My CS9 “Chiefs Special” Mods

[Mercs]

Something I discovered about the third gens, after having the CS9 for awhile, is that the triggers/hammers and many of the other parts are interchangeable between models. Also second gen parts can sometimes be used! Some parts may need minor fitting, but for the most part as long as you know what you're looking at, you can get some deals and drop the parts right in

So the next mod I did was when I saw this sweet looking spurless serrated stainless hammer for sale. It's off of a 69 series. I just had to remove the strut since it was longer (one pin, easy) and replace it with my shorter one. It has more mass, it's stainless, and it's mean looking to boot. Here is the gun after I installed the new hammer.

At the same time I found a stainless disconnector from a 3900 model (winged version) to replace the plastic one that comes in the CS9. I polished it up nice and tossed it in as well. More on that later.


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[Mercs]

Next I entertained the idea of a stainless trigger to match my new hammer. I saw some for $50 and higher, but then I found one seller on eBay that had these wider stainless triggers from the model 3906. He was asking around $25 for these. At first I wondered about the implications of installing a wider trigger and eyeballed the trigger guard for awhile. I do like the wide trigger on one of my other pistols, so I went for it. Here are pictures of both triggers side by side.

Let me tell you, this trigger is SWEET! I LOVE it! It's wider flatter face hugs the pad of my trigger finger in such a perfect way, I could never go back to the thinner trigger now. It's a huuuuge upgrade on trigger feel for under $30. I'll post more pics and go into the polishing I did to the individual parts tomorrow



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[barbara_em]

Fascinating job, well executed. Thanks for sharing it. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

 

[MidWesternBoy]

Wow Mercs, you really have surpassed my tiny efforts! Amazing work.

That saftey melt.... oh boy! I've got a spare single sided. It's tempting.

 

[Mercs]

Wow Mercs, you really have surpassed my tiny efforts! Amazing work.

That saftey melt.... oh boy! I've got a spare single sided. It's tempting.

Thanks it was easy! Look at the tiers on the safety lever. You just have to grind/file it completely flat so it looks right. You can go as little or as much as you want. I only left one tier on. You can see it along the edge if you look close. You may want to leave 2 and see how you like it at first. You can also try to reblue the part that you file. I couldn't get it to work but I'm not really experienced with bluing, so I just polished it. Makes it a slick draw! That lever hung up on me once or twice in its factory state. I Can pocket it no problem now


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[1775usmarine]

This reads like a New York Bestseller. Its got me hooked waiting for more. Gives me new ideas for my 5906/469 frankengun.

 

[JohnHL]

In case you are interested, Caswell Plating sells a chemical that they claim will blue stainless steel (like your safety).

I have some but have not tried it yet.

John

 

[Mercs]

So I've find that one of the greatest sources of grit in the trigger is the trigger bar. This part interfaces with the frame, the disconnector, the hammer, and the sear. There's a lot to clean up. Be careful not to damage the trigger play spring, it is annoying to replace. Here is a picture of a newish trigger bar I had from an older series smith. Lovely that it worked perfectly in my CS9.

I first hit the sides, and also inside (where it runs against the magazine), top and bottom, with sandpaper. Then I stoned the outside. I don't remove too much material, especially from the inside portion.

I stoned the tabs that contact the hammer very lightly, and hit every contact surface with Flitz to reduce as much friction as possible

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[Mercs]

Then there's the steel disconnector I got to replace my plastic one. I stoned the rounded tail that contacts the trigger bar, the sides where it slides along the hammer, and at top where it is angled. Again not removing metal, just knocking down high spots mostly. I then polished it up.

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[Mercs]

On to the hammer. This hammer is very tough! I had to very carefully stone it for a long time to get the roughness out. I also smoothed the parts that contact the safety and slide to smooth the action, just like I did on the safety.

just for consistency with the polished controls, I decided to polish the sides of the hammer. I also polished inside the pin hole. I left the back original finish.

I didn't neglect to polish the strut where the main spring compresses also, this helps smooth DA pull a bit

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[Mercs]

Next the new trigger I picked up. I am super excited about this trigger. It feels so much better as I mentioned earlier. I polished the sides of this to match the hammer and controls, but left the face in original finish. I also polished the trigger pin plunger, and the inside where it contacts the trigger bar. Then lightly stoned and polished the hooks to match the polishing that was done on the trigger bar as well. All to reduce friction and provide a smooth consistent trigger pull.

of course I didn't forget the trigger pin hole, and the trigger pin itself

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[Mercs]

Next I began on the sear. I stoned lightly rough spots and the sides where it contacts the frame.

I then polished it all up and including the pin hole and the round where it contacts the sear spring

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[Mercs]

To finish up with the polishing of the internals, I polished up the main spring cup where the spring compresses, hit the spring itself with steel wool

And lastly I did the levers and the hammer and sear pins, and trigger bar rebound spring and guide

To complete the package I took the spring and follower out and polished the magazines

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[Mercs]

Next post will be range report, trigger pull results, more photos of the entire gun, and final thoughts.

If anyone has anything to add, please do! I love learning about these Smiths. Also feel free to ask any questions you may have


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[Smizy]

That's awesome! Excited to see your next post

 

[MidWesternBoy]

Thanks again for sharing all this great work Mercs!
I have to up my polishing game.
I "accidently" came home with a mildly used 3913 from a gun show this weekend so all that stainless is calling me.
It will be good practice before I hit the CS9.

 

[ladder13]

Nice work Mercs.

 

[Mercs]

I added some grip to the front and back straps. Highly recommended (can buy this from Home Depot). I use some rubbing alcohol to prep the area, and cut this product to fit whatever shape I want. I don't ever add grip/friction to the sides of my carry guns out of personal preference. I don't want anything to snag or drag on clothing while drawing

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[Mercs]

Here's a before and after photo comparison

Before:

After:

I left the face of the trigger, as well as the back of the hammer, in original finish. Detail pics of two-tone hammer and trigger below. This trigger feels so perfect to me

Next time I've got the polishing tools out, I might hit the controls and hammer one more time to get all the fine scratches out.



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[CCHGN]

I agree that the CS9 is the finest deep concealment 9mm made. By anyone.

Ummm the Kahr 9 is less than 1" thick, as is a my Kahr .40