Been watching the 986 market on Gunbroker, noticed that there is always a couple dozen and not one bid is given. I'm sure their crazy listing prices aren't helping.

Or maybe folks have figured out that they are actually 38/357 revolvers stamped 9MM.

It's a niche (limited market) gun, and the going rate of $1K plus is not a major selling point in the era of $400 9 mm pistols.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I rarely find GB pricing for newer guns to be attractive.

Starting bids of just under $1000 +credit card fee for used 986s are not that appealing when I can find brand new 986 snubs for under $1100 and the 5" models for under $1200 by looking around on Wikiarms.

I agree.

I rather have a 38 revolver than a 9mm revolver. Just not practical to me. (I did have a S&W 1917 but I prefer 45 Auto Rim to fooling around with moon clips) JMHO

Don't forget that all three variants have been on the market for 6 years or more so I'd guess the majority of those shooters that wanted one have bought it by now. IMO

I had heard, that when the 547 came out, it didn't sell very well.

Maybe the 986 is a classic in the making?!

IMHO the M986 makes little sense. Anyone interested in a target / competition traditional style revolver would be better served with the .38 special chambering. IMO the 9mm cartridge is for semi autos, not for revolvers and although S&W has chosen to "make it work" I still disagree with the concept. I can't believe that it would operate as well, with as few problems and still retain longevity as a revolver chambered in 38 special - which to me is a proper caliber for a revolver.

OK - some may think differently, but that is just my opinion. No offense to anyone here that owns one. I sincerely hope they perform well and last a long time.

I think they would sell the heck out of it if it didn't have that gaping hole for the internal lock on the left side of the frame. Notice that they don't show that side on their website:

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/l-frame-178055

Like an article online says, "For a company whose revolvers are often thought of as quite attractive, this (hole) was like tattooing the face of the prom queen."

We all.know why the Company did this, and why they probably will nevet do away with it, but after 20 years why not relocate it to a less conspicuous place...?

If I were going to buy an L-frame, 7-shot revolver, I'd rather it be in 357 Magnum than 9x19mm. In 357, I can shoot 357 magnum ammo that can equal or greatly exceed the ballistics of the 9mm, or step down to 38 Special for low recoil loads. I expect a good number of others feel the same way.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I’m not a gun investor. But you mark my word, in 15-20 years, the price of those things will be astronomical.

Pretty fair chance that I won't be around in another 15-20 years, so...

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

We have in our collection of 36 cal. Model 10's, 357's, and one 2.5 inch 986. We also have several 9mm autos. While my hands down favorite is the Model 10 I am quite fond of the 986 since it is easy to load, very accurate, and much cheaper to use factory ammo then the aforementioned revolvers. I also feel much more confident in its reliability over the autos. The only drawback I see is that the various wood grips I tried had to be replaced by a Hogue Tamer. It does kick. Overall it is a great gun.

... the Model 547 was developed in response to an inquiry from the French government, in the late 1970’s, to provide a 9mm revolver for police use. One of their requirements was a revolver that could function with the rimless 9mm round without using moon clips. Roger Curran, who was the Director of Research and Development at S&W at that time, led the project. The Smith & Wesson 547: Ahead of its Time? – RevolverGuy.Com

I was a LEO at the time and half of my Department was interested in upgrading from the revolver. The other half of management did not want to, but considered another caliber. Interesting times indeed with the 459/659 being introduced too.

Same here my friend.

Why buy a 986? you can buy a 686+ and have the cylinder cut for clips and 9mm, buy another cylinder and shoot 38 short colt, 38 special, and 357 mag.

I have several 686+ revolvers. Interesting is that 38 Colt short with 686+ clips drops right in the 986.

My 986 with 6" Walther 1-9.8 twist .355 barrel shoots really awesome 50 yard groups.

The 986 was built to fit a niche for target games. The N Frame holding 1 more round overshadowed it and it was soon discontinued. It remains a "collectable" and some have never seen one. They did make a good shooting platform.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

9mm revolvers don't sell. Period. Most of the manufacturers have tried that market, none of them have succeeded. It's a niche market. I doubt the 9mm revolver fan base is more than 2,000 or 3,000 nationwide.

I have one. A Czech Alfa brought in my RIA. I bought it on a whim. I've had it to the range once. It works but doesn't really do anything all that remarkable. Moon clips are an acquired taste that so far I haven't acquired.

I would also point out the 986 is about the ugliest revolver Smith has ever made.

My 986, this target was fired double action rested on the grip butt at 50 yards. Protocall Design DAO hammer.

