Dr.J
Member
I've found a club that has smallbore (.22 rimfire) ICORE and am looking for holster recommendations for my 6" S&W 617. What are those who shoot smallbore ICORE using. Thanks, Dr.J
Holster Recommendation For A 617
- Thread starter Dr.J
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imashooter2
Member
I use the Safariland 002 in full size ICORE. It should work great in miniature. 
tomcatt51
Member
S&W L frame DAA Racer. DAA Racer Holster - Light Weight USPSA / IPSC / IDPA Holster for All Levels
m657
Member
I use a straight drop custom leather holster a local craftsman made.
Granted it is not a fast action race model, but neither am I....
I can use mine afield or in any general setting. Whatever second or so per draw in time those who desire the advantages of the skeleton racers may realize, are welcome to them.
Granted it is not a fast action race model, but neither am I....
I can use mine afield or in any general setting. Whatever second or so per draw in time those who desire the advantages of the skeleton racers may realize, are welcome to them.
imashooter2
Member
Well it IS a timed event...
m657
Member
well of course it is
that second or so extra the leather holster requires is not what makes the difference in whether I'm in the lower third or the lower half of the score sheet. Never once in the several years I've shot ICORE would even 2 seconds per stage made any significant difference in my 'timed event'.
In fact, I don't recall if even FIVE seconds extra to draw would have put me closer to the top 3 shooters, so what's the point exactly?
Perhaps it does for others, no problem.
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BobR1
Member
I have a 4 Inch 617 SIX Shooter. I use a leather Pancake by Lobo. I am using HKS speed loaders in Kydex Speed Loader carriers of my own manufacture. We have I believe 4 Rimfire shooters among our ICORE shooters. Surprisingly all have Rimfire Classic revolvers (SIX Shooters)
A picture of one of my Speed loader carriers. I put a spacer in the cup of the carrier to space it up.
Rimfire is a lot of fun. A little slower to reload with an HKS speed loader than my 686 with a Comp III, however the increase in engagement speed makes up a little ground lost on the reload.
DR J have you sent in your ICORE membership application to Tammy Surgi yet?
[email protected]
All of our local ICORE Memberships to include the Club come due in August except Marvin who lives near Columbia. Having everyone come due in August makes it handier to get everyone reminded to send the renewals in.
http://www.bigpineysportsmansclub.com/
Check the Forum, then go to Schedule to keep track of the ICORE match dates. Normally they are on Sunday following the first Saturday of the month.
Bob R
Big Piney Club President
A picture of one of my Speed loader carriers. I put a spacer in the cup of the carrier to space it up.
Rimfire is a lot of fun. A little slower to reload with an HKS speed loader than my 686 with a Comp III, however the increase in engagement speed makes up a little ground lost on the reload.
DR J have you sent in your ICORE membership application to Tammy Surgi yet?
[email protected]
All of our local ICORE Memberships to include the Club come due in August except Marvin who lives near Columbia. Having everyone come due in August makes it handier to get everyone reminded to send the renewals in.
http://www.bigpineysportsmansclub.com/
Check the Forum, then go to Schedule to keep track of the ICORE match dates. Normally they are on Sunday following the first Saturday of the month.
Bob R
Big Piney Club President
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imashooter2
Member
If 2 seconds a stage isn't significant to your placing in an event, then I have no further comments on your particular situation.
But the point remains. The OP was asking for a recommendation for a holster to go racing. Standard pouch type holsters are slower to draw from and ICORE scores are pure time. A half a second saved on a draw over 6 stages is very significant for most competitors.
tomcatt51
Member
The point is it's a COMPETITIVE event. The OBJECTIVE is to have the best combination of fast and accurate.
Do you participate in track events, enter the 100 yd dash and just WALK because running you might not be within FIVE seconds of the top 3 runners?
I use the L frame DAA Racer holster for my K frame 14-7 in ICORE Classic, it also fits my 617. I also use speedloaders in an appropriate holder.
Guess I should get a less efficient holster (maybe a flap type?) and be single loading from loose rds in my pockets instead of using speedloaders because speedloaders and a holster appropriate to the sport won't put me within FIVE seconds of the top 3 shooters??? Might have to try bowling using a golf ball instead of a bowling ball...
COULD do both but NEITHER would be something I'd RECOMMEND to a new-comer asking for advice...
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BobR1
Member
I did a litte looking, without a lot of success. Safariland 002 Cup Challenge was about all I came up with for a 6 Inch 617.
Blade Tec did not show a 6 Inch barrel length. One might contact them and ask about a full underlug 6 Inch K Frame.
Edge Works Revolver Standard Kydex Holster
This one looked to have potential.
