Chambered for the most popular handgun cartridge currently made, the Smith & Wesson 929 is an 8-shot 9mm revolver from the Performance Center.
Introduced in December of 2013, Smith & Wesson posted a teaser video for the new model 929 revolver on YouTube. In it, the company described the revolver, many of its features and how it was tuned by the Performance Center. Additionally, the video explained why the new S&W 929, a full-size revolver, was chambered for the 9mm cartridge.
The new 929 revolver is a product of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center, and it appears to be built for competition. The gun holds eight rounds in the titanium cylinder and will likely use full moon clips like most of the other rimless cartridge revolvers the company has made.
Barrel length is 6.5″ long and is ported. A glass bead finish is standard.
The gun ships with a 10-pound double-action (DA) trigger pull, and a 3.5-4 pound single-action (SA) trigger pull. Hogue synthetic grips are standard.
The 929 is not the first 9mm revolver made by Smith & Wesson. I doubt it will be the last either. Prior models include the model 940, a Centennial model that held five rounds and could be had with a 1.5″, 2″ or 3″ barrel. An Airweight version of the gun, the 942, was prototyped, but never produced. (More on the 942 can be found in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.)
I believe this is the first Smith & Wesson revolver to use the 929 model number. Some of the revolver model numbers have been recycled over the years, but I did not find any prior reference to it in my reference literature. If you know of another 929 model, please let me know in the comments section below.
Update
Smith & Wesson official announced the 929, providing some additional information. The following is a better photo of the model 929 and the specifications given. Also, the company announced the addition of a second 9mm revolver: the model 986 Pro Series.
Features:
- removable compensator
- cylinder cut for moon clips
- chrome trigger and hammer
- hand-tuned action
Smith & Wesson 929 Specifications
| SKU | 170341 |
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Action | traditional DA/SA |
| Barrel Length | 6.5″ |
| Overall Length | 12.25″ |
| Weight | 44.2 oz |
| Sights | Patridge front, adjustable rear |
| Grips | synthetic |
| Frame Material | stainless steel |
| MSRP (as of 6/26/2022) | $1,269 |
Last Update: June 26, 2022
35 replies on “New Smith & Wesson 929: 8-Shot 9mm Revolver”
Why? why not build a dedicated frame to eliminate that horrible looking gap?
Does S&W just build any revolver that comes to mind, without any design or aesthetics consideration?
you’re right I think the horrible looking gap is strange too. also, who needs a ported barrel on what is essentially an all steel handgun firing 9mm?
Looks weren’t the consideration when making the cylinder with what you call the “horrible looking gap.” The rotating mass of the cylinder and the ammo within is part of the overall trigger pull weight when shooting double action, something JM does a lot. This gun was built more for function than form. If you compete you should be more interested in performance than sheer beauty. It’s a decent enough looking gun, utilizes an existing frame so no new frame tooling necessary, and it has the cylinder length optimized for the cartridge it is intended to fire. This is a gun built for very specific uses and isn’t geared for “everyman”. I can’t wait to get mine when they release them. I’ll routinely beat my buddies with their “beauty queens” just like I do now but with a better, more efficient tool.
You’re correct Mike. I thought all the idiots were in the Government only.
Sure, make a dedicated frame for a gun that will sell a few hundred examples. Then you would have to sell them for $3500 just to break even.
I like it – that “dorky” looking barrel underlug reminds me of the old Remington single action revolver (another gun before its time) …….. I vote a giant YEA for S&W because every new design proves that S&W is in it for the long run and not just coasting along waiting for better gun times and better gun attitudes, thanks Smith & Wesson!
I am underwhelmed.
The saving grace is that it is a competition gun, so much silliness can be forgiven, and it is likely fun to shoot, and makes sense for a dedicated 9mm competitor to use . On the other hand, as a weapon, it seems a step backward to fit 8 9mm Parabellums where you could fit 8 .357 Mags.
I suspect that it will not be on the market for very long.
Regards
GKT
Rus gun is being built so world champion Jerry Miculek can take full advantage of the new USPSA revolver division rules allowing 8 round revolvers now.