US Customs Service 686 CS-1

[SAFireman]

Enjoyed the read on the CS-1s. With that, I have a bead on one at a local shop.. 3in, original pachmyr grips with window, "2M" stamped. They have 1200 on the tag so I know I can get that down.. What is fair?

Whatever someone is willing to pay is probably 'fair'. You did not post your location, so if Cali, then it is probably priced low. In the rest of the free world, it might be pretty close to market assuming good condition.

 

[Candyman]

Hello Folks,
I came across a CS1 today 3" and I had to get it after reading all of this for a long time. I have wanted one of these, I just never came across one until today.

Apologies for this question if it has been answered already, but what I don't understand is this: inside the crane it has CS 1 (top line), a deeply stamped 2 but NO M (line 2), and then Mod 686.

The serial prefix is AYU0xxx. The M means it went to S&W for the recall I believe, but what is the 2 for? Pictures will come as soon as I can get one up.

Thanks in advance

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Some were stamped "M" and some, that went back a second time or a later time, where stamped with a "2M". Sounds like you got the "2" but not the "M", must of been coffee break time. S&W will have a record if it's been modified, call customer service.

 

[florange]

I just received the letter from Roy Jinks on my CS-1. I lettered it because the box label showed a 1986 ship date which seemed rather early for a CS-1 "overrun" gun (no M stamp and ANC serial number prefix). Roy's letter says that my gun (3 inch) was shipped on December 4, 1986 with checkered walnut round butt grips to Sloan's South Inc., Ridgefield, CT. If anyone has an idea of when the earliest CS-1 shipped were, I would appreciate the information. Thanks, Kurt

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

.... If anyone has an idea of when the earliest CS-1 shipped were, I would appreciate the information....

June 13, 1986 is the earliest CS-1 ship date I've seen. It was a 4-inch gun.

 

[jhermie]

CS-1

Hello All,
Thought I would post a few pics of my CS-1
for any who may be interested.
best regards
joe

 

[PDX1953]

CS-1 with gold bead front sight?

I'm amazed that this thread has been active for so long and truly thankful to everyone who contributed. I have a few S&Ws but am a real beginner when it comes to knowledge about them.

I'm buying a Hi Power from a guy this weekend & he mentioned other guns he's selling. One is a State Department revolver & there's one on GB with a Buy it Now of $2750 which made me light headed. It's has everything with it & I'm sure will fetch a nice sum. My seller originally said he'd sell his (no box, etc) for $700 but after he looked around he backtracked.

He also has a 686 CS-1 w/o box. He describes it as "M686 CS-1 4" bead blasted, gold bead front sight" but after reading this this thread I never saw a gold bead mentioned. He said it was one of his favorites & would probably "reluctantly" let it go for $800.

Is anyone aware of that configuration? He's 3 hrs away so I can't pop over to look at it but if it was the "window" grips wouldn't that point towards a Customs Service gun? We've exchanged 18 emails & some texts but he's a busy guy & can't often respond quickly. I've asked about the "M" markings but haven't heard back so any insight on this would be helpful.

 

[murphydog]

As (possibly?) mentioned somewhere in this thread, the CS-1 revolvers had a black plain ramp front sight blade and came with a variety of stocks. Most of the issued guns I have seen had Pachmayr Compacs with the bottom cutout for seeing the SN. Also, there were a fair number of production overrun guns, so if your goal is to have a USCS issued gun there is no way to tell short of a history letter.

Having said all that, $800 is not a bad price for a CS-1 of either barrel length, and the front blade can be replaced. May want to buy it before the seller jacks the price up even higher .

 

[PDX1953]

I read about the thin black front sight and that's what threw me. I think S&W is famous for using what they had in stock sometimes vs. building to a particular spec like they had to do for contracts.

FWIW - what do you think the current value of the gun is even without the "proper" sight? I haven't seen a photo of it yet but the photos I have seen of his guns show them to be in VG or better condition.

He also has a 3" M66 that he originally offered at $700 but was on a local forum (dang it!) & saw one go for $1100 which everyone thought was fair. It has a pair of beautiful Keith Brown grips and a custom handstitched OWB holster but he decided to keep it for obvious reasons.

 

[markeb]

If it has a 2-M stamp, then most likely it was issued to an agent, from what I have read. They are great shooting guns. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[SmithNut]

........
Having said all that, $800 is not a bad price for a CS-1 of either barrel length, and the front blade can be replaced. May want to buy it before the seller jacks the price up even higher .

Agreed that $800 is not a bad price.

To the front sight, all the CS-1 guns came with pinned in front sights. The kicker here is that they were 1/10" wide, while the rest of the modern S&W pinned in front sights are 1/8" wide (as well as the later CS-3 models). I've found it virtually impossible to find any replacement 1/10" wide sights, either ramp and patridge, they are just not making them anymore, so replacing that sight might be a challenge. Have also checked with aftermarket makers like SDM to no avail...

 

[PDX1953]

Thanks for that info & I just sent the seller info about issued vs. civilian guns & the differences in the sights. It's possible someone replaced the thin black one & I can understand the scarcity of an OEM one.