Bob
Blade Tec did not show a 6 Inch barrel length. One might contact them and ask about a full underlug 6 Inch K Frame.
Edge Works Revolver Standard Kydex Holster
This one looked to have potential.
Bob
m657
Member
Gentlemen:
In your obsession to make TIMED events the only way to participate & enjoy shooting sports, you leave out a portion of the population who have physical handicaps. Perhaps I should just weld my revolvers shut so they won't be of any use at all. Or perhaps I should avoid any range event that includes others.
If your personal version of shooting sports depends on that 1/2 second, hope you enjoy it. Striving to finish somewhere above the bottom of the score sheet gives the rest of us the same kind of enjoyment the top shooters seem to get.
It's not the cup that gives the coffee its enjoyable qualities.
In your obsession to make TIMED events the only way to participate & enjoy shooting sports, you leave out a portion of the population who have physical handicaps. Perhaps I should just weld my revolvers shut so they won't be of any use at all. Or perhaps I should avoid any range event that includes others.
If your personal version of shooting sports depends on that 1/2 second, hope you enjoy it. Striving to finish somewhere above the bottom of the score sheet gives the rest of us the same kind of enjoyment the top shooters seem to get.
It's not the cup that gives the coffee its enjoyable qualities.
imashooter2
Member
Everyone's personal version of ICORE depends on every fraction of a second between buzzer and last shot. It IS a timed event. It makes no sense to enter a competition and not compete, and if you chose to do so, perhaps it is poor judgement to post recommendations in a thread asking about equipment to go racing.
m657
Member
OP : "What are those who shoot smallbore ICORE using."
I shoot small bore ICORE.
Equipment is but one part of upgrading shooting skills.
Sorry if it doesn't fit your notion of how to use my time. My lifestyle doesn't revolve on half seconds and which end of the score sheet.
Perhaps our concept of 'compete' differs. Upgrading equipment in constant search of ultimate time advantage is one way to compete.
I'm a geezer with physical issues that will not be improved by any combination of slick equipment I can buy. What I can do is strive to upgrade my personal performance regardless of those issues and regardless of that equipment.
I answered a question. Who knows what level of intensity the OP desires in his own personal version of ICORE. It is not unusual for competitors to evolve through a variety of gear choices whatever they start with. Seeking to find what works best for shooter's needs and skill level seems to be the question.
OP asked about holster to go 'shooting', not racing. I didn't realize only those concerned about racing should respond to such threads.
I shoot small bore ICORE.
Equipment is but one part of upgrading shooting skills.
Sorry if it doesn't fit your notion of how to use my time. My lifestyle doesn't revolve on half seconds and which end of the score sheet.
Perhaps our concept of 'compete' differs. Upgrading equipment in constant search of ultimate time advantage is one way to compete.
I'm a geezer with physical issues that will not be improved by any combination of slick equipment I can buy. What I can do is strive to upgrade my personal performance regardless of those issues and regardless of that equipment.
I answered a question. Who knows what level of intensity the OP desires in his own personal version of ICORE. It is not unusual for competitors to evolve through a variety of gear choices whatever they start with. Seeking to find what works best for shooter's needs and skill level seems to be the question.
OP asked about holster to go 'shooting', not racing. I didn't realize only those concerned about racing should respond to such threads.
wantmoresmiths
Member
The double alpha racer is a good choice, however since I had my model 627 fall out of a CR Speed brand "Race" style holster I prefer a more traditional style holster. The Safariland 002 is a good choice, as is Bladetech. I believe the Bladetech revolver holsters are special order and may take a week or two before shipping. The Safariland holster is readily available from Midway USA. I currently use a bladetech holster for my 627, and am quite pleased with it. I did just stumble on a Fobus holster available through Midway USA. They show it available for a 4' barrel, but you might want to see if they can order one for a 6' barrel. The price is right and I know quite a few people who use Fobus holsters and are very happy with them.
Fobus Paddle Holster Right Hand S&W K L-Frame Taurus 65 66 431 4
Fobus Paddle Holster Right Hand S&W K L-Frame Taurus 65 66 431 4
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BobR1
Member
M657 some very good points.
I have been using my normal everyday carry leather pancake holsters for ICORE. My goal shooting ICORE, Defensive Pistol, Reactive Steel Challenge, as well as 3 Gun is self improvement, personal enjoyment, and staying tuned up for everyday concealed carry. I do make the Rimfire kydex carriers for the HKS speed loaders. I wanted a way to carry my reloads that was on par with my centerfire carriers. As I said above all of our current Rimfire ICORE shooters are using 6 Shooters, and HKS makes a reasonably priced speed loader for the 6 shot K frames. At this time all rimfire shooters at Big Piney are using my K-22 kydex carriers and HKS speed loaders and leather pancake holsters, almost all made by a local holster maker. No one is in an equipment race.
