DocAlamo

Tucker leather IWB is AWESOME. Well worth the price and the wait. Dr. Bill

Tonight on the Smith & Wesson forum a gentleman was very disappointed with his 396 Night Guard. The first one he bought had multiple light strikes. He took it back, got it exchanged for another one, and the new revolver had the same issues. He is pretty upset ... as would I. If I was even remotely interested in these I would certainly wait a year for the customers to debug the new revolvers. I am still stunned at the prices of these non-Performance Center revolvers. I had heard most are going for north of $800 ... good grief. By the way everyone, I really love my 625JM. Mike, it is soon to be on its way to you for some magic. Dr. Bill

Mike, That was my fear as well. I really like the concept, but fear it will fall short in execution. By the way, they just started showing up at Collectors Firearms in Houston. They are WAY overpriced. They want $960 for the 325NG. Good grief!! Thanks for the input. Dr. Bill

Hey guys, I know this is not necessarily a competition question, but I thought I would poll the group to see their thoughts on S&W's new Night Guard series of revolvers. I started to post this on the S&W forum, but decided not to because I did not want to wade through all the "anti-lock" rhetoric. I am interested in these revolvers for concealed carry. I am most intrigued with the Model 315, which is a .38 SPL +P K-Frame, or the Model 396, which is a .44 SPL L-Frame 5 shot. So, what is the collective wisdom of these new revolvers. I know no one has shot one yet, but your early impressions and thoughts are most appreciated. By the way, Shooting Times has them on the cover of their latest edition and did a very good write-up of them inside. Dr. Bill

Thanks to everyone who has replied. It has been most helpful. I have ordered the Blade Tech holster with the Sting Ray belt attachment. I already have a DOH attachment that I could put on the rig for USPSA if I wanted to. This way I will only have one holster for both IDPA and USPSA. I ordered the moon clip holders from TK Custom for IDPA use. Rather than string six or so on my belt for USPSA I plan on buying the North Mountain moon clip holders for USPSA. Have been shooting my revolver and intend to have Mike make it wonderful. My bottom feeders are beginning to feel like orphans!!! Dr. Bill

I found that out when I went and re-read the rules. So, I ordered the Blade Tech with the Sting Ray belt attachment. I can use it like that in IDPA and put on my DOH attachment for USPSA. Thanks!

Guys, All the input has been fantastic. I have never shot an IDPA match, but there is a local club not far from my house that has a match every Wednesday evening. I thought it would be good practie for the 2 or 3 USPSA matches I could attend in the Houston area. I know they are totally different games, but I just love to shoot!! I have taken the advice and have been in contact with Mike Carmoney. He will probably be getting my revo soon. I want to shoot it a little bit more before I send it in for a complete makeover! By the way, I went to the range with it on Sunday and really love the gun. The ammo I got to shoot was worthless ... it was Mag Tech. There was a lot of unburned poweder in each case! It really gummed up the gun. Got rid of the remaining boxes and fired about 100 rounds of WWB through it. Much cleaner, but I really had to clean the gun when I got home. I am not set up to reload yet, but that will be rectified shortly. So, I think I will go with the Blade Tech DOH for a start. I use this for my Production GLOCK and like the rig. I am no where near the caliber shooter to be worrying about a race holster yet (note operative word is YET!!). Decided I really like the North Mountain moon clip holders. I already own a CR Speed belt. So, I need to get Mike to set up the revo for competition, and just practice, practice, practice. Everyone here is so great. I hope to meet some of you in person at a match or two. Dr. Bill

I had thought about the BladeTech for IPDA ... just worried that the Kydex will screw up the finish on the 625JM. It is bead blasted, not regular stainless steel. I most likely will end up with two holsters ... the CR Speed for USPSA and something else for IDPA. You can make the Blade Tech pretty loose as far as holding the revolver in place, so that might be a way to go. I did not know the California Competition Works moonclip holders were IDPA compliant. Are they just as you buy them, or do they have to have a modification to make them legal? Doc

