Alaskan454

I agree that ICORE has the most accomodating gear divisions for any revolver shooter out there. I wouldn't agree with having PF for a single divison be different though. You would have to also run a minor in L6 though for guys shooting 6-shot 38/357 guns that are moonclipped, such as myself. I don't want to have to load 155PF in my 686, I'd be better off with moving to an 8-shot or picking up a 625. Most any shooter (competitive format) will eventually start loading their own. The factory 45acp for L6 would be too hot, and almost no factory 38 ammo meets PF (which was why there used to be a factory ammo exemption). I don't think that would be a long-standing issue with L6, I believe it would work itself out to where the shooter realizes the benefit to loading their own ammo. I forgot about the 38/357s with regards to power factor, and I suppose people who are competing regularly will eventually be reloading or buying very specific ammo so there really is no need to change PF for a L6 division. I like 180 and 200 gr RNFP bullets at the current PF.

At a recent steel event I won a G.I. model from the shop's rental case that had been pretty well used but was in great working condition. Having heard mixed reviews about RIA I wasn't sure what to expect but I'm actually pretty impressed with this thing. After a basic field strip and cleaning I took 100 rounds from my reject pile that were either test rounds for powder charge, C.O.L. or had some bulge/defect and wouldn't chamber easily in my 625. They were cast 155gr SWCs, 200gr RNFP, and 230gr RN and I wasn't sure if some of them would even cycle the gun being light target loads. The 155gr SWC is an especially unforgiving design for reliable feeding and the 1911 fed, fired, and ejected everything I put in it. It had no trouble hitting 8 inch steel plates out to 30 yards and I was actually shooting it better than most of my semi-autos by the end of that 100 rounds at the 10 yard line...so I'd say I'm pretty impressed based upon its price tag. The only thing I didn't like was the G.I. style beavertail. Anyone else have a similar experience?

I can be slightly faster weak hand if I get it right, but I almost never blow a strong handed reload. I'll have to play with a timer and see what the actual numbers say.

Pat, do you recommend a strong hand or weak hand reload? I've been experimenting with both and can't decide which I prefer.

I think he meant in the local gun stores. I've seen tons of 929s and 627s online but not a single 8 shot of any brand in a local store for almost 5 years, and I live in a pretty big town with a lot of gun shops.

Here are some thoughts from a guy who picked up his first moon clipped revolver two years ago and has only been shooting at pistol matches for slightly longer than three. I started in IDPA because they have a division for just about anyone who's never been to a match before and could come up with a gun, three loading devices, and a safe holster. After my first year I realized that semi-autos are fun but revolvers are more fun. Most of my revolvers at that point were single actions and my only DA was a 6 inch GP100 which was a no-go in IDPA, so I acquired a 625 and started gearing up for ESR. Shortly after I had the gun decently tuned up and all the gear to go with it IDPA decided revolvers might get dropped all together. I wasn’t very happy about that, but it led me to ICORE and USPSA. It took me a lot of time and money to get the gun sorted exactly how I like it and in the process I have plenty of gear directly related to that particular 6 shot 45. The prospect of not shooting in the sport it was acquired and set-up for was disappointing to say the least. I’ve since realized there are plenty of places to shoot a 625 style gun if IDPA drops REV in the future, not a big deal. The take home points for me are the following: 1) I could have shot my 6” GP100 right off the bat in ICORE classic had I known it existed (advertising might help a bit) 2) It sucks to spend a bunch of money on a gun that becomes obsolete in the sport you specifically purchased it for 3) The easier it is to show up and shoot what you already own, the more people you are likely to have at a match. Especially if they don't have to load their own ammo just to participate. I think ICORE is doing a great job by having divisions for the most common guns and gear, I wish someone would have pointed me in that direction when I started. If a L6 division were to be recognized I would suggest bumping the PF a little so guys who are buying factory ammo don't end up running a 170 PF gun against the lower PF hand loaders. You can run some really soft shooting loads at 155 PF, my IDPA loads are 255gr at around 625-650 fps and have minimal felt recoil. With that criteria L6 might attract more new shooters than it would steal from other divisions. The guys who already have a slicked up 8 shooter aren't likely going to shoot L6 unless their 8 shot is having problems. It also might provide a home for USPSA guys who don't want to buy an 8 shot and already have a well sorted 45. In our area the revolver guys either shoot one gun at every type of match (myself), or they have two or three specific to different games. I have thousands of 160 PF rounds already loaded and don't have an 8 shot gun, so L6 is essentially what I'm already shooting and I will continue to do so until I can afford an 8 shot.

