Handgun for IDPA and 3-Gun...What Would be a FUN Choice??

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Nalapombu

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Hey all,

For years I have wanted to try the IDPA and 3-Gun games. Probably the 3-Gun stuff more because of the addition of the shotgun and rifle.

Now I am in a city that has all kinds of "gun games" to play in. IDPA, 3-Gun, Cowboy, you name it, Houston probably has them and likely others that I don't know anything about.

I just finished my shogun mods to allow me to use it in 3-gun. I have a Benelli M1 S90 that I just added a Nordic +4 tube and barrel clamp to. Now I have been thinking of what would be a good pistol to use in 3-Gun.

Here's what I have now:

1. Glock 19
2. FN Hi Power
3. Colt NRM 45acp blue
4. Colt XSE Commander Stainless
5. Beretta 92 Custom Carry

Not a bad selection, but I have been thinking about something else, maybe something different than what is usually seen on the line in these matches.

The other day I was looking through pics of handguns I have on my hard drive. I have hundreds of pics to keep me busy looking. One that caught my eye and started the wheels turning was a Smith & Wesson Model 627PC in 4 inch.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...75660_775655_757896_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

This one is a 5 inch, but I have seen the same thing in a 4 inch.

They hold 8 rounds of 38/357mag and can use Moon Clips.


I think it would be a heck of a lot of fun to use a revolver like this in IDPA and 3-Gun. I am not going to be trying to win anything as I have a back condition where my spine is fused from top to bottom and it prevents me from going prone or getting in other unorthodox shooting positions. SO, I have to just shoot them standing or skip that stage. Naturally, I wouldn't be allowed to compete when I can't shoot the stages like they are intended to be shot. I just want to do it to have fun. that's all.
I think using a wheelgun like this 627PC, a beautiful piece, would be just about as fun as those gun games could get. What do you think?

Sure, I would like to get a Glock 34 or one of the XD Tactical pistols that held 15 rounds of 9mm to use in these gun games. That would be fun too, but I don't think it would even be close in comparing the "FUN FACTOR" between a standard 9mm HICap Auto and an 8 shot WheelGun with moon clips.

Hey Jerry..here I come. You better watch your 6 pal.
:evil:

Nalajr
 
If you're shooting these games to have fun, shoot whatever you think will float your boat. If I saw someone step to the line with a revolver at a 3-gun match, I'd definitely watch, scratch my head and have a chuckle. I'd also be thinking "that guy's got some balls". Then I'd approach you, ask *** and after your completely reasonable reply, cheer you on.

We had a guy at my local club that shot both a Hi-Point pistol and a Hi-Point carbine for a long time. His attitude was great and I always enjoyed shooting with him. He eventually got a better quality pistol and an AR-15, but the Hi-Points were always interesting.

Shoot what you would enjoy most...just don't be surprised if you get some strange looks at first and be prepared to explain why you're shooting what you're shooting...not that you HAVE to explain yourself.
 
IDPA rules might affect your revolver choice and since IDPA limits mag capacity to 10rds that could also be a factor. That said, the most fun gun I've shot in IDPA and 3 gun is a 9mm 1911. They are very fast shooting and accurate and with 10rd mags like Wilson's ETMs, you're not giving anything up to the guys with double stack guns, at least not in IDPA. The Springfield 9mm Range Officer is a quality, well equipped pistol for such competition and is available at a very reasonable price for what you get.
 
I've shot revolver a few times in IPSC.

A borrowed heavy & tricked out 38 that was a lot of fun. Had a bunch of speedloaders too and made sure to practice with those before the match.

Lots of fun.

Go for it, if that particular model (nice looking Smith btw) is allowed in IDPA.
In 3-gun, there's a chance your revolver fun might slow down the match's rhythm, which might not be appreciated.
 
An 8 shot revolver would be no fun at all in IDPA, you are limited to six rounds loaded at any time. I guess you could sign up under the Not For Score provision and fill it up, but while that would let you shoot a noncompliant gun you already owned, it hardly seems like a purchasing justification.

It would probably be acceptable in three gun, there seem not to be many restrictions on the pistol phase.

ESR, the moon clip Division is either going to be rolled back in with SSR or deleted entirely due to poor attendance. I would not do anything strange with a revolver meant for IDPA until all that is cleared up.
 
Thanks all for the suggestions.

I've thought quite a bit about shooting my Hi Power. That is my 2nd choice after the 8 shot 627 I asked about. I'll probably be shooting it several times before I decide to buy a 627 and try it. I haven't done much shooting with it anyway, so that would give me a good excuse to use it and have fun.

