I might carry the 986 from time to time or using it for a house gun. What is a good defensive load? I'm thinking of Speer GDHP.
No to ask a very obvious question, but have you checked your strain screw to make sure that it is secure? If it has partially backed out, it may be causing the spotty ignition with the combination of the Winchester primers and the springiness of the moon clips.
I'd start with checking the strain screw and then follow up with a thorough cleaning of the internals (including removing, cleaning, and inspecting the firing pin and the firing pin recess in the frame). BTW Federal primers will also be easier to pop than Winchester if you are not opposed to Federal ammo. It will run approximately the same price as WWB if you're looking for inexpensive plinking ammo.
I hadn't checked the strain screw before, but i just did and it's fine. The action seems to be getting a bit smoother as I shoot in it. I'll do the switch to Federal and try that, In fact, I'm about due for a trip to Enid where there is an Academy and I'm certain they'll have it. Thanks for that tip.No to ask a very obvious question, but have you checked your strain screw to make sure that it is secure? If it has partially backed out, it may be causing the spotty ignition with the combination of the Winchester primers and the springiness of the moon clips.
I'd start with checking the strain screw and then follow up with a thorough cleaning of the internals (including removing, cleaning, and inspecting the firing pin and the firing pin recess in the frame). BTW Federal primers will also be easier to pop than Winchester if you are not opposed to Federal ammo. It will run approximately the same price as WWB if you're looking for inexpensive plinking ammo.
Put another 140 rounds through the 986 today, all of them WWB from WallyWorld, and experienced a bunch of light hammer strikes. Then I thought I'd have to into Enid to pick up some Federals from Academy, and I found 350 rounds of their Hardball at home, so tomorrow, I'll try that (they seem to have softer primers) and see how that works. If it does, I'll order a couple of cases of it on-line, and the problem will have been solved. If it doesn't, I'll contact S&W and see what they say.
Other suggestions?
All of the shots yesterday were DA with the single exception of one round where it attempted twice, in DA neither time igniting, so SA was tried and then it discharged. I also note that in the earlier sessions when I fired SA all of them fired.Also what mode were the light primer strikes? If in single action you definitely have a problem. Even at 6lbs DA pull which is about half of factory all my guns will fire in SA mode. DA has a very slightly shorter hammer throw and that's where it shows up first.
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