SW 929 vs Pro Series 986 with the 5" barrel

[zogger]

Still thinking about getting an SW revolver in 9mm for general range shooting.

Does anyone have the 929 or the Pro Series 986 with the 5" barrel? If so, how do you like it?

Thanks!

 

[nate-dogg]

I have never held a 929 in person but I have a 986 5" and I find the factory rubber grips very comfortable and the 5 inch barrel balances very well. I like that it has the Patridge front sight. I prefer it to the traditional red ramp. The crowned Barrel is also a nice touch.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I purchased the 929 on a whim a few years back but never did love it. It seemed a little unwieldy with the 6" barrel and comp. Mine wasn't all that accurate but I suspect it was the (rough) forcing cone. I sent it back to S&W an they said it "shot within spec" and did nothing else. I ended up trading it on 986 Pro 5". I prefer the 5" barrel and the L frame balances better in my hand. This one shoots as good as I can hold it .
I don't compete so the 7 vs 8 shot thing doesn't mean anything for my needs.

My only gripe is that I'd really prefer a stainless vs titanium cylinder. The titanium gets discolored on its face and is harder to clean.

Someday I may end up just buying another cylinder for my 686+ Pro and have it rechambered to 9mm/38 super.

 

[cds43016]

I recently bought aa 986 5 in since it has the same feel as my 686 SSR. The 929 didn’t feel as good in the hand. For my needs, 7 or 8 shots doesn't matter.

The first time I took it to the range I had at least 1or 2 light strike per cylinder. This seems to be a common enough problem based on internet searches.

I sent it back to Smith & Wesson and just got it back. My last range visit had no light strikes. Initial off hand accuracy was good.

I plan on shooting factory jacketed bullets through it for a while. I have a lot of factory rounds and I’m hoping the jacketed factory rounds will break the barrel in faster than my lightly loaded coated reloads.

I also prefer a steel cylinder to the titanium one. You must be more careful on how it’s cleaned.

I started a tread on my initial problems with the gun. It’s linked here.

986 Light Strikes

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I have both, I like both. Its great to have revolvers that shoot a common round like a 9mm. If I'm not loading anything special, I feed them plain factory ammo. It's cheap enough. I've had good results with WWB. And they can share the same ammo as some of my autos.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[zogger]

I have both, I like both. Its great to have revolvers that shoot a common round like a 9mm. If I'm not loading anything special, I feed them plain factory ammo. It's cheap enough. I've had good results with WWB. And they can share the same ammo as some of my autos.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

How does the feel/balance compare between the two? Also, how does the recoil/muzzle rise differ between these and similar sized 686 shooting 38 Specials? Thanks!

 

[Lou_the_welder]

How does the feel/balance compare between the two? Also, how does the recoil/muzzle rise differ between these and similar sized 686 shooting 38 Specials? Thanks!

I shoot the 929 without the comp. Without anything. No comp ,no cap. It is a very light shooter. You dont feel the ammo at all. Hardly any rise , or no rise at all. I cant tell if it's my natural wrist motion or just memory. The grip is longer on the N frame in comparison to the L. I do have to adjust a bit when shooting between the two. Enough that I have to think about it. Accurate of course.
The 986 didn't want to shoot factory ammo or any ammo accurately. In the end I think my crown was bad. I recut the crown with a 45°. Small break only. Now it shoots really good. I also did the 929- but it really didn't need it. That one shot the same regardless. The 986 is about the same if not almost identical to shooting my 686+PC 5"-shooting 38 short colts or 38 specials. I've taken them both shooting at the same time more than half a dozen times. The advantage the 986 has over the 686+now, is shooting cheap 9mm ammo. The advantage the 686 has is shooting magnums.
Shooting an L frame is easier for me to DA. The reach is longer on a N frame. There are pros and cons.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[zogger]

I shoot the 929 without the comp. Without anything. No comp ,no cap. It is a very light shooter. You dont feel the ammo at all. Hardly any rise , or no rise at all. I cant tell if it's my natural wrist motion or just memory. The grip is longer on the N frame in comparison to the L. I do have to adjust a bit when shooting between the two. Enough that I have to think about it. Accurate of course.
The 986 didn't want to shoot factory ammo or any ammo accurately. In the end I think my crown was bad. I recut the crown with a 45°. Small break only. Now it shoots really good. I also did the 929- but it really didn't need it. That one shot the same regardless. The 986 is about the same if not almost identical to shooting my 686+PC 5"-shooting 38 short colts or 38 specials. I've taken them both shooting at the same time more than half a dozen times. The advantage the 986 has over the 686+now, is shooting cheap 9mm ammo. The advantage the 686 has is shooting magnums.
Shooting an L frame is easier for me to DA. The reach is longer on a N frame. There are pros and cons.

Interesting. Is your 929 barrel ported?

 

[Lou_the_welder]

Interesting. Is your 929 barrel ported?

The barrel itself is not ported. But it has caps at the end that you can change. I usually leave it without. The ported cap is similar to a power port.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[zogger]

Thanks for all of the comments!

 

[TAROMAN]

Tried both and purchased the 986.
Handier and quicker for me.
Love the titanium cylinder. Faster in DA shooting.
My steel challenge gun.
If you can't get it done with 7 shots, forget about it.

And I don't give a flip about staining on the front of the cylinder.
What scrubs off with MPro7 gets off, the rest just adds character.

 

[robert1804]

I have both. I shoot the 986 more since it's easier handling for me. My 986 is very accurate with light loads. The 929 seems better with heavier 9mm loads and it handles lead bullets especially well. Glad this thread started. It makes me want to shoot the 929 again.