I use the same 625-8 that I use for USPSA in ICORE, but I wonder why lighter guns are not built and used for ICORE. I have only been shooting revolver for a few years and don't know the history of past experiments. Did any of you try light weight guns with minor power factor loads? It seems to me that a lighter gun would swing better. Thanks in advance.

Though there can be a lot of target transitions in ICORE, I think that accuracy is a more prominent requirement than it is in USPSA. The heavier and longer barrels are better at resisting the motion of a fast trigger pull and reduce muzzle flip. But you don't see the top shooters using 8" barrels so there is a practical limit on size.
I think that Begakis uses a custom revolver with a lighter than normal barrel.

You could consider using a model 646, for ICORE. It has the titanium cylinder rather than the standard stainless cylinder. Supposedly the ti cylinder makes for quicker transitions. Unfortunately the 646 is only available with a 4" barrel, so you have to go with the shorter barrel length, and the corresponding shorter sight radius. The good news, is the fact that S&W now has the ti cylinder available for the model 625. A shooting buddy of mine was having a problem with peening of the cylinder stop notches on his 625 so he sent the 625 back to S&W for repair (2nd repair for the same problem). Somehow he found out about the availability of the ti cylinder for the 625, so he paid for the upgraded cylinder. According to him, the ti cylinder will be less prone to the problem with the notches.

Both my son and I use a model 610 for Icore. Mine has the 5" barrel, while his has the 6.5" barrel. He likes the extra weight of the longer barrel for absorbing some of the recoil, even though we are only shooting a 120 power factor. He feels that the longer sight radius, and time saved in getting back on target with the heavier barrel outweighs the slower transition time. All I know is that he kicks my butt at every match.

I like the idea of the Ti cylinder. I didn't know they were back. I understand that since barrel profiles are restricted in limited innovation might have been restricted. What about the open guys?

Javier,

Are you back home now?

Buck

Not yet. Looks like I'll be in Ga through the end of Aug.

I did see one open shooter who had a turned down barrel for his open gun, but most open guns that I have seen are stock model 627's. From what I understand, here on the east coast ICORE is not nearly as popular as it is out west. Matches are far and few between, so that may account for people not wanting to put a lot of money into a gun that may not get used for many matches.

I have used a 4 inch 586, and 646 as well as a 5 inch 327PC JM and 625in ICORE. The 625 provides the sperdiest reloads in my hands.

I use a Model 64 Smith for ICORE, its pretty light.

My 2 favorite ICORE revolvers are

1) 3-7/16"(or whatever) 610;
2) 5" 627 V8 PC
I do transitions better with the 610 but seem to get better times with the 627. That said, in any case, I'm one of those that makes the "top half" of the squad possible...*kaff*kaff*....if you get my drift...
While I do use a 5" 625 and it does positively inhale the moon clip reloads, stage times for me are a bit slower for some unknown reason.

I shot a match with a dandy Thunder Ranch 21-4 in 44 special a while back. The gun was most excellent but I couldn't see the sights well enough to be speedy with it. I have geezer-eye fiber-optic sights on the others but this is the old stock black half-moon front that my eye just doesn't pick up well.

I have never seen any of the better shooters in ICORE (limited exposure admittedly, yet I've been to 3 State matches & about 4 years of local monthlies) actually tout the lighter platforms.

I've seen a very few use the TRR8 but most seem to prefer a heavier gun. The faster times do seem to fuss more over their holster and some special kind of reloading technique....plus NOT missing in the first place....("You can't miss fast enough to win" I think they told me)

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