J_Allen
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Posts posted by J_Allen
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I think you would want to keep extended cylinder releases in moons and open divisions, but maybe keep the speedloader division more stock. Note that I am just wishlisting here, and am specifically not advocating for further dividing up the revolver division. While I would personally like it, I don’t honestly believe it would increase participation.
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I started two years ago in USPSA, specifically shooting revolver. I definitely don’t have the experience that others (pretty much everybody) have on this forum.
I started shooting a 44 magnum I had, using speed loaders and 44 Russian hand loads. Within that first year I picked up a 625. Why I didn’t go 8 shot you ask? Well, I did know about this forum, but only just barely, and there were no other local revolver shooters to help me out. So that got me through the first year, but I was always the only revolver shooter at my local club. I tried to convince one other guy to shoot his wheel gun (as he had in the past), but I was most likely not enough competition for him. The state sectional that year did have another higher class shooter with 8 shot minor, but we weren’t in the same squad and I never met him.
So then started second year with same equipment (6 shot major), but switched over to production so I could compete with my friends. I picked up a 627 and had a load ready by the end of the year (thanks to some good advice on a starting point from the guy I bought it from), and did manage to shoot one sectional with it (not my own since I was shooting Production for that one). I did terribly, but wasn’t surprised since I really need to dryfire (but don’t). However, there were a few other revolver shooters, and even though I wasn’t squaded with any of them, it was a lot more fun to do the data analysis on PractiScore after the match.
So now this year I think I am going to try Limited, with the intent of going back to Revolver next year. But, if there were more competition, I would gladly roll back to Revolver in a heartbeat. I am signed up for one bigger level 3 match, just for fun. If there are a couple of Revolver shooters that end up competing, I would be so tempted to switch divisions, even if I am the sacrificial lamb (someone has to get last).
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Well, if he puts money into his current gun to make it better and more practical for him and keeps using it, then I would agree that it is money well spent.
However, if he is putting money into his current gun just to be able to play the game, and that money could go towards a separate gun, then I would consider it a waste. This is exactly what I did, and regret it.
The cost of specialty 44 moon clips and getting a cylinder cut would really add up fast, compared to say a 625 and stamped clips. Wouldn’t exactly need TK moonclips for 45 acp. And then if USPSA is the game, he’s going to want to go 8 shot anyway, so better to save up for a 929/627.
If you are putting money into a gun (any gun) for no other purpose than to compete, then it is typically better to put those dollars to use by going with the gun already designed to work (rather than retrofitting something that wasn’t specifically designed for that purpose). Same argument could be said about building up an open Glock, rather than buying a used open gun on the forum (yeah, I’ve made that mistake as well!).
I’m not trying to dissuade anyone from trying out Rev division with what they have... it’s just that I have made the mistake of slowly bleeding money into a gun, only later to realize that I should have waited and not spent a dime until I knew I wanted to commit. Still play, just don’t put money into a platform that isn’t designed for it. We would all agree that a Scandium framed 6 shot 44 magnum isn’t exactly designed for action pistol games, so it really comes down to what the OP wants to get out of his current gun.
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Run the 329 as you have it until you have saved up for a proper competition rig (depending on what you end up in - IDPA, USPSA, ICORE). My advice is not to sink any money into your current gun though. You’re going to end up getting a new gun anyway, so don’t waste the money on getting the cylinder cut, etc. Trust me, I speak from personal experience.
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I know I’m really late to the party here. For USPSA I chose a 627 and with 38 short colt. A 929 would be essentially interchangeable (just get the right moon clips). I haven’t done steel challenge, but have heard a TRR8/R8 could be better due to no double “taps” and faster transitions.
However, the TRR8 and R8 are not interchangeable. Aside from the fixed vs removable rail, it is important to note the barrel rifling it different.
TRR8 = land & groove (lead is ok)
R8 = EDM (lead is a no go?)
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Funny, I was thinking the same thing the other day. I ran a Glock in production for the second half of this last year, and am trying to transition to a 2011 platform for limited next year. For some reason I think I like the Glock better. It could just be familiarity with the platform, or maybe I am adverse to thumb safeties.
