I like my Smith 929 9mm revolver--but only with factory jacketed bullet ammo. I've tried to get the piece to shoot lead with some semblance of accuracy but to no avail. Got some 115 gr hi tek coated lead bullets at .356 diameter--tested the fit in the cylinder throats and that bullet falls through with no resistance. As expected it was not accurate and leaded the barrel. Next got some hi tek coated 140 gr lead at .358 diameter. They were tight in the cylinder throats--I had to tap them out with a wood dowel. I loaded some up and accuracy improved slightly but leading in the barrel was bad (no leading in the cylinder throats) . Then I got some 124 gr hi tek coated lead lead at .357 diameter--they were a good fit in the cylinder throats with only the tip of the bullet protruding and I pushed them out with the wood dwell with little resistance. I expected them to perform the best but still a major disappointment. It appears that other 929 owners have had the same experience as me with lead bullets. Contrast that with my 625 revolver in 45 ACP -- it shoots 200 gr LSWC sized at .452 like a laser beam with no leading.
I have been playing with a 986. 124 gr lead, cast bullets and shoot great. Ironically the coated didn't do as well, and I haven't shot any jacketed through it yet. I'm well pleased with how it shoots, and it has a .003" B/C gap with very tight lock up.
Got excellent accuracy with 147 grain cast sized 356 and 357 in my 929 with alliant sport pistol. It likes big and heavy bullets. Lot of good info on benos forums in revolver section.
I also mount a 4x leupold pistol scope for testing as I feel I can get such a good sight picture off a rest. I also have a ransom rest but rarely use it. A scope makes load testing easy.
929 Performance with lead bullets
Linear Mode
