Your thoughts on CS9 Chief's Special

I too purchased a Blued one a couple months ago and was very surprised and pleased with the way it handles. Just the Hogues on for now.

Why they stopped making them is a mystery??? I'm afraid if I start to like 1911's, they will stop making those too. :eek:
 
finesse_r said:
Hi Jesse,

As one old timer to another, how do those very small or "tiny" semi-autos compare in concealability with say a 649 body guard in SS.

For me personally once you go below a 3913 in size, I don't see much advantage in a semi-auto over a quality revolver. This appears even more so it the gun is primarily a backup. For a long time I tried to talk myself into getting a CS9 or a CS40, but the pure simplicity and near total reliability of a snub nosed .38 with Plus P rounds just kept me out of the very small semi-auto market.

In fact I was totally a wheel gun person up until S&W began making their third generation pistols. Until then my luck with even quality semi-autos was such that I did not trust them for self-defense. Until I got my first S&W third generation pistol I simply carried a .357 magnum or a .38 for my primary concealed carry gun.

Over the last few decades the semi-autos have gotten much better and I now primarily carry a S&W semi-auto (3913 or 4013 or one of their cousins) for my primary concealed carry weapon. If I carry a back up it is a S&W 649 in my pocket.

I simply don't see sufficient advantage in using a tiny semi-auto for a back up when a snub offers almost the same fire power and is just so much more simple and clean as a machine.

The only real advantage I can think of would be that the very small or tiny semi-autos are easier to conceal, and that is why I was asking the question as I have never really compared their size to a snub nose revolver like the 649 or even one of the air weight variants of the 649.
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I used to feel the same way and always had a snub j frame. Until my son (3 years old) asked to see it one day while I was putting it away. I unloaded it, and handed it to him cylinder open. he took it, closed the cylinder, cocked the hammer, and pulled the trigger. i never taught him how to do any of that. So the j frame was sold and a CS9 is now my carry piece. I am human, and we all make mistakes, and I just feel a semi auto with a manual safety and a mag disconnect is the way to go. I am very strict on putting the gun away when I come home, but can't say for 100% sure that ONE DAY I might be lax, especially with a screaming infant and my son chiming in. When I come home, I take the mag out when I come home and put it in a pocket until I can put them away. I am actually looking at the LC9 to replace my CS9. Same features I like, but smaller and lighter.
 
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I bought a blued CS9 a few weeks ago, after looking for one for a few months.

$425 buy it now on gunbroker.com. Came with box, papers, 2 mags. Other CS9s I'd been looking at were in the $550+ range, and were stainless (I prefer a blued gun).

I also bought a few 3913 mags to use as spare carry and range mags, and swapped the curved baseplate off the CS9 mag for a flat one from a 3913 mag to aid in concealability. I actually like the shorter grip offered with the flat baseplate.

I have since ordered more flat 3913 baseplates from Smith ($3 ea), just received my FIST OWB holster, and am looking for a set of Big Dog grips.

Range time was uneventful. As accurate as my Glock 26, no problems x 200 rounds, comfortable to shoot. I used range ammo (Blazer 115 FMJ) and carry ammo (Hornandy Critical Defense 115).

I only have two complaints:

The Hogue grip catches on everything which isn't so great for a pocket sized gun. It is very comfortable and I like the look of it, though. Normally I buy a Hogue for every gun I carry but in this case I'm going the other way...

When I load a round in the chamber and then strip out the mag to top it off, the next round tends to get shoved forward slightly and causes the mag to stick a bit. You have to "rip" it from the gun. Not sure if this is a common issue but it hasn't affected reliability in any way.

Overall, it's a great little piece, and once I put a thousand rounds or so through it I will probably replace my Glock 26 with it for every day off duty carry.
 
MeefZah said:
When I load a round in the chamber and then strip out the mag to top it off, the next round tends to get shoved forward slightly and causes the mag to stick a bit. You have to "rip" it from the gun. Not sure if this is a common issue but it hasn't affected reliability in any way.

Overall, it's a great little piece, and once I put a thousand rounds or so through it I will probably replace my Glock 26 with it for every day off duty carry.
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Common practice with S&W 3rd gen's. It's happened to my 5906, 5903, 915, 6906, 3913, and my blued CS9. Doesn't affect function at all. Just something 3rd gen's do.
 
MeefZah said:
When I load a round in the chamber and then strip out the mag to top it off, the next round tends to get shoved forward slightly and causes the mag to stick a bit. You have to "rip" it from the gun. Not sure if this is a common issue but it hasn't affected reliability in any way.
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I read on another forum of a guy who loads the +1 round with a mag that only has 1 round in it. Then he puts in the full mag. Just another way to skin that cat.
 
kbm6893 said:
Common practice with S&W 3rd gen's. It's happened to my 5906, 5903, 915, 6906, 3913, and my blued CS9. Doesn't affect function at all. Just something 3rd gen's do.
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Ah, thanks. My two previous 6906s never did that. It wasn't of real concern, just mildly annoying.
 
I'm not sure why they are seen as "pricey" in most cases as they usually go for $400-$650 LNIB or NIB condition.

Maybe that is pricey compared to a new polymer gun manufactured in 2010/2011, but does not seem pricey compared to Rohrbaugh's, Kimber Solo's, and any of the compact and subcompact 1911 variants made by quality manufacturers.

They also don't seem pricey compared to several of the other metal framed quality compacts in the Beretta 85 .380 and Browning BDA categories.

