First revolver for competition shoots

[Mr.squeeze]

Hey guys I’m new to IDPA Scene and USPSA. . I shoot in the ESP division but looking to compete in revolver class. So I’m look for a possible revolver with 4 inch barrel to start with with out breaking the bank

all insight greatly appreciated

 

[Jim Watson]

S&W K or L frame, .38 or .357, 4", adjustable sights; there are a multitude of model numbers that fit.
You can do well with a Ruger GP100 or turn up a second hand Security Six.

Old Colts are kind of a niche item, I have shot a Python for SSR, but have come to prefer Smith.
I don't have much experience with new Colts apart from a few rounds with a friend's New Python... which was quite nice.
I have not even seen a King Cobra Target on the range.

 

[UncleEd]

Mr.squeeze,

Jim Watson pretty much sums it up.

Go to a few matches, talk to members,
see what they favor and why. I'm sure
they'll welcome a new competitor.

Sadly, prices on used guns are going up.
But don't scrimp by buying a "bargain
basement" brand. It'll just be wasted money.

It's possible some already in the game can
point you to decent sources for
revolvers.

 

[StrawHat]

Another advantage to going to matches is you may get to try a variety of handguns. I shot PPC with my issued Model 19. At the second match, I was loaned an L frame. Later, one of the top shooters was getting a new revolver and sold me his Davis PPC revolver.

It happens!

Kevin

 

[Riomouse911]

My buddy shot PPC open class and distinguished revolver class for years with a S&W 686 w/6” barrel firing .38 Special ammo.

Stay safe.

 

[9mmepiphany]

When I thought to dip my toe into IDPA Revolver, I started with a 2.5" M-66 because I already had one...I even started out with an old Fobus paddle holster. When I found that wasn't going to work out, I borrowed a friend's 4" M-10HB...mostly because I could use the same speedloaders and holster. When I decided I liked the game well enough to get some proper equipment, I stumbled onto a used 4" M-686 at a very reasonable price.

I've seen an EX shooter who did very well with a M-15 and have also been impressed with the latest Ruger GP100 Match Champion.

At the IDPA National Championship, the top shooters are shooting the M-625 reloading with moonclips

 

[UncleEd]

9mmepiphany,

Despite its apparent popularity, the
M 625 is now out of production or
so report S&W Forum members.

A Google of the S&W site puts
it in the "Archive" category at
least for now.

As an aside, one of my favorite
Rugers is the GP100 Match
Champion. Out of the box
DA trigger is very, very good.

 

[Jim Watson]

There ought to be a lot of 625s in the back of USPSA Revolver shooters' gun cases.
Allowing the .38 Short Colt 8 shooters pretty much killed off the .45s; Minor is less of a handicap than the standing reload.

 

[alfsauve]

Keep in mind the 4", 6 shot you use for IDPA Rev isn't what you want to take to USPSA.

I use a 4" 686 PC for IDPA. and a 929 8 shot 9mm for USPSA. Both have been equipped with light weight hammers, appropriate springs, extended firing pins and LPA sights.

The problem 625 is that IDPA doesn't allow moon clips and there's no reward for power. In USPSA you'd be shooting Major PF, but competing against 8 shoot revolvers which would use quite a few less reloads. On top of that most USPSA stages are a lot more friendly towards 8 shot reloads than 6.

 

[mcb]

As @Jim Watson and @alfsauve indicate A competitive IDPA revolver will be very different than a competitive USPSA revolver.

IDPA sort of combined division a few years ago and yet sort of kept them at the same time. SSR and ESR are now just Revolver division. You can shoot a speed-loader fed revolver and only have to make a 105 Power Factor (PF) this is almost always some type of K or L frame S&W or Ruger GP100 fed 38 Special (this would have been the old SSR division). If you choose to use moonclips you are required to make a 155 PF and this is dominated by the S&W 625 with a few S&W 610 tagging along (this would have been the old ESR). IDPA revolver division only allows 6-shooters to play. In practice, given the short round count stages, PF requirements, and various rules of the sport the speed-loader guns keep up with and in some opinions are the better choice for this sport than moonclip feed revolvers.

