What S&W is the best revolver for IDPA? In your opinion...love to see those pictures!

What S&W is the best revolver for IDPA? In your opinion...love to see those pictures!

The BEST revolver for IDPA is the one that fits you best....probably one you already own. Many find that a Model 19/66 does well, also I see many 586-686 L frames on the firing line. Grips will make a HUGE difference in how your gun feels to you. Many opt for the Hogue grips that S&W currently issues on their revolvers. Make sure however, that your speedloaders function properly with your grips. Most of all.....HAVE FUN in IDPA with you revolver!!!

I use a 3" M66 with an SDM gold bead front sight in IDPA. It has packmayr grippers on it and they give the best grip without being too sticky. I happened upon it so I use it but perhaps a 4" K frame would be better. I like how the lighter K is faster from the holster and transitioning targets.

I use the same gun in ICORE and am at a disadvantage to most of the competitors.

Thanks Growr
Can you give me some insight into power factors, barrel length, etc? Do any of the shooters use a 625 4"? Thinking about shooting 45acp or 38sp?

For me, which ever I happen to be shooting at the time. I shoot a S&W 610-3, 625-8, 19-3 snub, 19-6 4", 25-2 Jovino and a PC 646 for IDPA. I'll shoot speedloaders or RIMZ and have a blast with either.

i guess it would depend on whether you were going to shoot SSR or ESR. For SSR I use my 686SSR. For ESR I use my 625JM.

Dr. Bill

I used to work with a guy who did very well with nothing but a heavy barreled Model 10 that had a basic trigger job done.

__________________
Vaya con Dios

I can't say what's THE best, but for me a 4" 586 works quite well.

istricky,
A friend of mine uses his 625 4" with moon clips and thinks it is the ultimate set up. It certainly works for him. When I am shooting revolver I often will use .38 SPL loaded with 4 grns of Unique/158 SWC or RNL's. On occassion I actually use full throttle .357 Magnums with JHP's just to replicate what I actually would carry. If I am doing that I usually use my 686 4" but will also use my model 66 2" which I actually DO carry.
A number of fellow revolver shooter in the club thnink that the ultimate is a 610 with .40 S&W ammo in full moon clips. A great combination in my opinion. We have an active ICORE contingent within our club so there is alot of revolver interest. Seems like the most common barrel length is a 4" however.
The only trigger work I have done is simply to have my gunsmith (factory S&W trained armorer when the dept. all carried wheel guns) smooth things out. I don't need or even want the lightest action...just want smooth. If you get an action TOO light you run the risk of misfires due to too light of a strike on the primer.
When I do use my 25 I use 230 hardball in moon clips and call it good. Hope that helps you out. do you own a revolver right now? If so, what is it and how is it configured?
Randy

I have an SSR on order.

But the 625JM would be my first pick for ESR.

Good taste, buddy

3"or 4",Fix-sight,K-Frame..DAO with HKS speed loaders and IWB holster is IMO "True IDPA" and very "Old School".....the "GAMERS" in my area are all using 4"L-Frame 686 with the "Speed Loaders on a Stick"...the Safariland Comp III and Kydex Belt Slide Holsters. I am "Old School"

APS...can shot...he is working hard on "Mastering" that said "Wheel Gun"

A01257

Sounds like you could benefit from reading the IDPA rules regarding Division requirements for SSR and ESR. Pages 24 and 25:
http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf

SSR: Speedloaders only, minor power, dominated by 4" K/L frame S&W shooting .38 158gr +P.

ESR: Major power clip guns, dominated by 4" N frame S&W shooting .45 ACP or .40 S&W.

Each Division in IDPA competes only within itself. If you buy a 625, for example, you are only going to compete with other ESR shooters. There is no such thing in IDPA as an "Overall winner" at a match, such as is done in USPSA/IPSC.

Ther is also no option in IDPA for the shooter to change his mind about the power factor at the match either. That 625 in ESR is required to shoot major power or be disqualified. Standard .45 ball makes major power.
In SSR, minor power is required, but if you don't reload, you should know that standard commercial .38 ammo does not make minor power, and you have to buy +P. I load my own.

I use this 686 with fiber optics to shoot SSR. Notice I had to cut the grip to get the speedloader to clear faster.



I also have the S&W 686SSR. I bobbed the hammer and put on the big dot site, but have not put that many rounds thru it yet.


Hand loaded +P+ is all that works for my 686s.


The 625-3 is my ESR favorite.

I had a 610 for a while but the 625 reloads faster. 165K power factor is not always possible with factory ammo either. Check the power factor before going to any big matches, you may be surprised.

P.S. I won the 686 SSR at the 2008 S&W Indoor Championships! Best Prize by far! Thank You Smith & Wesson!!!!!

