Help me pick a 9mm revolver

[washerman]

Charter Arms has a 9MM revolver. Model # 79920. No moon clips required...Have 2 Charter revolvers and the 6 shot Police Special 38 is my EDC

 

[Wee Hooker]

I will relate it is not a "fun" gun to shoot, there is something about the 9mm in a revolver that makes a very sharp recoil. It needs Pachmayer compact grips to have any enjoyment from shooting it.

I would agree. That has been my experience with the three J frame sized 9mm's I've owned/shot. Notably stiffer recoil than their 38 special cousins anyway. Grip choice are everything in these small 9mm's.
That said, I've also owned a 929 and currently own a 986. Both these bigger revolvers seem to have stiffer recoil than their 38 cousins here as well. Note punishing by any means, just noticeable. Some will blame the titanium cylinder's reduced weight. I think it's a mix of lighter weight and higher pressures. Reloading heavy bullets with fast powder helps. Advantages of the 9mm are that they load in both the moon clip and (moon clip to) cylinder slicker than 38's. Ammo is slightly cheaper as well.

 

[mg357]

Charter Arms Bit bull 9mm revolver it can load and unload the 9mm cartridges Without the need for moon clips.

 

[NJM15]

929 works for me

Hi guys and gals,

Looking for advice from first hand users with the smith 9mm revolvers. This will be primarily range fun and am wanting to add a 9mm revolver.

Looking at the Miculek 929, the 986 2 inch? barrel, and the 986 5 inch barrel.

Personally i want a nice looking gun also yes that matters a bit to me. The short barreled 986 has beautiful looking wood grips. How far could one expect for accuracy though with the 2 inch barrel?

Not a big fan of that curve near the end of barrel on 986 5 inch...

Anyone care to share thoughts of each, personal experience, quality etc?

All are within a $100 or so of each other locally...

9
My 929 has been with me a year already , accurate , problem free, except when I got it the ejector rod kept coming loose, a little thread lock took care of that

 

[digiroc]

Have you considered a used S&W Model 547? It has a special extractor set up that will extract 9mm brass. It does not require moonclips and, in fact, will not accommodate them. Very interesting revolver and unique.

I picked a model 547 to not be forced to use moon clips. I don't like moon clips, having tried them in my 640 Pro. For one, the only revolver reload I plan to use is a NY reload, going to a backup gun.

Having a 9mm revolver allows the same ammo to be used as my 3914 DAO which is my preferred carry semi-auto.

digiroc

 

[MWC2068]

I didn't.. not sure how rare they are sounds nice though...

They were made from 1983 to 1985 with a little over 10000 made it was in 3 inch and 4 inch prices right now are 1100 to 1800.

 

[MWC2068]

9
My 929 has been with me a year already , accurate , problem free, except when I got it the ejector rod kept coming loose, a little thread lock took care of that

This looks like a 986 to me?

 

[digiroc]

547 9mm 6 shooter ...

... It needs Pachmayer compact grips to have any enjoyment from shooting it.

I put Pachmayr Compacts on my 547 mostly for concealability but they feel good in hand. Have not shot it yet.

EDIT: Update, now I have fired the 547 to establish functionality and determine point of aim for my Hornady Critical Defense loads (115gr standard pressure lugar round):

The weapon is heavy compared to my 360PD but is very well balanced with the 3" heavy barrel. It points and shoots well, and once I get some white out on the ramp it should provide better and faster target acquisition.

I've been caring it inside the waistband in Appendix carry and it is surprisingly comfortable in that position.

The 915 I use for back-up is half an ounce lighter fully loaded with 18 9mm rounds, but the 547 comes out quicker from AISW and will be a superior point shooter because of the balance. In a gunfight I'll take the 547 as first to fight, but having the 915 for a NY reload is comforting.

digiroc