mikeAZ

Me too.. Got one. I had my moon clips built for plated Federal 9mm +p brass, they don't like to unload very easily... Had any fired shell extraction issues? (It's my understanding some of the 1st run 929's do?). I'm using Titegroup & .356 x Frontier plated 147's, 132 PF

Thanks for the inputs.... Actually the plated .357's/ .356's don't cost very little more than the coated .358's... That's probably a simpler solution..... I'll crono some 2.9 Titegroups..... Thanks, again.....

Toolguy... That's exactly what I'm doing (scotchbrite/ polish). How much "polishing" is too much?..... I will post some snap gauge readings from in the cylinder itself. This was a unmolested low round count pistol. I've varied the OAL to just at the edge of the cannulure to 1.15, no change for the better. ...Federal 100 primers, sure they are flattened too some extent.

I've been following the other post on 38 short colt brass..."sticky" ejection and such. I see where most have "polished the cylinder" but have not seen anyone post the finished internal dimensions, not having any extra cylinders, what are you ending up with for a dimension internally in the cylinder?..(just so I don't overdo one). If you actually "hone" or ream the cylinder out, please say so. I'm not saying that I can't extract the spent shells, it's just that there is some/more resistance that I would think is normal and after a stage or two there is a slight resistance even when loading new moon clips when they are almost completely pushed in the cylinder. I don't see other shooter's brushing their cylinders out between stages anymore?. My guns are not that dirty I wouldn't think, but who knows?. As could be expected, my "sticky" problem seems to be with various brands of .358 coated lead bullets, which I'd expect is because of the larger od of the bullet. I'm using 3.1 grns. of Titegroup x 160 grns coated .358 bullet. No V V 320 available to me yet which some say eliminates the "sticky" problem .. I've got some slower burning WW Auto Comp and have loaded some with no big observed difference but have not done much with the load as I have ample Titegroup on hand. I've varied the OAL and tapper crimp , looking for the "magic" no sticky zone....I use a 38 special case gauge and check every round ( all .358 lead heads drop in easily), tried different od's of plated .357/.356's which eject much easier.... I think I'm close with my "polish", but off a "tick" on the .358's???? all of which makes me think the problem is in the clearance in the cylinder wall x loaded brass and .358 coated lead bullets. At the widest area of a loaded round of either a .38 short colt case OR a cut down .38 special case, I'm at .379. With a .357 od plated bullet I'm at .378 and with a plated .355 I'm at .377.....OAL is varied but normally 1.180 to 1.120. (I've tried all sorts of different OAL's). Some will say just to use the smaller diameter bullet, which makes sense BUT who knows when maybe all that available these days is .358's in lead?. I'd like to be able to shoot anything any time anyhow. Thanks for the input. Mike

I must be off a tick?.... I've tried the .358 x 160 Bayou's & Billy bullets at different OAL's/crimps.... Frontier's 147/158 @.357. I'm using a taper crimp die. I'm not getting sticky ejection but the fired shells hardly drop out either. I've polished the cylinder, at the 1st/2nd reload some resistance is felt. I'm using Starline 38 special cut down to short colt brass length. None of the various loads crooned over 130/140 with titegroup. I've tried some autocomp powder, no improvement to rave about. Can anyone give me the polished cylinder dimensions?... Maybe I'm too tight?.. I've got the snap gauges for measuring the cartridge/cylinder bore.

I've got the AApha, works great on all S&W's that I shoot (627's & 929) GREAT retention. Just used it on a stage were the gun was holstered and you were sitting in a chair.... I flipped the lock on and draw/unlock was ez at the buzzer., ...no chance of gun falling out ever even in a hurricane!. A BIG plus... the different gun inserts are like $50 (I've got a Glock insert also)..They have one for just about every pistol....

I've used nothing but Lee "U" dies in the 1st. stage for years in any pistol caliber I shoot........ Just LUBE the cases. I leave very little clearance on the shellplate. I shoot nothing but range brass. Dillon lube or One Shot is fine. Lee "U" die@ EGWguns/or/Lee

A few on Gunbroker... I got a decent price on one.

Any??

I'm a long time user of the "regular" C-Mores. (was on the waiting list when they 1st came out many years ago). I've had the regular C-Mores on just about everything except my toothbrush. They are on my 2011 "open" pistol, 3 each 22 Buckmark's, Vepr shotgun, AR15, and on.... One nice thing, should you not like the size of the "dot" you can buy another module instead of replacing the whole unit. Here in Arizona, the sun is BRIGHT year round and the C-More dots are always very visible!!. The wife was having trouble "finding the dot", on her Buckmark when shooting steel plate completion, so I changed her #6 dot to a #16, and she came alive. That said, I'm not paying $400 for the RTS C-More...On one of my S&W's, I've went to the mini Burris Fast Fire 3's (7moa) dot) and the Alchin low mount for a lot less money. (They have a lifetime any owner warranty). I wouldn't buy the earlier Burris fast Fire 2 as the battery is on the bottom of the scope and re-zeroing is a pain for just a battery change....Brazos (aka "1911 store" has good prices and is a site vendor here). If you decide to buy one?....

