US Customs Service 686 CS-1

[624 Fan]

Many years ago someone posted a picture of a CS-1 and some Customs memorabilia. One of the items in the photo was a CS-1 owners manual. The photo was small and somewhat blurry but showed some of the parts list. There were numerous parts different than a standard 686.


Does someone have clear pictures of the manual they could share? I would love to have (and others I'm sure) some nice images.


My 4" CS-1 (686 no dash) from December 1986 (per Mr. Jinks) came with a regular 686 manual. I found it at a gunshop about ten years ago for the price of a regular used 686. I had learned about the CS-1 here and immediately noticed the frosted finish and black front sight. It's in excellent condition with the original box, manual, grips, etc. I sent it in for the "M" upgrade after it would bind up with just about any .357 ammo.


Thanks in advance for any help with the manual!

 

[bipe215]

Best image I have

Edit: I apologize for the pic size. Can't figure out how to make it bigger. There are about 22 parts that say US Customs after the part name, which makes me thinks those parts are made to a different spec than stock.

 

[624 Fan]

Thanks for posting the photo! That's quite a bit better than the image I had previously. I would be grateful if you could e-mail me the original size photo (my e-mail should be shown in my profile.) If not, no problem, I really appreciate your time either way!

 

[American1776]

Great history lesson. Thanks!

I seem to remember reading that the revolvers were ordered to have a barrel cylinder gap of only .002! S&W protested against this, and it was insisted upon.

With that tiny gap, it was only a matter of several cylinders of firing before the guns would lock up. The heat alone would probably expand everything to seize up.

 

[bipe215]

Thanks for posting the photo! That's quite a bit better than the image I had previously. I would be grateful if you could e-mail me the original size photo (my e-mail should be shown in my profile.) If not, no problem, I really appreciate your time either way!

No problem, PM sent

 

[624 Fan]

No problem, PM sent

Replied via your e-mail. Thanks!

 

[Frank500]

My S series model 27 cylinder gap will pass a .002 feeler gauge barely and will not pass .003. I shoot it a fair amount and it never hangs up. My loads are the Thompson hollow point just under 1400 fps from the 8 3/8s.
I’m looking at a 686, seven shot unfluted cylinder, three inch ported barrel, performance center logo on left side of frame. Three letter and three number serial. Front sight is a dovetail, night sight but dead.
Supposed to be from Custom Service.
Anybody ever seen one of these? Anybody have a clue about price?

 

[Hugh WW]

Some clarifications. Three inch CS1's were issued to Special Agents, air branch,marine branch. There were no plain clothes inspectors. Three inch guns were also issued to dog handlers (k-9 officers). Qualifications at the time were held 4 times a year normally. The guns that were actually issued for duty use will have had several thousand rounds through them normally. That may be with either the 357 mag or the Treasury 38spl. +p+. I am a retired Chief Inspector from Arizona, and was fortunate enough to locate and purchase my originally issued 4 inch CD1, serial ANS4100. I think I still have the issued HKS speed loaders and pouch.

 

[67ray]

Some clarifications. Three inch CS1's were issued to Special Agents, air branch,marine branch. There were no plain clothes inspectors. Three inch guns were also issued to dog handlers (k-9 officers). Qualifications at the time were held 4 times a year normally. The guns that were actually issued for duty use will have had several thousand rounds through them normally. That may be with either the 357 mag or the Treasury 38spl. +p+. I am a retired Chief Inspector from Arizona, and was fortunate enough to locate and purchase my originally issued 4 inch CD1, serial ANS4100. I think I still have the issued HKS speed loaders and pouch.

How in Sam Hill were you able to locate your duty gun? That is a story I want to hear.

 

[Hugh WW]

Not turned in right away

My issue gun did not go to the chop shop as most did in 1993. It was re-assigned to a Special Agent. It stayed with him for several years until his retirement. By then they were selling the surplus guns to dealers. I was told (not verified)they were sold in lots of 100. It turned up with a collector in Sarasota, Fl. Browsing my normal auction sights several months ago. It turned up as a consignment with an auction in Oregon. Needless to say I bought it. I recognized the grips, with a certain scratch and of course the serial number.

 

[NavyEngineer]

After reading through many threads, especially this one, I requested letters for my two CS-1 revolvers. My 3-inch barrel CS-1 had the "2 M" markings in the crane area, so I was hopeful it was a Customs Service revolver. My 4-inch barreled CS-1 only had the M stamp, so I thought it was less likely to have been issued to the Customs Service. The letters arrived this week and confirmed both were originally sold to the Customs Service! Both revolvers had Pachmyar Compac grips with the window on the bottom (which may or may not have been original to them), but the letters from Mr. Jinks stated they originally shipped with finger groove combat grips. Have others seen this before in lettered CS-1 revolvers?
Here's the verbiage from the 3-inch CS-1 letter, typos courtesy of Mr. Jinks
"We have researched your Smith & Wesson 686 CS-1 Variation, Stainless Steel Distinguish Combat Magnum, caliber .357 Magnum. Company records indicate that this handgun, with serial number BAU06xx was shipped from the factory on September 24,1988 and delivered. to U. S.
Custom Service, Glynco, GA. This revolver was shipped with a 3-inch full lug barrel equipped with a ramp with a black blade sight, matt finish, and synthetic finger groove combat grips."

The letter for the 4-inch CS-1 revolver stated "We have researched your Smith & Wesson 686 CS-1 Variation, Stainless Steel Distinguish Combat Magnum, caliber .357 Magnum. Company records indicate that this handgun, with serial number AWP24xx was shipped from the factory on May 17, 1988 and delivered to Lew Horton Distributing Cp., Westboro, MA. This revolver was shipped with a 4-inch full lug barrel equipped with a ramp with a black blade sight, matt finish, and synthetic finger groove combat grips. This revolver was originally shipped on June 12,1987 to U. S. Custom Service, Glynco,GA, it was returned to the factory on March 1, 1988 by Joe Pacher Director U.S. Customer Service and reshipped as listed above."

