IDPA Revolver Recommedations

[Medblle]

The 625 is a solid pick, but if you want something with a bit more versatility, the 686 SSR is worth a look. It's legal for SSR division and still a great all-around revolver. If you're thinking about using your competition gun for Burnsville MN conceal carry, though, keep in mind the size and weight. A J-frame or something lighter might be more practical for everyday carry.

 

[Pizza Bob]

hi joespapa, idpa is not revolver friendly. if you go that route may be a 8 shot revolver. go to a match near you, see if it suits you.....dan

A couple points here: 1) Not sure where the idea that IDPA is not revolver friendly comes from - maybe conflating it with USPSA? Since stages are limited to 18 rounds (3 cylinder fulls) it is fine for revolvers; and, 2) You are limited to 6 rounds loaded in either stock or enhanced revolver. So, even if you have a 7 or 8 round revolver, you can only load 6 rounds and having that one or two extra chambers just slows things down as you have properly index the cylinder when closing it. Stick with a six round revolver.

I have shot both moon clips and speed loaders. I used a 586-4 (Brazil - perfect for IDPA since it's a .38 Spl) with Safariland Comp III speed loaders and a 625-8 PC, 646 and a Ruger MC in 10 mm (loading .40 S&W) with moon clips. Shoot what you are most comfortable with. Start with something you already have to insure that you like it and are going to stick with it.

Go to a match and observe and ask questions. Try to hook up with someone that shoots with the club you intend to attend to get a leg-up on how things run. Everybody that I've gotten involved in IDPA that elected to go and observe first, later confided to me that they wished they had just participated from the git-go. You'll find that the matches are friendly and everybody is willing to help a new-to-IDPA shooter.

Dive right in and have fun.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[DWalt]

Back when I shot IDPA, I used a 1917 Colt with full moon clips. It was no disadvantage for me.

 

[growr]

Use what you already have....a Model 10 and speedloaders of any kind are a great selection. I have used my dad's K-38 and my 625 to shoot IDPA and ICORE .
No need to go buy a special revolver unless you don't have one at all.

Randy

PS.
USPSA is the game that is NOT revolver friendly especially after the rules changes.

 

[minconrevo]

Rules for revolver in IDPA, ICORE, and USPSA have changed over time. IDPA has remained true to "load only 6 rounds, regardless of cylinder capacity." USPSA has changed. When IDPA started, the winning setup was a 5" S&W 625. A couple years later, the rule was changed to limit to 4.25"; fair number of 625, 5" guys swapped to 4" barrels or just dropped out. For some time, IDPA revolver was a 125 PF game, which was rough on K-frame S&W's since that's +P territory out of a 4" barrel. Some folks wore down their K's and others ran L frames. Light finally went on at IDPA; lower pf to 105 so that factory available standard pressure .38 spl could shot. Made the K's much more feasible. These days, you seldom see a revolver at an IDPA match, likely due to the steady onslaught of red dots.

 

[Tanners Owner]

Long time Cowboy Action shooter looking to get into IDPA. Suggest a revolver to start with ie; moon clips or speed loaders etc.

@joespapa

Did you ever attend a an IDPA match, shoot one with a revolver? If so how’d you like it? What gun did you use?

 

[CheyenneBodie]

IMO - NRA and CMP Action Pistol is the most revolver friendly. Doesn't matter about capacity and reload speed. Strings of fire do not exceed 6 rounds. It's not a track meet -- all shooting is done from static positions. High accuracy standards under time pressure. I shoot a S&W 686 with 6 inch barrel out of a kydex holster in Production Division and routinely post a higher score than others shooting autoloaders.

 

[cbore]

IDPA uses 6 shot revolvers only. I have 66, 686, and 646.
USPSA uses the 8 shot revolvers.
8.1.1 Division Summary
8.1.1.1 IDPA is divided into 8 divisions that are entirely separate from one another in competition. None of the
following divisions compete against any other division:
Stock Service Pistol (SSP)
Enhanced Service Pistol (ESP)
Custom Defensive Pistol (CDP)
Compact Carry Pistol (CCP)
Revolver (REV)*
Backup Gun (BUG)*
Carry Optics (CO)
Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC)*
*Specialty Division optional division for Tier 1 – Tier 5 Sanctioned matches.
8.1.2 Magazine Loading: All magazines must be loaded to division capacity (or their maximum capacity if smaller) at
the start signal throughout the match except in the following cases:
8.1.2.1 If a magazine is used that holds less than division capacity, the shooter will load all magazines to the capacity
of the lowest magazine throughout the match with the exception of PCC.
8.1.2.2 The stage description may require reduced magazine loading for standard stages and the initial start of a
scenario stage.
8.1.2.3 In the Revolver division, the shooter must load the revolver and all loading devices with the same number of
rounds throughout the match unless the above loading exceptions apply.
8.1.3 Rules for Magazine Division Capacity
8.1.3.1 SSP, 15 rounds*
8.1.3.2 ESP, CO, CCP10 rounds
8.1.3.3 CDP, 8 rounds
8.1.3.4 REV, BUG-S 6 rounds**
8.1.3.5 BUG-R 5 rounds
8.1.3.6 PCC 10 10 rounds
8.1.3.7 PCC 30 rounds*

https://www.idpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2024-IDPA-Rulebook-Master-12-14-23.pdf

Read Appendix A5 for specific revolver rules

A.5 Revolver Division (REV)
A.5.1 Revolvers will be categorized into one of the two following sub-categories:
A.5.1.1 Stock Revolver or
A.5.1.2 Enhanced Revolver
A.5.2 Stock Revolver handguns permitted for use must be:
A.5.2.1 Any revolver that uses .38 Special or larger cartridges with a rimmed case and is not loaded with moon
clips.
A.5.2.2 The unloaded firearm must weigh 43.00 oz. or less.
A.5.3 Enhanced Revolver handguns permitted for use must be:
A.5.3.1 Any revolver that uses .357 magnum or larger cartridges with rimmed or rimless cases.
A.5.3.2 The unloaded firearm must weigh 50.00 oz. or less.
A.5.3.3 May be loaded via speed loader or full moon clip.
A.5.4 Stock and Enhanced Revolver requirements:
A.5.4.1 The use of trimmed (shortened) ammunition is not allowed.
A.5.5 Ammunition used must match the cartridge listed on the firearm with the following exceptions:
A.5.5.1 .38 Special in .357 Magnum.
A.5.5.2 .44 Special in .44 Magnum.
A.5.5.3 .45 Auto Rim or .45 GAP in .45 ACP.
A.5.5.4 .45 ACP or .45 GAP in .45 Colt.
A.5.5.5 .40 S&W in 10mm.
A.5.5.6 Barrel length must be 4 ¼” or less.
A.5.5.7 Revolvers must be loaded to the division capacity of 6 rounds in the cylinder. Higher capacity 7 and 8
round revolvers are permitted, but may only load 6 rounds

Thank you. I was waiting for someone to set the guys straight. 6 shot revolvers only in IDPA and 8 shot in ICORE

 

[David Sinko]

I stopped shooting IDPA for a while around the same time an up and coming local shooter by the name of Josh Lentz started to hit the scene. His skill with the six shot speedloader gun is uncanny. I understand he made quite a name for himself in ICORE too.

I tried my 627-5 in IDPA but loading only six in the moonclips and then properly indexing the cylinder every time is demeaning and ridiculous. IDPA needs to get over its contempt for the 8 shot revolver. Maybe they should allow it but at 165 power factor only?