My local shooter friendly EDM shop made me both .032 and .035 moon clips for my 929. I supplied the cylinder for their testing. They also made some .040's for me to try BUT they were too tight in the gun.... I had them cut for Federal 9mm + P plated brass (9mm brass is WAY different brand to brand), nice and tight with rotation.They were priced @ $4.00 each at the time. Equal in quality to anyone's moon clip. Can load with the 9mm BMT moon/de-mooner but I de-moon by hand. Currently using Frontier 147 dbl. struck 9mm bullets and TiteGroup for 130 PF. Factory moon's were pretty worthless depending on the brand of brass.

Were you moving OR did you stop & shoot?.

I use a moderate tapper crimp. Because that's all I have in powder, I'm using Tightgroup and the primers are flat or dished depending on the grains used. (This has not been a problem so far). I'm using the 9mm Lee "U" (.001 undersize) x Dillon 650 but then, I've used these Lee "U" dies in the 1st. stage for years and for all pistol calibers I shoot. (Lube the cases, life is a lot easier). I had the moon clips made locally for Federal +P nickel brass..(happy camper)...(trust me, all 9mm is NOT the same!). I was somewhat reluctant to do much to the new 929 but I bit the bullet (Ha, Ha). Got some good imput from Gregg K and I would get a hard trigger pull after only about 2/3 moon clips through the 929, (cyl. was dragging?).. The forcing cone finish was not as square/smooth as I would have thought from the S&W PC anyhow?, so I used the Brownells .560 cutter and squared up the face very very slightly, and added a .003 cylinder shim. I was experimenting with Bayou .358 x 160 bullets in 9mm cases. Due to the bullet shape and length I've had to run these short to fit in the 9mm case gauge, I think I'll just stick with 147 9mm bullets, either Billy's/Bayou's/ Frontiers/ or Montana Golds. Never got to the "magic" 5 # trigger, she goes bang all the time with Federal 100 primers @ 6#'s. What's with S&W???.. Must have a huge backlog on these revolvers, just a guess probably didn't think there was a market waiting???..(Jerry probably chuckles...) Maybe Ruger will wake up?... The market is there!.

I've also got a 929 (my posts are on this site). The gun was well made/built, no problems there. An eye opener, 9mm brass varies from the manufacturer's. The 3 Factory moon clips are very loose with all brass. My biggest problem has been me striving for the 5# trigger. I've polished the internals, added a lightened MIM hammer, changed the grips, fibber optic sights, front & rear, etc. A local EDM company is making my moon clips for way less than $7.00 each . I'm using nickel plated (+P) Speer/Federal brass and yes, there is a difference between the two. I signed up long ago and the local FFL is a volume dealer. I think that they took pity on me as I'm 72 and told them I can't wait for ever???.. (Thanks, Vic & Ron).... (They ordered 6 and received one pistol). I gave up on holsters (a different length one for each pistol and got the AA holster (Fit's all 3 of my S&W's).

I shot? the 929 at the monthly ICORE match at Rio 6/1/14...the 5 1/4 # trigger was a no go for 3 stages .... Bang, bang, click, bang, click , ( I wasn't totally surprised, I was trying to get away with the lightest trigger pull possible and it worked o.k. in practice, go figure?). 5 3/4 #'s gave 100 % ignition on stage 4). Rudy Warren and crew always have interesting setup's, no matter the temperature... It was a 100 degrees plus (typical Arizona summer time day, no biggie, drink more water). The Speer nickel plated 9mm brass was fine in the prototype .032 moon clips, reloads were untroubled, extraction A+. (The .035 prototypes are going to be .001 larger in the case neck area), Federal's should fit just fine?. As I've posted, the 9mm brass isn't all the same in the neck ...My reasons for the nickel plated brass are twofold, I've got plenty of it and most nickel plated is + P rated, so I figured it might be superior/better brass with the fast powders?....I was shooting a mixture of 170 gn. Billy bullets, Frontier 147 rd. nose bullets, and Montana gold 147's x Titegroup x 135 PF.& Federal 100 primers. Used theTitegroup as I have an ample supply of it, but I'm going to load some slower burning powder and see how the primer's look. It's kind'a nice that a lower ranked super senior shooter get's THE new toy before some of the "big" boys?...(Thanks, Ron S & Vic P).

Tom F. Bet ya see a difference in brass from different manufacture's don't you??? Like your 3 Factory moon clips??.....I learned my lesson. I use only one brand of brass and the moon clips that were made for that brass...Even TK offers different moon clips for different manufacture's .38 special brass.... IT ANI'T all the same!!!, 9mm is no different. The Factory included 9mm 3 each moon clips are maybe ok for the initial load but I've had a round fall out of the Factory moon clip as they are so sloppy with certain brass.....I'm working with a fellow shooter who just happens to work for a Company that's not afraid to EDM engineer/design non aero-space products... a moon clip is no biggie for them. Just trying to pass along my observations, maybe of some help to a new 929 owner???...maybe not....

