The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: fullautovalmet76 on November 25, 2009, 08:47:54 PM
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Most of the questions here on the criteria or suggestions for a handgun center upon some type of auto loader. I shoot IDPA and USPSA and I am thinking about choosing a revolver for those venues AND I might, on occasion, carry one for self defense.
Please give me some advice on what to really pay attention to when shopping for a revolver.
As always, your help is appreciated!
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This might help you out:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=53929&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15705&isFirearm=Y
They're a little hard to find right now and run in the $700+ range. But, I think it will do exactly what you want it to do.
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This would work too.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14751&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y
This is the revolver I would select for competion.
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well its going to depend on the rules... a gun that meets the rules may not be a good carry gun.
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I have the S&W 625 and love it. The N frame is a little large for carry, but I'm big enough I could if I chose ... However, I have no reason to switch from my 1911 and J frame back up.
I have not shot the 625 in competition, but I have practiced at home and feel very comfortable with it. It is a real change going to the moon clips from magazines, but after watching JM's dvd I got some tips that made it easier and practice is helping.
If the games you are looking at playing will allow for seven or eight shots in the revolver there are .38's out there that are seven or eight. Same basic feel and recoil, but a shot or two extra between reloads.
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You might be able to find a used smith and wesson model 66 or model 19 both are excellent for self defense.
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Just to go (very slightly I hope) off topic, I presume rapid reloads are part of the game. Do the hi-cap revolvers 7-8 rounders have speedloaders available? Or maybe speed strips?
FQ13
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FQ, I shoot IDPA with a 4" S&W 686 and am having a lot of fun (was going to say Blast, but changed my mind). It is a little big for carry with the 4" barrel but there are some out there with 2 1/2" barrels (I believe) maybe 3". A better choice for a duel purpose revo IMO would be a 3" S&W 625 in .45 ACP. You lose a little in IDPA with the shorter barrel but with a change of grips (or not depending) it is a dandy carry revo. I'm not a big guy anymore but wouldn't have a problem with the right holster. I prefer Fist holsters because they make it my way and quality to boot.
FWIW
Richard
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FA I would go for the 4" 686 or 625. the 625 is faster to load with the moon clips, if you really want to game it, you can use the .45 gap brass instead of acp, that's if you reload of course, and i use the 155 gr rd nose lead bullets loaded just above minimum for IDPA. The shorter GAP brass ejects quicker and loads quicker.
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I was looking at a S&W 45 ACP revolver the other day, I THINK it was a 625, while it will accommodate clips they are not needed as the cylinder is counter bored to head space off the case mouth just like a 1911 barrel.
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tom, you need the moon clips because there is nothing for the extractor star to hook onto unless you are using .45 AutoRim brass which has the rim for it to catch and eject. Thus the name AutoRim. That is why it was developed. Charter Arms is coming out with a 5 shot revo in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 with a special star to eject rounds without the clips. S&W used to make one for 9mm.
Richard
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well its going to depend on the rules... a gun that meets the rules may not be a good carry gun.
Didn't you buy a 617 sometime ago? How's it working out for you? I was thinking of the 686/617 platform as a competition/training solution. In your opinion, do you think that will work or is there more optimal solutions?
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Thanks to everyone for their input! If you think of some other things, please pass them along....
Thanks!
-FA
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tom, you need the moon clips because there is nothing for the extractor star to hook onto unless you are using .45 AutoRim brass which has the rim for it to catch and eject. Thus the name AutoRim. That is why it was developed. Charter Arms is coming out with a 5 shot revo in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 with a special star to eject rounds without the clips. S&W used to make one for 9mm.
Richard
I forgot about that little detail when I was listening to the Gunshop Owner, I should have put more thought into it as he is usually talking out his butt ;D
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Well, I finally bought something....I bought a Ruger GP100. I went to my local gun shop and rented one to shoot and liked it alot. They did not have a 686 to shoot for comparison though. I searched Gunbroker and other local shops and could not find a used SS model for a GP100, and a 686 was hard to find too....
