Model 986

[Retired W4]

Yesterday one of my gun show partners and I made the rounds of pawn shops and gun stores looking for treasure hidden in plain sight. The trip was mostly a bust, but I did happen upon the Pro Series 986. I had not seen one before and it did draw my interest, mostly because it was so odd. The previous owner must not have been much of a gun guy because when he sold it the bore and chambers needed a good scrubbing as well as the carbon on the recoil shield and cylinder. It had a much later prefix than the initial introduction SNs of CTP and CXE and it had the lock. Don't know if they are still in production. Box et al, except no fired case, so I can't determine when it was made.

My $800 OTD offer was dismissed with a $50 discount counter. I passed and said I would be back in 6 months, knowing it would still be there. Any knowledge on this model?

 

[bananaman]

I have thought of a 986 Pro Series many times. Because it is something different, and because I really like my 686-6, 5" 7 shot Pro Series. Bob

 

[Retired W4]

I have thought of a 986 Pro Series many times. Because it is something different, and because I really like my 686-6, 5" 7 shot Pro Series. Bob

Yes, I like "different" too. What would you pay for one that is less than EC?

Tom

 

[nutsforsmiths]

I bought a 986 new when they came out. It is a wonderful pistol to shoot. I think you're right that it is currently out of production.

Mine didn't come with a spent casing either. The LCS told me the state or states requiring a spent case found it was not helpful at all, so those no longer needed to be included in the box.

 

[rd97]

The 986 is a nice shooter. Love mine and use it to shoot steel challenge along with my 627.

 

[CALREB]

I bought one when they first came out. Around 900 if I remember right. Put a F/O sight on it, action job, and recently added a thumbpiece someone posted here. Works fine, had to relieve the area on the bottom front that contacted the newer type framelug, so the bolt could go all the way forward but I kinda like it ,and it does look better that the HOLE,,,Ha. Only thing I dont like about the revolver,other than it being the newer style,is that it isnt as accurate as my othe 4-6 inch revolvers. I think it has to do with it actually being a 9X21 cylinder NOT a 9X19. and it cannot be used at all without moonclips, regular 9mms completely disappear into the cylinder. but it is fun to shoot.

 

[jjmIII_Ruger]

Is it the 5" or 2.5??

 

[oysterer]

my 5'' is very accurate and useful for steel challenge in case 2 make up shots are enough for you.

Other than that its obsolete for games. In USPSA the only gun you ever will see is the 8 shot 929.

If these were made right Smith would cut them to 9x19 so 9mm rounds would chamber on the case mouth. Here, as was mentioned, they just fall right in, so moon clips are needed...bit shoddy if you ask me only so they can sell the guns also to Italy in 9x21 w/o marking them as such. Just weird.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

The cylinder on the 986 is titanium and not cleaned in the typical way nor do they stay clean as others.
It requires an ammonia free cleaner with a plastic / nylon brush only. I like to use Mpro7. But I think Hoppes elite thats ammonia free can be used too , but I wouldn't use hoppes no.7 or anything with a strong odor.
The rest of the gun that is steel can be cleaned in any way normal with a brass brush if necessary.

Ok. Now that, that's outta the way. I love shooting my 986 so much , that I broke it once already. Great gun.

I did have to re-do the crown on it, but I already had the tools for that. For it to shoot accurate. And you must use moonclips.
Loading for it helps too, to achieve stellar performance. Or so, that has been my experience.

 

[cds43016]

The chamber throats on my 986 are .357+. If I shoot .356 coated bullets, accuracy is off, and I get leading at the forcing cone.

Accuracy with factory ammo is fair.

I started to load .358 coated bullets. Accuracy improved and leading was greatly reduced.

Looks like S&W took the cheap way out using 38/357 tooling for the 986 and its cousin the 929. This makes them handloader's guns if you want acceptable performance.

So disappointing

 

[Retired W4]

It is a 5" barrel. Sounds like too much trouble for me. I don't load and I probably would not shoot it much. I've got plenty of 45 clips and this gun had no 9mm clips with it. The other down side was the $1000 asking price (minus 50, plus tax). They had a 25 no dash with a poor refinish, and the diamond targets had even been refinished. Over all it was a loosing day. Thanks to all for the great insights on this model.

 

[CALREB]

When I first got it, i just wanted it because I had so much 9mm ammo. I was still shooting PPC then, so shooting quite a bit. I tried every factory ammo I had from 105, 115, 124, 147 a couple of loads. Best I could get, barricade, taking my time was about 2.5" at 25 yards with no particular type of grouping, not terrible just disappointing compared to the 38s and 45s I was used to shooting. I dont shoot near as much(or as well) now so it doesnt really offend me now, HA!!!!! If I had designed the gun I would have had a stainless 9X19 cylinder and a 5" L frame type (heavier) barrel. But thats not what it was designed for, so Im still happy to have a 9mm revolver that works and shoots pretty good.
I would add that part of the reason I still enjoy shooting this gun and 45s 625, 25-2, is the use of the Mooner/DeMooner . I know they are 100 bucks but really makes loading /unloading moonclips easier with stiff hands.