Should I get an S&W 986 or 929?

[OlympicFox]

I just started shooting USPSA after several years of IDPA. So far I've been shooting 1911's in single-stack and my M&P 40L in Limited. But, I'm missing shooting my wheel gun.

Here's the question: Do I get a 986 or a 929?

• The 986 costs about $200 less than a 929.
• The 929 begs for a Double-Alpha holster rig that will cost about twice what a new Blade-Tech & moon clip carriers will cost.
• The 986 will be faster in transitioning between targets.
• The 929 is an N-frame with 8-round cylinder vs. the 986 L-frame with 7-round cylinder.
• The 929 has a longer sight radius
• The 929 may be more versatile (able to run in Unlimited with optics, etc)
• The 929 has a better wow factor.

As you can see, I'm leaning towards the 929, but I'd like to hear your thoughts before I pull the trigger.

S&W 986 with 5" barrel, 34.9 oz

S&W 929 with 6.5" barrel, 44.2 oz

My 686 SSR . . .

 

[OlympicFox]

I've been trying to make the same decision and leaning toward the 929.

At least I'm not alone.

 

[imashooter2]

I don't understand why there is any question. A 7 shot still has you doing a standing reload on 8 shot arrays. Without 8 shots you might as well get a 625 and major scoring.

 

[9146gt]

Competition get the 929...range use 986.

Tom

 

[OlympicFox]

I don't understand why there is any question. A 7 shot still has you doing a standing reload on 8 shot arrays. Without 8 shots you might as well get a 625 and major scoring.

Been there, done that. While my shooting buddy thinks the 625 is the cat's meow, I've never been fond of the bloody thing. And my right hand positively hates it. Two weeks of daily practice and the hand is a black and blue mess. Now that IDPA is dropping ESR (or rolling it into SSR or whatever Bill & Joyce decide to do with the thing) maybe I should sell it to make room for the 929.

That one extra round is no doubt the essence of the 929's advantage. I just wish it came with a lighter barrel for faster target transitions.

 

[TANZER]

986-929

I went with the 986. Mainly due to availability early this year. Not sorry that I purchased the 986. Range use only.

 

[OlympicFox]

I went with the 986. Mainly due to availability early this year. Not sorry that I purchased the 986. Range use only.

The 986 does seem to be more readily available, but then I've found several 929's on GunBroker and since I only need one . . .

A few years ago when I was feeling a bit flusher, I would have bought both! The wife and I agreed that we're gonna cut back on spending in 2015, so I've only got a few days left to pop for one of them before I have to be a good boy and shoot what I've already got.

 

[BobR1]

I shoot ICORE, and Club Defensive Pistol, and Reactive Steel. I am still running all 6 shooters at this time, 610, 625, and a 686.

USPSA seems to have pretty high round count Stages. If I were to play that game, the 929 or 627 would be my choice.

For other revolver games, having One or Two Extra Rounds could save a reload or allow a sloppy shot to be fixed now and again.

Bob R

 

[OKFC05]

As a USPSA CRO who has to keep up with the latest rules, I don't even know why you ask the question if you are serious about shooting USPSA Revolver Division. The rules were changed specifically to accommodate the 8 round minor power revolver. Arrays may be up to 8 shots. Just remove the 929 comp for USPSA Revolver (it is easily removable) and put it back on for steel.

 

[haggis]

I have been using the 929 for a few months now, and on some long stages, I can save 2, maybe 3 reloads. Most revo shooters are pretty accurate so minor doesn't hurt much, and that reduction in total time is certainly working correctly on the denominator on the points/second calculation.

Buck

 

[Irritant]

I bought a 929 and have been somewhat unhappy with the quality of this PC gun. Next time I will go out of my way to buy a non PC gun if available and tune it myself, I do better work. I have not shot it a lot but I think it will be a good shooter anyway.

Ian

 

[shadowrider]

I shoot USPSA revolver division pretty much exclusively and will echo that I can't figure out where the question is. The rule change just killed the 625 and the 7 shot gun is no better than the 625 in USPSA. So that probably explains why they went into production with the 7 shot gun first. Oh well anyway, if you want to compete there are only two guns that will let you do so. 929 or 627, pick one because that's all there is.

The only place a 6 or 7 shot gun has a place to play is ICORE and Steel Challenge.

 

[OlympicFox]

Well, the long and short of it is that my 929PC arrived yesterday.

Took it straight to the range and ran a paltry 8 rounds through it - steel plate rack at 50 yards. Sweet sound of steel falling!

 

[Co Th G]

Well, the long and short of it is that my 929PC arrived yesterday.

Took it straight to the range and ran a paltry 8 rounds through it - steel plate rack at 50 yards. Sweet sound of steel falling!

What's that thing sticking out of your hammer?

 

[OlympicFox]

I'm guessing you're talking about the hammer spur. Yep, it has a hammer spur. It'll go away sooner or later, but right now I'll leave it on so my wife can run it in single action for her NRA Instructor Quals.

OAN, I did the first trigger job on Christmas Eve. The DA pull went from 10.2# to 6.9#, and the SA pull went from 4.0# to 2.4#. Got another 1.5# to finesse out of it.

 

[marmax]

I went with the 929 too. Why buy a 7 shot when an 8 shot is available? I hope they make the 929 in a 5inch version. I want the full double lug. I also don't like that you can see the ejector rod from the right side of the gun on the 986.

 

[9146gt]

Here is my 929 setup for NRA Action Pistol.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mojo-Custom-Guns/499943136769886

Tom

 

[OlympicFox]

Here is my 929 setup for NRA Action Pistol.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mojo-Custom-Guns/499943136769886

Tom

Very nice. What work did you have them do to your 929?

Do you know what the trigger pull is now?

 

[9146gt]

Mover front sight for NRA Action Pistol, complete action work, radius trigger for right hand shooter,install set screw to retain strain screw,champher cylinder,bob hammer.

DA trigger pull is 5.75 # average of 10 trigger pulls and will set off all Winchester deep seated primers.

Tom

 

[OlympicFox]

Mover front sight for NRA Action Pistol, complete action work, radius trigger for right hand shooter,install set screw to retain strain screw,champher cylinder,bob hammer.

DA trigger pull is 5.75 # average of 10 trigger pulls and will set off all Winchester deep seated primers.

Tom

Thanks Tom. I'm particularly interested in the action work; the best I can get DIY is 6.5# (average of 20) which is 100% reliable using Federal primers. It goes unreliable at 6.2-6.3#. A set screw for the strain screw sounds like an excellent idea & imminently better than Loctite. I also liked the idea as well as the look of the skeletonized hammer.

I'm kind of on the fence between single stack and revolvers right now. One of my 1911's is in the shop getting a fresh trigger job, so further improvements to my 929 are going to be needed to make it fair.