Speed Beez has a Hi Tech speed loaders and a neat looking Carrier set up for it, but none of my tribe has decided to spring for that much of an expense so far. If Dr J is running a newer 10 Shoot 617 I would be looking at the Speed Beez products. For the 10 shooter they are the way to go.
If I were to switch to a 2 piece Gun Belt set up such as the new 1.5 Inch gunbelt Midway is selling, I might go to a Kydex holster for it, and then again I might stay with leather.
If I were looking at a kydex holster for a 6 inch 617. Myself I would probably contact Blade Tech first, and see if they would make one for the 6 Inch 617. I would also check out Edge Works. My guess is either maker would make a holster you would be happy with, with acceptable retention.
The real speed rigs do not look secure to me. I have been to a big match where everyone moving around was keeping a hand on the revolver butt. I am not into that kind of shooting myself.
Here are some example stages that we set up at Big Piney:
3 each 6 foot wall sections set up as a 3 sided box, with the open side down range. The wall you are facing has a window. You have foot fault ropes off the Corners so you have to stay behind cover shooting around the corners. You start in a 36 X 36 PVC pipe box. At the buzzer you draw and engage one D1 around the left wall, one D1 through the window, and one around the right wall. 3 Targets, 6 shots, the furthest target was app 30 feet.
We have the walls set up with a 3 sides box made forward in the middle with a corner opening.
Starting in the shooting box at the buzzer you move to the culvert (Eye Level standing) and fire 2 rounds on a D1 through the 24 Inch plastic pipe, move right to the first window and engage 2 targets, move right and forward and engage 2 targets around the corner, then move backwards around the wall and right to the last window to engage the last target. 6 targets 12 rounds. All targets 15 yards or closer.
You have a 36 Inch Modular Door Opening with a 4 foot wall section on each side, From the outside corners of the 4 foot wall sections we have 18 feet of wall on each side forming a long hallway. You started seated in a chair about 6 feet back from the door opening. At the Buzzer you engage 2 targets down the hall, get up and move to a wall corner and engage 2 targets around the corner, move to the other side and engage 2 additional targets around the corner. Again foot faults to keep you behind cover shooting around the corner.
6 targets, 12 rounds, All targets 15 yards or closer.
We set up our ICORE Stages a lot more Practical Tactical than most ICORE Ranges. We have mostly newer shooters who were shooting Defensive Pistol before ICORE. Our younger ICORE Shooters are mid 40's with several to include myself in our 60's. When I was in my 20's shooting IPSC I was all over High Speed Low Drag, now at almost 63 I am just having a good time, and keeping my skill level up.
Just my 2 cents.
Bob R
I have been using my normal everyday carry leather pancake holsters for ICORE. My goal shooting ICORE, Defensive Pistol, Reactive Steel Challenge, as well as 3 Gun is self improvement, personal enjoyment, and staying tuned up for everyday concealed carry. I do make the Rimfire kydex carriers for the HKS speed loaders. I wanted a way to carry my reloads that was on par with my centerfire carriers. As I said above all of our current Rimfire ICORE shooters are using 6 Shooters, and HKS makes a reasonably priced speed loader for the 6 shot K frames. At this time all rimfire shooters at Big Piney are using my K-22 kydex carriers and HKS speed loaders and leather pancake holsters, almost all made by a local holster maker. No one is in an equipment race.
Speed Beez has a Hi Tech speed loaders and a neat looking Carrier set up for it, but none of my tribe has decided to spring for that much of an expense so far. If Dr J is running a newer 10 Shoot 617 I would be looking at the Speed Beez products. For the 10 shooter they are the way to go.
If I were to switch to a 2 piece Gun Belt set up such as the new 1.5 Inch gunbelt Midway is selling, I might go to a Kydex holster for it, and then again I might stay with leather.
If I were looking at a kydex holster for a 6 inch 617. Myself I would probably contact Blade Tech first, and see if they would make one for the 6 Inch 617. I would also check out Edge Works. My guess is either maker would make a holster you would be happy with, with acceptable retention.
The real speed rigs do not look secure to me. I have been to a big match where everyone moving around was keeping a hand on the revolver butt. I am not into that kind of shooting myself.
Here are some example stages that we set up at Big Piney:
3 each 6 foot wall sections set up as a 3 sided box, with the open side down range. The wall you are facing has a window. You have foot fault ropes off the Corners so you have to stay behind cover shooting around the corners. You start in a 36 X 36 PVC pipe box. At the buzzer you draw and engage one D1 around the left wall, one D1 through the window, and one around the right wall. 3 Targets, 6 shots, the furthest target was app 30 feet.
