If I'm reading the rules right, a 6-shot .44spl ought to be fine for SSR. To make a PF of 125,000, you'd be able to shoot some real creampuff loads. Yet, when I search the web on this, seems everyone's shooting a .38/.357. Am I missing something? Is the reload speed, i.e. do the longer cases take that much longer to reload? Seems that the 3" Model 24 currently offered my S&W, for example, would make a dandy SSR gun.
.44spl for IDPA SSR?
- Thread starter MrBorland
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earplug
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In the IDPA game the cost of shooting 44 spl out weighs what ever real life advantage it might have over 38 spl/.357 based guns.
And the recoil from a smaller lighter round will allow a faster recovery between shots.
And the recoil from a smaller lighter round will allow a faster recovery between shots.
g.willikers
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Go for it.
Be original.
If you do well you might just start a whole new trend.
Might be faster reloading, too - bigger cases are easier to hang on to and manipulate.
And the .44 makes a lot bigger hole in the cardboard, much easier to see.
Be original.
If you do well you might just start a whole new trend.
Might be faster reloading, too - bigger cases are easier to hang on to and manipulate.
And the .44 makes a lot bigger hole in the cardboard, much easier to see.
S&W isn't listing the weight of the new 3" model 24, but the 4" 21 is listed at 37 oz. Good heads-up, though. Probably ought to look at the specs real close.
Haa haa, hadn't thought of that. Good point.
Truth be told, I'm planning on shooting my first IDPA match next week. First shooting match, at all, actually. I have an L-frame 686, which I know ought to make a fine SSR gun, but also have a 3" k-frame 65 which I just shoot better. I'll probably use the 65. With the match coming up, I've been practicing some dry fire drills at home and studying the rulebook, and it occured to me that a .44spl could be used for SSR, but no one seems to be using one. Just curious. Once I get my confidence up, I may give it a try.
After your first match, you will be hooked.. Don't worry how fast you do each stage just get the mechanics down and follow the SO's instructions. Speed will come with practice. Remember the main thing is to have fun shooting the stages. As far as your gun, chances are you will be trying others. I have changed twice and am about to change again...
Good luck and welcome to the sport.
IDPA.ALEX
Good luck and welcome to the sport.
IDPA.ALEX
If I ever get back to IDPA I'm going to shoot a 625 that makes weight with .45 auto-rim and speed loaders in SSR just to torque off the people that created SSR to hide form us moonclip people. Go for it w/ the .44. Seen a few people shoot 10mm, kinda loud indoors.
And you'll be shooting with HKS loaders which will put you at a measurable competitive disadvantage. SSR is dominated by CompIII/Jetloaders for a reason.
2006 IDPA nationals:
http://www.idpa.com/matchresults/2006_nationals/IDPAHTML/09-20-06.htm
Discount Jerry Miculek because he should obviously be in a class higher than MA (and along with guys like Sevigny the reason why I think IDPA needs a GM class). Now, look at the remaining top 4 shooters in ESR/MA and compare with the top 4 shooters in SSR/MA.
ESR/MA
2 Alex Zimmermann 285.37
3 Jim Stout 348.45
4 Roger Reid 350.31
5 Jon Strayer 362.58
SSR/MA
1 Curt Nichols 287.75
2 Craig Buckland 308.35
3 Brent Stone 328.81
4 Claude Werner 377.98
Empirically, I wouldn't say SSR shooters are "hiding" from anyone.
Just curious - what is it about the CompIIIs that make them faster? Just more "handle" to grab? Or do they release the rounds so much easier? I have some CompIIs, and I suspect I ought to focus my attention on the basics for now.
I recall reading a thread in the brianenos forum describing modifications to CompIIIs to make them even faster.
The handle protrudes further up from the pouch, and IDPA-legal speedloader pouches must "encircle the speedloader." The handle also has a lot more surface area to get ahold of than the small knob on an HKS. Combined, they make the CompIIIs a lot easier to get out of the pouch and into position.
The rounds are less prone to wiggling-- All of my CompIIs and CompIIIs hold the rounds as they should; I have 6 or 8 HKS loaders and only one holds them as tightly as the Safariland.
