929 still problematic?

[Kev777]

I really want to add the 929 to my collection and compete with it. But, after doing some research, I'm worried there might still be problems with it. From what I've heard, the revolver has problems with extraction with casings sticking, light primer strikes, and inability to shoot steel cased ammo.

Do these issues still exist? I really want this to work out.

 

[Wise_A]

Every example is going to be different. There's no such thing as a guarantee in this world, but there is such a thing as a warranty.

I doubt you'll have a problem, though. Still, get used to equipment fiddling if you're interested in serious competition. If it offers an advantage, you can bet somebody will do it--be it Federal primers in a PPC revolver or developing a load to make major PF and not a hair more.

As an aside, why would you want to run steel case'd ammunition through a $1000+ gun? Brass-case'd 9mm is cheap and thick on the ground, even if you don't reload. If you need to save money so you can practice more--well, reload. You'll recoup the investment on a Dillon progressive after just 1,500 rounds of 9mm. If you don't need to run through thousands of rounds a year, stick with brass case'd, and avoid the poor performance of steel case'd (plus all the issues and wear that enamel-coated steel creates).

 

[Kev777]

I was hoping the gun would, at the very least, be flexible enough to shoot different types of 9mm. It doesn't have to be pin point accurate, just being able to shoot it is enough.

I reloaded shotshells before, and even though it's simpler to load, I simply didn't have the time to crank out new rounds. It was something I seriously considered, but time is also something I keep in mind.

 

[Smoke52]

I think all of the issues you mentioned result from NOT using the very necessary moon clips. My 929 has had zero problems with any ammo. Of course it has been all factory brass in 124 or 147 grain.

Accuracy is another issue. I have found that the compensator cap does nothing but increase group size and add to cleaning chores. Far better to shoot the gun naked, both issues solved, or with the plain cap. Accuracy with the plain cap is better than with the compensator, but extra cleaning is still involved. YMMV.

The extra cleaning is not just the cap. Extensive carbon build-up on the muzzle is the real problem.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

Fast cars, fast motorcycles, fast women, and fast guns require more attention. Hot rod versions of each even worse.

 

[madmikeb]

I've been shooting mine with zero issues in matches all summer.

I haven't started shooting reloads yet as I'm emptying my Winchester cases of the factory loads so I'll have brass for reloading. It has all been 200 round, 115 grain value packs. I have also never shot steel cased ammo so I have no input on that either.

All in all I'm very pleased with mine. Rapid fire double taps out to 10 yards are usually touching, beyond that the may be an inch or two apart. I do blame that on the shooter though!

 

[old&slow]

I've had and been shooting my 929 for two or three years now.

When I first got it , I was Not happy with S&W's attention to detail or quality ( already expressed on this forum).
I'm still not impressed with the false muzzle of the 929. I think it's more of a PITA than anything else.

I think for the price of the 929 , it should be ready to 'go to the races' right out of the box, which it isn't.

I Do believe the 929 is geared towards the competitor that reloads and can do some minor work ,,or has a good gunsmith near by ,, to clean up some of the rough edges and get the firearm working the way it is suppose to work. I do believe that S&W made a good first step towards building a good competition revolver. Now they need to go back and work the bugs out of it, do a better job, and get it right.
Plus from what I've seen,, S&W quality has really fallen off in the last several years.. I would advise anyone buying any S&W to look it over VERY carefully.

Having said all that ,, I am happy with the accuracy & reliability of my 929, now. FWIW , I use 147 gr. plated bullets and Winchester brass, Federal primers, with Revolver Supply or TK moonclips.

 

[Protocall_Design]

There is a wealth of information on this very topic on the Brian Enos Forums. There are a lot of high end competitors there who have gone through every problem of these guns. The end result is that after a few minor issues, everyone likes their gun and is happy with it.

 

[Kev777]

I'm more confident in buying it now. Just one more thing, can it take P+ or hot 9mm loads?

 

[MichiganScott]

Smith & Wesson warranties their guns to shoot any SAAMI spec ammo. +P is SAAMI, +P+ is not.