To make a not too long story short, I found a used SS 4" GP100 today and bought it for $390 (I figured I paid about $20 too much, but oh well...); and it has Pachmayr grips too.... The gun was very sound but the prior owner did not believe in cleaning it. I took it to gunsmith friend of mine who will give it a good cleaning, do a trigger job on it and chamfer the cylinder for a very reasonable price. He is a great wheelgun mechanic and his semi guy (Tom Stidham) is an outstanding USPSA shooter and gunsmith. I'm going to get a F/O front sight to install too.
Now I need to get a holster, speedloaders (thinking of Jetloaders), and pouch/holders. Does anyone have any personal recommendations on a holster for a GP100?
Incidentally, my gunsmith's web site is: http://www.gpigun.com/index.htm Check them out!
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(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/twyacht/G160230.jpg)
or the top o the line
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/twyacht/170292_large.jpg)
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=51525&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15706&isFirearm=Y
Ruger is in the same category, I thought the 8 shot might be an option....
Post some pics.
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(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/twyacht/G160230.jpg)
or the top o the line
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/twyacht/170292_large.jpg)
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=51525&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15706&isFirearm=Y
Ruger is in the same category, I thought the 8 shot might be an option....
Post some pics.
Will be posting pics when I get it back.....I liked the M&P but it's not very useful for IDPA. IDPA allows only six shots loaded in the revolver. Also, the speedloaders I have seen for these type of guns come from HKS and I don't those.....
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Can't go wrong with the Ruger.
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Well you got it so shoot it, I like the safariland comp 1's, the comp 2's are good two, I do use the jet loaders, but their length allows them to easily fall out of certain holders in certain situations. It is definitely shi&ty that Idpa does not allow the 7 or 8 shot revolvers and only allows 4" or less. Completely without merit. In the beginning the 5" was allowed, they did too well.
I do want the trr8
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Thanks to everyone for their input! If you think of some other things, please pass them along....
Thanks!
-FA
BTW, you'll probably be a little disappointed at first, because a revolver won't fire full auto, but don't worry. You'll get used to that. ;D
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I use the Comp 2's and a 686 for IDPA (I think the 3's are gamer) and like them a lot. I have a Fist holster ( WWW.FIST-INC.COM ) for the 686 and also like it a lot because they made it up the way I wanted it! Check them out. I will also say that there are a lot of other good holster makers out there.
FWIW
Richard
PS: I am not sponsored by Fist (not that good!!!!!) LOL.
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Post some pics.
And pics you shall have...see attached.....
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Most of the questions here on the criteria or suggestions for a handgun center upon some type of auto loader. I shoot IDPA and USPSA and I am thinking about choosing a revolver for those venues AND I might, on occasion, carry one for self defense.
Please give me some advice on what to really pay attention to when shopping for a revolver.
As always, your help is appreciated!
I just got done handling the 625JM from S&W today and I love the brassbead front sight and with the 4" barrel it would be a good all around revolver. I am not sure about the rules for IDPA as I have only used a Glock 35 and S&W1911 in competition. As for USPSA or ISPSC you are golden. When considering Personal carry i would go with a Galco inside the waste holster and Speed Strips with 45autorim or halfmoon clips if the fullmoon was too awkward.
I was not overly impressed with the grips. They would stay until a pair of CrimisonTrace lasergrips were installed. Also in my opinion the hammer should be bobbed from the factory and the single action notch removed. But those are minor gripes!
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I just got done handling the 625JM from S&W today and I love the brassbead front sight and with the 4" barrel it would be a good all around revolver. I am not sure about the rules for IDPA as I have only used a Glock 35 and S&W1911 in competition. As for USPSA or ISPSC you are golden. When considering Personal carry i would go with a Galco inside the waste holster and Speed Strips with 45autorim or halfmoon clips if the fullmoon was too awkward.
I was not overly impressed with the grips. They would stay until a pair of CrimisonTrace lasergrips were installed. Also in my opinion the hammer should be bobbed from the factory and the single action notch removed. But those are minor gripes!
I handled a 625JM the other day when I bought the GP100 and it is a great revolver. I love the trigger on it....As for IDPA, the 625 is fine in both SSR (must use Autorim with speed loaders) and ESR (can use moon clips).
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There in lies the rub. Rubbish.