Well I was looking for a back up gun, compact 45. So I have shot a Smith & Wesson Chiefs Special in 45, and shot well with it. But at the time I didnt have a need for it. But now I do. SO, I have been looking, but so far havent seen any on the auctions. So is this CS45 a rare gun? Or is it such a good gun that nobody wants to get rid of it? I will have to go to the next gun show, but thats not for a while yet...
where are all the CS45 Chiefs Specials?
- Thread starter whiplash
- Start date
The CS45 & CS9 were removed from the regular commercial catalog a couple of years ago.
Like the metal-framed TSW pistols they're still produced for LE/Gov orders and sales. I've been told by S&W that even an individual officer could still buy them, along with the TSW guns, through an authorized S&W LE Distributor (meaning a factory designated LE distributor, not a stocking dealer, wholesaler, etc.), as long as there are some on hand in the vaults. They make various models in production runs (usually for orders) and often make deliberate overruns so some extra models are available for the occasional small agency or individual officer orders. What I've been told, anyway.
Some might still be floating around in the commercial/wholesale pipeline somewhere, though. Some are still reported to pop up sitting on some dealer's shelf somewhere from time to time. Why not ask around over on the S&W Forum?
Mine's not for sale.
Like the metal-framed TSW pistols they're still produced for LE/Gov orders and sales. I've been told by S&W that even an individual officer could still buy them, along with the TSW guns, through an authorized S&W LE Distributor (meaning a factory designated LE distributor, not a stocking dealer, wholesaler, etc.), as long as there are some on hand in the vaults. They make various models in production runs (usually for orders) and often make deliberate overruns so some extra models are available for the occasional small agency or individual officer orders. What I've been told, anyway.
Some might still be floating around in the commercial/wholesale pipeline somewhere, though. Some are still reported to pop up sitting on some dealer's shelf somewhere from time to time. Why not ask around over on the S&W Forum?
Mine's not for sale.
I love mine. I have had it for a few years now, and I carry it quite a bit. I have been looking for the 9mm for a few years now, and have not had much luck at a decent price.
Excellent guns. Smith really screwed up by getting rid of that line. They have identity issues, in my opinion.
Excellent guns. Smith really screwed up by getting rid of that line. They have identity issues, in my opinion.
Yeah, I also thought S&W was giving up a part of the market they should've worked harder to keep active, meaning the metal-framed traditional double action models (TDA).
That task has mostly been left to Sig Sauer, oddly enough. The ironic part is that not only is Sig continuing to make metal-framed TDA guns, but they've also essentially duplicated the short SA trigger reset of the S&W with their SRT (Short Reset Trigger) option. (We were told in a class that the SRT sear & sear spring was developed when Sig was competing for a large LE contract and wanted to have a similar SA trigger reset to the S&W gun, which was their competition - and which was awarded the contract, form trivia's sake).
A big problem with continuing to offer the metal-framed TDA guns was the cost involved. There's no way to reasonably compete with the reduced cost of polymer-framed pistols in a competitive market. The metal guns just cost more to make. The cost of the CS series was becoming pretty steep when it came to their MSRP, as well as what dealers were able to finally charge. More expense, less profit. Do the math.
I'll grant that the M&P 45c seems as though it will make for a reasonably decent substitute, size-wise & capacity-wise, for the discontinued 457 and even the 4513TSW ... but the only .45 close enough in overall size to the the smallest of the previous .45's, being the diminutive CS45, seems to be the newest of the SW1911 series, and not everybody wants a 1911-style pistol when it comes to a subcompact .45 pistol.
Oh well. Time marches on ...
I do prefer my CS9 to my CS45, all things considered, but I have no plans to get rid of my CS45, if only because I think it represents an interesting execution of concept when it comes to a reliable, small metal-framed TDA .45 pistol.
That task has mostly been left to Sig Sauer, oddly enough. The ironic part is that not only is Sig continuing to make metal-framed TDA guns, but they've also essentially duplicated the short SA trigger reset of the S&W with their SRT (Short Reset Trigger) option. (We were told in a class that the SRT sear & sear spring was developed when Sig was competing for a large LE contract and wanted to have a similar SA trigger reset to the S&W gun, which was their competition - and which was awarded the contract, form trivia's sake).
