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Alaskan454

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Posts posted by Alaskan454

    Strategies for increasing double tap accuracy and speed?

    in Revolver Forum

    Posted

    I concur with the two aimed shots approach, and I've tried both.

     

    As an example, I shot an IDPA match yesterday as a season warm up.  Stages where I purposefully aimed each shot were 1 point down, and usually about as fast as the stage winning semi auto. Those where I pushed the speed were 2-5 points down.  Raw times were fine, but lots of those hits were 1-2" outside of the down 0.  Not worth the marginal increase in split time.  If you do the math, your penalty is worth about 10x your savings in split time for IDPA or ICORE.  Obviously that varies based upon the shooter, but gives a reference value.  I'm assuming you can hit a well aimed shot with .30 splits, and get loose with shot placement with .20 splits.

     

    What works for me is to take a 10" plate and start at about 30 yards.  Draw and fire two shots at the plate, only go as fast as you think you can guarantee a hit.  When you can empty a cylinder without missing.  Bring the plate up 5 yards.  Repeat this until you are shooting at 10 yards.  By the time you get to the 10 yard line,  I'd bet your splits will be much faster than you expected.  After you successfully complete the 10 yard drill, move it back to 30 and start over.  This will teach you trigger discipline at various distances and is easy to quantify where your skills need improving.

    I am not sure i am this dumb yet....

    in Revolver Forum

    Posted

    I think you will be best off if you ditch the idea that CCIs will ever go in a DA revolver.  You are going to add close to 2# of trigger weight in some cases to ensure 100% reliability.  This depends on many variables from your loading practices to firing pin, cylinder fitment, and temperature. 

     

    I have gone down that path before and you still get the occasional light strike even with an overly heavy trigger pull.  Buy winchesters which are readily available at all times and go from there. 

     

    Now, if we're talking single action revolvers CCI is my first choice.  They have the best ignition over a wide temperature range.  I use them in all of my big bore single actions. 

    Why revolvers?

    in Revolver Forum

    Posted · Edited by Alaskan454

    I generally prefer round guns to those with slides.  If you could suppress a 15 round .45 revolver I'd likely have no use for semi autos at all.

     

    In fact, SA revolvers are my favorite.  I got into DA revolvers mostly by accident when I decided to try run and gun stuff. 

     

    If we had some crazy combination of USPSA, Steel Challenge, and ICORE that required single actions, that would be fun.   You would likely need to do speed courses with 12-18 rounds though.  Nobody wants to stand and  reload a SA on the clock.  But three wheel guns on the belt would be pretty badass!

    Squibs

    in Revolver Forum

    Posted · Edited by Alaskan454

    It is very possible for a primer to go off and not immediately burn the powder.  Though it is more likely to happen with large cases and slow powders versus small cases with a fast powder.  Cold weather will also increase the probability of this occuring.

     

    In big bore magnums one of the most dangerous things that can happen is called a hang fire.  Primer gets struck, round does not fire, then a few seconds later the cartridge goes off.  Imagine holding onto a 500 Linebaugh and you think it's a dud, then out of nowhere your revolver launches a 525gr slug.  That's not good.

     

    I've never had a hang fire myself, but have had dud rounds in very cold weather.  I now use CCI 350s in those types of guns to make sure it goes off every time.  They are less temperature sensitive than other brands.

    Can we find a way to save USPSA Revo?

    in Revolver Forum

    Posted · Edited by Alaskan454

    10 pages later, and I think we're still on the same conclusions.

     

    1. Don't change the equipmemt rules.  

     

    2. Consider revising the minimum number of competitors to recognize a division win.  I'd say 5 is reasonable for the division winner to be recognized.  I've been in tight races with only 3-4 Revos at a match.  It all depends on how good the other shooters are.

    329pd (aluminum 44mag) for competition?

    in Revolver Forum

    Posted

    I would respectfully disagree about spending money on the current gun.  Yes, he will likely end up buying another one.  But having moonclips on a defensive revolver is much preferred.  Also, learning to shoot your packing revolver in unpredictable ways can help illustrate your weaknesses. 

     

    I've shot every packing pistol I have with full power loads in at least one match.  The most obvious lesson for me was that moonclips are king.  You can't possibly beat the reload time with speedloaders.  Especially when you are talking compact revolvers.

    329pd (aluminum 44mag) for competition?

    in Revolver Forum

    Posted · Edited by Alaskan454

    If you pack your 329 I'd suggest getting it  cut for moonclips. That will benefit you on match day and also in the woods.  Moonclip reloads are much preferred.  My first DA was a 329 so i'm familiar with their appeal.  The 329 has since been replaced with a moonclipped .45 Redhawk.

     

     A 329 is not the most competitive gun out there due to the light weight, but is really no disadvantage if you're shooting ICORE L6 or IDPA.  If you branch out into other disciplines I'd recommend a 627 or 929.  You will be happier in the long run.

    Distance For Grouping Accuracy

    in Revolver Forum

    Posted

    I zero my handguns at 25 yards and test for accuracy at 50 or 100 yards depending on the use.  Some bullets/loads will shoot well at close range but not farther out.  Just use whatever your maximum expected distance is when you compare between them.