 

[Wise_A]

I was hoping the gun would, at the very least, be flexible enough to shoot different types of 9mm.

Steel cases always present a reliability issue. That's the price you pay for cheaper ammunition. It's not a reflection on the gun.

If I buy a Feinwerkbau AW93, and then try and run Remington Thunderbolt through it, they're gonna laugh me right out the door when I write Germany to ask for my $3500 back.

I Do believe the 929 is geared towards the competitor that reloads and can do some minor work ,,or has a good gunsmith near by ,, to clean up some of the rough edges and get the firearm working the way it is suppose to work. I do believe that S&W made a good first step towards building a good competition revolver. Now they need to go back and work the bugs out of it, do a better job, and get it right.

Why does anyone expect to go to a manufacturer and expect to get a competition gun?

Custom guns are exactly that--custom. Each one is tuned to exacting standards, and to the individual requests of the customer. Even the best factory-made, limited-production, match gun has to be sold to the general public, and that means some compromises.

Fortunately, most people don't need such a thing. And it's fun to thrash the ones that buy them anyway.

 

[old&slow]

Why does anyone expect to go to a manufacturer and expect to get a competition gun?

Custom guns are exactly that--custom. Each one is tuned to exacting standards, and to the individual requests of the customer. Even the best factory-made, limited-production, match gun has to be sold to the general public, and that means some compromises.

Fortunately, most people don't need such a thing. And it's fun to thrash the ones that buy them anyway.

Sorry, I have to repectfully disagree.
We're not talking a factory mass produced J frame. This is a firearm that on S&W's web site is described as a Performance Center 929 'the ultimate expression of old world craftsmanship', 'set up for competition ' (per the JM attached video).
When I went on the tour of the S&W factory a few years ago, and we got to the Performance Center, I was told, 'there was no quota for getting the firearms out , we take as much time as we need to get it right'.

As far as, does anyone expect to get a competition gun from a manufacturer ,, you might not want to tell that to manufacturers like Hammerli ,, Walther, Padrini, STI, or CZ,, just to name a few.

I've had gunsmiths like Les Baer, Wilson, and others less known gunsmiths ( but just as good) work on some of my firearms which most people refer to as 'custom'. And they are indeed ready to 'go to the races'.

Plus I've been shooting some sort of competition for 40 some years. So, I know a little about Custom and Competition fiearms.
When I purchased the 929 I wasn't expecting a $5000 Cheely custom. But for what I paid, I was expecting a better quality firearm than I got ,,, Especially from S&W.

I'm satisfied with the accuracy & reliablity of the 929 ,, Now, that some of the rough edges have been smoothed out. But for S&W asking price I felt S&W should have done a better job. Quality & Workmanship Should have been Better. And I'm not the only one. Go to other forums like Brian Enos , or even on this forum and read some of the comments.

 

[Wise_A]

So--you read some marketing (that includes the PC tour, it's neat but it's marketing), and the gun didn't deliver what you took that to mean? And you feel justified because other people feel that way as well?

If you've really spent 40 years in competition, you should have known better.

As far as, does anyone expect to get a competition gun from a manufacturer ,, you might not want to tell that to manufacturers like Hammerli ,, Walther, Padrini, STI, or CZ,, just to name a few.

People do work on Hammerli 208s, Walther GSPs, and Pardini SP-22s all the time.

Les Baer and Wilson--the operations, not the individuals--aren't really "gunsmiths". They're boutique builders. That's not an insult, because they're good at it. Most people get a gun indistinguishable from gunsmith-produced custom to them, and they get it without having to wait 18 months (or more), and it comes with a proper warranty.

You have to match your expectations to the money you spend, and also to the hassle involved in acquiring the gun.

 

[old&slow]

Wise A , interesting handle.

You didn't have any problems with the S&W 929 you purchased ?
No variances, no problems ?
I'm glad you got a good one right out of the box.

When I purchased my 929, I looked at 4 differeent 929's. The throat dia. in those 4 units varied from .356, ,357 , & .358. With one unit having all three dia. in one cylinder. The barrel / cylinder gap seemed to vary quite a bit from one unit to another. Plus there were a few more items that I didn't think was right with the firearm.