A big problem with continuing to offer the metal-framed TDA guns was the cost involved. There's no way to reasonably compete with the reduced cost of polymer-framed pistols in a competitive market. The metal guns just cost more to make. The cost of the CS series was becoming pretty steep when it came to their MSRP, as well as what dealers were able to finally charge. More expense, less profit. Do the math.
I'll grant that the M&P 45c seems as though it will make for a reasonably decent substitute, size-wise & capacity-wise, for the discontinued 457 and even the 4513TSW ... but the only .45 close enough in overall size to the the smallest of the previous .45's, being the diminutive CS45, seems to be the newest of the SW1911 series, and not everybody wants a 1911-style pistol when it comes to a subcompact .45 pistol.
Oh well. Time marches on ...
I do prefer my CS9 to my CS45, all things considered, but I have no plans to get rid of my CS45, if only because I think it represents an interesting execution of concept when it comes to a reliable, small metal-framed TDA .45 pistol.
Technosavant
New member
The S&W metal autoloaders just never did sell all that well. Police agencies were about the only regular customers- while they had their fans in the "civilian" market (they were decent), they just weren't that popular when compared to the Sigs or CZs. As the polymer guns gained popularity, it was clear that their already small sales would only drop, so S&W just doesn't really bother with them anymore.
It isn't really anything against the guns, just that the consumers generally didn't pay much attention to them.
It isn't really anything against the guns, just that the consumers generally didn't pay much attention to them.
MoreCowBell
New member
I have a CS45 in very good shape. I like it a lot but I got bit by the 1911 bug and happened on a Kimber Ultra CDP II for a VERY good price and now I have one 45 too many (I also have a full size 1911).
So I was at the range today and a lady shot my Kimber and was talking about wanting a 45 (she's an instructor) but doesn't like the 1911, something about the grip safety.
Bottom line I'm meeting her Sunday for her to give the Big Chief a run. I don't remember what I paid for it, what's a good price?
It was my carry for a while but recently I bought a Ruger SP101 in 357 with the 2" barrel and have also been carrying a Glock 27. And now, the Kimber is really starting to grow on me.
I looked several pages of Google and saw everything from $450 to $750.
Anybody got a "Blue Book" handy? Is there such?
Thanks
cb
So I was at the range today and a lady shot my Kimber and was talking about wanting a 45 (she's an instructor) but doesn't like the 1911, something about the grip safety.
Bottom line I'm meeting her Sunday for her to give the Big Chief a run. I don't remember what I paid for it, what's a good price?
It was my carry for a while but recently I bought a Ruger SP101 in 357 with the 2" barrel and have also been carrying a Glock 27. And now, the Kimber is really starting to grow on me.
I looked several pages of Google and saw everything from $450 to $750.
Anybody got a "Blue Book" handy? Is there such?
Thanks
cb
passintime
New member
I have seen a CS45 at each of the last three gun shows I have attended. I like them and have thought about it at each show!
2cooltoolz
New member
I know where mine is...
If I was in a slow fire 25 yard bullseye match, I would choose my P220. When I'm trying to show (up) the bubba in the next lane how to shoot double taps, or when I hear something go bump in the night, I choose my CS45. I love the way it pushes in recoil, instead of flipping. To me it is the most natural pointing, easiest recovery, large caliber handgun I have ever shot.
For its small size and relative light weight, it is a sweet, gentle shooter. It shoots like it weighs 30+ oz.
If I was in a slow fire 25 yard bullseye match, I would choose my P220. When I'm trying to show (up) the bubba in the next lane how to shoot double taps, or when I hear something go bump in the night, I choose my CS45. I love the way it pushes in recoil, instead of flipping. To me it is the most natural pointing, easiest recovery, large caliber handgun I have ever shot.
For its small size and relative light weight, it is a sweet, gentle shooter. It shoots like it weighs 30+ oz.
Last edited:
2cooltoolz
New member
More pics:
I've been trying for years to comfortably carry the CS45, but my PM9 Kahr is just too easy.
Comparison Pic:
I've been trying for years to comfortably carry the CS45, but my PM9 Kahr is just too easy.
Comparison Pic: