Wheelgun shooters! IDPA advice

[Matthew_Q]

Hello everyone!

Well, I've shot a couple IDPA matches, and have the itch to shoot my wheelgun in one coming up soon (probably next month). I've read a bit, and wanted any advice anyone can give. From reloading techniques, what loaders you like to how you like to carry your stuff and what loads you like.

So you know, here's the equipment I have:

Ruger KGP-141 (stainless 4" .357)
Don Hume JIT slide holster
4 speed loaders (two push release and two twist release - can't remember the manufacturers)
2 2 pouch speedloader pouches with velcro covers.

Anyone have any advice? Should I get some snap caps to practice loading with? Should I practice dry firing to get used to the double action trigger?

All advise is welcome! Thanks in advance!

M@

 

[Jim Watson]

Ruger KGP-141 (stainless 4" .357)

*Good standard gun, nothing wrong with it.

Don Hume JIT slide holster

*Very common and affordable holster, fine choice.

4 speed loaders (two push release and two twist release - can't remember the manufacturers)

*The Safariland push to release loader is faster than the HKS twist knob. But the important thing is that they should all be the same. Use the HKS to load before the stage or for a tac load off the clock. Use the Safarilands when time matters. Then budget for a couple new loaders all the same.

2 2 pouch speedloader pouches with velcro covers.

*By strict IDPA rules you are allowed to carry two speedloaders just in front of the holster (but still to where they will be concealed by your cover garment.) You may carry another elsewhere on your belt out of sight. So just leave the fourth pouch empty or use it to load the gun from. Actually, I usually carry the two speedloaders or moon clips on my belt at the holster for a strong hand reload and the third in my vest or jacket pocket. I can get a loader out of the pocket as fast as I can off the belt IF I am standing up.

Anyone have any advice? Should I get some snap caps to practice loading with? Should I practice dry firing to get used to the double action trigger?

*Yes and H*ll yes. Dryfire practice is free and effective on things like the draw, reload, and DA exercise.

*Finally, I practice and recommend staying with one action type for a considerable length of time. I shot the first six years of IDPA for each full season in one Division and mostly with the same gun. I went 'round the four Divisions a time and a half, but a full year at a time. This year (My match season starts just after the Tennessee State Championship in October.) I knuckled under due to factors like the promise of a factory prototype to T&E (never materialized) but I have still shot the same thing for at least two months at a time. Flip-flopping from one gun to another by the week or month will hurt your development and scores. Or does mine.

 

[Matthew_Q]

Jim

Thanks for the response... I've got to order some snapcaps soon. I figure it will be more effective for learning to reload. Maybe a dozen so I can have two reloads.

Now, the speedloaders, I need to work on using those, and decide which ones I'm going to use. The one bad thing about the Safariland ones, I got the short ones, and they're hard to get out of the pouches I got! The HKS ones are much easier to get out quickly.

I thought moonclips were illegal in IDPA. Am I wrong? Unless shooting an auto caliber, I guess, right? I'll be shooting .357, so I'd have to stick with speedloaders.

Got any suggestions on loads? I need to burn up some .357 to get a pool of brass going, then I think I'll stick with 125gr jacketed loaded down a bit to reduce recoil... Good idea?

 

[Jim Watson]

The one bad thing about the Safariland ones, I got the short ones, and they're hard to get out of the pouches I got! The HKS ones are much easier to get out quickly.

*OK, so standardize on HKS; you just have to learn to stabilize the cylinder so it doesn't rotate when you twist the knob. Or change carriers. I have individual Kydex holders that work like the banned spring steel CD2. The Kydex version hooks under the belt and wraps more around the speedloader and is much more secure, but is as easy to draw from.

Ready Tactical Products; Chris Stewart's Custom Kydex Holsters and Accessories. (256) 350-4247 [email protected]
Hasn't got a www site... yet.
He is my local Kydex bender and is very accomodating. Reasonably priced, and fast service, too. Tell him I sent you.

I thought moonclips were illegal in IDPA. Am I wrong? Unless shooting an auto caliber, I guess, right? I'll be shooting .357, so I'd have to stick with speedloaders.

*Yes, only factory clip guns are allowed. I have a .45 M25-2 cut off to 4". I also have a 686 conversion made up during the brief period they were allowed. The long skinny .38s don't work all that well in clips anyhow.

Got any suggestions on loads? I need to burn up some .357 to get a pool of brass going, then I think I'll stick with 125gr jacketed loaded down a bit to reduce recoil... Good idea?

*Shoot .38 Special. You only need power factor 125+ and the shorter rounds load and unload easier. A traditional full power .38 of a 158 gr LRN X 850 fps = 134 PF. It is easy to make power factor with cast bullets at .38 load levels, but you would have to go to +P or +P+ with jacketed.

 

[Matthew_Q]

Thanks again Jim! Good to get some advice from someone that's done a lot of wheelgun shooting. I'm pretty new to it. The Ruger I have is my first, and will likely be my only revolver. I'm more of an auto guy, but wanted a revolver to round out my small collection. Plus having a powerful handgun might come in handy when I hunt.

So I checked, and I have two of the Safariland Comp I speedloaders. The problem with the pouches I have is that those ones sink all the way in, and there's not much to grab onto to pull them out! I know the Comp II are a little longer... are they about the same size as the HKS? If so, the knob would be easier to grab onto and draw. Maybe I'll get a few of the Comp IIs.

I need to get dies and get a pool of brass going, then I will be handloading, so thanks for the info there! I'll letcha know how it goes when I shoot in a match!

 

[Dr.Rob]

I was hoping to take my Magnum Carry out for an IDPA match. 4 HKS speed loaders, bianchi pouches, bianchi accumold holster.

Major problem.

The Mag carry has VERY little clearence for the speed loader, even if I switched the grip. Reloads are terrifyingly slow. I might try the pushbutton type and skinny grips.