JBDs 3rd Gens - Working on a grip mod for the CS9

[jbrentd]

New member here...with a new pistol! I've been wanting a compact single stack DA/SA 9mm for a while now. Every time I would go searching, I would always end up on this site reading about the model 39 and its iterations. I won it on an online auction site and picked her up from my FFL today. I think I did OK. Looks to be in good shape...just dirty. After the first field strip, I thought it was rusty, but I think it was just dirt/grime/oil.

Was going to take it to the range today, but it started raining. I have a second magazine on the way from MidwayUSA. I also ordered a couple of CS9 mags in anticipation of liking this one so much that I'd be in the market for its little brother.

I watched the series of YouTube videos on how these are disassembled and reassembled. I plan to tackle that tomorrow. Any other tips or tricks I should be aware of?

Anyway, here are some pics...

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Congrats! Glad it cleaned okay for you.

Along with giving my "new finds" a good cleaning & lube I like to refresh the springs; recoil, mainspring/hammer, firing pin & magazine springs. Since you don't know how old they are it's best to start off with a known good, just in case any issues arise.

If you didn't know already, the 908S was made from 2003 to 2006.

Let us know how it shoots.

,

 

[petepeterson]

You're starting off with a good one.

Make some room in the safe. They tend to multiply. After you find it's little brother (CS9), you obviously need a double-stack 5906, then a blued one (908, 3914), and a 457...

 

[jbrentd]

Congrats! Glad it cleaned okay for you.



Along with giving my "new finds" a good cleaning & lube I like to refresh the springs; recoil, mainspring/hammer, firing pin & magazine springs. Since you don't know how old they are it's best to start off with a known good, just in case any issues arise.



If you didn't know already, the 908S was made from 2003 to 2006.



Let us know how it shoots.



,

Is it best to go with OEM springs or something else from Wolf? And do you have to buy them individually or is there a kit?

 

[Jaymo]

Nice entry into the world of 3rd gen Smiths.
Color me envious.

 

[jsbethel]

On the Midway website, you can get a factory recoil spring and firing pin spring for 3.98 - the same Wolff springs are 7.99. Wolff makes good springs but factory springs for half the price is an easy choice for me. Get a second factory set for later.

 

[jbrentd]

I spent some more time today cleaning it. Was able to totally break down the frame, clean it and reassemble without any issues.

Question on holsters...I assume a 3913 holster will fit this 908s. What about holsters for the 59xx/69xx guns? Was going to order an alien gear IWB, but would like to get one holster that might work for both the double stack and single stack models. From what I can tell, the width differences are in the frame and grip.

 

[Mike in Reedley]

Great gun, you'll enjoy it. During the darkest, divorced financial crunch times of my life in about 1990 or so a 3913 was the only gun I owned. I own better handguns now, but I'll always have a soft spot for that finish worn 3913 sitting in the back of the safe.

 

[RV4driver]

Great gun, you'll enjoy it. During the darkest, divorced financial crunch times of my life in about 1990 or so a 3913 was the only gun I owned. I own better handguns now, but I'll always have a soft spot for that finish worn 3913 sitting in the back of the safe.

"Sitting in the back of the safe"? The Gun Gods are writing that down in your permanent record! Front of the safe, maybe...but really? If you vow to shoot it this weekend, Holy Dispensation may be available to you. If you take a new shooter to the range, it is most likely guaranteed! I may just take my 3913 and 3914 out just to balance the Force.

 

[smitret]

908 holster

I spent some more time today cleaning it. Was able to totally break down the frame, clean it and reassemble without any issues.

Question on holsters...I assume a 3913 holster will fit this 908s. What about holsters for the 59xx/69xx guns? Was going to order an alien gear IWB, but would like to get one holster that might work for both the double stack and single stack models. From what I can tell, the width differences are in the frame and grip.

The slides are machined with a slightly different shape.

The 39 series have rounder top corners on the slide.

908 might not fit well.

Try to order for 908.

39 & 59 series pistols should use the same holster.

Good Luck

 

[joeintexas]

I bet it won't be your last 3rd generation, the are contagious. Glad you were able to clean that one up, it looks good now, 1st pic looked like they lubed with motor oil. You did good.

 

[Mike in Reedley]

Ha! For single stack nines, the 3913 has a Sig P6 (225) keeping it company in the safe. I'm more into a Kahr CW9 these days.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Is it best to go with OEM springs or something else from Wolf? And do you have to buy them individually or is there a kit?

Whichever way you like. Availability from S&W is sometimes a problem. If it's out of stock they won't let you back-order it so you have to keep checking back (bummer).

I generally get my springs from Wolff Springs. They've alway been in-stock for me, & I've bought from them many times. You can buy springs individually or as an assortment pack if you want. I'd suggest getting a spare too. They also have various weights so you can try one lighter, or heavier, than stock if you like. They also include a XP firing pin spring with each recoil spring purchased. Ask to have the tracking# emailed to you as they usually ship USPS Priority Mail.

