929 is NOT 9x19, but 9x21!

[Pizza Bob]

Just to keep the topic alive, I can say that I have shot quite a few rounds of 9x21 WITHOUT clips in my 929 the last few months. They headspace and fire just fine with and without clips and is in my view a definite answer to the question of which SAAMI spec the chamber has.

Not necessarily. It has been my experience that new brass, whether for reloading or from factory ammo, is considerably shorter than the actual SAAMI spec chamber dimension. The fact that 9x19 mm gets pushed into the chamber and 9x21 mm headspaces correctly without clips serves to illustrate that. Measure the brass and compare to specs and measure the chamber. Just because 9x21 fits doesn't mean that is what the cylinder is chambered for - it means that your 9x21 mm brass is short.

Just a little fuel for the fire.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[9146gt]

Video is in Italian but shows 9X21 S&W revolver for Italy.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngkD3VmAUek[/ame]

Tom

 

[9146gt]

Found this also.
s&w revolver mod 986 5" cal.9x21 6c pro-serie - Bignami

Tom

 

[wolverine]

Not necessarily. It has been my experience that new brass, whether for reloading or from factory ammo, is considerably shorter than the actual SAAMI spec chamber dimension. The fact that 9x19 mm gets pushed into the chamber and 9x21 mm headspaces correctly without clips serves to illustrate that. Measure the brass and compare to specs and measure the chamber. Just because 9x21 fits doesn't mean that is what the cylinder is chambered for - it means that your 9x21 mm brass is short.

Just a little fuel for the fire.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Evening Bob

I must be missing something there-- I just measured one of my 9x21 cases & the brass length (as measured) is 21.11mm. When I clip that into a moon clip that 21.11mm case goes all the way into the chamber with the moon clip tight to the rear of cylinder.

I'm not sure how to accurately measure the chamber depth on a moon clip cylinder as moon clip thickness & case base to rim slot is not spelled out in the SAAMI specs.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I was basing my comments on extrapolations from research and actual measurements I did on .45 ACP cases. The difference may have come about for three possible reasons: 1) Being European in origin the 9mm cartridge family adheres more closely to actual caliber name dimensions. 2) Smith may add a plus (+) side to their chamber dimensions based on specified length. Or, 3) I'm flat out wrong.

I am still of the opinion that Smith didn't intentionally set out to have the 986 and 929 chamber 9x21mm rounds, but it was just incidental to good manufacturing practices (+ and - specs).

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[wolverine]

Morning Bob;

I have no idea what is going on with the longer chambers but
with the gun being designed to use moon clips a deep chamber
is not a big deal.

To me the chambers are sure not to 9x19 specs as I can't shoot
a production 9x19 in my 986 without a moon clip as the 9x19
slides into the chamber way too far for proper firing pin contact.

My 986 will positively & easily shoot 9x21 (both with moon clip &
without)

 

[td2torri]

here in Italy guns chambered in 9x19( Luger/Para) are forbidden , while 30 years ago 9x19 REVOLVERS were allowed.
I would like to have more reports from the many 929 owners that the cylinder is chambered in 9x21,if so it could become possible to import such a beautiful revo

 

[9146gt]

Simple ream of the cylinder will make all 929's chamber 9x21. Or ream 9x23 and include many other calibers.

Tom

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

I doubt you will be able to get it as it will be documented as a 9x19 mm throughout.
Good luck.

 

[BEEMER1]

Just a question here.

Is the titanium cylinder on the 929 strong enough to shoot the 356 TSW which is approximately a 9X21.6 and a maximum pressure of 50,000 psi?

 

[Wee Hooker]

I couldn't get my 929 to shoot ANYTHING to within 6" at 30'. A trip to the mothership (for a forcing cone that looked like it was cut with a hatchet) didn't improve it either. Never did figure that one out but am very pleased with the fit,finish and accuracy of the 986 that replaced it.

 

[reddog81]

My 929 is stamped 9MM on the barrel - not 9x19 or 9x21, just 9MM. It's my understanding that this was done to make importing it into jurisdictions that banned military cartridges possible.


I purchased mine last year and ordered 500 starline 9x21 cases. 95% of my shooting has been with the 9x21 cases and it's easier to keep track of them that way.

I have no idea if it could handle 50,000 PSI loads and there no way I'd test it in my gun.