Why Subject A CS40 To This ??

[4T5GUY]

I’ll bet that there are many people that think putting money into a Value Line series pistol is just a plain waste of money and time.

I’ve always had an infinity for making standard production run firearms “better.” For the most part I’ve been successful even though there wasn’t anything wrong to begin with. I’m sure the ones I’ve “improved” are just only “improved” to me though.

One thing led to another and I had “guzzitaco” do his magic on a CS40 slide I had, and “TercGen” was gracious enough to do another grip for me.

I finally had a bit of extra time to do a detailed and complete disassembly on a CS40 I got. To my surprise mostly all of the internal parts were perfectly finished and smooth. Even the drawbar was nice. I still spent some time on the parts but I’m amazed that the factory actually did a very good job. (My CS45 drawbar was terribly rough.) Everything is pretty much done now.

I still have an “extra” complete top end and now an excellent CS40 barrel. I got the barrel because it was reasonably priced and they aren’t easy to get. I thought one of us needed to get it and I like sharing things that I don’t need/want. I don’t think a 10mm conversion would be unimaginable now but I’m not convinced.

I don’t have too much money in everything so I’m still good there.

Jim

 

[toddstang]

Call me old-fashioned but I prefer the slide with the Chiefs Special writing.

 

[4T5GUY]

Call me old-fashioned but I prefer the slide with the Chiefs Special writing.

Actually I considered that but your preference, (and many others,) is not an old fashioned/school of thought. “Billboards” came a bit later in the S&W marketing program. I am NOT putting you, (or anyone else,) down, but I hate Billboards as much as I hated the silver covered plastic snakes on my SVT Mustang. Most of my very special S&W’s are totally sterile, except for the serial numbers on the port side, (others not.) It would be difficult to figure out what they are unless you knew. Even the original box might not help. I like that.

Of course a CS isn’t on the same level as these other pistols, but at least the frame actually is marked what it is.

Again no offense intended.

Jim

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Just as an aside, it never once occurred to me that the markings or symbols on my guns or cars, or knives for that matter, were anything other than the maker "signing his work", just like any artist. As a rule I eschew expensive clothing with brand names, too effete for my taste generally, but to not identify your product would be senseless.

But if your preference is sterility then by all means, remove the markings, if that makes you happy. It's like that other thing everyone has besides opinions.................

 

[cherrypointmarine]

You did it because that's what YOU wanted , not everybody else . I think it looks great , the way the factory should had done it . I myself think the CS line was a great idea . They may have been a value line , but what's out there to compare with them now ? Sure you can get a plastic one that holds umpteen rounds if that's what you want . Give me a CS with 6 rounds any day . If you need more than that , you're in trouble .

Speaking of value line , look at the 457 guzzitaco did for me . If people think lowly of the CS series , I cringe as to what they think of the 457 . Yeah it was over the top . But he was starting out and he needed something to show his talents . I have to say I have the finest looking 457 on the planet . It comes down to what a person wants , then following up on that .

 

[sipowicz]

It looks ok but just don’t erase any markings on your 9th century Ming vases.

 

[JohnHL]

Why in the world would anyone choose to modify a CS40?

Looks good, Jim.

John

 

[AlHunt]

but I hate Billboards as much as I hated the silver covered plastic snakes on my SVT Mustang.

I couldn't agree more. Laser engraved anything looks cheap, shoddy and in poor taste. To me. If it's just utilitarian, fine. It's not decorative.

 

[S&W59]

Invariably there are people who purchase a gun with the intention of making them better. This is fine when its a current modern production arm but not so cool when its a vintage firearm that is collected. We've all seen the Bubba SKS's and sporterized milsurp Enfields and Mausers. Its their property at the time and of course they do with it what they want. As a purist collector, when I purchase an 'improved' firearm, the first thing I do is assess what was changed and what is necessary to return it to original condition. I do a bit of business with Sarco and Numrich as a result. Grips, triggers, stocks, the list goes on. I always cringe when I see firearms I know are worth a great deal of money utterly ruined by the 'enthusiast'. Krags, K98's, Enfields, and so forth. Seeing them at gunshows knowing what they once were and were once worth always saddens me.

 

[Ampoyet]

Modified? I thought from the description that this is a second/spare slide so Jim can put the original slide anytime for the purists out there. For my part, I think it looks awesome and the work looks masterfully done. This is far from "bubbarizing". In any event, Jim likes it, and that is what matters. Kudos to Jim, Guzzi and Tercgen.

 

[guzzitaco]

They call me Guzzi not Bubba

Hi guys...

I feel compelled to make some comments, since I'm the one that "bubarized" this slide. (and many others for some of you)

1) No PISTOL was altered, modified, harmed, or touched during this process. Only a SPARE SLIDE was modified. (No animals were harmed during the process either, just in case).

2) The SPARE SLIDE wasn't in pristine condition. It was dinged and banged, and it took a ton of work to make the imperfections disappear. Nothing further away to a "9th century Ming vase".


(just a taste of what we were dealing with)

3) The CS40 can be easily returned to the original condition, just by swapping back the original slide and grips. In case it needs to be displayed at the Smithsonian as an example of a fine 20th century handgun.

I respect the point of view that 3rd gens are only collectors items. In my mind they are not. They are tools, that we use to train and to defend ourselves. I carry one every day and I train with them every week. You can collect them and use them as well.

Some people think they are obsolete. I also respect that point of view, but I also disagree with it. They are as capable today as they were 20 years ago, IMHO better than plastic frame strike fired pistol. (However, corporations need to cut costs to make more money and plastic is cheap, so they are trying to convince you the new guns are better, just my opinion). I also believe a 1911 or a High Power are also not obsolete. (discontinued is different from obsolete)

When I modify one of these pistols (or slides), I take the best possible care and I approach to job with a lot of respect. My goal is to try to make something that S&W would have made. I do a lot of research and try to use the same angles and depths as the factory. Many of you have helped me in this quest since I don't have a PC gun.

