[IdahoSkies]

I am going to try shooting my first IDPA match this week. I have a choice between a stock service revolver category and a stock service pistol category. I have magazines and speed loaders for both.

Any suggestions on which route I should try first as a noob?

[MrBorland]

Awesome!

I'll give you my $0.02. The easy answer is to shoot the one you like and shoot the best.

My longer answer may be more biased, though, as I'm an SSR shooter myself. SSR is an excellent place to start - between the DA trigger and the 6 round capacity, it forces you to execute the fundamentals well. Do this, and the transition to other divisions will be easy.

The DA trigger and reloads are tough to master, though, and you may not have other wheelgunners to compete against, either, so in the end, you may find you prefer SSP instead. Still, doing well with a revolver, and holding your own against (or even beating) semi-autos is a great feeling.

[waktasz]

I would say SSP. There's enough going on in your head at your first match to worry about reloading twice as much as everyone else. Plus, chances are you won't have any other revolver shooters on your squad to give you tips. You will almost definitely have other SSP shooters on your squad willing to share strategies.

[Sam1911]

Ha ha! Tough question. As much as I love shooting SSR ... (not easy for me to say this) ... you might find it easier to get up to speed and rolling with the SSP gun. If you are perfectly equally at ease with either gun -- or even better with the revolver (especially reloads) then maybe not, but for most folks the excitement and mock-stress of the competition is a little overwhelming. Having to perform an extra reload or two on every stage when other folks already seem like they're flying past you, may push you to make a mistake or just become frustrated.

SSR is a HECK of a lot of fun, though...but it's ALL a lot of fun. I'd get my feet on the ground for a match or three before I added in the complexity of the wheelgun.

But whatever you do, be as safe as you possibly can be and have a good time!

[Hk Dan]

Doesn't matter. Just go shoot the match!