Your story really made me nostalgic. I started competing in IPSC in 1978 and 1979 in Tucson while attending Officer Basic at Fort Huachuca. My partner was a Border Patrol Agent who carried a 4" Model 29 on duty. I followed his lead and used the same type gun with close to full power loads. What I remember most clearly is how much fun it was. Pin guns and extended mags were just coming into vogue along with all manner of speed rigs. When I returned to Huachuca in 83 for my Advanced course I competed in Tucson and Tombstone and I just never had the same amount of fun as I did when first starting out. Thanks for bringing back such vivid memories.
Keith