.

 

[0849]

Springs

Couple of pictures worth at least a couple of words:

 

[jbrentd]

Thanks for the info on the springs.

I bet it won't be your last 3rd generation, the are contagious. Glad you were able to clean that one up, it looks good now, 1st pic looked like they lubed with motor oil. You did good.

I bet you're right.

 

[CoronaDan]

Great looking 908s...cleaned up nicely. And a nice shooter.

As for holsters, you might look for holsters for a Sig P229. Found a Gould and Goodrich that fit nicely. It also fit my 909 with just a hint of the slide and barrel peeking out of the bottom.

 

[jbrentd]

I ended up going with the Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0 for a 3913. Got it today and have been wearing it around the house today. So far, so good.

 

[0849]

Good Choice

Very good choice. Alien Gear Holsters are excellent quality, and they provide a bunch extra hardware for you to custom fit.

They also let you trade in shells at no cost. I recently sent them an old shell I had from a Beretta Nano I no longer have and they sent me the 3913 shell right away, great product and great people to deal with.

 

[jbrentd]

Well, that escalated quickly...

The 908S has a little buddy.

 

[lhump1961]

Well, that escalated quickly...

The 908S has a little buddy.

Always seems to happen that way...

 

[0849]

The CS9 is a great pistol, very wise choice.

 

[jbrentd]

I was very pleased with the accuracy and performance of both pistols on their first trips to the range.

I do prefer the plastic grips of the 908S. Thanks to @0849, I have a set from a 3913 that I plan to modify to fit the CS9. The rubber Hogues are pretty much worn out anyway.

The CS9 was just about as dirty as the 908S.

 

[Stargater]

I don't know what you cleaned it with, but I've found an old Oral-B toothbrush with a little BreakFree on it does wonders. BreakFree does a fine job on lubrication, where lighter oils used for cleaning don't. Sorry I'd you already know this; just never hurts to bear repeating.

My favorite 9mm is a S&W 659 2nd generation, but I also like the early 5906 3rd gen pistol. Somewhat recently I traded a revolver for a 3906 auto and I also love that one. Another winner is the 645 .45ACP, which I consider better than any 1911 I've ever shot. Then I picked up a 457 .45ACP, which is boxy and ugly as a Glock, but still looks like a 2nd gen Smith. It has two recoil springs, which I'm not overly fond of, and a finish that looks like it was applied with a magic marker. Still, it's as reliable as the rest. And it has a hammer!



S&W 457




S&W 645 (top) and 659

 

[jbrentd]

Thanks for the tip @Stargater. Nice looking pistols you have there.

I've got a couple things going with these. Turns out the 908S is missing the firing pin safety plunger and spring. I ordered new parts form Numrich. Not sure why a previous owner would remove that...seems like an important piece to keep.

For the CS9, I'm just about finished knocking down the inside of the grips so they'll sit level on the frame. Once I'm done with that, I'll cut the extra length off of them, drill the holes and modify the Hogue mainspring retainer.

 

[jbrentd]

I think I have the grips lined up right where they should be. In my research, I've seen many pictures of modified grips that don't quite have the mag release cutout aligned with the mag release. I'm a bit of a perfectionist (i.e. anal) when it comes to this stuff. I should have some time tonight to cut them to length.

 

[SVT28]

You could make a lot of money providing perfectly modified Delrin grips for the Chiefs Special series on this forum. I know Big Dog and KSD had high demand for replacement grips for the CS line of pistols. Looks good, I love my CS40.

SVT28

 

[jbrentd]

You could make a lot of money providing perfectly modified Delrin grips for the Chiefs Special series on this forum. I know Big Dog and KSD had high demand for replacement grips for the CS line of pistols. Looks good, I love my CS40.



SVT28

I don't even want to think about going there. Doing it once for myself was fun enough. I got them finished tonight. Although not perfect, they'll do just fine. When I drilled the grip pin holes, the one on the left side was off just enough to pull the grip out of alignment with the mag release and front strap. Because of the tight fit of the grip pin, it goes where the holes are aligned. I'll probably be the only one that ever notices.

 

[0849]

I don't even want to think about going there. Doing it once for myself was fun enough. I got them finished tonight. Although not perfect, they'll do just fine. When I drilled the grip pin holes, the one on the left side was off just enough to pull the grip out of alignment with the mag release and front strap. Because of the tight fit of the grip pin, it goes where the holes are aligned. I'll probably be the only one that ever notices.

Excellent job, those grips look great !

 

[jbrentd]

Excellent job, those grips look great !

Thanks for the kind words and thanks again for sending me those grips. I hope to pay it forward some day.

 

[jbrentd]

Spent some time at the range again this afternoon. Weather was really nice here in Oklahoma. Was testing with carry ammo (power ball and Hornady critical defense) and some old Wolf steel case I had left over. Neither had any issues. New grips on the CS9 felt good.