Thinking about a new 986

[ShrinkMD]

I am dreaming about one of the new 986 revolvers, probably the snubby 2.5 inch. I have plenty of both lead and coated lead rounds made up, mostly 124 gr, and I was curious about how these would fare out of the titanium cylinder? I've read various things about only using 147 gr loads (maybe in conversion cylinders for J frames), but I was also curious about the longevity and care of the titanium cylinder.

I know that cleaning is Mpro7 or Boretech Carbon remover only, with a nylon brush. If I am shooting lead, will the revolver face get too gunked up eventually? I am used to a bronze brush and the Boretech getting the revolvers cleaner than when they were made, and I know the titanium cylinders are a different beast. I am concerned if function will be impaired.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I've standardized my 9mms and 38 shorts to 124/125gr. I just don't see any accuracy advantage on the different weights and can still shoot my autos with them.
I shot thousands of 124gr PC bullets from my 986 and 929. The titanium cylinder does not need any additional cleaning other than the Mpro7 and nylon/ plastic brushes. The cylinders do not bind with them or anything.
I have not shot just lead in them . Sticking to plated , PC or some Winchester white box( Blazer also). And the 986 does well with with those.

I tried bayou bullets and acme red. But I currently switched to Summers. Good accuracy on the Summers 125gr (.356) 9mm.

 

[ShrinkMD]

I appreciate the reply. I am sorely tempted and will probably get one. I wish they had the option for a stainless cylinder, which I think looks nicer and can also be scrubbed the normal way.

Thanks!

 

[Plinkasaurusrex]

I've been shooting coated lead projectiles through mine for more than five years. No problems.

 

[TAROMAN]

I'm in with the members who posted above.
135 grain Bayou coated is it's favorite ammo for steel challenge.

No problems with the TI cylinder.

 

[ruger 22]

I have the 986 snub and am very fond of it. I clean it like I clean any other S&W and have put a lot of rounds through it. I use whatever I can find being the cheapest ammo and it has been just fine. I did have to send it back for light strikes and it wound up being a broken firing pin spring which they fixed very quickly. The only change made was to take the wood grips off and replace them with Pachs since the woods, though very nice, hurt my hand. Overall I think this revolver is money well spent.

 

[neverenoughguns]

Love my 6” 986. Had light strikes, sent it back but was still an issue. Switched from CCI primers to Federal now it consistently runs like a champ.

 

[retfed]

986 issues with light strikes

My 986 2.5 in is about 8 mos old. I haven't shot it alot, cause my idea of pocket/ belt carry have fizzled due to its weight. How ever, I do like shooting it, so it gets taken out couple/three times a month.

I use my std 147 gr reloads so it's the same as my shield. BUT, over the last few months I started getting misfires, one or two rounds per cylinder. It's gotten worse over time till now it 2-3 rounds every moon-clip.

So broke out factory ammo......but the same results. That made me feel better that it's not with my reloads.

Still, can't continue on with this occurring. I thought i'd seen reports about a hammer issue which was corrected by using a longer spur hammer.

So, I'm looking for ideas to fix this.

THX
Retfed

 

[TAROMAN]

Shot mine a lot in steel challenge matches. Always DA.
Started doing the same thing.
Discovered it was cylinder end shake.
One shim fixed the problem.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I think first verifying that the strain screw is fully tightened.
If you get misfires, an extended firing pin can also help. I know mine needed one.
I got the extended firing pin from cylinder and slide.

 

[H Richard]

I had a 986 6", and it shot O.K., but had extraction problems. I polished the chambers and it improved, but still had extraction problems. I didn't see enough advantage of the 9mm over a 38 so I parted with it.

 

[ShrinkMD]

Are the light strikes dependent on which moonclip you're using? I prefer the polymer Rimz in my 610, although every now and then I've had a light strike in those as well when I'm shooting 40S&W, which doesn't happen with 10 mm rounds just shoved into the cylinder.

 

[8shot]

Are the light strikes dependent on which moonclip you're using? I prefer the polymer Rimz in my 610, although every now and then I've had a light strike in those as well when I'm shooting 40S&W, which doesn't happen with 10 mm rounds just shoved into the cylinder.

Good question - the moon clips thickness does vary. S&W .035, SpeedBeez .030 etc.

 

[TAROMAN]

With mine, I first suspected moonclips. But eliminated that issue, though I use only Winchester brass.
Several different moonclip brands, however.
I would suspect a culprit may be using mixed brass.
Lot of variation there, I am of the understanding that there's no SAAMI specification for some extractor groove dimensions.