Hey guys, Well, I finally got my 625 and I am ALMOST ready for a USPSA match in revolver. Carmoney, I could not find a 625 5" anywhere, so I found a good deal on a brand new 625JM. I remember you said it was a good gun for both USPSA and IDPA. I am so excited. But, I find I now need a holster and moonclip holder. Here are my questions: What holster should I buy for USPSA and which one for IDPA? What moonclip holder(s) should I get for USPSA and for IDPA? I understand that the holster for USPSA can be a race holster, while the IDPA holster has to be a regular, concealable holster. Also, if I understand correctly, the moonclip holders are different in USPSA and IDPA. I already have a demooner tool and will most likely invest in a remooner tool soon. I will also be buying a ton of moonclips from Ranch Products, unless there are better moon clips on the market? Thoughts??? Anything else I am forgetting?? I will use my CR Speed belt set up for USPSA and a regular gun belt for IDPA. I will await the concenses from the sesoned members of this forum ... and will place my internet order hopefully on Monday or Tuesday. There is an IPDA match locally here in Houston every Wednesday evening ... and there is not a USPSA match for a few weeks. I will take the gun to the range tomorrow to throw a little lead down range. Thanks guys, all the input I have received by reading these posts has really gotten me excited about revolvers. I don't think I have shot one of my bottom feeders for months!! Doc

Guys,, The advice and encouragement here is fantastic. I find myself getting really excited reading your posts. So, I am ordering about 5-6 CompIII speedloaders, pouches, and a good holster that I can use in both IDPA and USPSA. Might as well jump in both venues!! This will really give my 64 a great workout! As always, I will keep on the lookout for a 5" 625. Hopefully, if the weather holds and my gear arrives soon, I will shoot my first revo match in a few weeks! I will let everyone know how it went ... remember your first time????? My only fear is that, while shooting production was addicting, I am sure the REVO will be a habit that will be unbreakable ... not that I will try hard to break that habit! I love wheelguns so much, and to compete with one is icing on the cake. Thanks so much, you guys are the best! Dr. Bill

I guess my thinking was that, for a new revolver competitor, the IDPA crowd would be a little more "understanding" with the extra time involved in completing a stage. Also, I have a model 64 that I love, but it is not really set up for competition. I always assumed that to compete in USPSA I needed a 625 (to make major, etc), but perhaps I was a bit hasty in that assumtion. So, perhaps I should shoot a few USPSA matches with my 64 with a ton om CompIII speedloaders and just have fun. I am trying to find a used 625, or even a new one for that matter, but have been unable to find one in Houston. I will keep looking, but use my 64 for now. It will make minor, but who cares, right. And, I might as well go to an IDPA match just to see. I much prefer USPSA to IDPA, but there is a relatively active IDPA club on the west side of Houston that has a weekly match on Wednesday evenings. Might give both a try. Will keep you guys posted. I am learning a lot by "lurking" around here and reading the posts. Was so tempted to buy a 610, but after reading everything decided to hold out for a 625. Thanks, guys, for responding to my post ... it makes entry into competitive revolver shooting seem less daunting. Ciao. Dr. Bill

Hey everyone, I was planning on entering an USPSA match or two here in the Houston area, but I am beginning to rethink USPSA and look at IDPA instead. I am looking at SSR as a starting point. I have a 4" model 64 that seems like it would be a good fit for this venue. There are some excellent wheelgun shooters in this forum, so I thought I would post this question here. For USPSA I am convinced that a 625 is the gun of choice. However, I don't have one of those gems right now, and to make it competitive it would have to have a lot of cool things done to it. So, this is my reason for looking at IDPA for a start. I have been shooting Production in USPSA (Glock) and really want to shift to revolver. The few revolver shooters I have been squaded with look like they are having SO MUCH FUN. So, I am taking the plung. So, if the learned ones could provide me with some feedback I would be forever grateful. Thanks, Dr. Bill Houston

Thanks everyone! I most likely will buy the 625. I looked at a 5" the other day, but was intrigued by the 4" JM model. Any advantage of going with the JM versus a standard 625 5"? I am going to have to buy a new holster and gear before I compete. Good thing Christmas is coming soon!! Got lots to tell the wife I need. Dr. Bill

Hey AZShooter, I just posted to your post on the Smith forum, saw this one here as well an thought it might be more appropriate on this site. I am going to move from Production to Revolver ... because it looks like so much more fun!! But, I don't have a gun for this division. I am considering a 625, or a 610, or a 627. Which, in your opinion, would be the best gun to use. Also, I looked at the new 2008 rule book on the USPSA website and was not sure whether or not you could use an 8 round 357 in competition. I assume you can ... is this correct? DocAlamo (in Texas, of course)