Thinking about a 6 shot S&W revolver for IDPA.

Which is best?

I won't specify a caliber, but would love to hear your Major and minor picks.

I think the model 66 is the cat's pajamas.

I'd go with either a 625 or 686 depending on the class you're interested in.

I like the 686 SSR, very nice piece.

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I have been using my 686 in USPSA but if I were going to buy one to use just for it I would get a 625 JM. If you are using any of the longer cartridges you cant load as fast as the 45acp and they hang more. The 625 is ready to go right out of the box with moon clips the others are not, and I think the IDPA says you must shoot in Enhanced Service Revolver if you have a moon clip job done on a revolver. Also not sure of the scoring in IDPA but in USPSA the minors are less points. The only way to shoot majors is with full magnum loads in a 357 but in 45 it is done with light target loads.

625jm...a tack driver and veryyyyyy fast!

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A 4" 681 or 686 seems about right. I have a 2.5" 686 that is very nice. I imagine a K-frame would work well, but I think a L's enhanced durability and forward balance would be an asset.

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" I said, good DAY! "

I'll have to toss my Highway Patrolman on the scale and see if it makes weight for SSR. I'd been toying with the idea this past weekend of using it, but I have no speedloaders for it yet. Not particularly enthused with the idea of shooting it in ESR...

i like the 681 or the 686 if you have to switch loads a lot and need to re-zero your sites.

the 66 is also a good one, especially if youre only shooting target .38s.

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There's a lot of meat between the holes in a 6 shot .357 N frame. Reloads will be less reliable than an equivalent K or L frame.

But the N is the frame I've got. My normal IDPA gun is a bone stock GI 1911... so switching to the 28 would be fun, not expecting to be real competitive with it.

Use round nose bullets, roll crimp them well, and chamfer your cylinders. That will make loading a bit easier. If you can find some old Safariland J-N1 Comp I speedloaders, they will be a little faster than an equivalent HKS.

Buck

Well they have hit on the K -L-N Frames and didn't touch the X or J . I would look at what you shoot the best and how it feels in your hand. I love the K and L Frame, don't have much use for the N, I have a few N frames but I love the "L" Frame the most to shoot.

625 for ESR (major)
Model 19 for SSR (66 if you're into SS)
A model 13 would also be a nice choice

I fired my first course with a 2 1/2" 686 and did OK. Now using my old 4" model 19 in stock class. Saving pennies for a 625 JM. Just want the 45 and moon clips.

Shoot what every you have and feel good with and just enjoy my advice

If you intend to use speedloaders then my preferance would be a 4 in barreled K-frame in 38 Special/357 Mag but a 4 in. -frame would also be a good choice. If you want to use moonclips then you have a choice of the N-frame 40 S&W or 45 ACP - I would pt for the 45 ACP since drop into those big holes as if by magic making reloading much faster.

Just weighed the Highway Patrolman. 44oz. 2oz too high for Stock Service Revolver. However, my 21-4 is 40oz even, so that may well be an option... Need to find some cast bullets and load up a couple boxes of target loads!

I think that the go-to gun is probably a 625, but I'd love to try a 610 for IPSC/IDPA shooting, think it would be a great gun. My third choice would be the 686SSR

I find a 4" barrel model 66 (K frame) balances exactly like a 5" 1911... which is to say, balances perfectly in my hand.