S&W 28-2 for IDPA SSR?

[Tennessee Jed]

I am seriously contemplating trying out a local IDPA match. Never shot competition before. However, my handgun of choice for carry and shooting is an S&W N-Frame. I shoot N-Frames better than anything else, by quite a bit.

I'm thinking about trying my first match with an S&W 28-2, 4 inch barrel, probably using 38 special ammo (158 grain SWC at around 850 fps).

My question is about the weight of the 28-2. I see in the IDPA rules that there's a weight limit of 42 oz. for SSR. According to what I've seen online, the 28-2 weighs 41 oz. For you IDPA shooters, do you think it's so close to the weight limit that it might be prohibited? Or do local IDPA matches just not care that much?

Thanks for your assistance.

 

[MrBorland]

It's highly unlikely anyone at a local match will care what your 28 weighs, especially for a new shooter. At any rate, even at a large sanctioned match where equipment is checked, under 42 is under 42. Doesn't matter how much under, so at 41, you'd still be good to go.

Good luck on your 1st match!

 

[Jim Watson]

MrBorland is correct.
I attended six sanctioned matches last year and guns were weighed at one.
No local club match will bother with that or even a chronograph.

There are a good number of IDPA clubs in Tennessee, even an indoor range right there in Nashville for winter shooting.
http://www.idpa.com/clublist.asp?pick=TN

Music City, down in Dickson will be having an "Intro Match" this Saturday 2/2. Might be just what you need; call them up.
http://www.mctsclub.com/CurrentMatchResultsMain.html

I shoot monthly at Manchester, TN and the sanctioned Tri State in Memphis annually.

 

[IdahoSkies]

If you are a first time shooter, and you make an attempt to play by the rules. I can't see you being tossed from the match for a possible 1 oz. violation. Especially on a "club" match. Show up, listen, shoot, have fun. (in what ever order you want).

 

[Jim Watson]

It's not a one ounce violation, he was worried that an ounce under might not be enough safety margin. No problem.
I was at the first Nationals where guns were weighed. There was one guy who got real hot that a major maker would sell him a pistol that weighed too much after he slapped a mag well funnel and full length guide rod on it.

 

[Waywatcher]

I have a feeling that IDPA set the weight limit at 42oz to specifically allow N frames with 4" barrels. Keep in mind, this means your gun could weigh the full 42 oz and still be legal.

 

[gotboostvr]

Take it out. As long as its not a ranked match they likely won't care. Even if it is I'd be surprised if they won't let you shoot it, they just won't post your score officially which they probably wouldn't bother with since you're not an IDPA member.

Go have fun!

 

[Gryff]

It's highly unlikely anyone at a local match will care what your 28 weighs, especially for a new shooter. At any rate, even at a large sanctioned match where equipment is checked, under 42 is under 42.

+1

I've run five sanctioned matches, and we've weighed guns at every one. But we never weigh guns at local matches.

 

[ADulay]

What the others have said is pretty much spot on.

As a new shooter, you'll be given plenty of space to shoot what you've brought with you. A lot of .380 autos show up the first day and it really isn't a big deal to allow them in and score right along with the rest.

Local matches rarely, if ever, weigh or box the guns.

Classifiers, sometimes.

Big matches? Generally plan on being weighed and chronoed.

AD

 

[Sam1911]

Well, if you aren't an IDPA member, you won't be shooting sanctioned matches anyway until you get that straightened out.

I shoot a 4" 629 in SSR, and it is RIGHT on the line. (I've had scales go both ways. The one time it went over it read 42.002 oz.

Considering that a 28 is the same gun but with smaller holes drilled in the steel, that might be an issue.

At a local match, though? No worries.

 

[Jim Watson]

M28 is not the same gun as an M29 just with smaller holes.
It has a very tapered barrel and a shorter cylinder.
I'd go by the catalog weight until I got ready to go to a big enough match for it to be checked.

 

[Sam1911]

I thought about the tapered barrel, but didn't account for a shorter cylinder...

I'd go by the catalog weight, too, but of course, a Match Director will go by whatever the scale says!