I just became a member and haven't shot a major match yet, so I don't quite understand what you meant. I just want to get classified to see where I'm at compared to other people in the same division and thus track my progress moving forward. Edit: If you can set-up and shoot your own I would do that to get it done faster, not a big deal.

Thanks Doug, I sent a note to ffl.

Our local club only shoots 4 matches a year and I forgot to join before out last match, the other two got cancelled. Can I send my scores in to start counting if they were from before I had my #?

Are the Weigand blades the same product sold by Brownell's? They look awfully similar.

This one is going to be for my Dad so 38 is definitely the way to go, if I get the itch for one I might try 9mm down the road. How hard is it to just have 9 and 38 barrels fit? Unless I'm missing something I would assume everything else is the same aside from chamber dimensions.

Congrats on your first match! I couldn't agree more. When you can shoot the DA revolver well that race gun will start shooting itself. I've become better on all my other platforms after shooting nothing but REV division this year. Keep at it with the reloads, go only as fast as you can hit the A zone, and remember you only get 8 shots. I had a lot of clicks on my 7th trigger pull when I first switched over. As for the rear sight, if you can find one the Bowen units are the best out there. The Weigand and Brownell's factory style replacements are a good bet. As mentioned above the LP sights are another option, I haven't seen them in person but they look to be pretty nice.

Oh yeah, I just assumed you were using 357 cases.

I second the heavy bullet option, for me I can get bulk 180gr cast pretty cheap since I don't cast my own. If you're already casting 158gr by the bucket then just use the data available and get it up there. I am guessing you only looked at their lead data? You can use jacketed data if you keep the C.O.L in check and have the right lube to run at those velocities. Since you cast your own I'm also guessing you're familiar with the right sizing/lube/alloy?

that's the video I'm talking about. that kid is awesome. I just saw a video of him shooting open divison, that kid is a BOSS. Wouldn't be surprised to see his name on some big titles in the future.

Thanks for the advice on both fronts, I appreciate all of the help you guys have provided so far.

So I think it's been narrowed down to a CK Arms Thunder vs STI DVC Open, both in 38. I've handled the DVC and aside from a bit more flash and flare I'm betting you guys will likely give a nod to the CK? I was not impressed with the factory trigger on the DVC I handled, but compared to the Steel Master and Eagle sitting next to it it they were both much better. Maybe it just needed some break in?

Congrats on your match, I always like to see if I can out run them.

Semi auto was the way to go, I did the 2x8 reloading after 7 and ended up winning. The revolver would have been too slow.

If they did minor only scoring I think more people would be interested.

If the Revolver divisions keep getting altered in USPSA and IDPA everyone will eventually move to ICORE. I like how simple their rules amd divisions are, it lets everyone bring what they already own and start shooting. Just give it time for the changes they already made to settle.

We have HS6 on hand, I saw the Hodgdon data was pretty close to major at standard pressure. Shouldn't be hard to get a bit more velocity. I forgot about the straight vs. tapered case which makes a big difference. I'm thinking 38SC is going to be the winner.

Actually the 9mm is a higher pressure round than the .45 ACP. Yes, I know. I phrased that statement poorly, sorry if it was confusing to anyone. I meant that the gun is designed for a larger diameter cartridge, 45 ACP, which still has to contain 21-23K PSI operating pressure. So dropping a 9mm casing into the same dimensional envelope allows for much more hoop stress than would a native 9mm barrel, say from a CZ 75 which is still designed to handle 35k psi. In the end it doesn't matter as others have mentioned since modern manufacturing and materials have provided us with greater strength and safety margin than when most of these original guns were designed. Back to cool toys, I think SVI is going to be the way to go for a custom build down the road. The starter gun will be a used one from the classifieds here or one of the CK Arms guns, great suggestion on that strategy. I got a chance to fondle some STI DVCs and Steelmasters at my local shop and those were pretty cool too. I might put down my revo for a match if I get to play with this thing. As for powder there is an 2x4lb shipment of 3N38 on its way so that's good to go. After looking into the 9 vs 38 caliber choice it looks like 3N38 "should" have no trouble making major with a long c.o.l in 9mm. For those who have run both, if you can get the loading components you need what's the advantage to 38 over 9? Neither of us have dies and such for 38SC at the moment but acquiring them isn't an issue if 38SC really is the way to go.

I actually laughed at that since I've had a really hard time with the only parts I tried to get from S&W directly. If you like Ruger there are plenty of sources for factory take off parts. I've got a bag full of "factory only" GP100 parts. It's the same as trying to get a Ti cylinder for a 625/627. For me the big benefit to S&W guns is the aftermarket parts availability. Aside from SA Rugers the aftermarket is lacking.