__________________
Shoot fast & live long
Warren

I'll be using my Model 10 with HKS speedloaders in IDPA for the first time on April 3rd. I've only been to one IDPA event so far, but in that one I used a friend's 9mm Glock to win the ESP class, even beating my friend with his own gun . I got my 10 the month after but didn't get to go to the last event of the year. I'm so excited to try out the revolver in SSR.

__________________
386NG, M&P R8, M&P40c, 460 XVR

625 for ESR

686, 686SSR, or 66/19 for SSR (some will argue that the "smaller" cylinder of the 66/19 makes it preferable over the 686)

I'm going to try ESR for the first time this season. I'm going to shoot my M-22 Thunder Ranch. It's not hardly as competition ready as a 625 but I'm a sucker for a blued gun. It should be fun.

I shoot a 625JM in ESR and model 66 in SSR. Jim.

I just shot the idpa classifier with my 28-2, and may use my p&r 29

The best depends on what division you want to shoot and what gun you like. The 686 in SSR and the 625 in ESR are by far the most common but you do see all kinds of revolvers.

I would love to have an action tuned 3" K frame as I think this would be the best choice for me.
I mostly shoot a 686 and a 2 1/2" 66 but have shot a HB Model 10 but my old eyes have some problems with that sight.

I just started back in August and shoot a model 10. Got a model 65 I plan to try out in the next match. Had a great practice secession last weekend with it.
Others in our group use 625's, 686's, 19's, 15's and others.

I have been shooting my S&W M-66 with a 3' barrel for a number of years now. Just recently I have switched to shooting my Kimber Ultra CDP II for IDPA.



These are two groups I shot from a rest at 25 yards. The one on the right with .38 158 +P reloads and the one on the left with 158 grain .357 Magnum reloads. There .357 shot about 2" higher than the .38 158 grain +P.

__________________
neil
I just keep on chooglin!

I am running a 2" Model 10 this year, just because I am tired of hearing the "arm's length gun" drivel.


My 3" Model 10 managed to win the 2008 GA State IDPA Championship in SSR. I was just along for the ride.

Ijust placed 2nd ssr-mm with my 28-2. But I did beat up on a few "bottom feeders".

I will also be going the snub nose revolver route with a recently acquired 2" Model 64-2. I just bobbed the hammer, grooved the trigger and performed the "hard primer action job." I have been wanting to use a six shot backup revolver for a long time now.

Dave Sinko

That is a beautiful gun!

__________________
386NG, M&P R8, M&P40c, 460 XVR

Ruger GP100 4"

If you are planning to use speedloaders then either a K or L framed 38 Special would be the optimal choice. For a mooncliped revolver I would choose the S&W 625 in 45 ACP.

I recall when IDPA started and was elated to FINALLY find an outlet for wanting to improve my skills.

I found a club within driving distance that held a monthly match and jumped in with both feet. I would usually shoot my Model 19-5 4", or my 1911.

Things begin to change in IDPA, I watched as the magazine articles begin to pour in about 'HOW TO WIN AT IDPA'! etc...heavy guns, light loads. Model 610's using .40 S&W powder puff loads..etc. This did far more damage in helping anyone learn to survive a less than friendly, lethal social encounter.

I did well during the year or two I shot in matches, but dropped off several years ago and need to get back to it soon.

My suggestion as far as a 'BEST' IDPA gun? The one you will actually be carrying/depending on should the need arise. Use your everyday holster, spare ammo carriers. And last but far from least, use major power loads.

Thanks,

Murphy2000

Wow, you really do need to get back into the game with us.

In April 2005, IDPA revolvers were split into two divisions.
Your model 19 is in SSR with the rest of the K, L frames shooting speedloaders, and minor power.

The 610s and other N frames, all using clips are in ESR division shooting major power.
International Defensive Pistol Association

The best revolver for IDPA SSR is almost any K-Frame in .38 Special or .357. 2nd place is almost any L-Frame in .357. 3rd place is almost any other speed loader revolver.

The best revolver for IDPA ESR is the S&W 625. Any other moon clip revolver is in second place.

Bill

I am going to use a model 29-10 with the 4 inch barrel, I would use the 6 1/2 but IDPA thinks nobody carries them!!! Most think I am weird, but I like a challenge. I have heard of guys winning with them though, so I figure I will try until I do. Mind you, I have not yet shot a match with it, so don't take this as gospel, I just have my mind made up to do it and that is what I am going to do!! My advice is use something that will really take some time to master, so it will be more fun and challenging for ya!!! Don't listen to people who don't support your decision, they don't have to get it, everyone thinks different and all think they are right, and they are for themselves but not for you, you are right and don't forget it!!!!!!!