So if I buy it at $800 do I have an $800 gun or a $900 gun if you catch my meaning? He said he's reluctant to sell it but he has a bunch of guns for sale & mentioned taking his son on college campus tours. I think college costs are why he's parting with them.

 

[Glashaus]

I don't know if this helps, but I wouldn't sell my CS1, shown in post 79 of this thread for $800, I would not sell it for twice that, it is one of my favorite S&W's and it gets shot on a regular basis

 

[PDX1953]

Agreed that $800 is not a bad price.

To the front sight, all the CS-1 guns came with pinned in front sights. The kicker here is that they were 1/10" wide, while the rest of the modern S&W pinned in front sights are 1/8" wide (as well as the later CS-3 models). I've found it virtually impossible to find any replacement 1/10" wide sights, either ramp and patridge, they are just not making them anymore, so replacing that sight might be a challenge. Have also checked with aftermarket makers like SDM to no avail...

I just heard from the seller & he said he installed the gold bead sight. I asked if he kept the old one but haven't heard back. Hope he did.

 

[SmithNut]

I just heard from the seller & he said he installed the gold bead sight. I asked if he kept the old one but haven't heard back. Hope he did.

I wouldn't necessarily avoid buying it due to the front sight, you have not said if it's a ramp or patridge style, either way it could be a good feature for shooting purposes.

As to value, the more original it is - and of course condition - will have an impact.

For me, if it's a patridge style with gold bead, I'd like that as patridge front sights offer a better sight picture than ramp, IMO. Having said that, for $800, I'd say to buy the gun and then go on a search for a front sight if you want it to be original, either way the gun would not lose any value. The CS-1 guns have been bringing north of $1k for quite some time, they are sought after models and you can't get hurt, especially if you actually shoot and enjoy it.

 

[PDX1953]

I wouldn't necessarily avoid buying it due to the front sight, you have not said if it's a ramp or patridge style, either way it could be a good feature for shooting purposes.

As to value, the more original it is - and of course condition - will have an impact.

For me, if it's a patridge style with gold bead, I'd like that as patridge front sights offer a better sight picture than ramp, IMO. Having said that, for $800, I'd say to buy the gun and then go on a search for a front sight if you want it to be original, either way the gun would not lose any value. The CS-1 guns have been bringing north of $1k for quite some time, they are sought after models and you can't get hurt, especially if you actually shoot and enjoy it.

Thanks for all of your help. I usually get a lot of flack for saying this but this is an investment vs. a shooter & I have quite a few of them. I refer to them as my 401(g) & some day when I'm dead & gone they'll go to my sons who are now in their early 40's. A nephew gets my SBR b/c he lives in America and my son here in OR wouldn't know how to dispose of it properly. My other son lives in Commiefornia although he hopes to leave in a few years after his son turns 18 b/c he shares custody with an extremely spiteful ex. Everything is in a Trust which lays out instructions for my Executor anyway so hopefully one day they'll be able to sell at a good profit or enjoy what they keep.

The seller said he doubts if he has the old sight but will look. I'll be seeing him Saturday & if I buy it I'll post photos.

 

[PDX1953]

Got some photos from the seller. He can't find the OEM sight, it has a Hogue Monogrip w/o the "window" & the s/n is ANS367X.
Looks pretty clean to me & would appear to be worth $800 if he'll sell it.

 

[SmithNut]

Edited...... Nice looking gun, the CS stamping looks like 09 to my eyes... .... interesting sight, I wonder where he found it.... just for fun, measure the width of the sight, it should be 1/10" wide...

As to the M37, the $650 price is more than a tad high, something like $375 - 400 would be in line with what I've seen.

 

[PDX1953]

Edited...... Nice looking gun, the CS stamping looks like 09 to my eyes... .... interesting sight, I wonder where he found it.... just for fun, measure the width of the sight, it should be 1/10" wide...

As to the M37, the $650 price is more than a tad high, something like $375 - 400 would be in line with what I've seen.

I made the same mistake about the CS 1. Even after I magnified the photo I was seeing 09 1. It wasn't until I emailed the guy & asked how he knew it was a CS 1. After he pointed out the obvious I did a forehead slap & apologized for being a nitwit. The serial is ANS3676 which, after consulting my new e-reader S&W book from Amazon equates to a 1987 mfg date but the digits must just be within a range vs. referencing a specific date (?) As far as a replacement OEM sight I'll try Jack First Gun Parts. I've found a couple of obscure parts there & they also manufacture parts.

 

[PDX1953]

Here's another pic of my 4" CS-1 with original box bought new by me back in 1987. Still have it and still shoot it.

Very interesting!! I just bought a 4" CS-1 M yesterday with a s/n only 239 lower than yours. Does your's have the 1/10" wide front sight? The guy I bought mine from replaced the original sight with a gold bead.

I can't even find the ANS prefix in the S&W catalog (edit - actually I did find it & referenced it in an earlier post.....) so knowing that you bought it in 1987 really helps. I'll have mine lettered but am very excited to see one so closely related. Where are you located? Do you remember what it cost new?