Hey all-

I have been shooting IDPA and USPSA for about 6 months in both Limited 10 and Single Stack. I have been thinking of getting a revolver that I could use in both effectively realizing that the IDPA rules will limit my barrel length and capacity. I am looking for recommendations on a good gun to start out in the sports in the revolver catagories. I think I want a moon clip gun in 45 ACP, but am willing to consider other options and calibers. Tell me what you have and why you like it/ think it is a good choice. I wont say money is no object, but it is not going to be the deciding factor IE willing to spend to get a good gun...

I am in California, so I pretty much need to go with a current production gun that is on our "Approved" list... I dont expect you to look up the list, just dont say "get a 1965 model XXX and have it tuned..."

Thanks In Advance

Dave

ETA...
Found a good deal on a S&W 625 JM, so now I am looking into holsters. Was thinking about the Kramer MSP paddle, but have even less experience with good holsters than I have with revolvers. (At least I have shot a revolver a few times...) Any other good holsters to consider for primarily IDPA as their rules are more restrictive. Tell me your favorites and what features are best about them.

Thanks in advance

Dave

I shoot SSR division in local IDPA club with a 4" S&W model 686 and load with Safariland II speedloader and 38 Special loads. I have been using this revolver for past 6-7 years. I'm not that great with it but I manage to beat about 50% of Glock shooters in my club regularly.

All you need is a decent accuracy, smooth trigger and prefectly executed reloads.

I WOULD GET A MOD 10 AND SLICK IT UP. IF YOW CAN USE ONE

A couple of guys at my local match shoot a set-up that is identical to what kia-mia uses for ssr. But for esr everyone uses a 625 because the moon clips speed up the reloads and the short 45 brass pops out of the gun with less chance of a hang up.

Some version of a 625 4" bbl, the JM if you want to spend the money, will put you into USPSA revolver and IDPA/ESR.
I shoot a 686 in IDPA SSR, but I have to tell you that in USPSA you are going to get your lunch eaten by the 625 guys if you are shooting a 686. Yes, I'm talking first-hand. Between the speedloader reloads vs clips and minor power vs major, it's a handicap. Major is not awarded unless you are .40 cal or more, or open division in USPSA, even if you make the power floor.

Yeah, experienced guys with moon clips will beat speedloaders on reloads everytime. Now with separate SSR and ESR divisions, shooters with speedloaders are in the game again. While I like "K" frame revolvers in 38 Special they are not competitive against the heavier "L" frame revolvers. I guess you can say "L" frame revolvers are "gamer's" equipment. For me "N" frame revolvers are little too large and heavy.

It's hard to beat a model 10 4 inch heavy that has been tuned. I smoked some guys at my club practicing for the matches, I asked if I could make a few runs- they were gracious to let me. (once upon a time I shot service pistol at IDPA) I shot against perforance center guns, 1911s, even Glocks; those guys all were looking at my 10 very hard afterwards trying to figure out if they can make the speedload happen. I think two of them bought old 10-8s and were practicing with those a few weeks after that day.

I used to use a 5" 625 when it was legal. I then went to a 4" 610. Freaking great gun.

I use a model 686-1 with a six inch barrel and Safariland CompIII speed loaders when I compete in the USPSA. My time is bad, but I score a lot of hits in the A-zone.

Good Luck,
Glen

I don't know the rules of the games except speed steel...my 610 3 7/8" is wonderful for revolver there....it has even made me a better marksman....I changed off with the might 627 V8 over about 18 months...and still have a long ways to go....but check the rules, I'd vote for either/both of these models.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

That is some good information, although my USPSA book says no minimum caliber for major. I was thinking the 357 magnum could go major or minor depending on the load, but wonder if the flexibility of class shooting SSR in IDPA is worth the difficulty of using a speedloader when shooting USPSA. There is probably not one gun that would do both without some compromise. The 8 shot capacity would be nice for USPSA, but I am not sure how easy it is to load to 6 for IDPA and not hit the empty chambers on the clock.

Thanks for all the info guys, I am going to keep reading and do some more research.

I shoot IDPA SSR with a 66 no dash and ESR with a 625JM. I have a lot of fun with either and with the two classes can be competetive in either. Jim.

I think USPSA is max 6 shots fired before reload, in revolver division.

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Mark

Correct, but then you can load a full clip to 7 or 8. IPDA allows 6 each time which means two empty holes to avoid. Maybe that is not a problem with experience. Anyone shooting IDPA with an 8 shot gun care to comment?

That's the problem there are limits in each division that work againest one gun for both. USPSA does allow .357 to make major, but then your working with the longer cases which can slow your reloads. They allow you to load 7 or 8 but you can only fire 6, unless you move into Open Class, now you shooting againest comped, scoped 24rd .38 Supers. Back to IDPA you have the 4" barrel limit and either SSR w/speedloaders or ESR w/moonclips. I use a 5" 610 or 625 in USPSA and a 4" 686 for IDPA, I guess if I wanted one gun I'd have to find a 4" 610 or 625.

I checked appendix 6 and you are correct. My mistake.
A 158gr .357 at 1044+ fps would be legal.
Can't recall ever seeing one at a major match..

I guess I read that wrong. I thought it meant 6 shots before first reload, then reload to gun capacity of 6 or 7 or 8. I guess I am going to go with a 625 with 4" to make IDPA in ESR. If I find that the revolver thing gets in my blood, I can always buy another.

Thanks again for all the great replys.

Upon further review, the 610 has made the short list. I sure wish I could find the 625 and 610 in the rentals at a range in So Cal so I could compare them...

I would go with the 625 for the speed of the reloads and the fact that you always get your brass back(in tidy packages).
Jerry Miculek also seems to prefer bobbing the hammer so that his super high grip will not interfere with the cycling of it. He might have have something there, just maybe.

You may want to consider a model 610 in the 4". It will shoot 10mm as well as 40 S&W. Has the moon clips too. A couple of the guys from the club use these and talked me into purchasing one. I presently do not shoot IDPA but bought it with the intention. I have fired three of these and everyone seems to be very accurate. It is my favorite revolver to shoot. Glad I bought it.

Jeff

I'll would recommend a 4" 625. There are several advantages.

You can use moonclips for USPSA, and auto-rim brass with speedloaders for IDPA. The .40 guns don't have rimmed brass for the option of speedloaders.

It's going to be a heck of alot easier to shoot major with a 45, than with a 38/357 as far as follow-up shots go.

The brass is shorter, and clears the gun quicker.

It's not a compromize gun at all, it plays all the games well, and will do about anything you could ask for out of a revolver except hunt heavy game.

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Eric

Well if I would shoot it again, I would take a 64 from J&G for 250 bucks and have it cut for moons and the 38 super. I have down loaded the super where it is 600 fps just to punch paper with. I had to play with the load to get it just right, but it will drive tacks at 25 yards with NO recoil at all. 500 in a match gun is cheap and easy to take care of. You spend a grand on one and drop it, I hate to see a grown man cry.

Guess I am really leaning toward the 625, to the point of searching for deals on the web. Most of the time, when the price is good, it says out of stock. Anyone know where to buy a new 625 JM that is a great deal and in stock?

Thanks again for all the input...

Dave

Bought a 625 JM. Should get it in about 2 weeks since it is being shipped, and Cali says I have to cool off for 10 days. Looking for suggestions for a good holster.

Thoughts?

I no expert on the 625. But reading some of the other posts about the the Model 10. I have been thinking about starting to shoot IDPA stock service revolver. I have a model 10, 66, 686 and 28. It looks like from what some say here the model 10 would not be a bad choice.

Just wondering,
roaddog28