986 vs. 929 in competition

[Gryff]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if there is a gun game where the 7-shot 986 is the better choice than a 929? I would love to pick up a 986 because of its look and feel, but I can't justify the purchase if it is inferior to the larger 929 for competition.

Thanks!

 

[TACTICAL111]

It's the perfect IPSC Minor Revo. That's why I bought one.
I use the 625 for Major and the 986 for minor.
IPSC is still 6 shot maximum.
I find my scores are almost identical between the two, but the 986 being an L frame and lighter ammo, I can run it faster, so in the end I do slightly better with the 986.
Also, if I have a misfire, I can just run the trigger again for the 7th shot with the 986, where with the 625 I'm into another reload.

I had a 929, but it was heavy and cumbersome compared to my 5" 986 or 5" 625. Also had to run it without the comp or get bumped to Open.
It had no benefits over the 986 in IPSC. Ended up selling it because it was redundant.

 

[MWC2068]

It works well for steel challenge, 5 strings of 5 shots allow two make up shots. Smaller frame and shorter barrel let me run mine faster than the 6 1/2 N frame. I bounce back and forth with my 625, 627 eight shot and my 986 in uspsa, I'm behind the curve shooting revolver in uspsa anyway.

 

[Meeko]

It's the perfect IPSC Minor Revo. That's why I bought one.
I use the 625 for Major and the 986 for minor.
IPSC is still 6 shot maximum.
I find my scores are almost identical between the two, but the 986 being an L frame and lighter ammo, I can run it faster, so in the end I do slightly better with the 986.
Also, if I have a misfire, I can just run the trigger again for the 7th shot with the 986, where with the 625 I'm into another reload.

I had a 929, but it was heavy and cumbersome compared to my 5" 986 or 5" 625. Also had to run it without the comp or get bumped to Open.
It had no benefits over the 986 in IPSC. Ended up selling it because it was redundant.

IPSC allows 8 shot revolvers as of last year (2014) which was the idea of the 929 although with the amount of 627 shooters running 38 Colt brass not sure if there would be enough to gain by getting another 1,000-1,200 dollar rvolver JMHO.

If IPSC I would go with the 8 shot 929, if ICORE then the 986 wouldn't be bad other than your giving up one round but gaining one over the 625.

IDPA still limited to 6 shot and I believe you can not use moon cliped guns unless in ESR unless they are 40 cal or larger but some of the rules blend together in IDPA on that one.

 

[Jim Watson]

From my READING (I own neither.) the 8 shot is the leading revolver under current USPSA rules and you would be at a disadvantage with 7.

Neither is useful in IDPA.

 

[Cd586]

Things have changed, Meeko. IDPA combined both SSR and ESR into just the "Revolver Division". A 7 shot would be a bad idea. A 7 shot gun is legal in IPSC but you can only shoot 6 shots. Any extra shots would incur a procedural penalty per shot. Bad idea.

For USPSA, an 8 shot gun is the only way to play. The 7 shot is really a novelty sort of gun, or potentially useful for self defense. It is not useful for competition in any capacity.

 

[jaymoore]

Steel Challenge. Gives you two spare rounds per string, if needed. If you need three regularly, then...

ETA: (The issue in this case devolves into ergonomics. Which revolver fits your hand better? Which is better for you?: A lighter, quicker transitioning firearm, or one that has a bit smoother swing due to the increased mass? For me, it's mostly an issue of trigger reach. Then transitions.)

 

[TACTICAL111]

IPSC allows 8 shot revolvers as of last year (2014) which was the idea of the 929 although with the amount of 627 shooters running 38 Colt brass not sure if there would be enough to gain by getting another 1,000-1,200 dollar rvolver JMHO.

You're wrong. I shoot Revo in IPSC so I know what the rules are.
IPSC is not USPSA. It is 6 shot maximum, NOT 8. Any shot past 6 is a procedural penalty.
They never followed USPSA on the 8 shot change.
The 625 is still very much alive in IPSC.

 

[old&slow]

You're wrong. I shoot Revo in IPSC so I know what the rules are.
IPSC is not USPSA. It is 6 shot maximum, NOT 8. Any shot past 6 is a procedural penalty.
They never followed USPSA on the 8 shot change.
The 625 is still very much alive in IPSC.

IPSC is not USPSA. USPSA has changed.
Revolver is 8 shots minor,, 6 shots major. The first 10 or so places in the USPSA revolver nationals were taken with 8 shooters this year..
I just picked up my S&W 929 , 8 shooter in January to replace my 625, 6 shooter that I've been using in USPSA revolver division.

I started shooting IPSC / USPSA back in the late 80's. Back then, everybody I know referred to it as ' IP-SIC '.
Out of (bad) habit I quite often still refer to it as IPSC.
When here in the United States it is actually USPSA. And IPSC and USPSA rules are different. Power factor and revolver capacity are just a couple of the differences.

 

[Gryff]

IPSC is not USPSA. USPSA has changed.
Revolver is 8 shots minor,, 6 shots major. The first 10 or so places in the USPSA revolver nationals were taken with 8 shooters this year..
I just picked up my S&W 929 , 8 shooter in January to replace my 625, 6 shooter that I've been using in USPSA revolver division.

Old & Slow is correct. The rules changed several months ago and all the wheel gunners are hot for the 8-shot 929 specifically because of this change.

 

[old&slow]

I handled , but never shot, a 986 before I purchased the 929. Personally I perferred the feel & balance of the 986, and would love to have one. However, if you are wanting to 'play the game' I think the 929 is going to be the way to go.

I can see where a fast handling 7 shooter might be an advantage in speed steel or some of the other games. But for USPSA I personally think the 8 shooter is going to be a game changer.

I really like my 6 shooters, but with the high capacity, belt fed courses of fire that most of the clubs set up. The 37 reloads you need, per stage with a 6 shooter is just a PITA.

At least with a 8 shooter you won't be any worse off than the single stacked guys..