S&W Model 686 3 inch CS1

[GunsRUs]

I picked up a Smith & Wesson Model 686 yesterday with a 3 inch barrel. This is a 1988 (by serial number) made 686 and it is marked CS 1 above the 686 inside the crane on the frame. My limited research reveals that this was a US Customs contract run but I assume it was overrun and got into the civilian market. Not much additional information was in the Standard Catalog of S&W.

I would appreciate any info you might have on this gun especially as to potential value. The grips are not original and I dont have the originals or the box, just the gun with the Hogue grips as seen in the photos.

Photos:

 

[lev83]

Afraid I would not be of much help with furthering your knowledge of this particular pistol but she looks great

 

[18DAI]

Just the gun in good condition - $800 to $900 locally. Alot more on the auction boards.

I would advise you to hang onto it. There will not be any more revolvers made as nice as the 3" CS1. The CS1 variants of the 686 are widely considered the epitome of 686 production.

An educated estimate is that less than 1500 3" CS1's are left in existance. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

 

[jughed440]

Just the gun in good condition - $800 to $900 locally. Alot more on the auction boards.

I would advise you to hang onto it. There will not be any more revolvers made as nice as the 3" CS1. The CS1 variants of the 686 are widely considered the epitome of 686 production.

An educated estimate is that less than 1500 3" CS1's are left in existance. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

+1

Congrats on your purchase. I take it the seller didn't know what the "CS-1" stamp meant...regardless, you lucked out. That's a very desirable 686, especially the 3" version (they also made a 4")

 

[GunsRUs]

Holy cow...well I had no plans to sell the 686 CS1 anyway but I will for sure hold it a while now. I will try to post a pic later of the inside of the frame showing the CS 1 imprint. I have 2 Model 66 2.5 inch S&W's and have never owned a 3 inch one, so when this was available I snapped it up not really being aware of the significance of the CS 1 variation until I got home and looked in the SCSW. I knew it wasnt a new gun since there is no lock and I was surprised that the front and rear sights are solid black with no White outline or red ramp.

A nice piece I snagged I think.

 

[old bear]

A nice piece I snagged I think.

Yes you did.

 

[S&W Fan]

A nice piece I snagged I think.

You sir, have a gift for understatement, LOL. Congrats on a great
"snag", enjoy what is arguably the best 686 ever.

 

[HOGSTR]

One day, I will post a thread like this. One day...

 

[Marshal Tom]

Until a few years ago, I had never heard of the CS-1. I purchased two of them within a few weeks locally and ended up selling one of them off to offset the cost of keeping the other one. Wish that I had kept both of them now, given what they are fetching these days. I actually like my 3" 66-2 better in many ways but they are great guns and hard to find. There have been many posts on the CS-1's on the forum.

Tom

 

[GunsRUs]

I am ecstatic at my find! Even a blind hog gets an acorn occasionally.

 

[jughed440]

I am ecstatic at my find! Even a blind hog gets an acorn occasionally.

you found an oak tree


now you can post your pic on this thread...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/181682-cs-1-picture-thread-you-club.html

 

[1 old 0311]

Holy cow...well I had no plans to sell the 686 CS1 anyway but I will for sure hold it a while now. I will try to post a pic later of the inside of the frame showing the CS 1 imprint. I have 2 Model 66 2.5 inch S&W's and have never owned a 3 inch one, so when this was available I snapped it up not really being aware of the significance of the CS 1 variation until I got home and looked in the SCSW. I knew it wasnt a new gun since there is no lock and I was surprised that the front and rear sights are solid black with no White outline or red ramp.

A nice piece I snagged I think.

 

[1 old 0311]

Feel free to correct me BUT from what I understand the 686's were sent back to S&W for the recall then they were sent back AGAIN to double check them which is why they are marked M2.

 

[18DAI]

The 2M stamp is also thought to be a reliable indicator that a 686 CS1 saw actual duty with the Customs service, vice one of the overun guns. Regards 18DAI

 

[jughed440]

18DA1, is there a reason why some CS-1s have the serial # stamped in the crane area while others don't??
the letters on this one are supposed to be AYD, but they did a sloppy job. not sure if it was the feds or S&W that stamped it.

 

[Sportsterguy]

Very cool revolvers. You did real good on that baby and congrats! That CS-1 might bring ya $1300.00 on GB. Hogues are great grips if you're going to shoot it. A nice set of Spegals with a dark grain would really set it off IMO. This is my second one. I got a better deal on this one than the first. Much better deal. They are sweet shooters but my 4" 586 will outshoot it any day of the week, especially SA. I once owned a 2.5" 686 (pre lock, have no IL's) and it was the least accurate revolver I've ever owned. Them 3" Smiths shoot better than one would think.

I won't let this one get away! HIGHLY recommend you do the same as they're scarce and are ultra cool with a great history behind them. Still have the rubbers but slapped on the combats as they just look better IMO.

 

[18DAI]

jughed440 I don't know. I can't recall seeing a 686 CS1 without the serial in the crane....

I would guess at plain old fashioned human error. I'd also opine that as anal retentive as the feds I've worked with are, they would make sure any stamps they did were legible. I wish SmithNut were still about, he would probably know.

I do have a couple of 66's that have rather sloopy stamping of the serial prefix in the crane. Very similar to the pic you posted. Regards 18DAI

 

[1 old 0311]

18DA1, is there a reason why some CS-1s have the serial # stamped in the crane area while others don't??
the letters on this one are supposed to be AYD, but they did a sloppy job. not sure if it was the feds or S&W that stamped it.

My CS-1 also doesn't have the S.N.# in the crane. I thought Smith only did that with 4" plus models.

 

[jughed440]

The 2M stamp is also thought to be a reliable indicator that a 686 CS1 saw actual duty with the Customs service, vice one of the overun guns. Regards 18DAI

i should add that the one i posted above was shipped 3/4/88 to Sport South Inc., Shreveport, La.

 

[C Islander]

And I thought I made a couple of good deals recently! You trumped me big time. Congratulations!!