 

[vegasgunhand]

Great info!

The 3” versions were more for the S/A’s, MEO’s, AIO’s and Pilots. However they did have the option of carrying a 4”. The 4” CS-1’s were more the CPO’s and Inspectors.
The US Border Patrol also extensively carried the 686 but I think they were more like production guns versions a specific order like the CS-1. The Border Patrol did have a special run of 3” GP-100’s instead of 3” 686’s.

Both Customs and Border Patrol have had specific firearms for each agency but none have had a following of the CS-1.

The “new” specific “Customs” Gun is a Glock called the G47. Try finding that one!!!!!

The CS-1 was first replaced by a S&W Model 6906 9 mm pistol in 1988-89. Then in 1993, the 6906 was replaced by Gen 3 Glock 19 and 26 models for Special Agents, and Glock 17 for Inspectors. Those remained the issued pistols for U.S. Customs through the merger into DHS in 2003.

Last year, the Association of Retired Special Agents commissioned Glock for a commemorative model 19 laser engraved with the Association logo and either a choice of U.S. Customs or ICE Badges, depending on which service you had served under. Since I had served in both agencies, I was allowed to order both, which I did. There were less than 500 ordered with U.S. Customs Badges, and only 17 with ICE badges. That makes the ICE badged pistols extremely rare,

 

[10mmauto]

The CS-1 was first replaced by a S&W Model 6906 9 mm pistol in 1988-89. Then in 1993, the 6906 was replaced by Gen 3 Glock 19 and 26 models for Special Agents, and Glock 17 for Inspectors. Those remained the issued pistols for U.S. Customs through the merger into DHS in 2003.

Last year, the Association of Retired Special Agents commissioned Glock for a commemorative model 19 laser engraved with the Association logo and either a choice of U.S. Customs or ICE Badges, depending on which service you had served under. Since I had served in both agencies, I was allowed to order both, which I did. There were less than 500 ordered with U.S. Customs Badges, and only 17 with ICE badges. That makes the ICE badged pistols extremely rare,

Any chance of still getting one of those?

 

[MilwGuitarist]

hello all this is my second post - my first post was asking for info on my new gun and i was directed here - yes! i picked up a 4" CS1 and am trying to find out what year it is - AYF0664 M 686 CS1 - another number is 25529 - thanks for any info and after reading much of this thread i'm glad i bought it

 

[vegasgunhand]

Any chance of still getting one of those?

No, the order was done almost a year ago.

 

[SRhoades]

New to Forum - ? on letter process

Hi! New to the forum. I've recently acquired a 686 CS-1. I'm trying to figure out the correct manner in which to letter the firearm. From what I've deduced thus far, I should join the SWHF, then request the LOA, then the Historical Letter?

After reading through many threads, especially this one, I requested letters for my two CS-1 revolvers. My 3-inch barrel CS-1 had the "2 M" markings in the crane area, so I was hopeful it was a Customs Service revolver. My 4-inch barreled CS-1 only had the M stamp, so I thought it was less likely to have been issued to the Customs Service. The letters arrived this week and confirmed both were originally sold to the Customs Service! Both revolvers had Pachmyar Compac grips with the window on the bottom (which may or may not have been original to them), but the letters from Mr. Jinks stated they originally shipped with finger groove combat grips. Have others seen this before in lettered CS-1 revolvers?
Here's the verbiage from the 3-inch CS-1 letter, typos courtesy of Mr. Jinks
"We have researched your Smith & Wesson 686 CS-1 Variation, Stainless Steel Distinguish Combat Magnum, caliber .357 Magnum. Company records indicate that this handgun, with serial number BAU06xx was shipped from the factory on September 24,1988 and delivered. to U. S.
Custom Service, Glynco, GA. This revolver was shipped with a 3-inch full lug barrel equipped with a ramp with a black blade sight, matt finish, and synthetic finger groove combat grips."

The letter for the 4-inch CS-1 revolver stated "We have researched your Smith & Wesson 686 CS-1 Variation, Stainless Steel Distinguish Combat Magnum, caliber .357 Magnum. Company records indicate that this handgun, with serial number AWP24xx was shipped from the factory on May 17, 1988 and delivered to Lew Horton Distributing Cp., Westboro, MA. This revolver was shipped with a 4-inch full lug barrel equipped with a ramp with a black blade sight, matt finish, and synthetic finger groove combat grips. This revolver was originally shipped on June 12,1987 to U. S. Custom Service, Glynco,GA, it was returned to the factory on March 1, 1988 by Joe Pacher Director U.S. Customer Service and reshipped as listed above."

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum, SRhoades.

 

[SRhoades]

Thank you Sir!

 

[Raystown]

Just saw this thread, I was lucky enough to find one a few days ago, complete in org box, tools and paperwork. '

DSCN9880 by raystownbass, on Flickr

DSCN9879 by raystownbass, on Flickr

 

[Dvan34]

I wish someone would post a photo of the CS- 1 and the dates of issuance.I was in the Customs Service from 1955-1989. I believe it was the first pistol issued to Customs Inspectors working in the field, a .38 Spl- .357 magnum. up until then we were allowed to carry our own choice of handgun. When this gun was issued we were mandated to carry it. There was a concern with it the .357 mag cartridge, to my knowledge, was selected due to its power to penetrate automobiles. If fired by officers working at the Ports of Entry this could prove very deadly around the people due to ricochets off the cement barriers, cars and misses. As I recall we were issued .38 spl+ ammo. I retired in January 1989 and believe the semi-auto 9 mms were issued sometime later.