S&W 986 vs 929

[trigger945]

Hi All:

Does anybody have experience with BOTH? From looking at the S&W website, the differences are barrel length, weight, capacity (7 vs 8) and Jerry Miculek's signature on the 929. I believe both are Pro Series.

I think the 986 is the 9mm version of the 686, hence an L-frame and the 929 is the 9mm version of the 629, hence an N-frame. The 929 is also on the roster and the 986 is not. But is there anything else?

TIA

[trigger945]

Not much experience from the community just yet?

[Wordupmybrotha]

Hi All:

Does anybody have experience with BOTH? From looking at the S&W website, the differences are barrel length, weight, capacity (7 vs 8) and Jerry Miculek's signature on the 929. I believe both are Pro Series.

I think the 986 is the 9mm version of the 686, hence an L-frame and the 929 is the 9mm version of the 629, hence an N-frame. The 929 is also on the roster and the 986 is not. But is there anything else?

TIA

Hey trigger945, have you try out either one? I haven't held one in person, but the 986 appeals to me, because 5" seems more manageable than 6.5". I did a search for the 986 wanting to read some discussion about it, but not much is written about it on here.

Bumping this old thread as more people probably got their hands on them since they were placed on the roster earlier this year.

[Lead Waster]

929 was made for competition. Takes moon clipped 9mms, which is awesome!
Fast reloads.

However, I've heard a few anectdotes about the cases sticking in the titanium cylinder, so do some research.

[trigger945]

Hey trigger945, have you try out either one? I haven't held one in person, but the 986 appeals to me, because 5" seems more manageable than 6.5". I did a search for the 986 wanting to read some discussion about it, but not much is written about it on here.

Bumping this old thread as more people probably got their hands on them since they were placed on the roster earlier this year.

I had a very brief experience with both. Long story short, neither of them "spoke" to me so I did not buy either one. I thought I would but after shooting them, I was not compelled to.

The double action trigger felt "weird" to me. It did not feel like the action on my .38Spl/.357Mag revolvers (pre-lock and post-lock). It was not as smooth. It felt like it was staging before the break and was not a smooth cycle. It could just be me though.

The single action trigger was fine. I liked it. But I enjoy shooting double action more than single action...

A friend had issues with his 929 - the barrel was not aligned. S&W replaced the revolver with a brand new one. He also ended up getting a 986, which had no issues at all. He likes it. I don't (or not as much).

Hope this helps a bit.

[Fatcat]

Go on the BrianEnos.com forum and do a search on the "revolver" section. A lot of issues reported, but may to the 10% of owners having issues voicing the loudest. But this has convinced me to inspect any future new S&W purchases and NOT accept any revolver sight unseen.

[Wordupmybrotha]

929 was made for competition. Takes moon clipped 9mms, which is awesome!
Fast reloads.

However, I've heard a few anectdotes about the cases sticking in the titanium cylinder, so do some research.

Initially, I frowned at the idea of using moonclips, but I saw on Youtube a moonclip loading tool, which was slick. Now I'm more open to it. I suppose it's like loading semi-auto mags.

I had a very brief experience with both. Long story short, neither of them "spoke" to me so I did not buy either one. I thought I would but after shooting them, I was not compelled to.

The double action trigger felt "weird" to me. It did not feel like the action on my .38Spl/.357Mag revolvers (pre-lock and post-lock). It was not as smooth. It felt like it was staging before the break and was not a smooth cycle. It could just be me though.

The single action trigger was fine. I liked it. But I enjoy shooting double action more than single action...

A friend had issues with his 929 - the barrel was not aligned. S&W replaced the revolver with a brand new one. He also ended up getting a 986, which had no issues at all. He likes it. I don't (or not as much).

Hope this helps a bit.

I like shooting double action more also. I think I understand what you mean about the staging feel. A brand new 617 that I tried out had that feel, which my pre-model 17 didn't. Perhaps the transfer bar? Anyway, I suppose I'll try out the trigger before dropping $1200.

[trigger945]

I like shooting double action more also. I think I understand what you mean about the staging feel. A brand new 617 that I tried out had that feel, which my pre-model 17 didn't. Perhaps the transfer bar? Anyway, I suppose I'll try out the trigger before dropping $1200.

Hopefully you get to try one out so you can decide if it's for you or not. I just lucked out to be able to try one. Thankfully I did.

[eigenstate]

Go on the BrianEnos.com forum and do a search on the "revolver" section. A lot of issues reported, but may to the 10% of owners having issues voicing the loudest. But this has convinced me to inspect any future new S&W purchases and accept any revolver sight unseen.

Ohh. That doesn't look promising. I had a 986 in my sights as potentially my next purchases, but I figure that I'd have to order one, as I doubt I'll find one in stock anywhere local. Reading that makes me a little leery about buying sight unseen.

[Sigmund99]

I have handled the 986 but I own the 929. I didn't love the gun straight out of the box. I hate the Goodyear grips both guns came with and replaced mine with Nills. Changed out all the springs, LPA sights, Apex DAO hammer and a good trigger job. Now its the fastest gun I run for revolver and I have PC 627's and 627 Vcomps. Not sure what you want to do with either of them but after the tuning its one of my favorite guns.



929.jpg

[heidad01]

Have not handled 986 but saw the 929 close and I think it is super ugly. Did not care for it at all.

[eigenstate]

I have handled the 986 but I own the 929. I didn't love the gun straight out of the box. I hate the Goodyear grips both guns came with and replaced mine with Nills. Changed out all the springs, LPA sights, Apex DAO hammer and a good trigger job. Now its the fastest gun I run for revolver and I have PC 627's and 627 Vcomps. Not sure what you want to do with either of them but after the tuning its one of my favorite guns.



[ATTACH]496724[/ATTACH]

I don't have anything special in mind. The only revolver I have is a J-frame I don't shoot much, and was thinking I'd like to have one. I'd like to stick with one caliber, and after getting 9mm conversions for my glocks, and a CZ75, 9mm it is. So I've been thinking the new S&W's would fit well.

I'm probably a good candidate for being satisfied, as I suppose that I wouldn't notice the little things that revolver experts would.

[Volver]

Hi All:

The 929 is also on the roster and the 986 is not. But is there anything else?

TIA

I believe the 986 is on roster.

My 929 is my favorite handgun. Have not had any trouble with it, but the cylinder to forcing cone gap has opened up to almost .010 It was .006 in the store when I bought it. It may be going back to the PC.

[bug_eyedmonster]

I just picked mine up. Trigger is heavy as many have said on various reviews and forums. I read that people were only getting one moon clip, so I ordered 20, and I'm happy to report that mine came with three. I have a fiber optic front sight, just need someone to install it locally.


Jerry

[Fatcat]

Anyone had accuracy issues with their 929's? I've read S&W sized the cylinder throats for 38/357 bullets vs. for 9mm.