In the case of this CS40 slide, I tried to "emulate" the slide cut of a 945, with a minor modification the tip, where I wanted to make it look like the cut of a current Shield (love that slide, the frame not so much).





Finally, I started doing these mods to my guns because I wanted a gun that would look like a PC gun, but I didn't want to invest the $2,000 into an EDC (I just can't afford that). I always got an extra slide, extra grip, extra hammer, etc in case I wanted to sell the gun in its original condition. Some of you have liked what I do, so I got a FFL and started doing these mods (and others) for some of you.

Hope this helps to clarify things a bit...

Guzzi

 

[18DAI]

I think it looks great. And I would rather see those mods than turning it into a 10mm. But to each his own.

I had BMCM mod a 457 for me AND chop a barrel port off a PC Recon 45. VERY happy with both guns. I am a shooter NOT a collector.

Your gun, modify it to suit YOU. Who cares what anyone else thinks of it. Enjoy that pretty CS40 4T5GUY! Regards 18DAI

 

[mbliss57]

Het that looks great to me too.
I have been converted from a 3rd gen purist to a 3rd gen hatchet man. Well not really... I will still keep a nice 3rd gen in it's original condition if that is how it is received. But anything thing else that is NOT collector grade and that is probably 95 to 98% of all 3rd Gens are free game for modifications. JMO of course. I really like my 4006TSW CHP that has a 357 Sig barrel as well as the 40. (Thank you BMCM. )Many here have purchased TrecGen's grips for the CS series guns. That's a great improvement but still a mod. I also have purchased the plates to convert some of my 3rd gens to red dot sights so I can actually see what I am shooting at. I make no apologies for any of that.
Now I might get a little squeamish if someone took a pristine 945 and started hacking it up. But that is still their prerogative.

 

[toddstang]

Actually I considered that but your preference, (and many others,) is not an old fashioned/school of thought. “Billboards” came a bit later in the S&W marketing program. I am NOT putting you, (or anyone else,) down, but I hate Billboards as much as I hated the silver covered plastic snakes on my SVT Mustang. Most of my very special S&W’s are totally sterile, except for the serial numbers on the port side, (others not.) It would be difficult to figure out what they are unless you knew. Even the original box might not help. I like that.

Of course a CS isn’t on the same level as these other pistols, but at least the frame actually is marked what it is.

Again no offense intended.

Jim

None taken.
Just like watches.
Why not scrub that brand name off the face.
After all, it's just a watch.

 

[4T5GUY]

Invariably there are people who purchase a gun with the intention of making them better. This is fine when its a current modern production arm but not so cool when its a vintage firearm that is collected.

OK I get your point.

Since it’s my original post I can drift it, right.

Although “ruined” my ‘96, (1896,) Swede is one of the best rifles I have. Yes I was chastised by my collector peers for encouraging this sort of thing but wow, what a perfect rifle. It harvested seven Sitka Black Tails every year for too many years. Can’t beat nickel on a skiff in SE AK. It was cheap and I thought I could help save Kimber. The real and original Kimber.

I hated, (and still do,) Nationwide Sports, (and Chip McCormick to some degree,) but I just really wanted one of these fatherless rifles.

Jim

 

[Ampoyet]

None taken.
Just like watches.
Why not scrub that brand name off the face.
After all, it's just a watch.

If the name was too banged up and the functioning and performance of the watch could be improved, sure, why not, unless you're talking about an expensive watch which is not really a watch but a status symbol. A CS is not a status symbol. It is not a PC gun. It is not so sought after by collectors that it needs to be protected as an endangered species.

Also, sometimes, it is the modification that becomes collectible, like a Jason Burton 1911 or an ASP. What was done here is quite far from bubbification. Guzzi and Bill respect the 3rd Gen and every work is thoughtfully made to retain the SW spirit. To me, a Guzzi or Bill gun has a special "pedigree". I've even suggested Guzzi to sign and number his slides as it will add to their value.

Finally, once again, this is a spare, banged up slide that was improved. The original slide and gun remains for whomever owns it. Everybody wins.

 

[VictorLouis]

I think the slide work looks awesome. My only thought would...perhaps...be to considering upping the recoil spring weight. If you've taken an ounce or two off of the slide, perhaps a stronger spring may be a worthwhile extra investment.

 

[guzzitaco]

I think the slide work looks awesome. My only thought would...perhaps...be to considering upping the recoil spring weight. If you've taken an ounce or two off of the slide, perhaps a stronger spring may be a worthwhile extra investment.

The change in weight is only 0.4 Oz...less than 5% of the total weight of the complete slide.

 

[18DAI]

Since 4T5GUY said its ok to drift a little, guzzitaco did you mount Novaks on that fine looking 945, or did it come with them?

I am getting a 945 this year. You now have me re thinking what barrel length. Can you mount Novaks and an ambi safety for me, should I get a short barrel variant? Thanks! Regards 18DAI

 

[guzzitaco]

Since 4T5GUY said its ok to drift a little, guzzitaco did you mount Novaks on that fine looking 945, or did it come with them?

I am getting a 945 this year. You now have me re thinking what barrel length. Can you mount Novaks and an ambi safety for me, should I get a short barrel variant? Thanks! Regards 18DAI

Hi DAI,
no that 945 did not pass through my bench...I just found the pic in the forum and used it as a reference for the slide cut of the CS40...

I will send you a PM regarding the sights...