Advice request: trying a revolver in competition

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Just wondering if some of you shoot a revolver in IDPA or IPSC. I have a 7-shot S&W 686+ I would like to try out. I would appreciate any recommendations on holsters- are there decent brands that aren't too expensive? Also, what brand of speedloaders do you recommend? Anything else I need to buy or learn before trying a revolver in IDPA? Thank you.
 
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IPSC and IDPA rules are somewhat different. You can check them out at

www.idpa.com www.uspsa.org

I have a 7-shot 686 that I shot some USPSA matches with using HKS speedloaders. They had a tendency to crack between the chamber holes due to the necessarily thin walls. I tried some Maxfire loaders, but didn't like them. I don't know if there any other speedloaders available for 7-shot models. USPSA has a rule that a maximum of six rounds can be fired before reloading so there is no advantage for a 7 or 8-shot revolver, you'll just dump an unfired round with each reload.

I used a Safariland leather competion holster that I was able to pick for a cheap price (sometimes there are advantages to being left handed). I'm sure this holster would not be legal for IDPA.

It took some time and effort for me to get used to a double action trigger and making speedy reloads is a skill that still eludes me after much practice and even switching to a moonclipped revolver (S&W 610). Both are skills that can be practiced at home using snap caps/dummy rounds.

Don't worry about being fast. Take your time and have fun.
Good luck and good shooting.
 
You may not SHOOT more than six shots before reloading in IPSC/USPSA Revolver; you may not LOAD more than six shots to start with in IDPA Stock Service Revolver. Your seven-shooter is at a disadvantage any way you slice it. I think you could use it OK in ICORE. I shot one in IPSC for a while, but it was versus the automatics in Limited and was more fun than competitive. I couldn't sell or trade it so I had S&W put a six shot cylinder in it so I could use it for IDPA. Not cheap, but it was not worth anything otherwise.
 
A popular inexpensive holster for ICORE and IPSC is the Safariland 002 Cup Challenge.

http://safariland.com/images/catalog/pop.asp?model=002

IDPA limits the barrel to 4", must use a concealment holster, six shot few if any mods. Supposedly what you would carry. Considering the popularity of moonclips I think the restrictions are a bit old-fashioned.

Apparently the 686+ would need to be shot as if a 6-shot for Revolver class or be shot as open class in IPSC.

If you are in the area you could also compete in NRA Action Pistol (Bianchi Cup) as production class.

I guess this is why I shoot ICORE--a catagory for anything with a rotating cylinder, more simple shooting fun. And, frankly, less gaming. Oh yeah, S&W supports the annual International Revolver Championship run by ICORE very lavishly and I have picked up a couple of revolvers there. (www.ICORE.org) S&W supports the International Revolver Championship run by ICORE very lavishly and I have picked up a PC 627 V-Comp and a M66 there.

I shoot IPSC matches for fun and don't worry about accumulating an "official" score. Most IPSC shooters have a semi-auto headset and I like to be the rebel. I don't have a competitive bone in my body but with my moonclip converted 686+ or the 8-shot PC 627 V-Comp still end up shooting better than 30% of the semi auto shooters. :neener:
 
Thanks, Gentlemen, for your replies. Concerning IDPA competition, you can only load six in the gun to start. Can your reloads be with 7 shots? Thank you.
 
I think you can reload 7 shots, just can't shoot. You'd have a heck of a time indexing if not.

I have not found a suitable speedloader for the 7-shot, but have not tried the clone of the Safariland Comp III--can't remember the name. All my revolvers are now moonclip converted. For IDPA I'd have to use the Safariland speedloaders and my M66.
 
IDPA SSR and ESR rule language is:

D. Be loaded to the division capacity of six rounds in the cylinder. Seven and eight shot revolvers are permitted but may only load six rounds.

I do not take that as a requirement to load with six but granting permission to REload with seven rounds. Ask your SO and MD if you just must give it a try.

Me? I think they should have allowed the "high cap" revolvers to enter CDP versus the 1911s, but I am not Bill Wilson.

Do you own any other handgun that might be more suitable?
 
I shot old 175 PF IPSC years ago when they allowed duty belts. 4-inch .357 Magnum loaded to 1400 fps with 296 powder and 125-gr JHPs.

Never came in last. Not even close.

Go have some fun and build a few skills on the way.

And a pox on IDPA for dictating "carry" style CCW stuff, even for those in non-CCW states whose only "carry" would be from the nightstand to the bump in the night. 6-inch guns are fine for that defensive use.
 
When the rule changes were put out for IDPA members to review, it was seriously considered allowing the seven and eight shot revolvers to compete at full capacity in ESR. That set up a hue and cry from all the folks shooting moonclip guns. "It's not fair!" Of course, it was fair when they were shooting against folks using rimmed cartridges, 158 grain bullets and speedloaders. FWIW, I think they should have been allowed to compete at capacity.

You cannot reload with seven rounds, unless you want to get a procedural. The rules are pretty specific that you can load to a maximum of six rounds.

Grump, Ken Hackathorne made a statement that "Five inch N Frame revolvers were not practically concealable." (That's a paraphrase btw.) I personally believe the reason revolvers were limited to a 4" maximum barrel length was to cut down on the number of S&W M625's being used. Yes, you can use a six inch gun for nightsand/home defense, but would most of us revolver types actually try to carry one on the street? Part of the idea and guiding principle of IDPA is for CCW purposes. Let's keep it all in perspective.

Best regards,

Wheeler
 
In IDPA if you were competing to win in the old SSR class you needed a 4” 625 then down load .45GAP brass to the 125PF. The smaller case capacity provided more consistent velocities than ACP brass. Also, the small primer used in GAP brass lets you turn out the strain screw for a better trigger pull (NT brass will help in this area as well). One other benefit of the GAP brass is that you no longer have to use a mooner/demooner, they snap in and out of the clips using only finger pressure.
As stated above, when the 1st draft of the new rules came out, everyone that bought a 4” 625 to compete in SSR complained that an equipment race was inevitable as now a 6 shot revo was not going to be competitive. The rules now are moon clipped 6 shot guns shoot a 165pf in ESR and all others shoot the 125pf in SSR.
Even playing field, until safariland starts making the comp III speed loader for the 625 using auto rim brass, the bigger holes accompanied with shorter cartridges will allow the 625 to again have the advantage in SSR.
 
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