I just started shooting ICORE, though I've been shooting USPSA for a while. There are so many different models available that I'm lost and I'm not even sure what to put in the search block.

If you were to buy a gun for ICORE Classic division, what would you buy? I've been looking at a 6" maybe a 586 or 686, model 19, 66? Should I be looking for a 4". The standards that I've shot, I really think the 6" is the way to go.

TIA,
Keith

I have shot ICORE with all of the models you mentioned...almost all are 4"...I did shoot my M66-2 1/2 barrel and full throttle factory 158's once and had a great time....my colleagues all agreed that if the bullet didn't get 'em the muzzle blast would!

You simply cannot go wrong with any of the models you mentioned. Many will use an M64, 65, 15,10, etc. in a 4" barrel. (lots of K and L frame guns)

A dear friend of mine routinely uses a M28 4" and does VERY well with it.

If you already have any of the models you mentioned just use what you already have.

Randy

Randy,
Thanks. I don't own any 38 revolver that I would consider adequate for ICORE, that's why I'm asking. I realize that a lot of my choice will be based on personal taste. I'm looking for a revolver specifically for ICORE Classic division only.

I know that you mentioned that you want to shoot classic, but I would recommend shooting limited with a 5" model 625. I prefer the moonclips rather than speed loaders, so I shoot limited. Weather you choose classic or limited, I recommend a 5 or 6" barrel for a better sight picture. Since those "C's" really cost you in ICORE you want the best sight picture you can get. I also recommend a stainless gun since you can easily polish out any holster wear. If your mind is set on classic, you will need to decide if you like the balance of the full lug 586/686, or do you prefer the traditional barrel configuration of the 6" model 66.

Thanks again. I've got a 4 inch 29, cut for moonclips, and shoot 44 Russian. I'll probably go with the 6 inch, since 5 inch guns seem a lot harder to come by. I don't know but I just like shooting different guns. I'll probably get classified in all divisions like I did in USPSA

I have both 4" and 6" 686s that I have shot in ICORE Classic with Safariland speedloaders.
I do better with the 4" for the simple reason that the clock is ticking on each stage, and for me the 6" gun is enough heavier and slower to offset any gain in accuracy fron the longer sight plane. It does not help to have all A hits if the other guy has a couple Cs and is 10 seconds faster on a stage. In theory, I thought the longer barrel would facilitate a higher score and give me an advantage, but in practice it didn't.

__________________
Science plus Art

Oh great! Now I'm confused again

What are you confused about? Many have the same experience that OKFCO5 had....thinking that a longer barrel is the ticket due to the longer sight plain....the reality is that like the old song says...It ain't necessarily so"

A 4" K frame is a great solution for you regardless of fixed/adjustable sight, round butt/square butt etc. Lots of LEO trade in's on the market right now........

For many this makes a Model 10 a GREAT choice. Last time I shot ICORE it was with a 1948 vintage K-38 4" barrel that my Dad used as a deputy sheriff reservist. I even used the original holster ( I think it is a Bucheimer which was ahead of it's time by covering the trigger guard ) and belt. I didn't use the original dump pouch though....used HKS Speedloaders and pouchs instead.

About as Classic as you can get.......

Had a great time with an old warhorse that was my Dad's......kinda of an emotional day as my Dad passed away in 1989...sort of like he was riding with me on the match....

I would like to say that I won the match but I didn't......I did shoot a clean match......you know ...NO MISSES! Laugh WITH me not at me.....

Randy

From what I've been able to piece together from some high end shooters it appears:
1. the longer the bbl the better the scores
2. the lighter the gun the better the scores

I wouldn't consider shooting seriously a fixed-sight gun. I'd also prefer stainless as a lot of use will wear the finish, and kydex is extra rough on blueing.

So, were I to get a dedicated ICORE gun it'd be a 6" 66. Good compromise of the length v. weight while providing SS and adjustable sights.

I know of folks who shoot frankensmiths with 6.5" pencil barrels for the same reasons.

