shot my 640 at IDPA today

[jeffrey]

I didn't score so well, but had alot of fun and got to see how accurate I could be under some pressure. I surprised both myself and everyone else by being almost as accurate as I am with my 66-5 3-inch, but I was quite a bit slower. I found that I am much slower with HKS speedloaders (a misnomer in my hands) than I am with Safariland Comp IIIs. I was able to shoot three out of four stages without bending any rules, and the match director gave me permission to reload without cover so that I could shoot the forth properly.

Apart from my Safariland speedloaders, the thing I missed the most about my 3-inch K frame was not the longer barrel but the full-length ejector rod. I was able to get those 15 yard headshots without a problem, but the brass really hung up in the cylinder when I tried to eject it!

 

[David Sinko]

You need to have a BackUp Gun match or side match. I recently won one of these with my 3" 625 and factory loaded hardball, with all shots at 7 yards and no speedloading on the clock. We had swinging targets with activators and tight no-shoots to keep it interesting and challenging despite the close range. A 3" N Frame qualifies for BUG division and beating the shooters who are using full size autos causes everlasting trauma to their self confidence. The BUG matches are what defensive shooting should be all about and you can still win with a 2" J Frame.

Dave Sinko

 

[jeffrey]

Hey Dave,

At the end of the match, the match director took a poll of the shooters and we will do just that -- probably next month. As one might expect, everyone has at least one bug and everyone thought it was a good idea. I am curious to see how the Glock/1911 guys do with their J-Frames. Out of maybe 20 regulars, only 2 of us always use a revolver.

 

[David Sinko]

There will probably be more auto shooters than revolver shooters at your BUG match. Out of the 20 or more shooters that were at my match, only one had a J Frame and it was clear that he didn't practice with it very much. Many shooters used their full size match guns, but they had no advantage whatsoever as we started with gun in hand, no reloads on the clock, and no shots beyond seven yards. It makes one realize just how effective a small gun can be if you practice with it and are able to hit what you're shooting at. And on the subject of practice, I believe most of the shooters who own small revolvers with alloy frames hardly ever practice with them and would not want to be subjected to the pain of a box of ammo or more needed for even a BUG match. I'm shooting my 940 quite frequently now and I'd love to use it if I get another chance to shoot one of these matches.

Dave Sinko

 

[OKFC05]

Had an interesting side match at our IDPA state match last year.

Everybody in the side match had to pick up a loaded 442 and fire at 5 IDPA targets, regular scoring, no reloads. Best score won the gun. Winning score was under 3 seconds.

Sometimes I put a BUG revolver in a stage by requiring the first 5 shots be shot with it, then lay it on a padded table and retrieve their regular gun lying empty on the table.
Did one where they had to shoot a BUG one-handed and drag a full-sized dummy to safety...that was fun to watch.

 

[Landric]

There is a BUG match at my local club at the end of August. I have shot two other BUG matches there this year and they were so much fun that I am taking off work for the one in August so I can shoot it too.

I used my Charter Arms Bulldog .44 at the first match and my Ruger SP101 2 1/4" DAO (loaded with magnum ammo) at the second. I'm planning on using the SP again this time, and again with magnum ammunition.