Dr.J Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Good evening -I want to begin shooting ICORE and Steel Challenge matches and want to get one gun, for the time being, that will let me be competitive in both. I am setup to load 9mm and .45acp on my Dillon 550 and don't want to purchase the dies, components to load another caliber at this time. I want to purchase one of the new S&W 9mm revolvers when they become available in my area. I believe that the 8-shot, 61/2" barrel 929 would be the best, but was wondering if the 7-shot 5 " 986 would work as well. Bottom line does the extra 11/2" inch of barrel and one additional shot make a significant of a difference. I'd appreciate your comments. Dr. J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadowrider Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 I can't think of a reason at all that the new 7 shot gun is described as a competition gun. Maybe for IDPA? I don't shoot IDPA so I don't know, but for USPSA I can find no advantage at all over a 6 shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No.343 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 I would rather swing a five inch barrel than a 6.5 inch barrel. Just for reference my five inch barrel S&W has the same sight radius as my 6" STI. I would not want to use a 6.5 inch barrel gun for steel challenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmoney Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 A longer barrel swings fine if it is a light profile. Regardless, I would definitely choose the 8-shot model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregg K Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 The only home that I can think of for the 7 shooter would be for shooting steel where someone was happier with an L frame than an N. The 8 shooter would still be my choice as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhgtyre Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 The seven shot gun is perfectly fine for ICORE and... well.... your nightstand? -ld Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.J Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Good Morning And Yet Another Question -While waiting, and I understand it may be a long wait, for a 929 would purchasing a holster and speed loaders for my 6-shot 617 be a good way of practicing shooting ICORE and Steeel Challenge events? If so, what equipment would I need, e.g., holsters, speed loaders, etc. Thanks,Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ede Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 I shoot SC with a 6" 386 and love the gun and do well with it. If I were shooting a match where I really want to place well instead of making noise and having fun I shoot a 627 for the extra round. Yesterday I shot a boot leg SC match I run with a M10 and did pretty well with it, I was a bit slower knowing I didn't have much if any room for misses. If I were buying one revolver to do everything with it'd be a 8 shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByronH Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 (edited) I'm new to this forum however not new to revolvers or competition. I shoot an M&P R8 for steel challenge. I used to use a 625 for that as well as ICORE. I mainly shoot SC now, so for me 8 shots is the way to go. I know there have been some rule changes for USPSA etc, with that in mind go for 8. I chose the R8 because it is half a pound lighter than the 627, with light loads for SC it's great. If I was shooting heavier loads I would go with the 627. Do I look forward to the 929? YES, although I wouldn't mind owning another R8. One with optic one with iron sights. Edited February 24, 2014 by ByronH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanc Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 A longer barrel swings fine if it is a light profile. I was originally skeptical until I shot bucklands 25-2 in 2012 at A7. You need to give yourself a smidge more space around obstacles, but it swings just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanc Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 The seven shot gun is perfectly fine for ICORE and... well.... your nightstand? -ld The 7 shot can definitely work well for icore. There was 1 instance at the 2013 irc where 8 was an advantage from a stage planning perspective, but I can't remember any other part of the match where having 8 was a benefit except of course for the comfort of make ups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuz Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 What S&W should have done is skipped the 7 shot and just make the 8 shot 9mm Revo with both 4 and 6 in barrel lengths. There was no need for two different models. Makes it tougher to find moon clips for, and holsters, etc. I think they blew it doing it the way they did. I'll wait for a shorter barrel option on the 8 shot before I get one. -Cuz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No.343 Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 What S&W should have done is skipped the 7 shot and just make the 8 shot 9mm Revo with both 4 and 6 in barrel lengths. There was no need for two different models. Makes it tougher to find moon clips for, and holsters, etc. I think they blew it doing it the way they did. I'll wait for a shorter barrel option on the 8 shot before I get one. -Cuz I think that there are a lot of people out there that like S&W products and like the idea of a 9mm revolver, but don't like N frames. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lora Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Anyone think it possible to order a special order through performance center of a 929 but with the 986 5" barrel. Mechanically, can it be done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtysanchez Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Nope. Different thread and diameter at the forcing cone end. Suppose you could ask, maybe if you got the frame straight from the forging process, and the forging has enough meat to accommodate, don't know. Doubt they'd do it even as a custom........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregg K Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Anyone think it possible to order a special order through performance center of a 929 but with the 986 5" barrel. Mechanically, can it be done? Buy the regular 929 and put on a custom barrel of whatever length you want and then sell that nasty 6.5" barrel to me for scrap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toolguy Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Darn Greg- Ya beat me to it! Oh well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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