The Smith & Wesson 929, based on the Smith & Wesson N-Frame revolver, is a high-quality, moon-clip-fed 9mm revolver that is mainly used as a competition gun. It comes with the signature of Jerry Miculek and a titanium alloy cylinder.
Some of the most common issues with the Smith & Wesson 929 include the case being stuck in the cylinder, the trigger being too heavy, and failure to fire.
This article contains the possible reasons and fixes for the problems encountered by many users of the 929 revolvers. Go through the entire article to learn about the Smith & Wesson 929 problems and their solutions.
Features & Specifications of Smith and Wesson 929:
- Grip : Synthetic
- Product weight : 44.3ounces
- Product length : 12.3 inches
- Capacity : 8 rounds
- Frame Material : Stainless Steel
- Cylinder Material : Titanium Alloy
- Barrel length : 6.5inches
- Barrel Material : Stainless Steel
Common Smith and Wesson 929 Problems and Solutions
| Problems | Solutions |
| Cases Sticking in the Cylinder | Check the chambers of the cylinder. Clean the chambers thoroughly. |
| Failure to Fire | Replace the leaf spring. Change the ammunitions. |
| Heavy Trigger | Call Smith & Wesson. |
| Cylinder Release | Change the cylinder release. |
| Single Action Trigger Problem | Call Smith & Wesson. |
| Moon clip Problem | Call Smith & Wesson. |
1. Case Sticking in the Cylinder:
Many users of the 929 revolvers have complained about the bullet case sticking issue. It is a widespread issue with this revolver.
The main reason behind the problem is the use of incompatible ammunition in their revolvers.
In addition, the accumulation of brass in the chamber may contribute to this problem.
The Fix:
To fix the problem, change the ammunition that is particularly causing the problem.
Check the chamber of the cylinder if the problem appears with other rounds as well. Then the chamber of the cylinder needs to be cleaned well.
2. Failure to Fire
Some people who own Smith & Wesson 929 revolvers have encountered a failure to fire with their revolvers. About four out of eight primers failed to ignite the bullet.
The use of ammunition that is incompatible with the revolver is among the possible causes. The other option is that the firing pin of the revolver is malfunctioning.
The Fix:
To resolve the problem, you should replace the leaf spring. By changing the leaf spring, the spring’s power and force will increase, hence increasing the priming force.
If the problem still happens even after you change the leaf spring, try a different kind of ammunition. Your revolver might not be compatible with all types of ammunition. So, keep replacing the ammunition until the problem has been fixed.
3. Heavy Trigger:
Many users find the trigger on the Smith & Wesson 929 a little bit heavy. It is heavier than it needs to be in its double-action mode.
The Smith & Wesson 929 double-action trigger pull is around 9 pounds, which is more than double the single-action trigger pull.
The Fix:
To fix the problem, call Smith & Wesson. They will figure out what’s wrong.
4. Cylinder Release:
Many users feel that an extended cylinder release might be helpful for their competition. This short cylinder release makes the grip change and misses it while pressing the cylinder release.
That is not really a problem to be concerned about, but rather a requirement for the revolver to live up to its potential.
As the Smith & Wesson 929 revolver is mainly used for competitions, this alteration will be beneficial to its users.
The Fix:
You can perform your own troubleshooting to resolve the problem. Changing the cylinder release is simple and will cost approximately $75.
5. Single Action Trigger:
While the double action trigger is too heavy, the single action trigger is extremely light. Many users claim that single-action mode is never employed when using a revolver in a competitive situation.
Therefore, they can’t explain why the single-action trigger needs to be so light. It is probable that this will compromise the safety of the amateur shooter.
The Fix:
To fix the problem, call Smith & Wesson. They will troubleshoot the problem.
6. Moon Clip Problem:
The moon clips of Smith & Wesson 929 revolvers proved problematic for their owners as well.
Many people have said that one of the three moon clips provided by Smith & Wesson in the box doesn’t hold a 9mm case in any of its slots, but the other two are fine.
The Fix:
To fix the problem, call Smith & Wesson. They will replace the moon clip.
User Feedback on Smith and Wesson 929
Even if Smith & Wesson 929 has a lot of fans, it’s not perfect. There have been both positive and negative reviews of the 929 revolvers.
A user claimed it is highly accurate and has little recoil, making it great for target practice. The beginning can be a bit sluggish.
Accuracy is a common 929 issue. Someone else said, adding that he, too, was unable to achieve accurate shooting with his 929. He tried many types of bullets, but jacketed ones performed the best. He experimented with lead and its various sizes, with disastrous results.
One user reported that he had found the compensator cap to be useless, claiming that it only served to raise group size and make cleanup more of a hassle. Problems like failure to fire, moon clip problems, etc. have been reported on various online discussion boards.
According to the reviews, this 929 is a hit with many buyers. With a few small glitches apart, this 9mm variant is a strong contender.
Top 3 Alternative Revolvers of Smith and Wesson 929
S&W 986
In comparison to the 929, the 986 is $200 cheaper. The 929 requires a Double-Alpha holster rig, which will set you back almost twice as much as brand-new Blade-Tech and moon clip carriers. With the 986, switching between objectives will be a breeze.
Also, whereas the 986 is based on the L-frame and its 7-round cylinder, the 929 is an N-frame and has an 8-round cylinder.
Ruger Super GP 9mm
Both the S&W 929 and the Ruger SUPER 100 can hold eight bullets. The barrel length of a Ruger is 6 inches, whereas that of an S&W 929 is 6.5 inches. Similar 9mm calibers are used for both.
They even share the same frames that are made of stainless steel. Compared to the S&W 929, the Ruger Super 100 is a reliable choice.
S&W 627
The capacity of both the 929 and 627 weapons is 8. Both are SA/DA and housed in a stainless-steel body. The 627 has an interchangeable front sight, whereas the 929 has a partridge front sight. The barrel length is longer on the 929. The S&W 627 has .357 Magnum ammunition. The S&W 627 can be used as an alternative to the S&W 929.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the compensator of the S&W 929 removable?
Yes, the S&W 929 comes with a removable compensator.
Is the S&W 929 a type N frame?
The Smith & Wesson 929 is the N-frame revolver from Smith & Wesson.
What is a moon clip that is included with the S&W 929?
A moon clip is a ring- or star-shaped piece of metal that holds multiple cartridges together so they can be inserted and removed from the cylinder of a revolver simultaneously.
Which material is used to make the cylinder for the S&W 929?
The cylinder of the S&W 929 is made of titanium.
Conclusion
The learning outcome of the article is to find out the causes of the Smith & Wesson 929 problems. Additionally, you will be able to resolve the problem with the 929 revolvers.
The Smith & Wesson 929 is ideal for target shooting due to its accuracy and low recoil. Popularity does not, however, make the Smith & Wesson 929 flawless. This S&W 929 model is a strong contender if you’re looking for a 9mm revolver for competition, despite a few easily fixable flaws.
