MWC2068
Member
Even though it doesn't say cut for moonclips the 627 performance center with a 5 inch barrel is cut for moonclips, I have bought two of them in the last year and I definitely use moonclips in them. SKU 170210
627 vs 929 revolver for Steel Challenge and ICORE?
- Thread starter Demus319
- Start date
Even though it doesn't say cut for moonclips the 627 performance center with a 5 inch barrel is cut for moonclips, I have bought two of them in the last year and I definitely use moonclips in them. SKU 170210
FWIW, I really don't think that .38/.357 is any more expensive to reload than 9mm, unless you split or lose a lot of brass. .38/.357 bullets are just about the same weight as 9mm. And to be honest, I would probably select 147-gr coated for 9mm, presuming the gun shot it okay.
Tanners Owner
US Veteran
FWIW- I had an extra cylinder fitted to my 627 Pro so I can shoot 9mm. I have the best of both worlds now!
I made a 7 shot 38 Super cylinder for a 686. Now it can do 6 shots of 38/357 or 7 shots of 38 Super. An extra cylinder is a cheap way to get another caliber.
Tanners Owner
US Veteran
I have a model 10 I’ve and my daughter has shot in IDPA. Good reliable gun. Can’t say for steels, as am not real familiar with the rules and divisions.
As far as IDPA, I’d stay with the model 10. If Shooting USPSA, I’d go with either the 929 or 627.
I went a long way in Steel Challenge shooting a 6 inch Model 10. It can be done and don't let anyone tell you differently. What you have to do is make your shots count. Even with the 8 shooters, its going 5 for 5 that wins the game. Learn to shoot at your speed and don't try to shoot faster than you can.
At my level I'd take the 929 but if I were just starting out an didn't want to spend over a grand for my pistol and then hundreds of dollars on accessories I'd buy an old Model 10.
At my level I'd take the 929 but if I were just starting out an didn't want to spend over a grand for my pistol and then hundreds of dollars on accessories I'd buy an old Model 10.
Mcfoto
Member
I'm subscribing to this thread as I have been struggling with the 627 vs 929 debate for a year now. In my case, this would be an ICORE and USPSA shooter. New to handloading but feel good about my .38 special loads with hand priming and on a single stage. Also considering going with the 627 and running short colt brass.
Issues I have encountered in my research: almost every 929 needs some tweeking. As described to me - they are a kit gun with all the parts pre-assembled. Expect some drama during break-in that will need to be addressed. There's also a group that contends that one needs to load .357 bullets on 9mm brass to get optimum accuracy. Like stated above, they are picky on the brass for extraction, so either sort your brass or start with new (with moonclip shooting, you'll get your brass back anyway, so you can keep track of it).
I too worry about the long barrel. Good for sight radius I suppose but a challenge for draw.
The other issue I'm considering is that with the 929, you MUST use moonclips. The 627 can be loaded in the traditional manner or use speedloaders which would make it convenient for casual range shooting.
But my understanding is that the current top shooters are all on 929's at this point, so there must be an advantage.
Issues I have encountered in my research: almost every 929 needs some tweeking. As described to me - they are a kit gun with all the parts pre-assembled. Expect some drama during break-in that will need to be addressed. There's also a group that contends that one needs to load .357 bullets on 9mm brass to get optimum accuracy. Like stated above, they are picky on the brass for extraction, so either sort your brass or start with new (with moonclip shooting, you'll get your brass back anyway, so you can keep track of it).
I too worry about the long barrel. Good for sight radius I suppose but a challenge for draw.
The other issue I'm considering is that with the 929, you MUST use moonclips. The 627 can be loaded in the traditional manner or use speedloaders which would make it convenient for casual range shooting.
But my understanding is that the current top shooters are all on 929's at this point, so there must be an advantage.
I don't know much about ICORE but it has only been in the last year or two (here at least) that the 8 shot revolvers can be utilised to the fullest in IPSC/USPSA. Prior to this only 6 rounds could be fired at a time. The top revolver shooters will probably be using the 8 shot 929, but they are better able to maximise the 8 round advantage because they know that slow is smooth and smooth is fast. They all started out shooting 6 and 7 shot revolvers smoothly developing their skills and speed.
USPSA/IPSC will require a 125 minimum power factor (speed in fps X bullet weight in grains divided by 1000). That requires a 158 gn bullet travelling at just under 800 fps to make minimum PF.
Given that temperature can effect velocity a safety margin of at least another 5 PF, with most shooters opting for 9-10 PF will be needed. Does the .38 Short Colt round allow this?
Hodgdon's online loading manual has a maximum velocity with a 135 gn bullet of 760 fps (Tightgroup) or 777 fps (HP38) Admittedly that is for use in revolvers built well over 100 years ago, not the modern N frame S&W, but case capacity will be a factor.
When shooting minor calibre my minimum PF in both 9mm and .38 Special +P is 134, the same as a 124 gn 9mm bullet at 1085 fps. Some Australian shooters a few years ago loaded their ammunition to 130 PF in desert type conditions (South Australia/Northern Territory) and bought it to New Zealand to shoot in our Nationals and failed to make PF due to our much lower temperatures at the time.
Most pistols, not just the 929, will require "tweaking". As I wrote above, a club mate bought a new 929 that she had difficulty working the trigger until I replaced the trigger rebound spring with a "lighter" 14 Ib one (my 686 has a 12 Ib rebound spring while my Victory has a 13 Ib one). While my 686-4 is stock apart from the trigger return spring, a full power ribbed mainspring and an extended mainspring screw, if this 929 were mine I would be polishing the cylinder chambers as well as probably the internal parts too.
My Kimber 9mm 1911 has had a mag well plus an 18 Ib main hammer spring, reduced recoil slide spring system and all internal parts lightly polished. The factory sights are about to be replaced too.
As for the draw, swinging your pistol up as soon as the muzzle clears the holster can lead to overswing and having to reverse the gun down again (I did this for many years before I learned differently). Most shooters I know will draw their pistol until their gun hand is between waist and chest, if not right up to armpit, height and punch the gun out after rotating it level. The longer barrel is not really any disadvantage with this type of draw.
As someone who is constantly tinkering with his competition pistols my advice would be to select a basic pistol with the intention of a) making necessary improvements one at a time, and b) taking it slow and smooth to start with and let speed come naturally.
I regularly score better than shooters who are much faster than I am, both between shots and moving around the range, simply by slowing down enough to shoot accurately. I think it was a gentleman named What Earp who made the comment that "speed is fine, accuracy is final".
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Mcfoto
Member
Just to finish my comments: I made my decision over the weekend. I went with a 627. In the end, I decided I want all my revolver loads to be the same caliber. To keep the bang going, I hand prime Federals and I was daunted by the thought of having to divide the stash. On the other hand, I can see that I will probably be moving to .38 short colt in the near future.
BTW: to address a question above: mine is brand new and not only is it cut for moon clips, a couple were thrown in for free gift with purchase.
BTW: to address a question above: mine is brand new and not only is it cut for moon clips, a couple were thrown in for free gift with purchase.
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