S&W CS9

[jsbethel]

Having looked at the CS pistols in the late 90s and dismissed them as ugly little glorified value pistols, I had since ignored them. However, since it seems everyone on this board who has one thinks they are great pistols, I figured a re-evaluation might be in order. I won one at auction over the weekend - strangely as the only bidder. I don't consider it a steal at $495 but for the apparent condition, I think I'll be pleased.

 

[18DAI]

Congrats! That appears to be a very late production example. Great little pistol.

And I am like you, one who looked at and actually bought an early blue variant - then sold it. Because, at the time, it really didn't do anything that my 39XX pistols didn't already do. And I too thought it was just an overpriced value line gun.

BUT - When I retired from Investigations and found myself needing a small easily concealed, flat, light weight pistol in a decent caliber, I reexamined my choices and purchased another. And several months after that, well satisfied with the little CS9, I purchased a 2nd stainless example.

TercGen grips are a must on these little guns, for me. They give me the ability to easily conceal the gun, while still having full control during shooting. And a 3913TSW 7-round mag with rounded baseplate, enable me to pocket carry the CS9.

I am VERY glad I gave these small pistols a second look. And I suspect you will be too. Enjoy that fine little nine! Regards 18DAI

 

[4T5GUY]

I'm glad you got it. I was surprised no one else bid on it, but good for you.
It's sometimes funny how our likes/dislikes change as we get a "bit" older.

I know you are going to really like it. As 18 pointed out, my only complaint with my CS's are, (were,) the thick original grips that they originally had. Easy enough to change that now though.

Jim

 

[ISCS Yoda]

TercGen grips are a must on these little guns, for me.

If you can get them, yes, I heard that they are excellent.

I am not sure who made these turquoise stocks but I like them. Sadly, I need a new magazine spring so this gun has been put away until I get around to that.

I kept the roller blade tape on it.

Then there is this CS-45:

I am not sure what anyone ever disliked about these 3rd Gen pistols but for concealed carry, reliability, accuracy, I can't say enough good things about them and maybe I have terrible taste but I think they are nice looking.

 

[Fastbolt]

Congrats. The steel low mount Novak rear sight indicates it's from the later production of the model, which also ought to mean it has an ambi safety assembly.

That would make it similar to mine.

Unlike some other folks, I find the Hogue rubber grips to be an exact fit to my hand. They make shooting the little gun very pleasant and make the short, lightweight little 9mm controllable and easy.

Since you can't know how often it's been fired, nor whether the magazines have been left loaded for some years, you might order some new ones. (Since the recoil springs are apparently only occasionally ordered by S&W from their vendor, if you plan to shoot it a lot you might order a couple or more recoil springs to put away.)

My CS9 would be one of the very last of my 3rd gen pistols I'd ever willingly consider letting go away, along with my '98 production 3913 and later end-of-LE-production 3913TSW. They've always struck me as being the logical (and inevitable) result of the original ASP pistol made on the early M39 frame, which was a huge influence on the concealable, slim single stack fighting 9mm pistol.

I'd sooner give up my well-used original CS45 than my CS9.

If you haven't already Searched and browsed among the many forum threads devoted to the CS9, you might enjoy doing so.

 

[jsbethel]

Congrats. The steel low mount Novak rear sight indicates it's from the later production of the model, which also ought to mean it has an ambi safety assembly.

Since you can't know how often it's been fired, nor whether the magazines have been left loaded for some years, you might order some new ones. (Since the recoil springs are apparently only occasionally ordered by S&W from their vendor, if you plan to shoot it a lot you might order a couple or more recoil springs to put away.)

I plan on installing a low profile single-sided safety and slide stop. It comes with one magazine - I'll change the spring and I have a few new TSW magazines set aside for it. I also bought a couple of new recoil springs back when I first considered getting one.

 

[Fastbolt]

I plan on installing a low profile single-sided safety and slide stop. It comes with one magazine - I'll change the spring and I have a few new TSW magazines set aside for it. I also bought a couple of new recoil springs back when I first considered getting one.

Replacing the manual safety typically requires replacing and fitting a new sear release lever to keep the decocking "timing" within the required range.

It's not common that a sear release lever fitted for one safety assembly will still fall within normal spec after a new safety assembly has been installed. This is both a gun safety and a functioning concern.

Email me if you're curious about how to check the decocking "timing", and what's involved in filing/fitting a new sear release lever.

While the manual safety assembly is considered a drop-in assembly (and presuming you know how to disassemble the slide to replace it), in the usual parts-is-parts manner sometimes an occasional assembly might not fit as well as might be hoped in some particular slide (like being a bit too loose, for example) and it may require trying another one.

 

[Jeppo]

I too caught the CS9 bug. I guess that's why I've bought 4, including a difficult to find "D". I couldn't help but add a CS45 and my too-long search for a CS40 should end later this week thanks to another forum member.

