Bummed about my new 929

[rds95991]

Took my new 929 Performance Shop 929 to the range today. It was a disaster.

One of the moon clips will hold no 9mm rounds. Minor.

Major. My gun locked up, possible out of time? Cylinder was very hard to close. When it was closed, the hammer would not lock back and the trigger would not pull. Now it won't work either single or double action. The hammer won't go all the way back and the hammer won't pull back at all.

This was after at total of six rounds were fired through it.

[Bugkiller99]

Wow. That bites. (Fill in your own not suitable for forum words)
Time to go back to the mother ship. Though, it's maddening as the dickens when you have new gun (or anything else for that matter) that does not work out of the box.
Is the ejector rod loose?

[Protocall_Design]

Check for debris under the extractor on both mating surfaces and loose ejector rod as stated above.

[rds95991]

Checked all and everything looked okay.

I got this through Davidson's so it should not be a problem to repair or replace. Except going through DOJ again if the S/N changes.

[zogger]

Bummer. I am sure S&W will make it right. Please keep us up to date as I am thinking of getting the same gun in the future.

[H Richard]

Does it function normally empty? What moon clips are you using? There is a difference in the thickness of some of the moon clips and that can cause your gun to bind up. Make sure all the rounds are fully seated before closing the cylinder.

[black1970]

When you get it back from Smith sell it and buy a nice pre-lock 29 or 629. You will be much happier and own a much better firearm. OK everybody on the forum can start bashing me now. Can't beat the old Smiths. Oh-sorry I think I had the wrong caliber, but buy a pre-lock anyway. Sorry I think that I posted this in the wrong forum. Please delete.

[Macinaw]

Originally Posted by black1970

When you get it back from Smith sell it and buy a nice pre-lock 29 or 629. You will be much happier and own a much better firearm. OK everybody on the forum can start bashing me now. Can't beat the old Smiths. Oh-sorry think I had the wrong caliber, but buy a pre-lock anyway. Sorry I think that I posted this in the wrong forum. Please delete.

I have seriously been considering buying a 929 for Steel Challenge competition.

Why would he sell his 929 (9mm) for a 29 or 629 (44 mag)?

[rds95991]

Originally Posted by black1970

When you get it back from Smith sell it and buy a nice pre-lock 29 or 629. You will be much happier and own a much better firearm. OK everybody on the forum can start bashing me now. Can't beat the old Smiths. Oh-sorry I think I had the wrong caliber, but buy a pre-lock anyway. Sorry I think that I posted this in the wrong forum. Please delete.

I have several 629's from 3" to 8" and an S serial number 5" 29 (a safe queen). I wanted a 9mm revolver for a competition revolver. I also have a 686+ and 627, but 38 specials are longer and slow down reload times plus cost almost as much as 45ACP.

The clips I've been using are S&W, or at least they are the ones that came with the gun.

The trigger on this was very good and the gun was very accurate, at least for six shots.

[Da Nang Seabee]

You might check your ammo. If it isn't fully seated it will bind the cylinder.
Both my 986 and my 625 will bind with just one round not seated . If the moon clip is bent it will cause problems. Some brands of ammo might not fit in your brand of moon clip. Also some reloads have the 9mm
bulge near the base. I check every round with a lyman checker. I do this for my 986 and my 625 as I shoot mostly reloads.

[Nightowl]

Did the lock activate itself?

[ranger1202]

I know Smith makes it right when you send them back but man it's frustrating to have a gun (especially when paying a premium for a PC) not function properly. To me, it seems like this is a frequent occurrence with PC guns and a serious problem. Until it affects sales I don't imagine anything significant will be done. Think about it, what alternative do we have for a premium revolver in that price range?

[tjpopkin]

I have no complaints with my 929 (or my 627 in .38 Super). They are fast, accurate and problem free. The ammo may be the problem. I hand-load and reload, and I have found that I like RP brass...I get great discounts on new ammo from Remington as a handgun instructor, but the brass has never split and most accurate loads have been developed with RP brass, so I stick with it....besides, I must have 5000 pieces. Here's the Rub!..RP brass apparently has a different 'extractor groove dimension' then that on WW or Star-Line brass. Thus it may need a different moon clip. I did find that on the 929, RP brass is a bit loose, but when I purchased the new moon clips from TK Custom, they are too tight. The TK Custom clips are stainless, marked for size, but are $75.00 for 10. I cannot use them my BMT Mooner and they suggested I buy theirs...I feel like I've been taken for a ride. I intend to use my Dremel to grind down the TK clips a bit, and they should be fine. The BMT Mooner, demooner is "magic". Worth every penny. Then gun is fine.....good trigger and accuracy is off the charts, ESPECIALLY with 122gr. conical lead bullets and 5.0 gr. VV N-340.

[rds95991]

Originally Posted by Da Nang Seabee

You might check your ammo. If it isn't fully seated it will bind the cylinder.
Both my 986 and my 625 will bind with just one round not seated . If the moon clip is bent it will cause problems. Some brands of ammo might not fit in your brand of moon clip. Also some reloads have the 9mm
bulge near the base. I check every round with a lyman checker. I do this for my 986 and my 625 as I shoot mostly reloads.

Even without ammunition the condition continued.

[7tenz]

Might want to try the S&W Smithing section. I'm no expert, but I had a related problem with an older 29 when I tried a lighter rebound slide spring. I put the factory spring back in.