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Dawson red for me as well. A couple of the above responses do have me curious to try some different colors though. I have defaulted to red, as that’s just what I have always used. Maybe it’s time to branch out a bit.
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I had to drill a hole in my Nerd pistol coffin to match the blade tech pattern (it was originally on invictus hanger). Now it works great with the boss, and the inner kydex rests on the boss hanger where it extends out a bit mid way down (this was an original attachment point for the invictus hanger), which adds a little more passive support. Ultimately, I ended up cutting off the top of the kydex where it protects the rear sight (using for uspsa rather than 3 gun). After all the modifications I really am digging this combo, but am left wondering if I should have just gotten a cheaper holster to begin with. Unfortunately, not too many 6 inch options out there.
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I just started loading 38 short colt - used 38/357 sizing die, and 9mm for everything else. I personally like the Mr. Bullletfeeder expander over the Dillon for your powder die in the 650. Bayou 160 gr RN and Titegroup so far. Having a chronograph is invaluable for working up loads because you’ll be outside SAAMI specs, even for minor power factor.
Agree TK moonclips are good, but I have found them very stiff. Another option is Revolver Supply (which has different sizes). One thing to note is that rimmed cartridges will differ in groove diameter, so you need to match up your moonclips to whatever brand of brass you are using.
On the topic of moonclips, you will also need tools for loading/unloading. I really like the BMT mooner, as long as the brass isn’t too tightly fit into the moonclips. I also carry a Revolver Supply pocket moon clip loader and tubular unloader.
Good luck (as well)!
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Ha ha! You got me there. The denominator isn’t exactly that large!
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6 hours ago, RJH said:
I like revolvers, but the only thing that is gonna bring in revolver shooters to USPSA is to give out big cash awards, to only revolver, at all matches. That is right you would need to pay people to shoot revolver
I respectively disagree. If optic sight revolver was it’s own division, then more people would shoot revolver. I’m not claiming it’s the next PCC or anything, but people would play for sure. Maybe it’s the same people that are shooting OSR in steel challenge, or others shooting in ICORE (i.e. already hard core revolver shooters). But if it was a division, then there would be a place for those guns to run (more practically speaking than in open division). There would be past revolver shooters that may have migrated to other divisions, or perhaps a newer shooter with a TRR8/R8. Regardless, I bet participation would increase. Of course, all of the predictions above also probably reflect the demise of the regular revolver division.
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Week #5:
I’m getting a dry fire routine set up. Got Stoeger’s dry fire book, and already had Anderson’s book as well. So between those two, I hopefully should be good for the next year. I hit my goal for the year, and that was C class. Granted, it was in Production and not Revolver, so maybe doesn’t fit well into this diary entry. I have too many interests and not the time to pursue them all. Anyway, I am looking at only a few matches left this year (live in a cold climate), so as I start thinking about goals for next year (which would be my third):
Year 1 - D class, Revolver
Year 2 - C class, Production
Year 3 - A class, Limited
Yes, for a goal I skipped right past B class. Is this realistic? I don’t know right now. In all honesty, B class is a long way off for me. However, I haven’t really done a consistent dry fire program, so I know there are gains to be had. Anyway, I think I’ll let this diary die a quick death right now, but may resurrect it in the future as I gravitate back to the wheel gun. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read these entries. Hopefully I can get better at general skills that will cross over between the divisions.
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I don’t think allowing revolvers into CO would change a thing. So revolvers can use dots in Open, but not Carry Optics - but does it really matter? I don’t think a revolver would be competitive in either division, so if you wanted to run a dot, then it would be because you wanted to with the expectation of just playing for fun. I’m not saying I wouldn’t do it - it actually sounds like a blast. But I would know that I’m going to get a beat down, regardless of division. Now I am what you would call a pretty poor yardstick. But would an upper tier Revolver shooter really get a lot of satisfaction by beating up on C and D class shooters in CO? I can't imagine any scenario where they would be competitive with someone of equal skill. Now, if CO had kept 10 round capacity and revolvers were allowed, then it may present more of a challenge. As it stands, we can currently run an optic in Open, and deal with major power factor, 170mm mags, etc. just for the fun of it. Therefore, the only way to put an optic on a revolver AND be competitive while doing it, would be to make it a stand alone division. And I would play that game.
