Big Shrek]

I picked one of these up a couple of months ago from a forum member. I was going to get a Shield in 45, but saw it for sale so I got it. I have shot it once and it shot well. I wish the magazines had the "pinky extension" on them. With that, it would be perfect.

Some of the mags do have the extension...
most often owner-applied...

 

[Big Shrek]

Of the 3, I like the CS9 the most. I generally prefer my carry guns in .45 and when I carry a .45 it's usually a Colt Commander. I'm just a cocked-and-locked kind of guy.

You might want to check out another pistol
from that CS45 era...the Star M45.
That'll give you the cocked & locked function,
as well as a slightly longer barrel, since it has
1911-style controls, not in the slide like S&W's.

In my Smartcarry, it sits in Strong-hand position,
while my CS45 sits in Weak-Hand...
which actually works best, as the left likes the
fat Hogue grip even more than the right,
and helps to keep everything control-able
when I go two-gun

Pays to have shot Gunfighter class for years in SASS,
because after using two single-actions for decades,
using two semi-auto pistols at once makes ya
just stinkin UGLY

 

[BUFF]

I've had a Star PD or two in the past, they were easy to carry with aluminum frames but Star parts availability has always been an 'iffy' thing and will just get worse.

 

[Viper7]

I bought one in March of 2011 new in the box, and love this little pistol. I was amazed how well it shot and how accurate it was for such a small gun. I haven't put a lot of rounds through it, but it has never given me a problem. Normally, I carry a Kahr PM45, but the CS does get some carrying time.

 

[btr4me]

I got lucky when I found a CS45 at my very rural pawn shop/LGS last month. It sat on the shelf for several weeks and the price actually dropped a little. Reading the OPs write up and a chat by PM the CS45 is now in the safe. Range experience was everything you could want. It created a new affection for the 45ACP caliber. I am now in the hunt for a CS9 and a CS40. Julian date on case is 1/21/1999.

 

[18DAI]

Congrats btr4me!! Yours looks brand new! Nice score!

I can update this thread a bit. Ive been using the CS45 quite a bit over the last three months. Ive shot another 200 rounds through it. Flawless function and very accurate. Especially with my carry round, the Winchester RA45T.

Carrying it has been a mixed bag. Primarily because of the difficulty in finding good leather made for the CS45. I check Amazon and Fleabay pretty much every day. I found a DeSantis Viper for a CS45. But that is not really a concealed carry holster. More of a plainclothes LE holster. None of my 3rd gen 45 leather works with it. None of it.

And those holsters on Ebay that say they are for the "G26, G27, CS9, CS40, CS45" - FORGET IT! They may work with a Glock (I'll never know. ) but they dont work with a CS45.

So far the only thingvthat does work for IWB concealment is a DeSantis Nemesis. BUT - That Hogue grip that makes shooting the CS45 so pleasant and easy, causes itvto be uncomfortable when carried IWB in the Nemesis holster. TerCgen, we need some Delrin grips for the CS45!

Anyone have a spare Big Dog CS45 grip they would like to part with? Regards 18DAI

 

[photocosmo]

CS45!

As always; a great post "18"! The only thing better than fondling, shooting or cleaning guns is reading about guns. Especially when the content is well written and informative. I bought a CS45 almost 10 years ago just because I saw it and some people often referred to me as "Chief" (don't ask ME why!). Over the years it has become one of my absolute favorites and most shot handguns. It is just that fun! While many have criticized the Hogue grips they make that little "brick" so easy to shoot that it must surely be the "best compact .45 extant". Thanks also for the info on holsters because that is a quandry.

 

[Skip Ritchie]

CS 45 leather

Hi I'm Skip Ritchie. Check out my web site. I can make you almost any style of holster for your CS 45. This is a picture of mine in a Belt Speed Scabbard. Sorry but I can't make holsters for the CS 9 or 40 as I do not have the pistol..... yet! Thanks and I hope I can be of help. Ritchie Leather Co., Inc: Amherst, NY.

 

[18DAI]

Thanks Skip Ritchie! I will check out your site. Be advised that the CS40 has the same dimensions as the CS45. So any holster that fits a CS45 will fit a CS40. Regards 18DAI

 

[Skip Ritchie]

Thank you for that info. I also believe you may need leather for a 4566? Also no problem. Regards, Skip

 

[sodacan]

When CS series first came out, I really wanted to like them, but as with many S&W semi-autos, it wasn't for me. I enjoyed reading the analysis. It just goes to show that there is a great gun out there for every shooter.

 

[Mal Cap]

Every few months I get an email from one or two CS45 lovers who need parts. I'm basically down to my last. I don't have any CS45 specific mags but I do have an 8-round gold-plated, and two 7-round mags that fit the CS45 (but don't slam them into place) and act as extension. Also, two used barrels in excellent condition and one mint. If interested: [email protected] BTW I would definitely take advantage of Skip Ritchies custom holster. Holsters for the CS45 are hard to locate.

