Questions about PC 986 snub nose 9mm

[NOTREDAME]

I guess I was lucky, USPS got mine to my dealer, and didn't get lost.
This is the gun that "should" have been in the Nightguard series.
Hope it shoots, as well as it looks. I traded out grips to a set of boot grips.



Or,...... old school grips

 

[A.J.R.]

Mini range report.

Just got back from the range where I put 84 rounds down the pipe. 14 rounds of Hornady Critical defense and the rest UMC 115gr FMJ.

No issues besides on two occasions with two different moon clips the pistol skipped a cylinder during single action firing. Will further evaluate but for the time being I am caulking it up to user error. DA and SA are both very smooth. I

The pistol is definitely more accurate then I am, and it is really fun to shoot. It shoots very similarly to my 686 snub nose when it is loaded with 38sp. The two supplied TK moon clips from Smith and the SpeedBeez moon clips seemed to function fine. My BMT tool is delayed due to weather but the extractor tool that came with the Speed Beez clips made getting out the spent cases fairly easy. I think I am going to enjoy his pistol for a long time.

 

[g-dad]

You guys have me wanting one of these pretty bad.

 

[WCCPHD]

I just noticed that this gun is listed on the Smith and Wesson website as being available for purchase. I wonder if this means they are not a limited run????

PERFORMANCE CENTER(R) Model 986 2.5" Barrel | Smith & Wesson

 

[Wayne]

Well, my gun got delayed as I posted earlier, guess it was Post Office overload ! It finally showed up on the 19th. Have not had a time to try it out yet, cut my hand, had to get some stitches, should be ready to go in a week or so.

I did a You Tube video on the gun and some other stuff, if you want to see the 986 PC 2.5", in a video. I am no video expert but it does show the gun a bit and a few other things, if you are interested.

You can watch it here i believe, you can also click on the title on the top of the video to go to You Tube and comment there also.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFlxY3Gsa6M&sns=em"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFlxY3Gsa6M&sns=em[/ame]

 

[A.J.R.]

Great video Wayne.

 

[Wayne]

Great video Wayne.

Thanks for the comments

 

[Anglergator]

Hello,

My LGS has a NIB Performance Center 986 9mm with a 2.5 inch barrel. I am guessing that this one is new old stock since the 986 snub nose seems to have been discontinued as there is not much information about it available. The SKU number is 10227. The action is exquisite and the pistol is lovely. My main concern question does anyone know if this revolver is only designed to be used with moon clips? The arms on the extractor do not seem to have enough metal to extract 9mm cases without them being in a moon clips. We even tried with spent cartridges and they failed to extract. Is this a problem with the pistol itself or if I purchased it be locked into using moon clips exclusively?

I am not much of a moon clip guy, I understand the benefits to reloading more quickly during competition but I am more of weekend plinker. I do have a 640pro that is cut for moon clips but the pistol functions perfectly without them. Is the Performance Center 686 designed the same way? If anyone has any knowledge about this model of pistol or information about the PC 686 it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I just won a 986 on Gun Broker this morning. This is a current PC model. My EDC is usually a 940 Centennial that's been Magnaported. It will be nice to have 7 rounds at the ready instead of 5 with the J frame.

I am used to the moon clips, I have them in a 625 as well, but they can get bent pretty easy and then they are scrap.

 

[A.J.R.]

I just won a 986 on Gun Broker this morning. This is a current PC model. My EDC is usually a 940 Centennial that's been Magnaported. It will be nice to have 7 rounds at the ready instead of 5 with the J frame.

I am used to the moon clips, I have them in a 625 as well, but they can get bent pretty easy and then they are scrap.

Enjoy your new revolver. Over the last two months of ownership, I have been really happy with mine. It definitely bring a lot of curious looks and some questions at the range. Probably from the stack of charged moon clips.
Since it is not a carry piece for me, the only change I made was putting on a Hogue monogrip as the factory grips were a little too slick for me.

 

[Anglergator]

Enjoy your new revolver. Over the last two months of ownership, I have been really happy with mine. It definitely bring a lot of curious looks and some questions at the range. Probably from the stack of charged moon clips.
Since it is not a carry piece for me, the only change I made was putting on a Hogue monogrip as the factory grips were a little too slick for me.

Where did you find extra moon clips? I checked the S&W store but only saw 7 and 8 round moon clips for 357, but no 9mm moon clips that hold 7 rounds. You're right about the stocks. I will be replacing them with some better feeling aftermarket wood grips, or a set of Hogues.

 

[A.J.R.]

Where did you find extra moon clips? I checked the S&W store but only saw 7 and 8 round moon clips for 357, but no 9mm moon clips that hold 7 rounds. You're right about the stocks. I will be replacing them with some better feeling aftermarket wood grips, or a set of Hogues.

Ordered from Speed beez off Amazon. They work well. The two packages I received even came with moon clip extractor tools attached to carabiners which I thought was a nice touch. Ill send you a link via PM.