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S&W CS9 CS40 CS 45

5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
edited January 2009 in Ask the Experts
Anyone have an experieince with the S&W chief special series? How dependable?

Comments

  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    as a rule I do not like the S&W centerfire auto pistols. IIRC these are based off Sigmas (crap IMHO), and I didn't like the M&P pistols either.

    Think you would do better with a Glock. JMHO, of course
  • moonshinemoonshine Member Posts: 8,471
    edited November -1
    I have the S&W cs 9 and have had no problems with it.Rather like it.
  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The CS series is based on other S&W pistols than SIGMA'S [;)]
    They are built for a compact carry series.
    The ones I have had were very dependable.
  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Which ones have you had..the 9MM and/or the 45 ACP?
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by PBJloaf
    as a rule I do not like the S&W centerfire auto pistols. IIRC these are based off Sigmas (crap IMHO), and I didn't like the M&P pistols either.

    Think you would do better with a Glock. JMHO, of course


    The Smith Chief series autos are NOT based on the Sigma, and there is virtually NO similarity there.

    The Sigma is more or less a blatant Glock copy.

    The Chief guns are based on the numbered series Smith autos, themselves all ultimately derived from the original Smith 39 9mm.

    Major differences between the Chief autos and the Glock are that the Chiefs are all metal with alloy frames (not polymer) and have external safeties.

    The Smiths are also traditional SA/DA guns, though its up to you to decide if you like that configuration.

    The Novak sights on the Chiefs are actually quite good, IMO better than stock Glock sights.

    The guns are reliable.

    Downside of them is that they are a little "chunky", especially in comparison to some of the new super-small CCW guns (eg Kahr, Kel-Tec, etc) though this may not be such a downside as the bulk helps reduce recoil.


    EDIT:
    quote:5mmgunguy
    Senior Member

    1401 Posts

    Posted - 12/26/2008 : 12:05:01 AM
    Beantown...I thought the S&W CS9 and CS45 were DA only...not SA/DA.
    You'd think so, but no. They are "traditional" double action, which is to say double-action on the first shot, then single-action on subsequent shots.

    The hammers are bobbed, so you can't really thumb cock them, and as far as I know, there are no hammered variants. I also do NOT think these were ever offered in a DA-only form, though most of the other third-gen Smith guns are/were.

    http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=12755&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

    As to how good these are, I think they do what they need to do, which is to say, if you like a small non-polymer traditional DA/SA auto pistol, they're actually pretty good.

    I'd say the real competitors to these guns are not the Glocks, or even SW M&P models at all since those aren't DA/SA. The better comparision would be with the older SW99-compact guns, or CZ-75 RAMI guns, as those are also DA/SA (or a variant).

    Its a question of hand fit, whether you like polymer or alloy frame (eg weight/recoil balance), what kind of controls you like, and what kind of capacity you need.
  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've had the 9 and 45, both were typical S&W quality. They are bigger than the Kahr I went to, but still make good carry guns.
  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Beantown...I thought the S&W CS9 and CS45 were DA only...not SA/DA.
  • moonshinemoonshine Member Posts: 8,471
    edited November -1
    moretoys

    they are DA/SA first shot DA the rest SA
    Model: CS9
    Caliber: 9mm
    Capacity: 7+1 Rounds
    Barrel Length: 3"
    Front Sight: Dot Front Sight
    Rear Sight: Novak Lo Mount Carry
    Grip: Rubber Grips
    External Safety: N/A
    Frame: Small
    Finish: Matte
    Overall Length: 6 1/4"
    Material: Alloy
    Weight Empty: 20 oz.

    http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=12755&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=
  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The CS series is based on the 3rd generation of S&W auto pistols. They have no barrel bushing, and have a reverse tapered bull barrel. I have heard good things about them, but you better hurry, as S&W is out of the production metal framed centerfire pistols. These pistols are a traditional DA/SA type trigger system.

    Best
  • jbradyjbrady Member Posts: 1 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Question...

    I have seen the CS9 a glass bead finish and black matte. When did S&W make the black matte?
  • jthoresenjthoresen Member Posts: 445 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The S&W CS9 and CS45 are actually still available. (Although they are difficult to get). The S&W CS40 is no longer in production.
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