I said this to try to address the OP, Kev777, questions about the quality of the 929. I would also tell anybody planning on purchasing any S&W to check it out very carefully , as I've seen a decline in S&W quality over the years.

And just a bit of trivia, before Les Baer & Bill Wilson were 1911 manufacturers they were gunsmiths. Back in the 80's, if you wanted a 1911 your only choice was a Colt. If you wanted it to work you sent it to folks like Baer or Wilson. Thank goodness that Springfield and Kimber came along and started making 1911's with the features that folks wanted and that actually worked out of the box.
Later on, Baer went to work for Springfield, before he started his own manufacturing.
Don't remember who actually started manufacturing 1911's first, Wilson or Baer.

Like I said the S&W 929 is a pretty good firearm,,,, after some of the rough edges , etc. are smoothed out.

And again, I'm glad that your 929 was a good one. It's good to hear that some were good straight from the factory.
Enjoy your 929 ,, I like mine.

 

[old&slow]

Kev777, it's an old post but it might help with some of the things you might want to look for ,or consider, on a S&W 929 purchase.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/412047-quick-929-review.html

Good luck.

 

[Gary1911A1]

After researching other forums I am thinking of getting the 627 with 5" barrel instead of the 929. Maybe it the titanium cylinder being more difficult to machine on the 929, but I don't really want to mess with it. Besides I like the 5" barrel more.

 

[old&slow]

After researching other forums I am thinking of getting the 627 with 5" barrel instead of the 929. Maybe it the titanium cylinder being more difficult to machine on the 929, but I don't really want to mess with it. Besides I like the 5" barrel more.

Gary1911A1 ,, I agree...
If I had it to do over again,, I think I would have gone with a 8 shot 627 Pro Series rather than the 929.

I thought I wanted the shorter 9mm case length and what I assumed would be quicker reloads. Rather than mess with and setting up for reloading 38 Short Colt. Now I wonder if the 38 spl. would be that much slower and / or if 38 Short Colts would be that much of a problem.

As far as I'm concerned, the 8 shot revolver is a real game changer and a big plus for shooting USPSA and other local matches I shoot in..

But I wonder if the poor quality of the Performance Center 929 reported by many ,, the titanium cylinder ,, the cylinder throat problems,, etc,, etc,, is worth it ??

(edit : just another example ,,)
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/482703-929-going-back-horrible-accuracy.html

 

[AzShooter]

I've been shooting mine with zero issues in matches all summer.

I haven't started shooting reloads yet as I'm emptying my Winchester cases of the factory loads so I'll have brass for reloading. It has all been 200 round, 115 grain value packs. I have also never shot steel cased ammo so I have no input on that either.

All in all I'm very pleased with mine. Rapid fire double taps out to 10 yards are usually touching, beyond that the may be an inch or two apart. I do blame that on the shooter though!

I've been shooting mine with Winchester ammo and now reload the cases. I have had no problems with sticking moon clips since I switched to the Winchester cases.

I've also had good luck with Factory Federal 9 mm. I'm saving the brass but I have 3000 Winchesters and I like to keep one manufacturer's brass to shoot at a time.

Accuracy is very good, under and inch at 25 yards with my reloads. The compensator cap did nothing for me so I shoot with the plain cap on it.

I've now shot over 15000 rounds with no problems. It's my favorite wheelgun.

 

[VanMan1961]

I've fun my 929 a couple of fun matches this summer. I liked it so much compared to my 625 that I decided once IPSC allows 8 shot minor I'll be switching over to that. Just picked up another 929 to start setting that one up as an off-season project.

I had heard about concerns that the cylinder throats and cylinder were produced with 38/357 tooling, so I decided to do some slugging.

The cylinder throats were pretty consistent at .357 and the barrel came in at .356.

I was getting ok accuracy ~3" at 10 yards, but noticed my reloads were ~100fps slower in the 929 than in my semi-autos. Will try reloading some 158gr .357" projectiles and see what that does to my groups and fps.