I know right now where I can buy a CS9 - NIB (estate sale piece) for $599. I've seen them go for as low as $399 LNIB. That seems like a fair deal, if not a bargain, for a high quality, alloy framed very accurate little American made pistol.

Oh, time to quit posting on the forum, as my FFL just called and said he is back in town, my FBI background check is approved, and a LNIB 4014 is ready to pick up! Photos later today!

FYI- This FFL is a great guy to support if you need an FFL and live in NE Ohio. He's a fireman and paramedic, and was training all last week for his Fire Chief qualifications. He's a great guy, Iraq war vet, and if anybody in NE Ohio needs an FFL then PM me.
 
27145 said:
Before I retired from the job, I bought myself a CS9 DAO. No safety/decocker. It is very concealable and the rubber grips fit my hand perfectly. My service pistol was a 5946, before that revolvers, so I am used to double action. I ordered big dog grips, they are on the way, but I may stick with the rubber. Between the stock rubber and a big dog grip, the gun would probably fit anyones hands. It is well balanced. I just picked up a CS45, nice gun, but doesnt feel nearly as nice as the 9. To me the CS45 feels better with the stock rather than the BD grips Get one if you like them.

Other choices are the ruger LC9 or the Rohrbaugh for conceal carry. It's all personal opion, so we are giving them.
Rohrbaugh Firearms
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Who makes the Big Dog grips and do they make them for a 3913LS - I would like to take the gray grips off and replace them with black.
 
The CS9 is the way to go.It was my choice for 9mm semi auto pistol because it fit my small hands so well.Two improvements you can make are to get a set of Big Dog's CS9 Grips to replace those nasty hogue grips.With me and a few other CS9 owners we noticed that it shoots a little low to point of aim with the novak sights.I found that this was corrected with the instillation of Trijicon Night Sights and this was verified by a few other CS9 owners who got the same results when they followed suit.The last thing I did was to convert my CS9 to DAO because I am a long time revolver shooter and I like the longer trigger squeeze on each round just my personal preperence....All the Best and God Bless...Mike
 
yncrogers said:
Who makes the Big Dog grips and do they make them for a 3913LS - I would like to take the gray grips off and replace them with black.
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Big Dog makes Big Dog grips. :D

They grips appear to me to be factory 3913 grips that are cut down, albeit very professionally done. They are only made for the CS series. Therefore, you don't want a set of Big Dog grips for your 3913. As noted, just order the factory grip from smith... it's $18, buit most likely backordered.
 
CHIEF SPECIALS

Florida Guy said:
Thinking about buying one, and would like to know your experience with it.
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I HAVE THE S&W CS9, CS40, CS45 IN SS 3RD GENERATION. THIS MAKES MY COLLECTION COMPLETE. I HAVE FIRED ALL 3 NUMEROUS TIMES AND ENJOY THE HANDLING AND FIRING EXPERIENCE OF THESE WEAPONS, THEY ARE THE BEST COMPACTS IN MY OPINION EVER MADE. RELIABLE, ACCURATE, SHOOT FOREVER. I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER FAVORITE, S&W 3913 9MM COMPACT, AN EXCELLENT GUN. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A CS 9, DON'T GIVE UP, HARD TO COME BY. BY THE WAY I ALSO HAVE A S&W 908SS ON THE FORUM FOR SALE LNIB W/ 2 MAGS. ANOTHER HARD ONE TO FIND. GOOD LUCK
REGARDS
 
cs9 conealed holsters

Hey guys new to thread looking for info on the best concealed carry holsters for the s&w cs9 any one have any good info
 
firemanjeff said:
Hey guys new to thread looking for info on the best concealed carry holsters for the s&w cs9 any one have any good info
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Contact Tim Thurner at TT Gunleather:

TT GunLeather High Quality Leather Gun Holsters

Tim made me an awesome holster for my compact 4014. (IWB style). He makes a fully custom, extremely nice holster for 3rd gens, at a lot less price, and a lot quicker than other holster makers.
 
I picked up a CS45 a couple months ago. It was $300, and I bought it to re-sale and make a quick buck. I shot it, and it was pretty amazing. I figured I would carry it a couple days then sell it. It never leaves my side now. SOOOO comfortable to carry, extra comfortable after I had a holster made for it. Best part, custom leather holster made to fit....$45. Oh yeah custom tuckable holster. This gun was meant for me. I just saw somebody posted one here for $700. Starting to feel like I hit the lottery.
 
I have wanted a CS 9 for ages. But I just can't justify the cash for now. Someone commented on an HK and how the sights are more distinguishable. That really resonated with me as my EDC is a P30. Not too long ago I was considering having a BUG that was the same caliber as my EDC and went in earnest to look for a single stack. I went to the range with a buddy and brought my Sig 232 that was/is my current BUG. Funny, that day, I shot the eyes out (literally) with that little Sig. Even better than my HK. That was the end of my same caliber hunt.

ps. I still think the 3913 is the finest single stack 9mm out there...IMHO!
 
CS9 w BIG DOG GRIPS

18DAI said:
Finest sub compact 9mm, single stack made by anyone - IF it fits your hand.

Sadly the CS9 did not fit my hand and I went with the finest compact single stack 9mm made by anyone - the 3913.

Reliable accurate little gun. Conceals easily. Consider Big Dog grips too. The only improvement that can be made on the CS9, IMO of course.

Why anyone looking for a compact 9mm would consider anything else i
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