Please Help - Selecting a USPSA Revolver

SWfan123 · Mar 10, 2017

Hi everyone, I would really appreciate your input.

I'm thinking of buying a revolver specifically for use in USPSA - the revolvers I'm thinking of are the PC 627 5", PC 929, and PC 625 4". The other thing you should know is that I'm not interested in reloading my own ammunition (I worry about being able to make minor pf with factory ammo in the 627 and 929).

I was initially thinking of going with the 627. It looks great, but I'm concerned about being able to make minor power factor with factory 38 special ammunition. There's also the fact that the long rounds are probably quite a bit more difficult to get into the chamber if the brass doesn't quite fit the moon clip correctly.

I don't like the looks of the 929 as much, but it sounds like it's fast to reload and the ammo is cheap. I don't like the looks of the front sight either but it could easily be replaced. The biggest issue I have with this one is that I'm not sure if factory ammo will make minor power factor either. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Lastly is the PC 625 4". I was hoping to shoot 8 shot major in USPSA, but I know that there's no issue with factory 45 ACP making major power factor, and I know that I could also shoot it in IDPA if I wanted as well. It sounds like I'm least likely to have issues with moon clips with the 625, and it's an easy round to throw into the cylinder. I don't know how much more difficult it'll be to control those big 45s.

That's all I've got! Please let me know what you think! Thanks!

OKFC05 · Mar 10, 2017

The hot deal now in USPSA revolver (and ICORE) is the 8-shot minor power. Standard .38 special does NOT make USPSA minor, so you would either have to load or use +P. That's why the new 9mm 8-shots are the hot ticket: 9mm factory does make minor power factor, and 9mm is best for moonclips.
Two shooters in club shoot 929s, and one spent $400 prepping it right to the limits of the rules. Shoots like a dream.
The 6 shot .45s have been proven not to be competitive with the 8-shot 9s, but they are just fine for us duffers who are just happy we can still shoot competition and leave the top classes to the younger guys. If I didn't already have one, I wouldn't buy one new, but there are some good buys in used ones.

Pizza Bob · Mar 10, 2017

First, the 625 is only 6 rounds, not 8. The benefit is being scored Major. Apparently that offset isn't enough to persuade serious competitors to stick with the 6-shot major gun. The 8-shot guns rule revolver division.

Since you do not reload, you're correct in assuming the longer .38 Spl is problematic in quick reloads. Which leaves us with the 929 and the 9 mm. Making PF is not a problem. The 9 mm is used prolifically throughout several divisions in USPSA. The loss of velocity due to the barrel cylinder gap is offset by the longer barrel.

Handloaders will still hold the edge as they can tailor their loads and there is a learning curve with eight shot moon clip guns.

Ever consider IDPA? There you can use a 625 to good effect.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

SWfan123 · Mar 11, 2017

Please Help - Choosing a new revolver

Thanks for the good info guys, I'm glad there are some nice, knowledgeable people around. It looks like the 627 is out of the running, and that the 929 is probably the front-runner. .

Pizza Bob, I meant to say that I was hoping to shoot 8 shot minor, but was thinking of the 6 shot 625 since I know it would have no problem hitting major with factory 45 ACP. It's good to know that a 929 will hit the minor threshold with factory 9mm.

I do already have a 686 SSR that I was planning on using for IDPA, I'm not sure if the 625 with moonclips would be more advantageous than the 686 SSR with Comp 3 speedloaders. I do already have a 4" N frame holster so it would be nice to not need a new one for a 625, and to be able to buy cheaper moonclips by using the 625 too.

I suppose that I can't really go wrong with the 625 or 929, and I don't plan to shoot anything more than club matches which don't have a lot of revolver following anyway. Any more thoughts that might be helpful for me to hear?

Tanners Owner · Mar 11, 2017

I have a 625 JM and a 627 pro. You can use the 625 in both sports, the 627 pro only in USPSA (with full capacity @ 8 rds)- something to consider.

If you are wanting a USPSA dedicated wheelgun, the 929 is probably the way to go. I went with the 627 pro as I wanted flexibility (I reload) and a slim hope that IDPA may change its wheelgun rules to permit 8 rd revolvers.

Pizza Bob · Mar 11, 2017

SWfan123 said:
I do already have a 686 SSR that I was planning on using for IDPA, I'm not sure if the 625 with moonclips would be more advantageous than the 686 SSR with Comp 3 speedloaders.

I shoot both a Brazil 586 with Comp III's and a 625-8PC and, for me at least, the 625 is faster

SWfan123 said:
I do already have a 4" N frame holster so it would be nice to not need a new one for a 625, and to be able to buy cheaper moonclips by using the 625 too.

Yes, at $.35 each I really don't worry about losing one or stepping on one. The clips for the 929 are another matter.

SWfan123 said:
I suppose that I can't really go wrong with the 625 or 929, and I don't plan to shoot anything more than club matches which don't have a lot of revolver following anyway. Any more thoughts that might be helpful for me to hear?

You will find that you shooting revolver at your club level matches will garner interest from other shooters and you will find, over time, you will no longer be the only one.

Be aware that there will be a learning curve with the 929 in order to find what works best - a lot of trial and error. I have friends whose 929's had to use Winchester brass - anything else stuck in the chamber. Once you have brass that works, you have to find the moon clip that works best with that brass. Unlike the 625, which works best with some ammo "jiggle" in the clip, the ammo for the 929 works best if held rigidly in the clip.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Remmark54 · Mar 11, 2017

A dozen plus years ago I shot IPSC with a 586 and comp III speed loaders. I was real as with the reloading as a number of auto guys commented I was as fast as they were. I practiced a bunch. I probably was faster than some in reloads, but, better shooting with more A zone hits is more important than faster reloads I think. I loaded 38 spec +P 158gr that worked fine if'n I did my part. Lots of guys thought I was nuts for using a revolver. I told them I carried a revolver so this made sense.

LonChaney · Mar 11, 2017

You could always buy the 627 and have the cylinder cut for 9mm and moonclips. Best of both worlds if you don't like the 929.

Please Help - Selecting a USPSA Revolver

SWfan123

OKFC05

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Pizza Bob

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SWfan123

Tanners Owner

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Pizza Bob

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Remmark54

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LonChaney

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