Have a good one.

Nalajr
 
As mentioned, the 627 isn't IDPA-legal (or, at least, loading and shooting 8 rounds isn't).

But, you said you've got "all kinds" of gun games available, and the 627 would be a great choice for the revolver division of USPSA, so maybe check out USPSA matches in your area.
 
If one of your local cowboy action clubs offers regular Wild Bunch matches you might want to look into that. You can use you five inch Colt 1911 for that game.

Wild Bunch matches use pistol caliber rifles so stages can be set up in a pistol bay. We have some movement but nowhere near as much as modern 3 gun has. Also very rare for stage instructions to require the shooter to go prone or do other gymnastics. Good sport for people who are not super athletic.
 
If I were to get back to IDPA shooting, I think I'd wanna shoot revolver class. EVERYone either shoots a Glock or an enhanced 1911, it seems. I really wan't competition serious, just shooting to try to best myself and have fun. I shot low expert times with a P85 Ruger. I don't care much for Glocks, too expensive to have to shoot jacketed bullets when I cast for much less. Whatever you shoot, invest in a quality progressive press. I bought a dillon square deal which I still have set up for 9x19. I shot a LOT in practice when I was all involved in IDPA, well, a lot for me, 2-300 rounds a week. Some guys shoot a lot more than that.
 
Yep, the right model of 1911 in .45acp could be used for all three games. You'd just need different belt, mag and holster rigs for each style.

Or perhaps if you patterned yourself after Patton you could run two pearl handle single action revolvers in 3 gun?..... :D
 
Yeah I am looking forward to participating in some of these gun games when it warms up a bit. If I did get into it to any degree, I would have to get a press to load my own ammo. I would want to shoot lead too. Doesn't seem too economical if you have to use jacketed bullets to reload all your ammo like when you use a Glock. Of course I could get one of those Lone Wolf barrels and shoot lead. I'd like to have a Glock 30 as I've always wanted one of those.

I haven't checked out any of the other gun games. I just know that there are regular IDPA and 3-Gun matches as well as Cowboy shoots. I thought the 627 would be an interesting piece to shoot at some of these competitions.
I wouldn't be trying to best the other shooters. I would just want to have fun.

Thanks all

Nalajr
 
I've never participated in any of the "Gun Games" so I don't know the different classes and such.
In IDPA, which I understand is supposed to give extra practice and familiarity with your carry weapon, I have several that I'd like to try in that one. I also have a S&W Model 65 with a 3 inch barrel that I would also very much like to try in IDPA.
If I were to show up with 2 or 3 of my handguns to an IDPA shoot, would they let me shoot all 3 the same day if I weren't competing but just having fun and learning?

Nalajr
 
I recommend that you find a club, get acquainted with the members, learn the match and range rules, and shoot for a while with one suitable gun.
Get your feet on the ground before you start flip-flopping two or three guns on the same day.
 
Not sure if this option is available to you but helped some of us determine match pistols that worked well for us.

When I shot USPSA matches, we would set up practice stages where shooters brought their guns and allowed them to try out the same stage to compare stage times and accuracy using different pistols.

I got to not only test my pistols but other makes/models I was curious about. Many shooters ended up keeping their match pistols but some of them changed as they were more comfortable and faster with different pistols.
 
Acknowledging that you already own a few firearms that are GTG for IDPA and USPSA/IPSC, I think I like this revolve idea... I'm not sure what your budget is, but if you wanted something really unusual and fun, what about one of the top break revolvers from Uberti http://www.uberti.com/top-break-revolver

Then again, it's entirely possible that I'm just trying to manipulate you into doing that so I can live vicariously through you until GLOCK announces a top break revolver in 10mm or 45acp.... :evil:
 
I like the looks of that P226 clone, but it looks like it would be hard to find and even harder to find parts....unless it is a true clone that will use P226 parts.

Another pistol I have always wanted and I think would be a good choice for these gun games is the CZ75. I also like the CANIK copies of the CZ75 and 75 Compact. I saw one at Academy Sports and thought it felt and looked great.

I love Cowboy pistols too. That's one whole category that I haven't even started buying yet. I've wanted a Colt Peacemaker or Clone for YEARS and that is going to be the first "Cowboy" gun that I get.

Nalajr
 
The revolver sounds fun. For a fun rifle you could add a lever action or a pump action rifle.
 
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