I'm just posting on the journey and what I've seen so far.... Look at how many different moon clips are offered for the 627's and the various brands of brass.... If you think 9mm brass is all the same, your misguided....All the little tweaking we do to our 627's are going to be needed to be done on the 929. I'm sure we will have many different solutions to any perceived "problems" and soon the "world" will be full of "929" experts and they are duty bound to post here....I think I've received a well made example of the 929 from the S&W Performance Shop, it's not without annoying minor things that we would change on any revolver we buy because of our wants and needs.... ( 9 1/2 # trigger, sloppy moon clips, sights, etc....). Eventually, I'll get to where I want to be with this weapon. As far as the $1200.00 price tag?, I'm on the "list" for another when they become available....Gregg K is spot on with his explanation, although a little more clearance to the moon clips might allow the cartridge base to slide over the recoil shield as only one or two cases left any slight marks on the dykem?... These are all questions that need to be addressed by trial and error. I'm just posting my observations thus far. I'm not any kind of "expert" nor am I a gunsmith.

A little update on the 929... I've put 200 or so rounds thru the 929 ( 147 grain Montana Gold's and Frontier's x TG), don't have any lead sized .357/.356. One thing is going to be the proper "moon" clips for the specific 9mm brass, it's not all the same size in the neck (Who'd a thought). The designer brought me some prototypes in both .032 and .040 thickness. He was thinking was that the .040 would not work (too thick/too tight in the present configuration), he was right.... They drug/bound the gun up at the firing pin, but who knows? maybe just to tight a fit, no slop.., worth a try... I'm brass specific. I have lot's of once fired 9mm nickel plated Federal and Speer brass and wanted to use only that brass if possible. The rule of thumb seems to be for the round has to be able to turn ever so slightly in the moon clip, not be tight as they are with the prototypes WITH the Federal brass (the Speer less so). From what we have learned, the "go" to moon clips will be .032 OR most LIKELY the .035 that he is designing. He is removing a .001 from the casing width from the .032's for further testing. (He made me some moon clips for Starline brass x .38 specials that I had cut to .38 short Colt length that are perfect for that brass)...Just a matter of time and trial.... getting closer....almost there?....The fiber optic sights are on the way from our favorite "site" vendor.

Jaxshooter, I'm with you... I also have 2 627's set up shooting 38 short Colt ammo.. I don't see any real gain other than I posted that I shoot lot's of 9mm...PLUS it's a new gun... (Early Christmas present). Seanc, Stock firing pins are reported to be .495..... This one wasn't, why take a chance while I was inside polishing the internals.

I'm gong slowly, relating what I've found so far..... 1. Removed burrs from the outside of forcing cone, (just cosmetic) 2. Factory moon clips maybe good for practice (very sloppy, the picture may show some of the slop). (New tighter ones are being built locally). 4. Trigger pull was 9 1/2#'s stock (installed the "Black Magic" set up, set @ 5.75 #'s... probably will need to go to just over 6 #'s per Vic P.) 5. Stock hammer assembly weighed 4950 grains on my powder scale, installed one I lightened, weighs 3165 grains= 1785 loss of mass 6. I checked the cylinder with a Clymer 9mm Finish reamer.... looks fine 7. Very slightly opened the cylinder, waiting to see what the new moon clips are like. 8. Factory fire pin was .493, I installed an aftermarket longer firing pin. (Might be too long ?, we will see). 9. All in all, I'm satisfied... What can be wrong with getting a new gun ???.. The 38 short Colt shooting guns I own are just fine, I shoot lot's and lot's of 9mm so that's my main reason for the switch to the 929, I don't see a reason for the other 8 shooter's too switch unless they just want a new toy?, but we want new stuff !!!..

The front sight is .0226 at the very rear. (remember, to order the front sight that needs to be drilled for the pin... NOT the snap in one.).The moon clips are .035, and a bit loose.... I've sent the cylinder along with the 3 factory moon clips out for sizing. Last night, I shot a 147 grain x 130 PF Montana Gold load that I had for my production semi auto pistol, recoil was not bad and accuracy was good right out of the box. Extraction was EZ. (The trigger pull measured 9.15 #'s, needs a little help). As for bullets, unless you use lead bullets, I haven't been able to find much over 147 grain in FMJ x .356...and the MT Gold's are not a complete round nose although they are probably good to go with a tighter moon clip. I have 627's and was using the short Colt rounds, nothing wrong with that set-up at all but I shoot more 9mm that anything else... That is my reason to have wanted a 929, no more .356 bullets /.357's /.358's and on, plus I have buckets of good 9mm brass....I read that some think the 6 1/2" gun is too long BUT I look at it this way, I'm a 1 1/2" closer to the target than you are. ..

Came in today...Thanks, Vic Pickett for the heads up!!!... looks pretty nice. No problems visible, nice & tight. I don't think I'm allowed to post the FFL's business name?, but they have more coming in the near future. Check the "born on date". Time for a cold one and some serious fondling. Mike in Arizona

Big believer in the "Frog", open gun, shotguns, limited guns, all revolvers.... "A little dab will do ya"... It won't hurt your chambers....like you noted.... The "crud" just wipes off.

April fool..........

Explain the measurement?...is this for a .38/ 627?