taaf:
Well, here's the story on my CS9.
My first compact 9mm pistol was a NIB 3913 bought in 1995. It was quite accurate, absolutely reliable, and easily concealed. This was before I retired (in 2000) and I was fortunate enough to be able to buy whatever "flavor of the month darling" pistol the gun mags were excited about, so I bought a couple of Glock 26's and put the 3913 away.. Then I replaced the Glocks (I hated the glock trigger) with a Sig P239. It was excellent, but I just wasn't 100% happy with the length and stroke of the DA/SA trigger.
I replaced the Sig with a Walther P99c/AS and it was extremely accurate, and 100% (as possible) reliable. I loved the "AS" (anti-stress) DA/SA striker, but it was a double stack and a bit bulky to my smaller hands. I replaced the P99c/AS with an early production PPS and it developed ejector problems at around 200 rds. and I sent it back to S&W for repairs. It was returned, not fixed, and I sent it back to S&W a second time and told them to fix it correctly or keep it and send me a new PPS.
My 2nd PPS was fine until it bobbled and I completely lost confidence with it and sold it. The problem was probably ammo related, (WalMart Winchester ball ammo), but no confidence in reliability means I won't carry that particular firearm for personal protection.
I replaced the PPS with a NIB S&W 6906 from CDNN for $399.99. It's basically a double stack 3913 and I really like it. I was so pleased shooting the 6906 I wanted another single stack 3rd gen. Smith for cc, (I have put my original 3913 away for my Son, who loves it), so I found out CDNN had a few 3913LS's ($499.99), so I bought one of those. I really love that pistol.. Slim, accurate, and very concealable in my FIST iwb holster.
Then, (I'm finally getting around to answering your question) I decided to buy a NIB CS9 since they are being discontinued along with the rest of the 3rd gen Smith line. I have long liked the "looks" of the diminutive CS9 but truthfully you just seldom hear much about them.
I "googled" and researched the CS9 on the various firearm forums, and it seems folks who have them love them IF the grip fits the hands of the owner. (Even then there is a gentleman who takes the 3913 grips and "remakes" them to fit the CS9 perfectly, and the result is just a slimmer grip).
Luckily when I took the CS9 out of the box it fit my hands perfectly..
I like the size and feel of the CS9 and even tho I have other choices (including a very nice HK P7). I find myself picking up the CS9 when I go walk my dog in the woods several times each day.. If I were to carry a 9mm pistol when away from home(I always cc a Seecamp, often nothing larger), it's a toss-up between the LS and the CS9. The LS being thinner, offering one additional round, and having an external safety only on the off (left) side it's just a tad thinner. But even tho the LS has these two attributes over the CS9 I just enjoy cc the CS9..
I'm a senior citizen, so I'm old, but never said I'm smart..
I think every person in the world who has owned a 3913, particularly in the LS configuration is convinced it's one of the best compact 9's ever manufactured.. I agree, and I've tried most of the competition, but even having said that I'm just partial to the CS9.
For my needs RELIABILITY is the absolute most important quality of a self defense firearm. I am of the opinion that NO matter the name or how much you spend you will not find a pistol more reliable, and with a longer or better history of reliability in actual use, than the 3rd gen Smiths have earned.
I believe if the CS9 fits your hands you will fall in love... If not you might consider the grip change option, and if you never get the CS9 to fit your hands to your satisfaction then I suggest you give the LS a try. In fact I think EVEN if you keep the CS9 you STILL save up your pennies (as I have done) and get a 3913LS too... You can never have too many 3rd gen Smiths, and as with land, they aren't making any more...
I think that probably the LS fits the vast majority of owners hands better than the CS9 because of the blocky "Hogue designed" factory rubber grips on the CS9, but if the grips fit your hands once you pick up your CS9 I don't think you'll be anything but 100% happy.
So the answer to your question is that I love my CS9, it fits my hands perfectly, is very accurate at self defense range, and I have full confidence in it's reliability.. I prefer to cc it over a sibling with slightly more capacity and is thinner, so that should tell you love has bloomed.
Please let us know how you like your CS9.
Best Wishes,
Jesse