I use an old Model 10 and some Safariland Comp III speed-loaders for IDPA.

USPSA allowed 7 and 8-shooters to play back in 2013. Before the rule change the sport was dominated by S&W 625 (45 ACP moonclip feed revolver). After the rule change the dominate revolver quickly became a S&W 929 (8-shot 9mm) with the S&W 627 (357 mag, usually fed a modern hotly loaded 38 Short Colt) a distant second. Moonclips are basically required to be competitive but speed-loaders are legal. If you shoot a 7 or 8 shooter you are scored Minor and only need to make a 125 PF. If you shoot a 6-shot revolver and make a 165 PF you can be scored Major which has scoring advantages but in practice most shooters have found the extra two rounds (no one shoots a 7-shooter in practice) more than offsets the Minor scored disadvantage.

For USPSA I am still running a S&W 627 and 38 Short Colt.

-rambling

 

[9mmepiphany]

The problem 625 is that IDPA doesn't allow moon clips and there's no reward for power.

IDPA does allow moonclips, you just need to attain a Power Factor (PF) of 155 as opposed to the 105PF required of speedloader reloaded guns.

The generally accepted thinking is that the increased speed of using moonclips isn't balanced out over the PF requirement...but the two top IDPA shooters in the nation (Hill & Christensen) are both shooting moonclip fed revolvers

 

[alfsauve]

IDPA does allow moonclips, you just need to attain a Power Factor (PF) of 155 as opposed to the 105PF required of speedloader reloaded guns.

I stand corrected.

I guess if my name was Miculek or I was in the top 10% I might go moon clips.

 

[Jim Watson]

IDPA does allow moonclips, you just need to attain a Power Factor (PF) of 155 as opposed to the 105PF required of speedloader reloaded guns.

Back when it was all one Division, power factor 125, I was looking for a 9mm Service Six, even thinking about a 9mm cylinder for a Security Six; tempted by the S&W .38 Super revolver and a wild moment looking at the .40 revolver. Just as well I didn't buy one, the split between speed loader and clip guns with f 155 for any clip made that impractical.

 

[mcb]

Back when it was all one Division, power factor 125, I was looking for a 9mm Service Six, even thinking about a 9mm cylinder for a Security Six; tempted by the S&W .38 Super revolver and a wild moment looking at the .40 revolver. Just as well I didn't buy one, the split between speed loader and clip guns with f 155 for any clip made that impractical.

IDPA (re)combine the division. There is currently only one Revolver division in IDPA but they allow what is essentially SSR and ESR to play in the same division.

155 power factor is not that bad with a 40S&W revolver. I ran a S&W 610 in USPSA for years having to meet the 165 power factor with 40 S&W. For awhile I was using the same ammo in my Revolver and Limted-10 gun. Never found an issue making that power factor. 38 Super should have made that easily too.

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, they now CALL it the same division but power factor is different by method of reloading.

I have a .45, I don't need a 10mm. The .38 Super and .40 Smiths are L frames, not real heavy guns, especially the .40 with titanium cylinder and I don't want to get kicked more.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm no pro but I would also recommend the S&W M929 in 9mm. Don't go cheap because you don't want to break during a match. You can probably get one for $1,200 or less. The M929 is an excellent revolver, I don't own one but I have shot it. I really like that revolver.

I also agree with the S&W M625 where moon clips are not legal. It all depends on which organization you want to shoot in the most.

 

[wcwhitey]

I have seen Model 64’s and 10’s set up for PPC (ramps, sights and action work) occasionally in the gun cases around here. Doesn’t seem much market for these guns in my neck of the woods. Prices were 700ish.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/917003130

 

[Jim Watson]

Yeah, PPC is not as widely shot as it used to be and it now has automatic divisions to suit more cops.
The smooth heavy DA revolver is a smaller niche now.

 

[wcwhitey]

Yeah, PPC is not as widely shot as it used to be and it now has automatic divisions to suit more cops.
The smooth heavy DA revolver is a smaller niche now.

And as long as it’s not a bobbed hammer they make very nice bullseye Wadcutter guns. Just an option.

 

[earplug]

Find out what local matches are available and where and what revolvers are being used. Decide if your having fun or training for defense.