Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 986 Titanium Finish 2.5" 9mm Revolver - 2.5" Barrel, 7 Rounds, Wood Grips

First impressions were very impressive, the revolver looks amazing in person and it feels good in the hand. After shooting it for the first time I found myself wishing that this gun (especially at this price point) came with a fiber optic front sight, and I had trouble keeping tight groups at 7 yds using the single action trigger, upon closer inspection the rear sight was loose and every gun shot would wiggle it (S&W should be putting loctite on the screw securing the rear sight), and my last gripe is that the grips that felt so nice before were doing a terrible job when shooting and the frame kept biting into the web of my palm. The double action trigger is smooth, the single action is sharp and crisp and the moon clips really aren't a problem for me however I will be replacing the front sight with a fiber optic, changing the grips and loctiting the rear sight. The target sights aren't a dealbreaker however it is baffling that S&W is turning out performance center guns with little problems like this. I really like this gun, and I intend on keeping it and shooting it for years to come however for listed price the shooter deserves better quality control (and a better front sight).

I am very pleased with my purchase of this firearm. The first one my dealer received had some issues, so I refused the transfer and contacted Bud's. Bud's sent a replacement gun which was perfect. Not having experienced shooting 9mm in a revolver, I did not know what to expect. It turns out to be a cream-puff that is very comfortable to shoot. The Performance Center features and treatment are a plus. Both the single-action and double-action trigger pulls are relatively light and smooth. I measured the last round from the first two cylinders fired and there was no appreciable bullet creep, so that is not an issue with the 986. Be aware that you must use moon clips. Loose 9mm rounds chamber too deep to fire, so moon clips are essential. The up-side is that moon clips are really convenient to use at the range. I load them up at home before going shooting. Four loaded moon clips fit perfectly in an empty 100 round tray from 22LR ammunition. I would prefer that the 986 did not have a titanium cylinder, although it works as it should. I am concerned about long term care and maintenance, however, because titanium is less tolerant of chemicals and cleaning methods, or so I have read. Time will tell.

Out of the box the revolver looked flawless. The wood grips were so well made they looked like one solid piece of workmanship. Dry fireing it was a little stiff but I prefer that in a new revolver even from the Performance Center. I purchase additional moon clips so that I could continue at a reasonable pace at my gun clubs out door range. I waited to review the 986 9mm to give an honest opinion after three trips to my out door gun club shooting about 400 rounds of varied self defense ammo as a test. The revolver was not particularly accurate but acceptable. When cleaning the barrel I noticed multiple evenly spaced perpindicular machine marks between the lands and grooves and the entire barrel looked like a non-polished reject. I have a 19-3 S&W 357 Magnum that is so old it has the firing pin on the hammer. Looking down its barrel it still looks polished with no machine marks truely making the 986 look extremely shabby.

This revolver was beyond my expectations for the price. Slick action, nice trigger pulls in both single and double action. Good looking too. I will replace the front sight with a slightly narrower fiber optic one just because that's what I prefer for CQB shooting. It shoots fine with the sight provided.

My 986 came in great shape! Awesome firearm. Just what you would expect from the S&W Performance Center. A+