686 What do I have?

[TCLemons]

I have a 686 no dash that has2M above model # and CS 1 above the 2M. Barrel is 3 inch  box says special order 8057. Any one know what this fine shooting gun might have been made for?Thanks for any help....TC

[Broom Rider]

CS1, product code 104228 manufactured for U.S. Customs 1988.
From what I see on the S&W forum they are quite desireable.

[waynemorgan]

i dont know what the big deal is of the CS guns ,a few years ago you could give them away .they were like the old m-10  all dumped in a box and take your pick,,,,,

[TCLemons]

Thanks Broom Rider for the info.

[ldp4570]

Actually there were two CS-1 made. One with a three inch bbl, and one with a four inch bbl both with round butt grips. three inch was for US Customs dog handlers the other for regular officers. This order was completed by S&W but 1/3 of order never shipped due to everyone switching to autos, specificly 5906 for regular officers and 6906 for the dog handlers. The 1/3 that wasn't shipped were sold overseas (West Germany) Picked up there by a custom shop they were bead blasted and lazer marked .357 Security Special. While still retaining the CS-1 mark on the yoke. Germans didn't care for them so they were offered for sale through the Rod&Gun clubs for Soldiers to purchase( I have one in three inch). The remaining stocks of these firearms once replaced by autos were shiped and stored at Ft. Benning, where the US Customs firearm training branch was located. They also stored all confiscated weapons from all the federal agencies. Now why are there not a lot of these to go around? Prior to the Clinton years local, state, and federal agencies were allowed to sell off all turned in and or confiscated firearms to help buy newer weapons without using up all our tax money. Once Slick Willy was on board he blocked that and required all agencies to have their storage of post issue weapons and confiscated firearms destroyed. This along with large stockpiles of resurve US military arms were shipped to Anniston and cut up and melted down. Thankfully congress was able to stop it but not after a lot of damage had been done to or military stores of weapons i.e. M-1 Garands, M-1 Carbines, BAR, 1911A1, Tommies, Victory Colt and S&W revolvers, 1903 Colts. The majority of these were still in unissued condition. Don't believe it! Thats fine, sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. I was there, and have just recently returned from Iraq where the same policy is underway. Join the NRA, if you are a member then get a friend or co-worker who isn't to join. Its the only way we will keep our rights short of a civil war.
P.S. You have a very good firearm and somewhat rare, enjoy it and never let it go you will regret it!

[boriscor]

TC Lemons,

Let me know if your SW 686 cs-1 is for sale. I am very interested.
Thanks.

[boriscor]

TC Lemons,

Let me know if your SW 868 cs-1 in for sale.
I am very interested.
Thanks..

[Dee]

I have a 686 no dash that has2M above model # and CS 1 above the 2M. Barrel is 3 inch  box says special order 8057. Any one know what this fine shooting gun might have been made for?Thanks for any help....TC

Well, you know you have a collector but, let me tell you what else you have. And I should know. I was a Police Firearms Instructer for 19 years, ran a swat team for 5, and tactical K-9 for 13 years. All of this cramed into a 20 year career. I have fired almost everything available to a Police Officer, and carried most of them at one time or another, and what you have is one of the finest police sidearms ever manufactured. The L frame is the perfect balance between K and N frames, and the full length ejector rod shrowd gives it perfect balance in a four inch barrel. I carried two of them on duty at two seperate times in my career and was NEVER better armed. They will shoot with any automatic, including my 1911, and thru experience, if it ain't over in 6 rounds you need to change tactics not weapons. Just my .02 cents.