We have the walls set up with a 3 sides box made forward in the middle with a corner opening.
Starting in the shooting box at the buzzer you move to the culvert (Eye Level standing) and fire 2 rounds on a D1 through the 24 Inch plastic pipe, move right to the first window and engage 2 targets, move right and forward and engage 2 targets around the corner, then move backwards around the wall and right to the last window to engage the last target. 6 targets 12 rounds. All targets 15 yards or closer.
You have a 36 Inch Modular Door Opening with a 4 foot wall section on each side, From the outside corners of the 4 foot wall sections we have 18 feet of wall on each side forming a long hallway. You started seated in a chair about 6 feet back from the door opening. At the Buzzer you engage 2 targets down the hall, get up and move to a wall corner and engage 2 targets around the corner, move to the other side and engage 2 additional targets around the corner. Again foot faults to keep you behind cover shooting around the corner.
6 targets, 12 rounds, All targets 15 yards or closer.
We set up our ICORE Stages a lot more Practical Tactical than most ICORE Ranges. We have mostly newer shooters who were shooting Defensive Pistol before ICORE. Our younger ICORE Shooters are mid 40's with several to include myself in our 60's. When I was in my 20's shooting IPSC I was all over High Speed Low Drag, now at almost 63 I am just having a good time, and keeping my skill level up.
Just my 2 cents.
Bob R
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m657
Member
Thanks for the references BobR1. Your course of fire certainly sounds challenging. That would be one where even my High Top Keds with wings on the ankles wouldn't be enough to propel me into winner zone.
I'll be looking at some of that gear you reference. My 617 is the 10 shot version, While I have the speed loaders I'm still fussing with 'which carrier' system to use....as the pouch is of course another thing that I can see adds precious time to my score sheet. Certainly that sense of 'not quite secure' in the speed rigs affect my trust level, although I've only see a couple times where someone has dropped a pistol due to fail of some kind.
Our local ICORE regulars are a small bunch of mostly older guys, with a smattering of lithe-fast-highly competitive shooters. The differences in the 'stand & shoot' vs 'move & shoot' stages reveal how much enhanced gravity & age affects our scores.
I'm all for competition....but at this point I'm there for the ride and enjoy watching those who make the moves so adroitly.
Our ICORE is set up to be pretty much '6-shot neutral' but there are occasional stages where extra rounds help out. We have only a few 22 caliber ICORE participants, and those mostly are the 10 shot 617 persuasion.
I'll be looking at some of that gear you reference. My 617 is the 10 shot version, While I have the speed loaders I'm still fussing with 'which carrier' system to use....as the pouch is of course another thing that I can see adds precious time to my score sheet. Certainly that sense of 'not quite secure' in the speed rigs affect my trust level, although I've only see a couple times where someone has dropped a pistol due to fail of some kind.
Our local ICORE regulars are a small bunch of mostly older guys, with a smattering of lithe-fast-highly competitive shooters. The differences in the 'stand & shoot' vs 'move & shoot' stages reveal how much enhanced gravity & age affects our scores.
I'm all for competition....but at this point I'm there for the ride and enjoy watching those who make the moves so adroitly.
Our ICORE is set up to be pretty much '6-shot neutral' but there are occasional stages where extra rounds help out. We have only a few 22 caliber ICORE participants, and those mostly are the 10 shot 617 persuasion.
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tomcatt51
Member
I've found that people asking advice about shooting IN COMPETITION usually are not seeking advice on how to NOT be competitive...
tomcatt51
Member
Don't think they're all the same. I sold my CR Speed and set up two DAA Racers on belts. One for my K frames with speedloaders and one set up for N frames with moonclips. The DAA Racer doesn't look real substantial but I defy you to get the gun out of the holster when the holster's latched... Best holster I've used, USPSA, Steel Challenge, PPC. The CR Speed wasn't as secure nor did it draw as nicely.
wantmoresmiths
Member
Tomcatt51,
You are correct, all race holsters are not the same. I had heard stories about guns falling out of the CR Speed holsters, so it wasn't a complete surprise when it happened to me. I have heard a lot of good thing about the Racer. In fact, my son is currently using a DAA racer, as are several other shooters I know. Someday, I may give one a try for myself.
You are correct, all race holsters are not the same. I had heard stories about guns falling out of the CR Speed holsters, so it wasn't a complete surprise when it happened to me. I have heard a lot of good thing about the Racer. In fact, my son is currently using a DAA racer, as are several other shooters I know. Someday, I may give one a try for myself.
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