New-to-me 3 inch CS-1

[cptdco]

I just put a down-payment on a 686 CS-1 with a three inch barrel and will pick it up in a week or so, depending whether I get cash or sweathers for Christmas. It was $350 out the door which I thought was OK dispite it being cosmetically challanged. I will guess its been carried a lot and has a host of small scratches all over the finish. Has anyone cleaned up a matte finish gun such as the CS-1s with Mothers or Flitz and can you comment on the results? Also, had anyone had such a finish professionally restored by S&W or another company? I know the polish will change the bead-blasted look considerably and I wonder if it would end up looking like the standard finish on the 686s. thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Dennis

 

[cptdco]

I just put a down-payment on a 686 CS-1 with a three inch barrel and will pick it up in a week or so, depending whether I get cash or sweathers for Christmas. It was $350 out the door which I thought was OK dispite it being cosmetically challanged. I will guess its been carried a lot and has a host of small scratches all over the finish. Has anyone cleaned up a matte finish gun such as the CS-1s with Mothers or Flitz and can you comment on the results? Also, had anyone had such a finish professionally restored by S&W or another company? I know the polish will change the bead-blasted look considerably and I wonder if it would end up looking like the standard finish on the 686s. thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Dennis

 

[check123]

I would consider a factory refinish.

 

[Revolver King]

I think you got a very good deal.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

That's a Most Excelent Deal on a 3" CS-1/686
I realy love the one I have & can tell you that alot of times these things sell for BIG BUCKS
The CS-1s Came with Pachmayr Compact Grips without Packy medalions & have a window at the bottom to see serial #
Congrats cptdco $350 was a Steal IMO..
I wouldn't try an polish the matte revolver, If I wanted it refinished I would send it to S&W or to someone who can glassbead it properly that knows S&Ws revolvers
Mine has several marks in the matte finish as well, but It'll be just fine as is & will actualy be worth more with the factory finish if I ever want to sell..
Gary/Hk

 

[Marshal Tom]

OK, I purchased two of them within a few weeks of each other. I sold one to a forum member to offset the cost of keeping the other one. It had been carried some and had some carry marks in the bead blasted finish. I polished it with Flitz to take out the marks. What I ended up with is a shinier bead blast finish but not like the standard non bead blast finish. I like the way it turned out. I considered sending it back to S&W to have the finish restored at some point but have not done it. I am not enamored with the dull gray finish of the original bead blasted finish.

The problem with a bead blasted finish is that if it does get marks of any kind in it, you can not take them out without altering the appearance of the finish and then you have to polish the entire revolver out so it will match. Hope this helps.

T

 

[cptdco]

Thanks for your responses. Yes, I think it was a good deal also, even with the scratches. I have a 4 inch CS-1 I bought over 20 years ago and I'd like this one to look the same...so I guess a trip to the factory is the only way to make that happen. I only took a quick look for the M on the crane and didn't see it. Assuming its not been modified, I wonder if I send it back to S&W for the modificaion if I can get it refinished then and won't have to pick up the tab for shipping.

 

[cptdco]

I would have agreed with Headknocker about the CS-1 guns coming with the Pachmayr Compact Grips (my 4 inch did) but this new-to-me 3" and the 3" currently on Auction Arms both have wood grips. And neither have the M mark. Anybody know if the ones sold directly to the public (not the CS) might have had wood grips?

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Here's a Pic of the M stamped above the Model # below the CS1 on mine..
I have an extra set of the pachmayr grips that I found at a gunshow in my stash..
Put Uncle Mikes RB Combats on mine for shooting as they fit my hands better than the Packys..
I have seen others here on the forum with factory Wood Combats on thier CS-1s..
Wouldn't think thier factory but who knows for sure with S&W..
Gary/Hk