625 newbie USPSA shooter with questions about loading up

[YamaLink]

I currently shoot Production with my M&P9 5". I show up with 5 mags loaded, do my shooting and have time ensure each mag has 10 rounds (well, one has 10+1 to make ready) before the next stage.

The 625 and I will be making our first outting and I wanted to know how you go about with reloading for the next stage. It's my first gaming revolver, heck, my first full-size revolver.

Do you show up with a bag of pre-filled moonclips? I've read they are relatively cheap, something like $35 for 100 or something. That's nice considering semi auto mags are $15 and up just for one.

Or do you show up with 5 moonclips and use a to extract the casings and then refill before the next stage? Does this get tiresome hence some of you show up with 20 or more moonclips loaded and ready?

 

[greenmachine]

I also shoot USPSA with a 9mm and do the same as you. I also plan to shoot my 625 in revo class sometime and will certainly take plenty of pre-loaded moon clips with me. To many other things going on at a match to waste time emptying and reloading moon clips.

 

[YamaLink]

Nice to read about a fellow newbie 625 competitor.
Which belt/holster combo will you use? I have not looked into it. Wonder if a CR Speed type of belt is compatible with the 625 holsters.

Hmmmm, how do you retain the moonclips?

I also shoot USPSA with a 9mm and do the same as you. I also plan to shoot my 625 in revo class sometime and will certainly take plenty of pre-loaded moon clips with me. To many other things going on at a match to waste time emptying and reloading moon clips.

 

[OKFC05]

Depends a lot on the level and type of match I'm shooting how many pre-loaded clips I want.
With a highly mechanical stage, as are popular in many sectionals and above, range failure of the equipment can cause re-shoots. Recent 3-gun championships had 3 and even 4 reshoots by some people when stage equipment failed. That sort of problem can cause many more rounds to be fired than originally planned.

Suggest you take pre-loaded clips to cover what you think you will need, plus your demooner tools and plenty of extra ammo. USPSA stages can be high round count.

 

[greenmachine]

Which belt/holster combo will you use? I have not looked into it. Wonder if a CR Speed type of belt is compatible with the 625 holsters.

Hmmmm, how do you retain the moonclips?

I have a Safariland and an Ernie Hill that I think will work but would probably look into a Blade-Tech holster if I do it often. I use a Don Hume belt for everything at this point. It works fine with any of my holsters.

I remember someone using a 'rack' with dowel rods to organize moon clips at a match. I haven't really gotten that far yet.

 

[Harrison]

Suggest that you have moonclip holders on your belt to hold no less than 5 loaded clips, or better yet 6 or more. I don't think USPSA rules allow for you digging them out of a bag or your pockets (but check the rule book to be sure). You will not make yourself popular by taking forever to shoot a stage and holding up you squad. After all Speed, Power, Accuracy is what the DVC stands for, so speed is very important.

 

[imashooter2]

I go to the match with a bag full of loaded moons. Load out is generally 8 moons times the number of stages. With Ranch Products moons selling for only $35/100 delivered, I like to have everything I need loaded and cylinder checked before I leave the house. Of course there are still tools in the bag just in case...

I go to the line with 8 clips on my belt and 1 to drop in the cylinder. Better to have and not need than need and not have...

 

[harrywease]

Because of the high round counts, reshoots, and misses I always carry a bag with dowel rods attached to a plywood base holding 540 rounds preloaded in moon clips to a match. No reason why this set up would not work in a "stage bag" too. If you reload, there are undersized depriming and sizing dies available from Speed Shooter Specialties. That and a good crimp make reloading a dirty pistol (on your 10th stage) much easier. You might consider a quick cylinder cleaning at a convenient safe area also. I carry 8 moon clips on my belt on 1 carrier and one extra for "Make Ready." Having 54 rounds available on a 32 round stage only makes sense to me. Welcome to the wonderful world of revolvers. They are truly a thinking man's pistol.

 

[AzShooter]

Go to Walmart and pick up a plastic box in the fishing department for lures. It's just the right size to hole 21 moon clips. I keep two of them full of ammo loaded in moons before the match.

Before you go, in a safe place, run all of your moons through the gun to make sure you don't have a bent moon. Then you don't have to worry about rushing to shoot the next stage, you will have enough ammo to shoot the hole match all ready to go.

I recently took Rob Leatham's shooting class. He was afraid I'd hold everyone up while reloading. When he saw my setup his worries were gon. I came in second in his class shooting my 8 shot 627 against all the auto shooters.

 

[S&W WHEELNUT]

Class

Go to Walmart and pick up a plastic box in the fishing department for lures. It's just the right size to hole 21 moon clips. I keep two of them full of ammo loaded in moons before the match.

Before you go, in a safe place, run all of your moons through the gun to make sure you don't have a bent moon. Then you don't have to worry about rushing to shoot the next stage, you will have enough ammo to shoot the hole match all ready to go.

I recently took Rob Leatham's shooting class. He was afraid I'd hold everyone up while reloading. When he saw my setup his worries were gon. I came in second in his class shooting my 8 shot 627 against all the auto shooters.

How was that shooting class ?? We have one coming up the 1st of next year. Is it worth the time and money to go ? I hung up the auto 6 month's ago the stated shooting rev. in USPSA. I bought a 627 V-comp , but I only shot 6 to stay in rev. class.

 

[AzShooter]

If you want to learn how to pick up speed on steel targets it's well worth it. It really brought up my confidence level and I learned some new exercises.

Be prepared for at least 4 - 500 rounds and a lot of reloads.

 

[greenmachine]

Do you load 8 and only shoot 6 or do you load 6? It seems like a speed reload with only 6 in the clip would be tricky.

 

[AzShooter]

I always load 8. Other than for USPSA and IDPA you can load 8. Most ICORE stages are six round neutral but it's nice to have 8 in the gun.

For USPSA I still load 8 but only shoot six. Take the seventh shot and you go right into Open Division.

 

[t0066jh]

Nice to read about a fellow newbie 625 competitor.
Which belt/holster combo will you use? I have not looked into it. Wonder if a CR Speed type of belt is compatible with the 625 holsters.

Hmmmm, how do you retain the moonclips?

I use a regular thick Safariland belt (1 3/4"). I use a Blade tech holster with drop and offset modification and North Mountain moon clip holder.

Works good for me and lots of guys I shoot with... I'm seeing more every match.