IDPA Rules & Revolver Barrel Length?

[emc]

According to what I read in the most recent rule book (5/2001 date), as of Oct. 2002, revolvers cannot have a barrel length greater than 4 inches. Paying a visit to the good old local gun shop, I was looking at the S&W 610 and the S&W 625-8. Both were new guns. I had thought that both had four inch barrels. I was wrong. The 610 has 3 7/8in., while the 625-8 .45ACP revolver had a barrel length of 4 1/4 inches. With the rules stating 4 inches, I would think that this would disqualify the 625 right off the bat. Anyone have any experience with having their 625 challenged for barrel length? (I am assuming that all of the current 625s have barrels no shorter than this other than the 625-10 Performance Center gun with the 2 inch barrel. I am NOT an expert on the S&W lineup, so if there is something let me know.)

Thanks,

emc

P.S. I bought the 610, and am really looking forward to trying it out......

 

[ted murphy]

Most 625's are either 4" or 5", you may well have measured it wrong.


Ted

 

[Old Fuff]

I believe that IDPA goes on the basis of what the particular model was cataloged as by the manufacturer. Thus if the revolver was cataloged as having a 4 inch barrel a slight difference in actual length wouldn't matter unless there was evidence someone altered the gun after it left the factory.

If this is a new gun, and you have the original box or case with an end label the model, caliber, serial number and barrel length should be stated. This should be enough to make your case. (Pardon the pun).

 

[emc]

Ted, the dealer and I both measured it from forcing cone to muzzle. It did measure at over four inches.

Fuff, if the IDPA will handle things on the basis of the nominal barrel length, then that sounds like a reasonable way to approach this. I just wasn't sure how stringent this would be applied. We've all seen people who carry the application of the rules to extremes. I'm also going to drop a note to a local individual to see how his club handles this rule. Knowing Bill a little, I would expect that he would look at this as you have suggested.

Thanks for the feedback!

Ed

 

[Dr.Who]

The 625 with a 4 inch barrel from s&w is IDPA legal. That is what I shoot. to be exact it is a 625 PC verson with a muzzle/crown protection cap to replace the muzzle break. It is legal and have had no issues in regards to the 4 inch rule. Any gun with a shorter that 4 inches is perfectly legal as well. There maybe be an advantage of a 4 inch over a 3 inch, however it would be up to the shooter to make their call on what is best for them.

I believe that if you check your measurment on the 625, and not include the forcing cone area, you should be a 4 inches on the nose.

 

[emc]

OK, Dr. Who.....you may have hit on something. I've always understood that the total length of a barrel needed to be measured from the forcing cone to the muzzle. From what you're saying, this is wrong, or is it just a matter of S&W deciding to measure things differently from everyone else? Inquiring minds want to know!

Thanks,

emc

P.S. You mentioned the muzzle crown protection cap to replace the muzzle brake. If a barrel is ported, which I believe is against IDPA rules, would a temporary sleeve that would block the ports then make the revolver legal for competition?

 

[Dr.Who]

Your correct. A muzzle break is not legal in IDPA. The 625 PC that I have has a removeable unit. To tell the truth, with it on or off, I do not really notice a difference anyway. If I were to leave it on, it would no longer fit correctly in my holster.

The barrell is not ported, nor is the cap have any contact with the bullet. This nose cover/crown protector is just there to cover the exposed barrell. AN allen screw holds it in place. It is IDPA legal without the ported muzzel/barrell cover in place.

Hope that clairifies your questions...