    Can we find a way to save USPSA Revo?

    in Revolver Forum

    Posted

    3 hours ago, RJH said:

     

    To increase participation, the revo match needs to be on the local level, see my post a little bit back.  Just hosting big matches will not really drive up the overall shooters in revolver.  Correct me if i am wrong,  but weren't  the  stand alone revo nats the biggest the first year or two and then dwindled?  Maybe i remembering it wrong, but that is what i am thinking

    I agree with your point as well.  I started an ICORE club at my range and we decided to couple it with USPSA.  Setup is Saturday morning, ICORE starts around noon.  Sunday morning we adjust the stages and run a USPSA match.  I think it will work very well.  

    Can we find a way to save USPSA Revo?

    in Revolver Forum

    Posted

    16 hours ago, MWP said:

    All we are getting with 8 major or dots is what we have now- the same scoring for everyone. All we would be doing by adding major to the current round count is ostracizing the people who went out and spent a lot of money on 929s. ICORE is still mostly populated by guns with iron sights, there can’t be that much of a draw to them. 

     

    Going to 8 round guns made the division more appealing. Having a new gun be released that used a common caliber made the division more appealing. Having a stand-alone nationals, the day after the largest, like minded (lo-cap) shooters, made a difference. 

     

    I get questions all the time from new revolver shooters about gear and technique and different matches. I don’t think the answer to making the division more interesting is to require more money be thrown at the equipment, but to be thrown at the game itself. 

     

    Host bigger revolver matches. Stand alone nationals worked because lots of people who were already counting to 8 were there. The IRC works because it is the big revolver match. Western States works because it’s warm in Phoenix and there’s a lot of things to do besides shoot (and you can shoot 2 guns.) Matches like PSA work because they’re fun and the format is easy. Give people an incentive to travel to these matches. USPSA revolver isn’t very easy, in fact it’s probably the hardest; Why do we who like a challenge just assume everyone else does too? 

    I agree with all of this.  Especially the last portion.  Shooters I know will not bring a round gun out unless it's a "revolver match". I do think grouping Single Stack and Revo into a common match works.  Just force autos to shoot one day and revolvers the next.

    Can we find a way to save USPSA Revo?

    in Revolver Forum

    Posted

    6 hours ago, mchapman said:

    A recent good example of that just happened at the Western States Revo Match, using round numbers 50 wheelguns, out of those 5 Optic shooters, so 10%. I don't know that it would change a lot in other areas because that area in particular has a rather large contingent of ICORE and SASS shooters as well as USPSA Revo guys. I would have expected more Open wheel guns to come and play.

    I just checked out the scores and they did surprise me a bit.  One chose to shoot Major, only four Open Minor.

    Can we find a way to save USPSA Revo?

    in Revolver Forum

    Posted

    It's a complicated problem with many variables.

     

    In my personal experience I have seen ICORE shooters who simply prefer to shoot a semi auto at USPSA matches.  They will shoot ICORE, IDPA, or Steel Challenge with a revo, but do not view USPSA as their "revo match".  One example is hard core Cowboy shooters who love their single action revolvers (and own several pairs of them), but still shoot a Glock or 1911 when they come out to other matches.  You really can't control personal preference. 

     

    One way to approach that angle is provide them with your gear and let them try it during a practice session or after the regular match is over.  At least one shooter I met completely converted to revolvers after trying a 627 worked over by BossHoss.  He was primarily a Limited shooter before that point.  I actually remember one Open shooter who was surprisingly good with my 929 from the first moonclip fired.  One day I hope he'll give it a try.

     

    Another factor is balancing our existing shooters versus potentially new shooters.  If you make the division more expensive to try, you are hedging more bets on increasing new participation and hoping existing shooters already own an optic for their 627/929.  Many shooters have asked me what it costs to get set-up with an iron sight 929 and full rig.  They will then usually say I'm better off spending that money on "insert other division here".  Usually that division is PCC, Limited, or Production. 

     

    Now if we add optics to the equation and fix everything else you add another $200+ for every person getting started.  Some will spend up to $500 for better optics.  Now, those of us that have been doing this for a few years will say that $200 is a single LII/LIII match fee in some cases.  Those who only shoot club level will view that as an entire year's budget for match fees plus many boxes of 9mm ammo.  Further illustrating the differences in perspective, I just had to Google what 9mm ammo costs because I haven't bought it in so long.  It was surprisingly cheap.  I saw one place selling Federal bulk for $0.14 per round.  

     

    For me personally, I finally got a second 929 and have dedicated revolvers with irons and optics.  So I wouldn't be super upset if we forced optics into the equation.  I would however be kind of annoyed if they coupled that with Major PF.  I don't think my 929 is going to safely make Major without a good bit of R&D.  I'd likely end up needing to buy another dedicated USPSA revolver in 357 along with new moonclips, loading tool, and brass.  Given the prevalence of 929s right now, many would be in a similar position.  The other option is to have a custom cylinder made in 38 super and fit it to my 929.  That way I could use the same bullets and moonclips I'm currently using and save a good bit of time and money.  To be honest, I would keep it 6/Major and 8/Minor unless there is overwhelming evidence that people want to move towards Major PF.  8 Major has no appeal to me personally.

     

    One idea which I've heard before is to allow dots and everyone still shoots minor.  The catch would be that iron sight guns get scored as major.  With our game I don't actually know if that would entice anyone to give Revo a try, but it's an interesting idea.  

     

    Lastly, no matter what ideas and suggestions get thrown around, they should be tested before changing Revolver Division rules.  One option here would be to have a standalone Revolver Nationals, or large LII/LIII match where you have Open Revolver offered as a category to test the proposed rule changes.  This would be the only solution I see to find out if other shooters would come out to play.  You might be surprised how few, or also how many people opt for the Open Revolver division.

     

     

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