The Safarilands are a one-step operation to release the rounds. The center pin triggers the release when the loader is in position. As the shooter, all you have to do is line it up. The HKS require the same alignment (which itself is more problematic with wiggly rounds) and the release is a second step you have to execute. If your hands are sweaty (here in AL, we shoot some summer outdoor matches where the temp is well into the high 90s, low 100s-- sometimes with humidity to match) then the knurling on the HKS knob doesn't always cut it (and will get worn down over time anyway).
The CompIIIs are also spring loaded. Seating the rounds is a lot more positive than drop-in loaders. Also, after your chambers get a bit cruddy (say, with reloads using cheap lead bullets and Unique) having the assist can be the difference between a simple reload and trying to close the cylinder on one (or more) rounds which aren't fully seated.
If you do a search on my user name and use "HKS" as a parameter you might find a couple of old posts where I was rabidly pro-HKS. I don't need those Safarilands everybody keeps telling me to use. My HKS work good enough for me.
Yeah. I admit it. I was wrong. No two ways about it.
I've tried a modified Comp III (AFAIK, it's basically just a removal of the collar; with the idea being your fingers will interfere with the spring less than the plastic collar). They wind up shorter. I didn't notice them being faster at the time, but IIRC that match got monsooned out. I might mod one up and try it again sometime.
BE's revolver forum is a good place. There are guys who hang out there that definitely know their way around a wheelgun. Certainly ask your questions there; you'll get good advice.
Absolutely. Run what you brung. Have fun with it. Borrow gear people offer and try it out. Maybe it'll help you; maybe not. Shooting is a continual process. Try new things. Keep what works. Get rid of what doesn't.
It's impossible to start with the "best" gear until you know what works best for you.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Heck, shoot it and enjoy!
I actually shoot both ESR and SSR with .44 Spc. out of a 4" 629. (In theory it makes SSR weight by 0.5 oz.) Hoffner's Mirage IWB Kydex holster and Bladetech double speedloader holder mounted strong-side up front. I use the HKS speedloader holders as the Safariland Comp1s aren't worth a small poo.
I use just about a full case of trailboss powder under a 200 gr. LRN to make ESR power floor -- for both classes. I'm not going to bother making two different loads.
Eventually, I'll probably get it moon-clipped so I can really take advantage of ESR, but for now I'm quite happy.
Go shoot some matches, concentrate on doing everything with exacting SAFETY. Then, as you're getting the hang of it, start worrying about your fundamentals (trigger control, sight picture) and gunhandling.
By the time you're good enough to really capitalize on the differences in the speeds of various speedloaders and to get a huge advantage from tweaking your loads to just eak over power floor, you'll have gained the insights to choose exactly the equipment you want to help you progress.
Besides, everyone gets a huge kick out of seeing someone run something a little out of the ordinary, especially if they've learned to run it well. What's to lose?
-Sam
I actually shoot both ESR and SSR with .44 Spc. out of a 4" 629. (In theory it makes SSR weight by 0.5 oz.) Hoffner's Mirage IWB Kydex holster and Bladetech double speedloader holder mounted strong-side up front. I use the HKS speedloader holders as the Safariland Comp1s aren't worth a small poo.
I use just about a full case of trailboss powder under a 200 gr. LRN to make ESR power floor -- for both classes. I'm not going to bother making two different loads.
Eventually, I'll probably get it moon-clipped so I can really take advantage of ESR, but for now I'm quite happy.
Go shoot some matches, concentrate on doing everything with exacting SAFETY. Then, as you're getting the hang of it, start worrying about your fundamentals (trigger control, sight picture) and gunhandling.
By the time you're good enough to really capitalize on the differences in the speeds of various speedloaders and to get a huge advantage from tweaking your loads to just eak over power floor, you'll have gained the insights to choose exactly the equipment you want to help you progress.
Besides, everyone gets a huge kick out of seeing someone run something a little out of the ordinary, especially if they've learned to run it well. What's to lose?
-Sam
Feanaro
Member
Do you want to shoot IDPA to improve your skills with your real carry gun, just to have fun, or to win? If the first and you actually carry that pistol, use it. If the second, heck, go ahead. You probably won't win but that doesn't matter... and you might. If the last, use medium frame .38/.357 loaded with .38s.
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