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Week #4:
Got my 38 short colt load dialed in. Made it to the range once, but was mostly working with the chronograph, rather than on any particular skills. At least now that’s done, so can move on to other stuff. I know this is a boring diary right now, but it’s serving the purpose of keeping me on task. I have about a month before my last match of the year (level 2 out of state), so I could work specifically on reloads, and if I can get comfortable with them, I think I’ll run in the revolver division, rather than production. However, at my weekly match this week, and possibly another level 2 in a couple weeks, I’ll probably still run the auto just for fun. Then I’ll start getting serious!
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Week #3:
Not getting frustrated with revolver, rather getting frustrated by myself and lack of time to put in. I did get one day of draws in last week, but pretty minimal. I spent most of my free time reorganizing my reloading room, and I do finally have my press set up for 38 short colt. I had been waiting on a 9mm crimp die, which finally came in. So next I have to work up some loads, but luckily this should be pretty quick since I already have some good advice from the previous owner in terms of what made power factor. The argument I have floating around in my head is whether I have enough time in the next month to get my load figured out and adjust to a new rig. That is why I am thinking of finishing up this season with my bottom loader, and then dedicating next season (along with off season training) to my 627. Since I am still in D class, the jump from 6 shot to 8 shot should help, as well as fall/winter/spring dry fire practice. End of summer is getting busy with kids activities, etc (can’t believe it is going so fast)!
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I have a Glock that I had to do minor fitting. After watching the video, it was really easy. I didn’t have to break out the dremel or anything, just a little sandpaper to file down the edge corresponding to the inside of the trigger guard. I know it might be a little intimidating at first, but if you go slow it will be ok. In regards to one of the previous posts talking about having modification rendering the holster unsafe - this would be modifications to other parts of the holster (the area where the lock engages for instance). As long as you are sticking to the trigger guard area, and the lock engages fine, then the holster will be completely safe (even if the gun wiggles a little). If you take a little too much off and are unhappy with the fit, you can always give them a call and can order a replacement locking block (it’s less than $20).
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Week #2:
A little disappointing. Had one day of draws/reloads, and a couple of days monkeying around Getting my press ready for 38 short colt. Otherwise pretty quiet. Am thinking of finishing up the season with the semi, and switching focus back to revolver sometime in the fall.
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Week #1:
Didn’t get much time in this week. Spent about 30 min/day x 5 days working on USPSA activities, but 3 of those were related to organization/reloading. Of the two days I dry fired, I was mostly working on general skills. Steve Anderson’s dry fire drills 1-14 and draw/index. Also learning to use my par timer. So not much progress, but we’ll keep at it. In the meantime, I’m trying to decide where to concentrate the rest of the summer: Revolver vs Production vs Limited. I like the revolvers the best, but still accumulating gear for reloading 38 short colt, and by the time I work up a good load I don’t know how much trigger time I will have before my two level 2 matches. I have one more classifier and I should hit C-class in Production, so that’s the agenda this week.
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Interesting, I’ll give it a shot. Thanks for the tip.
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How are you closing the cylinder of your weak hand is already on the grip? Just curious, as I have found weak hand reloading works for me, and am trying to figure out possible nuances to practice. As an aside, I would have defaulted to strong hand loading off the table, even though I am running with a weak hand reload during the stage. I really should practice weak hand off a table, but just didn’t think of it before.
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Thanks for the follow up. I did just go to the dark side (8 shooter), so we’ll see how much of a difference it makes.
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So I just had an epiphany.
I started using the PractiScore Competitor app (note: this is not the similarly named PractiScore app) for my phone to look up results - this app is awesome. It really lets you compare results to see what stages you are dropping points on, and whether it was due to speed or a accuracy. I love it!
So why the epiphany? Really, my only complaint with the revolver division is the lack of competition locally. I started shooting my Glock in production just to have a level platform to go against some of my friends. The beauty of the PractiScore Competitor app is that not only can I compare my production results with my other friends shooting production, but there is also a function to combine divisions, so I can include buddies shooting limited. So I know we’re not “suppose” to compare across divisions due to different equipment, etc, but I like to know where I stand regardless.
