Shield vs CS9

[Telecaster]

I've had a Shield for a couple years and over a thousand rounds, but I always wanted a Chief Special 9mm so I finally broke down and overpaid for one on GB. It came with the case, manual, and three magazines so maybe I didn't overpay very much.

Anyway, since statistics for the CS9 are hard to find online, I thought I'd provide some measurements of mine for those who've wondered.

Overall length: 6.4"
Overall height: 5.0"
Height from top of slide to mag well: 4.3"
Slide width: 13/16"
Width across decocker lever: 1 5/32"
Width across slide release: 1 1/16"
Width across widest part of grip: 1 1/4"
Unloaded weight with mag inserted: 22.6 oz.

My Shield with short mag (with MagGuts springs) weighs 20.6 oz. by comparison, is almost the same dimensions except it's flatter and thinner as we all know.

At the range, the CS9 recoils noticeably less, the single-action trigger seems lighter than my Shield with Apex sear, but instead of the abrupt break of the Shield, the CS9 breaks more like a revolver. Reset of the CS9 is shorter. The DA pull is quite heavy, but that's why I got it. I've always felt the Shield's trigger was lighter than I would like, and I often pull it before I'm ready. That's probably the Apex sear, but I never liked the stock sear.

My hands would appreciate about 1/8" more grip length for the CS9, but it's no worse than the Shield. The Hogue rubber grip is awesome.

I think I prefer the CS9's sights, but it shoots low for me. Probably I'm not used to it, and I need to adjust my grip and finger better. I'll shoot it again Friday, hopefully, and get the POA sorted out, then I'll know better.

I was kind of excited when the XD-E came out, since I like DA/SA guns, but it's huge compared to the CS9, and it's plastic. I believe the CS9 is the smallest DA/SA 9mm out there, but I could be wrong.

Anyway, here are the pictures.

 

[mauser9]

Enjoyed your views and comparison. Have had my CS-9 since 99 and am overall satisfied. I would definitely consider the Shield myself but would like to try one first.

 

[Welshman]

Are the mag base plates removable on the CS9? If so, how are they retained?

As you may know, the CS9 probably fits any holsters you have for the Shield - at least it fit two of mine.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I had a CS-45 as a carry gun for years but decided I wanted a CS-9 and could never find one. I made a comment about that earlier this year and a Forum member who also is on a Forum in North Carolina (I think) directed me to a CS-9 for sale in that state and, lo and behold, I GOT IT! DELIGHTED! It is the perfect size for a belt gun in 9mm and works the way a traditional double action pistol is supposed to work so you're right, they are excellent.

The stocks on my CS-9 have a name but I cannot recall what it is. Somebody will remember. Made by a former Forum members here methinks. I have the original stocks, too.

I do think the Beretta PX4-Storm Subcompact is similar in size to the Shield and the CS-9 - very close if I recollect correctly.

Px4 Storm SubCompact

(c) Beretta USA Corp. 2017

 

[SMSgt]

LGS had both a blued and SS CS9. I kick myself for not grabbing ne of them, if not both.

 

[mauser9]

I had a CS-45 as a carry gun for years but decided I wanted a CS-9 and could never find one. I made a comment about that earlier this year and a Forum member who also is on a Forum in North Carolina (I think) directed me to a CS-9 for sale in that state and, lo and behold, I GOT IT! DELIGHTED! It is the perfect size for a belt gun in 9mm and works the way a traditional double action pistol is supposed to work so you're right, they are excellent.

The stocks on my CS-9 have a name but I cannot recall what it is. Somebody will remember. Made by a former Forum members here methinks. I have the original stocks, too.

I do think the Beretta PX4-Storm Subcompact is similar in size to the Shield and the CS-9 - very close if I recollect correctly.

Px4 Storm SubCompact

(c) Beretta USA Corp. 2017

Big Dogs I think! Mine still wears the "Goodyears" Love mine but may consider selling when they start fetching a grand! then I can looking for a Shield.

 

[Telecaster]

I'll have to check into straight or flat mag base plates, good suggestion.

 

[Telecaster]

The CS9 fits in my Galco leather holster for an M&P9, but does NOT fit in my kydex IWB Shield holster, which was made locally and fits the Shield perfectly.

 

[Welshman]

I'll have to check into straight or flat mag base plates, good suggestion.

I don't know if you're following my "What gen 3 am I looking for" thread, but oldman10mm has confirmed that an 8rnd. 39 series mag will fit the CS9 and give the grip an extra 1/4" in length (and an extra round).