 

[Mal Cap]

Every month or two I get an email from a CS45 lover who needs parts. I don't have any CS45 specific mags but I do have an 8-round gold-plated and two 7-round mags which fit, stick out a bit and so they act as an extension. But they shouldn't be slammed into place. I also have two used barrels in excellent condition and one mint barrel unused. If interested email: [email protected] BTW I would take advantage of Skip Ritchie's custom holsters since CS45 holsters are difficult to locate.

 

[Big Shrek]

I've had a Star PD or two in the past, they were easy to carry with aluminum frames but Star parts availability has always been an 'iffy' thing and will just get worse.

One could say the exact same thing
about 3rd Gen S&W parts.

Usually only springs & the occasional FP
needed with Stars. Great thing about
metal guns is that they LAST...few problems.

Mags for the most part are shared with S&W.
CS45 mags fit in a Star 45 & vise-versa.
S&W 5900 mags fit in the Star 243 & M28/30/31
One guy even modded an M-9 33-rd mag for 'em.
I'm still figuring out the Ultrastar swaps,
& Megastar 45 swaps with the Para-Ord 14-45.

Oh, I know a guy for Star FP's
But any g'smith worth his salt can do 'em.

And I'm working on a guy to get 3rd Gen S&W barrels.
Just about got him convinced that it'd be
worthwhile to do conversion barrels,
like .357 SIG & whatnot, for CS40/45 models

 

[Big Shrek]

Congrats btr4me!! Yours looks brand new! Nice score!

I can update this thread a bit. Ive been using the CS45 quite a bit over the last three months. Ive shot another 200 rounds through it. Flawless function and very accurate. Especially with my carry round, the Winchester RA45T.

Carrying it has been a mixed bag. Primarily because of the difficulty in finding good leather made for the CS45. I check Amazon and Fleabay pretty much every day. I found a DeSantis Viper for a CS45. But that is not really a concealed carry holster. More of a plainclothes LE holster. None of my 3rd gen 45 leather works with it. None of it.

And those holsters on Ebay that say they are for the "G26, G27, CS9, CS40, CS45" - FORGET IT! They may work with a Glock (I'll never know. ) but they dont work with a CS45.

So far the only thingvthat does work for IWB concealment is a DeSantis Nemesis. BUT - That Hogue grip that makes shooting the CS45 so pleasant and easy, causes itvto be uncomfortable when carried IWB in the Nemesis holster. TerCgen, we need some Delrin grips for the CS45!
Regards 18DAI

The mod for the standard Delrin grips is available...
there's a thread on here that details every cut.

As far as proper holster fit...look for OLD
holsters...check old mags for ads, get those
size/model numbers there...
or just use Commander 1911 holsters

Oh, almost forgot, Alien Gear has holsters made
from 3rd Gen molds. Should be good there.

DeSantis has specific holsters for the CS45
SMITH & WESSON CS45 - available from DeSantis Holster

Heck, google 'em, there's hundreds.

 

[18DAI]

Shortly after I last posted to this thread I recieved an Email from a very nice gentleman who makes holsters as his hobby. He made me a very nice black, open top, IWB holster for my CS45.

I have been wearing it on and off duty and at my part time job for the last week and I could not be more pleased! Very comfortable and holds the CS45 securely while still allowing a fast presentation.

And as a bonus, it also works with my V1 4513TSW. Thank you sir! Best regards 18DAI

 

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

I've been loooking for a mint/LNIB CS45 for some time over the last year but didn't yet see exactly what I wanted (yet).

Then last week saw a LNIB 4014 and had to get it. I've had one (4014) for about 6 years now that i bought LNIB and love that gun.

This second one cost me a little more than I had planned to pay; and a couple of hundred more than I paid for my first one. But it's one of my favorite 3rd gens- and I also have a sweet custom TT Gunleather IWB for it. Plus I figure they only made 500 of this model; and what I paid is still a couple hundred less than a SIG P239.

Once the discretionary gun buying funds build up a bit I'll have to find the CS45.......

 

[Mal Cap]

The last of my "hoard" of magazines which fit the CS45 are now sold. I do have (2) used/very good condition and a mint barrel. Nice gift for a buddy who has a CS45. Or three buddies. If interested see my previous comment box for email. If all three are purchased, I'll include shipping and a small aluminum humidor type attache useful to transport mags to the range.

 

[~GARY~]

...Convert a cs45 to DAO?...

Once again I say this to you, 18:

"Great review! You should write professionally!"

I picked up a new stainless CS40 with ambi safety and metal rear sight back in 2003 when J&G Sales was closing them out.
Like you, the pinky extension mags hit me in the middle of my finger and were uncomfortable.
The round mag bottoms cured that problem.
The Hogue rubber grips are fine but I had to try making a set of "Big Dog" style delrin grips.
They are slimmer and help with concealment.
The .40s&w cartridge allows a 7 shot mag over the 6 round mag of the .45 but the higher pressures of the .40 translates to harsher (but not unpleasant) recoil and more muzzle flip.
When I got the chance, I picked up a CS45 top end and mags and the conversion is a little more fun to shoot because of the lower pressure of the .45acp round.
My next project with the little pistol is to convert to DAO with second strike capability.
Just to slim it down.
Yes, the CS pistols are great and very adaptable.

John

...What is required to effect a conversion to DAO???
~GARY~