I suspect it might be one hole in a Ransom Rest. The 986 can shoot when set up.

Attached Images

986da.jpg (64.4 KB, 74 views)

Very interesting! I will have to try that in mine.
What powder charge?
I've been using Bayou 135s with Bullseye.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Using +/- 3.7 W231 (125 PF) but that 138 BNWC bullet must have a 1.075-1.080 AOL. If you have the factory barrel .358 bullets are in order. Also consider that my barrel has a 1 in 9.8 twist and is .355

BTW: 9mm roll crimp

Thanks for the tips!
I just ran out of the 135s, so time to reorder.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I was considering one, but when I heard bbl is .357, and cartridges did not chamber on case mouth... I was meh. And potential issues with the Ti cylinder... eh..

Commonality of ammunition with 9mm semi automatics.

That's about it.

You may find that the 38 super will shoot in it to.

Smith and wesson currently makes two N frame 8 shot 9mms. The 327WR and the 929.

9mm is more popular than ever.

Didn't Jerry Miculek make another world record with the scandium framed 9mm? 8 shot?

Not selling to me........I have zero use for it.

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S&W Accumulator

I have extra 986 barrels and sent a request to S&W inquiring about purchasing a 986 cylinder for a future project.


Rec'd this response:

Thank you for contacting Smith & Wesson.

Thank you for your interest in our products. At the current time we do not make a firearm in this configuration. Information on our firearms can be found on our website through the link below.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/

Does this mean the end of the 986?

FWIW the 327WR was limited edition and is now sold out. I would have bought one if they were priced somewhere around $1,500 instead of $3,000.

Picked up a 986PC recently after selling a 629PC that was too much for my arthritic hands. So this snub nose 986PC is a .357 Mag barrel just marked 9mm?

Accuracy seems decent enough. Only real issue I have is the front site wants to fall off. May have to send in to get it staked or whatever they do to make it stay put. Trigger is decent. Doubt I'll be in the market for any additional 9mm revolvers... Pretty thin use case scenario, besides the fact that revolver cartridges have gotten so expensive...

The 386NG and 629 5" lying around here are more entertaining to shoot.

SAAMI Spec shows 9mm and .357 Mag barrel diameters to be the same, so it would make sense that they are the same. On my 929 the throats are .357. If using cast bullets you want to go with .357 bullets. But I use .357 bullets all my other 9mm's so it works out.

Check your cylinder ports, .358 bullets will pass through, not the case with my 940 revolver.

As somebody said, this is a niche product and the niche seems to be filled. When a particular firearm as a LEO application, there is an ongoing market, but a purely civilian gun, built for sporting purposes, just doesn’t sell for long! Add to this that many civilians regard revolvers as obsolete, plus,the purists’ disdain for the IL hole and you’ve got a recipe for failure.

OTOH, when the bottom falls out on pricing, put a few NIB examples in your safe to pay for your grandkids’ education!

Froggie

I'm waiting ....would like another stock 986 5" to work with...but not willing to put out $1400 right now!

I was wondering about that. How hard would it be to modify the cylinder on a shooter-grade 357 magnum to accept moon-clipped 9mm?
Just curious...

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

TK Custom does it for $350, and I'm guessing that they're not the only ones.

I can actually appreciate the idea of a 9mm revolver. Unless I'm missing something, 9mm ammo remains the least expensive centerfire ammo we can get. For the person who doesn't reload their own ammo, it seems a bargain. The power level ain't awful. It's a bit more snappy than .38 Special, but certainly not as bad as .357 mag.

I notice Pietta is making single action revolvers in 9mm. While I certainly would would not choose to "git my cowboy on" with Parabellum marked cartridges in the ole belt loops, but it does help to bring new revolver shooters to our ranks, and maybe keep some going.

I personally think a 9mm S&W revolver would be pretty cool. Granted, I might prefer a 929 to a 986 but....the biggest thing holding me back is a $1400 price tag. I just can't swing that for a toy. Not even a really cool one that wouldn't be too shabby if pushed into a protection role.

My exact thoughts, can't remember what I paid for my 986 about 1-1/2 years ago, probably around $800. Have my eyes open for another. Years ago I had a 547 that I installed a 6" heavy barrel on and it shot ragged holes at 50 yards.

My current pocket gun is a 940.

Also had a Manurhin MR 73 with 9mm cylinder that shot one hole groups at 50 yards.

I use 38 j frames (and will stay that way)-but I picked up a "like new" used Taurus 905 for 248 just to have a snub in 9mm (or .380).