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Smith & Wesson Competitive Shooting All aspects of competitive shooting using Smith and Wesson Firearms. Including: IPSC, IDPA, Silhouette, Bullseye.


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Old 01-24-2016, 08:10 PM
Highwayman1717 Highwayman1717 is offline
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Model 64 Mods/Gear for USPSA/IDPA Model 64 Mods/Gear for USPSA/IDPA Model 64 Mods/Gear for USPSA/IDPA Model 64 Mods/Gear for USPSA/IDPA Model 64 Mods/Gear for USPSA/IDPA  
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Default Model 64 Mods/Gear for USPSA/IDPA

Picked up an old 64-5 solely to mess around with learning the platform in Action Pistol. Snags so far in a month of dry firing: the finger grooved grips had my very small hands completely out of place. My finger bones were on the very points of the grooves, have spent a few hours sanding and filing the grooves off. Because it's a square butt, there's simply no non-custom option for a grip without grooves. I've detail stripped and cleaned it, looks like it was running on oil sludge for a decade or two and it sounds completely different upon reassembly. Also note, I do not currently reload, thus any mods that require lighter primers just aren't in the game plan currently.

I'm also looking for universally legal speed loaders, holders, and a holster.
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Old 01-29-2016, 12:27 AM
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jtcarm jtcarm is offline
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You want to go with Safariland COMP III or Jet speedloaders. IDPA you shouldn't need more than 3, but get at least one extra for make-ready. Also I recall one stage on the classifier taking an extra and I had to go load it (between strings, not on the clock!)

I run the Ready Tactical SL holders:
Ready Tactical S&W Speedloader Pouch and Moonclip Holder - CPWSA
Strangely, SL holders cost way more than the loaders themselves!

A stiff belt of 1.5 or 1.75" width (must fit your belt loops..) I run this one and love it, but I think 5.11 is very popular. Mine is the 5 stitch which is a little extra stiffness:
Original Instructor Belt

I run a Safariland 568 holster OWB. I haven't really seen enough fellow revolver shooters yet to know what's popular:-)

Make sure your holster & SL holders are IDPA compliant. The catalog will usually state if it is.

Finally you need a "cover" garment in IDPA. No one has ever checked me, but it is supposed to keep the gun concealed with arms extended 90 degrees from the body. Oh, yeah, and the holster cannot put the but of the gun more than 3/4" from your body. There's probably restrictions on cant as well, but just stick with stuff labeled IDPA compliant.

USPSA - I haven't tried it yet but I'm gearing up. You need a whole lot more SLs on your belt, probably 5 at least. The good news is they're not as nit-picky about holders, so you can use some cheaper ones to start off with. They also allow a dedicated belt and speed holster. But you can use the IDPA gear, in fact you may want to since if you like USPSA, you'll probably want to go with a dedicated USPSA gun, probably with a longer barrel/larger frame.
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Old 01-29-2016, 12:17 PM
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Pizza Bob Pizza Bob is offline
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I agree with most of what was said above. I'd caution you against spending lots of money on a set-up for this gun. Once you gain some experience, you may want to go in a different direction. Sights may be the biggest drawback of the model 64. If you chose this platform because it will be what you use as a S/D weapon, then more power to you. But it sounds like you are interested in the "game" aspects. At least any gear you buy for the 64 would be usable with a 19 or 66 should you decide you want better sights.

You can save some money on a speed loader and speed loader holders. Buy an HKS (model 10) to use for the initial cylinder charge. You're not on the clock and they are about half the price of a Comp III. Definitely use Comp III's for your reloads during the COF.

Safariland makes simple (read that cheap) metal speed loader holders. They run about $10 each. For the longest time I was under the impression these were not legal for IDPA. A recent perusal of the current rules revealed that they are, indeed, legal . Perhaps this was changed at the last rules revision, or perhaps I was wrong all along. These slip over your belt. Some people modify them by making a 90 degree bend at the end of the retaining leg that goes over your belt, so as to lessen the possibility of pulling the loader and holder off the belt when all you wanted was the loader.

For a holster, I'd recommend a Blade Tech. You can adjust the cant and they carry the gun correctly (front strap above the belt), they also cover the trigger as required.

Ammo? Round nose is a must, especially if the charge holes of your cylinder aren't chamfered. I use PMC Bronze 132 gr FMJ RN. Federal AE also makes a 130 gr round. Some prefer the heavier bullets (158 gr).

My gun (a Brazil 586) has some work including a Wolff RP mainspring and 14# rebound spring and some smoothing of contact surfaces. It runs about 98%. Every now & then I get a light strike - certainly not desirable, but I have put more effort into my other competition revolvers, and they run 100%.

I'd dissuade you from USPSA with the 64. The revolver division is owned by the 8 shot 627's, 327's and 929's. Plus you will need a lot more gear in terms of loaders and carriers. IMO, the only credible gun that could be used for both is the 625 or its variations. A speed loader driven, minor PF, six-shot, 4", fixed-sight revolver doesn't stand a chance - unless your name is Jerry or Masaad.

Shoot some IDPA, with a minimum investment until you figure out what may work better.

Here are my competition revolvers...


Good luck and have fun.

Adios,

Pizza Bob
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Last edited by Pizza Bob; 01-29-2016 at 12:21 PM.
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