 

[TercGen]

Nice grab jsbethel! I paid about the same for my first CS9, so I'd say the price is pretty fair. They have occasionally come around at lower prices (that run of LEO trade-ins last year), but generally I see these go for $400-$550.

Good foresight to grab some recoil springs already, and now that you actually own one, I'd say stock up on a bunch more. Who knows how much longer S&W will be producing them, and there is currently no aftermarket maker of CS9 recoil springs.

While you're at it, probably a good idea to also pick up a spare mag catch button and spring, as the button is a one-time use part and needs to be replaced if removed or damaged.

 

[mauser9]

Count me in too. Mine is an earlier version bought in 99. Missed that 39-2 and decided the CS-9 would be a good replacement. I believe the quality should be just as good. No regrets on this one.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I'm sure you'll be happy with a CS , there's a lot of us that are . Like others , I had to own one of each . I saw BMCMs thread about converting one to a 10mm , which I had him do . On the search for another one , so I truly will have one of each . Do yourself a favor and have BMCM work his magic on yours , you'll be very happy .

 

[NCBeagle]

S&W CS9

Having looked at the CS pistols in the late 90s and dismissed them as ugly little glorified value pistols, I have since ignored them....

I made the same mistake and overlooked these Third Generation pistols for 20 or so years. Trying to make up for lost time now.

You'll like the CS9. Check out a few other single stack 9s and 45s.

EDIT: I'll second 18DAI's recommendation for TercGen grips. They are excellent. It should have been the factory grip.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I am confident that you will like it, once you put enough rounds through them. They are nice, accurate, undemanding guns.

 

[barbara_em]

A very good friend of mine, a school PD lieutenant (who recently retired and is sorely missed) fell in love with my 3rd gen Smiths with one range outing and he had to have one. Considering that he was a dyed in the wool Glock-o-phile, I was quite impressed with his intelligence.
I could give up my CS9 or my 908S. I figured that the stainless, slightly larger pistol was better for me in the Texas gulf coast climate and sold him the CS9. I think he's probably still wearing it. It's truly an excellent carry piece, as testified to by many members here.
Maybe someday I'll replace it, although it's not a high priority for me.

 

[HCH]

Drooling over everyone's good fortune.

 

[DMcBB]

Good foresight to grab some recoil springs already, and now that you actually own one, I'd say stock up on a bunch more. Who knows how much longer S&W will be producing them, and there is currently no aftermarket maker of CS9 recoil springs.

While you're at it, probably a good idea to also pick up a spare mag catch button and spring, as the button is a one-time use part and needs to be replaced if removed or damaged.

What's the best way to get the springs and mag catch? Does S&W customer service still sell them or are we searching Brownell's/Midway/eBay etc...?

 

[Fastbolt]

I've picked up some Chiefs Special recoil springs and mag catch parts from Midway now and again. They seem to get them in periodically (meaning whenever S&W orders from their vendors and then ships the received parts to outside retailers).

Sometimes Midway allows backorders, and sometimes not, so might have to check back now and again. For example, right now the plastic mag catch button isn't available, but the spring is ... Smith & Wesson Mag Release Nut S&W CS40C CS40D CS40S CS45C CS45D CS45S

Smith & Wesson Mag Release Spring S&W CS40C CS40D CS40S CS45C CS45D


... and the CS9 mag w/curbed buttplate is available.

The green CS40/45 recoil spring is available at the moment, but the red one (CS9) isn't.

The Midway & S&W part numbers for CS9 recoil spring: Product #: 144207 Smith & Wesson #: 263210000

Smith & Wesson Recoil Spring S&W CS9C CS9S

Whenever I order spare recoil springs I typically order at least 5-6, and sometimes 10 (but then I used to shoot a lot more when working all the time as a firearms instructor & armorer ).

 

[jsbethel]

While you're at it, probably a good idea to also pick up a spare mag catch button and spring, as the button is a one-time use part and needs to be replaced if removed or damaged.

I had to check again but I did get those also.

What's the best way to get the springs and mag catch? Does S&W customer service still sell them or are we searching Brownell's/Midway/eBay etc...?

I was able to get them from Midway several months ago. Create notifications for those items out of stock.

 

[TercGen]

What's the best way to get the springs and mag catch? Does S&W customer service still sell them or are we searching Brownell's/Midway/eBay etc...?

The two best options IMO are Midway and calling S&W customer service directly (1-800-331-0852 ext. 4125). Midway is more convenient, but I have found that S&W will have parts in stock before Midway will (of course, you have to keep calling them during business hours to find out).

Brownells is OK, prices are higher and their website does not keep track of what's in stock very well. Ebay will be the highest prices for these items.

 

[Jeppo]

Whenever one of those online sellers has a free shipping deal, I throw some springs and other small parts (that can cost more to shop than buy) on the order.