gr7070

I didn't realize y'all were on a first name basis with JM. ;-) Thanks for all the great info. I think you've saved me a trip to S&W and will result in a better chamfer job. Thanks!

I have a 686-6 and shoot IDPA. I'm interested in an FO front sight for it, but not sure what to get. It seems like the two most popular are the HiViz and the SDM. Are there any others I should consider? What's a determining factor - why choose one over the other? If I understand correctly the HiViz is encapuslated and the SDM is not. What else is there to make a decision on? Does it make sense to have a gunsmith install one? While I can do enough gun work, I'm not sure I want to drill a hole in the site myself. Also, how high a front site should I order? I don't have a calipers. I did raise my rear sight a decent amount to site it in from the factory. Lastly, what color: red, green, orange, yellow? I shoot outdoors in TX. Plenty of light typically, although winters can be a little cloudy. I largely shoot IDPA and plink with it.

Those last two stages reloads were quite fast. Nice. Is your cylinder chamferred? Curious what you think of it. Mine get hung up there frequently. I noticed you doing the shake because of it. Personally I'd have a hard time cuting my grips to alleviate that, just doesn't sit right - purely from a preference thing, I have no real good reason not to. I am getting some wooden grips; I'm wondering if they'll unload differently from my factory synthetic grips.

Who's Jerry? Anyone have a link?

Much thanks all; looks like that's a great option. Do y'all or Mike recommend to chamfer the "star" slightly or not at all?

So what do folks think of the job S&W does on their cylinder chamfering? I'm planning to send my 686 to them (for chamfering and an FO sight). I'm specifically referring to the amount of chamfering. Too deep, too little, just right?

My LGS stocks the 130 gr fmj for $13.00 a box. Best deal I've found so far. Unfortunately, now it's too "hot" for IDPA. ;-)

Three responses sounds about right for a revolver question. ;-) Ready Tactical is looking like the right choice.

I've been pulling speedloaders out of my pockets for the last 6 months; it's time to drop even more money on my shooting. ;-) So, what do y'all prefer for speedloader holders. I shoot IDPA with Safariland Comp III and a S&W 686. Does one holder have an advantage over the other, or a defining characteristic that makes it less or more desirable? It appears to me the Ready Tactical is quite a bit smaller, which I think I might prefer. I'm also not sure I like the vertical, downward extension that Blade Tech has. Ready Tactical is less expensive. I've also got plenty of stomach to get in the way, not sure if that would affect either holder differently. I'm leaning towards Ready Tactical, but didn't want to buy without a little more research. Much thanks in advance!

I don't doubt there are very few. I don't think PF is the problem with SSR participation. I think *revolvers* are the problem with participation. Most folks just like autos better. They have bigger capacities with easier reloads, better triggers, better looking, cheaper ammo, available ammo, and newer technology being applied to them. Revolvers on their own don't have as much going for them as autos. Within the context of a speed game they are much further behind autos than they typically are. Having said that the PF reduction makes sense as it allows SSR to still function within IDPA's Principals of using off-the-shelf equipment. I don't quite understand this notion that's been posted by a number of people - the talk of newbs joining the sport and doing so with revolvers. Much of this talk just presumes that anyone in the sport for a reasonable amount of time reloads. This is not the case, at all. Plenty of folks shoot IDPA a handful of times a year for years without reloading. Any number of those people may have interest in trying revolver. To just assume that only newbs to the sport don't reload makes no sense and isn't a factor in the discussion.

I'm new to SSR from last fall. I've shot a handful of IDPA matches and have also shot two other home grown handgun competitions (that use a majority of steel). I shoot whatever I can find at Walmart, Academy, and a few other local gun stores - 38 special of any variety isn't easy to find, though it seems to be improving. Most of my shooting has probably been with Remington (a green and white box) and WWB both of which are sub-105 per the box data - I shoot a 4" 686. I haven't had any issues whatsoever knocking down steel. Not that that's a huge sample size, but from what I've seen 105 doesn't appear to have an issue with steel???