In the end I understand that it will differ from shooter to shooter which is ultimately better. However, the above is a great place to start.

Thank you, that's an opinion I can relate to

I shoot ICORE also, both in classic (speedloaders) and limited (moonclips).

I have tried both long heavy barrels, and long thin barrels, along with the standard size and found that the 4" L frame or 4" 625 full lug barrels give me the best score. Anything heavier and it will slow me down in moving from target to target. Too light and I have to deal with recoil.

for my .2cent opinion...A good trigger job/chamfer job and sights are the number one consideration. If your eyes are in good shape use a small fiber optic front sight and a plain rear sight.

I actually perfer using my 625 shooting a .200gr ball ammo load. Very soft low recoil, accurate and it makes the 120 power factor.

I am also in the process of setting up a 627 PC 8 shot w/5" barrel and will try to be using .38 short colt for ease of loading/reloading...but that is for another time.

In the beginning I shot a 4" 625 until I got to the long shots, too many C's. A 627 PC 5" with 38 Long Colt carried me into A limited and a 6" M15 with Comp III speed loaders is used for classic. A suggestion is a longer barrel like a 5 or 6" especially when Far & Near is on your plate with those fun 50 and 25 yard shots.

I am not an ICORE expert by any stretch and I don't mean to take your example too literally but do you really think an extra two inches worth of barrel is going to slow each transition down enough to cause THAT much added time? I have not seen anyone shoot "Fast Cs" in ICORE where it worked out for them. USPSA and IDPA, sure, but definitely not ICORE.

I'm just reporting what the timer shows for my shooting, not theorizing about what others' results "should" be.
In my shooting, the theoretical advantage of the longer barrel produced slower times, and my accuracy with the 4" is about 70% As on a good day, little different from the 6" barrel. YMMV.

__________________
Science plus Art

I tried using TapTalk but it would not go through.

Here is my iCORE S&W 586/8" barrel/Full Underlug. Yes I know, nice case, but it belongs to my wife Peach.

I borrowed a friends 8" .357 and tried it once on some steel plates. The barrel was too long for me. Couldn't get it to the next target quick enough.

Here is me and the new to me S&W.
Note: when I went against the Glock 19 I did not have a speed loader (did it by hand) and only put two in the cylinder/had to rotate it.

I grew up shooting revolvers and I feel good about this one. We will see.

Here are a few U-Tube links of when I bought it last week up to the little competition we had.

Test Shoot 1:
.357 Mag Test Shoot - YouTube

Test Shoot 2:
.357 Mag Test Shoot - YouTube

Test Shoot 3:
.357 Test Shoot S&W 586 - YouTube

Test Shoot 4:
Test Shoot S&W 586 .357 - YouTube

Our Little competition-Glock 19 vs Revolver: I do not have a holster yet for the S&W and I had my Glock 19 on my side.
S&W 586 .357 against. SemiAuto - YouTube

For ICORE I shoot either my 4 inch 586 or K-38. Both have served me very well and I do not require a longer length barrel for those matches.

I did order a Ruger GP100/6" but the factory said they were a minimum 6 months out on production so I bought a S&W, I'll see how it goes, it feels good though.

Jim

If one were interested in a 8 shot .357 revolver already set for moonclips, whats available? Forgive my ignorance only N frame I own is an old M27 that never leaves the safe, and a few K frames I dont think I would want to put the # of rounds through ICORE would necessitate. Just watched an ICORE match out here in Northcentral AZ, and I think I want to PLAY =O

Which models come from S&W ready for moonclips?

Bflobill69

Bflobill,
You would be looking for the 627 PC (SKU 170210) Smith & Wesson 627 Perf. Center, .357 8 Round $1,025.00 SHIPS FREE They can be found used for about $800. I attended the east coast regional ICORE match today, lots of 627's being used.

The 627 Pro Series is an option, too.

And maybe a 327, too; not that I'd recommend it.

kmca1, "L" frames are much easier to speedload than the "K"s. I use a 6" 66 in Classic but would opt for a 586 or 686 if I could find a nice one at the right price.