Then it hit me - if I have a production legal holster for my revolver, then my entire revolver set-up IS production legal. I CAN directly compare my results with theirs, AND at the same time, I do NOT have to register as a Production shooter. The app can combine the Revolver and Production results only. That way USPSA can see there are still revolver shooters out there, I can shoot the gear I want to, and I get the competitive feedback I crave.
So the only downside is that I have to trade off the benefits of a race holster for a kydex holster. It has to be production legal, without opening below the halfway point of the cylinder. Well, I found one that fit the bill, and realized I actually like it better than the old style Racemaster I was using. Now, the caveat is that I feel it’s because I am more comfortable really being aggressive now with the draw from the kydex, whereas I was a bit more timid with the race holster. With enough practice, I’m sure this would not be the case, so I am probably unnecessarily handicapping myself with respect to draw speed - but at my level these fractions of a second don’t matter. Maybe I’ll change my mind in the future, but for now I’ll be representing revolver division, while still competing with my friends. WIN-WIN!
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Thanks for the early encouragement!
In order to make this revolver specific, I thought I’d add one more post regarding how my reloading technique has progressed already.
When I started, I was inspired (and in awe of) YouTube videos of Jerry doing his strong hand reload (switch revolver to weak hand with strong hand handling the moon clip). I had read that if you set the revolver on a table and just pick it up to load, then whichever hand picked up the moon clip should dictate your technique. Since at a static range I would always transfer hands off the table, I decided this was the way for me. Despite practicing it (but probably not THAT much), I was always fumbling the rounds into the cylinder. This was perhaps because the cylinder was pointed slightly away from me, which I could remedy by twisting my left wrist towards me. Nevertheless, this year I switched to weak hand reloads (keeping strong hand anchored on grip, and using my weak/left hand to handle moon clip). This was a much more fluid process (for me) and allowed more muzzle control, especially back on target after closing the cylinder without adjusting the shooting grip.
Now obviously, everybody is different, and will gravitate towards their own personal reloading technique. For me, it just happens to be weak hand, so that is what I will continue to practice. But additionally, I intend to practice strong hand a little too, just to have it in my quiver.
Jason
LESSON LEARNED: Try a bunch of different techniques to see what works for you.
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First off, the only point of this thread is that I thought is would be fun to chronicle my journey in USPSA revolver division. Maybe add weekly updates in terms of things learned, or skills practiced. It might not be a great read for a while, but perhaps if I can keep on task, then in a year or two it might contain some pearls of wisdom in a somewhat natural progression that another new revolver shooter can use.
Background: This is my second year of USPSA, and I am a D class shooter, 33%. This basically means I’m at the bottom of the totem pole, and there is nowhere to go but up. I’ve been running a S&W 625 shooting major power factor. However, I recently picked up a race ready S&W 627 on the classifieds. I think this will help with the longer field courses, but honestly probably wouldn’t have helped with my classifiers (obviously depends on the specific classifier, and we’ll test that theory in the next couple of weeks).
My first year was devoted to going slow, and getting comfortable. I have been experimenting this year with pushing the pace (still slow, but at the razor’s edge of my own personal comfort level). The main thing I have learned this second year is to shoot comfortably, but do everything else at warp speed. In other words, RUN between arrays!
Brian’s book was a good read, but some of that stuff went over my head. I understand the theory of why you should call your shots, but I’m not at a level yet where I could start doing it. I think of all the possible skills, this is the one I am most excited to be eventually learn.
Finally, I am not going to improve until I have a dry fire routine - this is critical in moving up the ranks, and it’s starting now.
Thanks for any words of encouragement, I hope this goes well!
Jason
EDIT: I originally posted this in the revolver forum, and funny enough, discovered the range diary 15 min after opening this thread. I’ll have the mods move it.
Can we find a way to save USPSA Revo?
in Revolver Forum
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I think these last two posts might hold the answer to more participation - getting the word out to others already in the game that have the equipment, but for some reason have drifted into another division (rather than trying to recruit new shooters). I would definitely sign up for revolver if I knew there was more competition, but it is hard being one of the first, not knowing if anyone else will sign up or not.