 

[oldman10mm]

That 1/4" gap creates an odd feeling for the fingers and screws up the aesthetics. I'll take a pic and post it in this thread.

 

[oldman10mm]

8rd flat base,8rd curved base,9rd flat base,

 

[Telecaster]

Flat base on a 7-rnd mag might float my boat.

 

[Welshman]

That 1/4" gap creates an odd feeling for the fingers and screws up the aesthetics. I'll take a pic and post it in this thread.

I agree. It may be interesting to try and fabricate a spacer of some sort to compensate for that.

 

[gxceb0t]

I've had a Shield for a couple years and over a thousand rounds, but I always wanted a Chief Special 9mm so I finally broke down and overpaid for one on GB. It came with the case, manual, and three magazines so maybe I didn't overpay very much.

Anyway, since statistics for the CS9 are hard to find online, I thought I'd provide some measurements of mine for those who've wondered.

Overall length: 6.4"
Overall height: 5.0"
Height from top of slide to mag well: 4.3"
Slide width: 13/16"
Width across decocker lever: 1 5/32"
Width across slide release: 1 1/16"
Width across widest part of grip: 1 1/4"
Unloaded weight with mag inserted: 22.6 oz.

My Shield with short mag (with MagGuts springs) weighs 20.6 oz. by comparison, is almost the same dimensions except it's flatter and thinner as we all know.

At the range, the CS9 recoils noticeably less, the single-action trigger seems lighter than my Shield with Apex sear, but instead of the abrupt break of the Shield, the CS9 breaks more like a revolver. Reset of the CS9 is shorter. The DA pull is quite heavy, but that's why I got it. I've always felt the Shield's trigger was lighter than I would like, and I often pull it before I'm ready. That's probably the Apex sear, but I never liked the stock sear.

My hands would appreciate about 1/8" more grip length for the CS9, but it's no worse than the Shield. The Hogue rubber grip is awesome.

I think I prefer the CS9's sights, but it shoots low for me. Probably I'm not used to it, and I need to adjust my grip and finger better. I'll shoot it again Friday, hopefully, and get the POA sorted out, then I'll know better.

I was kind of excited when the XD-E came out, since I like DA/SA guns, but it's huge compared to the CS9, and it's plastic. I believe the CS9 is the smallest DA/SA 9mm out there, but I could be wrong.

Anyway, here are the pictures.

I think you outbid me on this one. You got a great deal. Thanks for the info.

 

[WTN1271]

I had a nice CS9 that I ended up not keeping primarily because I couldn't get a good 3 finger grip when using the standard length mag with curved baseplate. Ended up going to the 3913. In hind sight I should have experimented with changing baseplates from other brand mags like Kahr, Ramline, Triple K, or Promag just to see if they improved the grip. I know the off brand mags dont have a good reputation but the baseplate might be good. My CS9 was very accurate and I probably should have held onto it but I am very happy with my 3913.

 

[Telecaster]

I think you outbid me on this one. You got a great deal. Thanks for the info.

Sorry! I actually just hit "Buy it now" because I didn't want to lose out on it.

 

[18DAI]

When I carry my CS9 I carry an 8-round 3913 mag, with a flat baseplate, on my off side as a reload.

If someone could make an adapter to fill the gap when a 3913 mag is used in a CS9, I'd wager they could make a nice chunk of change.

BUT - an adapter made of a solid material, like Delrin or a hard plastic. Not one of those soft, cheesy, cheap adapters like the one on the shields extended mag. Regards 18DAI

 

[g8rb8]

Thanks for the comparison.
I'm sure I'm not the only one that noted the Grand-Canyonesque spaces between the frame and the slide of the Shield compared to the CS9?

 

[Welshman]

When I carry my CS9 I carry an 8-round 3913 mag, with a flat baseplate, on my off side as a reload.

If someone could make an adapter to fill the gap when a 3913 mag is used in a CS9, I'd wager they could make a nice chunk of change.

BUT - an adapter made of a solid material, like Delrin or a hard plastic. Not one of those soft, cheesy, cheap adapters like the one on the shields extended mag. Regards 18DAI

The adapter on my Shield is made of a hard plastic and actually I thought that a material that was a bit more pliable would be better so that it would need to stretch some to fit around the mag to help keep it in place.

However I will pass your recommendation along to the Engineering Dept. for prototype development.

 

[kaveman]

I don't think it's you hitting low with the sights,.....I seem to recall reports of all CS9's hitting low. Supposedly replacement night sights fix the problem. I'm sure there are several threads here that mention the problem.