Smith 986

I have a Smith 986 PC snubby, and it is one of the sweetest, most accurate guns I own. A true keeper. Not at all unpleasant to shoot. I generally run 115 grain ball ammo in it since it is cheap bought in bulk.

And like you, I too have a 45 acp revolver that is among my favorites, though mine is a 325 scandium. Unpleasant with heavy loads, but very nice with target wadcutters.

Buy the 986. You will have no regrets.

BOARHUNTER

I wasnt sure what a 986 was, i had to search it on Gunbroker to find out.
Aha yes. A very nice 9mm revolver.
I very much like my one 9mm pistol. I very much like the cost of ammo too.
You should buy one and give a full report to the otherwise uninformed on THR.

With my Model 986, felt recoil is probably a bit greater than hot 38 Specials but certainly less than full power 357 Magnums. I load 357 Magnums 158 gr swc to about 950 fps and the recoil from the 9x19 is softer.

Accuracy is comparable between my Model 686 and Model 986, both shooting my reloads

For a moon clip revolver, I suggest getting a BMT Equipped mooner/demooner tool. They are a bit pricey for some folks but they beat the heck out of fighting with the cartridges one at a time. Saves the fingers as well and makes moon clips a joy to use.

cfullgraf said:

For a moon clip revolver, I suggest getting a BMT Equipped mooner/demooner tool. They are a bit pricey for some folks but they beat the heck out of fighting with the cartridges one at a time. Saves the fingers as well and makes moon clips a joy to use.

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Shooting a revolver with rimless cartridges without moons is possible but ejecting the empties is more work than with a rimmed 38 SPL or .357 Magnum. I agree with the advice offered by cfullgraf regarding the BMT Mooner tool, a bit pricy but worth the expense. It takes a bit of time to get a method worked out to use that tool but once you figure it out it works great. I keep a traditional demooner tool at the ready also, making an argument for having both is one of those things you just have to take my word for.

The other thing is of course the moon clips themselves. They can cost somewhere around $3 each to about $8 or so each.

I have not shot the 986 personally so I cannot comment on that. I do have two (2) 929s which are the N frame 8 shot revo 9mm which I shoot between the two at least 1000 rounds/month. I would assume that the 986 and a 686 shooting 38 Short colt would be a similar experience. There do have experience, all positive. Personally I find the need for an 8 shot revo so for me it's an N frame, either a 327 (TRR8), 627 (using 38 LC) or 929 (9mm). But if a 7 shot is what you desire I'm sure the 986 will not disappoint. Just know that with any L or N frame S&W expect to have to work out some bugs, once you get it they are fantastic.

WOW I have had issue with my new 986--first after 150 rounds it just went click--soft strikes and with Federal Primers. Had to adjust the tension spring screw. Then 2 weeks later the yoke screw fell out--I did find it. Then the tension spring screw moved again and more just clicks till it was tightened. It was Ok for 3 months and now happening again. Not what I call a performance Centre Gun

Ontariohobby said:

WOW I have had issue with my new 986--first after 150 rounds it just went click--soft strikes and with Federal Primers. Had to adjust the tension spring screw. Then 2 weeks later the yoke screw fell out--I did find it. Then the tension spring screw moved again and more just clicks till it was tightened. It was Ok for 3 months and now happening again. Not what I call a performance Centre Gun

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Have you been applying blue Loctite to the threads? Might try that, though I agree its pretty annoying having screws fall out of a new gun.

Do any of the 986 PC owners carry it concealed and if so, do you have holster recommendations?

HC_Jack said:

Do any of the 986 PC owners carry it concealed and if so, do you have holster recommendations?

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I just made a thread about large revolvers for carry, never carried the 986 but it's brother the 686 and 586, I like Mernickle the best right now but there are several good makers the best NON custom off the shelf holsters are made by Galco, look at Amazon or another's prices.

When I carry my 986, it is in a John O'Rourke pancake holster. But like all larger-frame revolvers, it is not the easiest to carry concealed. Most of the time, my choice for concealed carry is one flatter and/or smaller than the 986...like a Dan Wesson lightweight commander 1911 (Guardian) or a Colt Night Cobra, both in CrossBreed IWB SuperTucks.

BOARHUNTER