Despite being a revolver, the Model 929 can fire the ubiquitous 9x19mm pistol cartridge, blending several different pistol technologies.

No conversation about American-built revolvers — or firearms in general — is complete without mentioning a few words about Smith & Wesson. And it’s quite easy to see why. The company has been in the gunsmithing business for almost 170 years. Smith & Wesson offers both semi-automatic pistols as well as rifles — although their revolvers are perhaps even more noteworthy as some of the best, highest-quality revolvers in existence today. 

One of Smith & Wesson’s more interesting revolvers? Their Model 929.

The Model 929 is built around Smith & Wesson’s N-frame, a large revolver frame that is sufficiently robust to handle some of the stiffest magnum cartridges on the market today, including the hot .357 Magnum, as well as the even more powerful .44 Magnum. The Model 929 however is chambered in the ubiquitous 9x19mm cartridge, a pistol cartridge that the large Model 929 would have no trouble handling.

Thanks in part to the 9x19mm’s relatively small size, as well as the N-frame’s rather large size, the Model 929 can accommodate eight rounds of 9x19mm in its cylinder with the help of moon clip adaptors, included with the Model 929. Although the revolver’s frame and barrel are made of robust stainless steel, the revolver’s cylinder is made of a titanium alloy, which helps to reduce the revolver’s weight without sacrificing strength. 

In addition to a lighter cylinder, the Model 929 also ships with synthetic grips that feature prominent finger grooves for a firm grip. Coupled with the revolver’s relatively long 6.5-inch barrel — complete with removable compensator — the Model 929 is fully capable of handling the 9x19mm cartridge.

The Model 929 is part of Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center lineup of better-than-stock firearms. Firearms with the Performance Center designation are accurized for more precise shooting, and feature “hand-cutting and fitting to fine-tuning for precision, these firearms are top performers. Products from the Performance Center are the ultimate expression of old-world craftsmanship blended with modern technology.”

Smith & Wesson’s Model 92 is certainly a high-quality revolver, though it is not exactly cheap. The revolver retails for over $1,200 on the Smith & Wesson website — though it is backed by the company’s lifetime service policy, guaranteeing the revolver from any defects.

In the Model 929, Smith & Wesson has built a precise and high-quality revolver interestingly chambered in the rimless 9x19mm pistol cartridge. For those that are in the market for a precision revolver but want to retain the ubiquitous 9x19mm, the Model 929 is a solid choice and further evidence of Smith & Wesson’s excellence in gunsmithing.

Caleb Larson is a Defense Writer with The National Interest. He holds a Master of Public Policy and covers U.S. and Russian security, European defense issues, and German politics and culture.

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