Double Action

Back to the original question, just buy another Ruger. The guns are so much more reasonably priced than Smiths to start with, that it is not really cost-effective to buy a new barrel. Keep the 3 incher (I love mine, too), and pick up a 4 or 6 incher to use at matches. That way, you can still compete in the snubby division if you want. For real style points, keep your eyes open for one of the 5 inch guns that come up for sale occasionally. It's not that Ruger doesn't want their guns used in competition, it's just that they aren't willing to take the liability risk of putting a competition gun out in public. That may change with Michael Fifer at the helm, anyway. I was fortunate enough to have dinner with him at the range the other night, and he certainly seemed receptive to my request for a .38 super, 9 or .40 cal moon gun. It really isn't fair to say that you won't buy a Ruger because of its position on the AWB, when Smith signed off on Clinton's "deal," and Ruger didn't. That was a long time ago, and BOTH companies are under different leadership. I've been using my Rugers in ICORE and USPSA pretty regularly for a while now, and even managed to make B class with speedloaders and minor PF. They are cheap enough that my boys and I can all have one plus a backup, whereas my 627 required a second mortgage before I started even thinking about the action, and my 625 from the "Performance Center" still won't shoot worth a damn. My sons' triggers are WELL under 10 lbs, and there has never been a grip invented that can compete with a GP100 for comfort. For just over 5 bills, you can get a new Ruger AND have the cylinder cut for moon clips. When/if the 686 SSR ever makes it to market in any numbers, the price is going to be more than that, and it's still going to just have a 4" barrel. There just isn't much of an economically sound reason to rebarrel a GP100. If you're finished with your 3 incher, there are plenty of folks that will buy it from you. Then, to the money you were going to spend on a new barrel and installation, you can add the sales price and buy a new one and have the cylinder machined.

I believe I will be there, although I'm not sure about Chris. Not to hijack the thread too much, but did you hear that Gil crashed his motorcycle Sunday and has not yet regained consciousness? He is at OU Medical Center.

Congratulations, Obi Wan (I mean Ken!) Chris and I have really missed shooting with you this Spring. Good job!!

My son started shooting USPSA and ICORE when he was 10 or 11. He uses a 4" GP100 shooting .38 spl. Since I shoot the same loads, we make certain they make minor pf. In fact, he got upset when I first started him on sub-minor loads. The truth is that in a nice, heavy gun like an L frame or a GP, minor pf is very manageable for a young boy. I haven't cut his gun for moon clips because he can reload with his Comp IIIs almost as fast as I can reload my 627 with moon clips. Of course, he isn't Bubber-fast yet, but he honestly is getting there. Lots of practice can overcome most of the moonclip advantage for a kid. Must be video game practice? While he could shoot my 6" GP, he still prefers the 4" with the small factory grips. Last night, at the local USPSA match, he darn near shot a clean match. Good luck to you and your son, and I hope to see you in Tontitown sometime.

Good luck to everyone. I'm going to have to miss the match this year, as the Army has been keeping me a little busy. I hope to see some of you at the OK Rev sectional next weekend, though.

Make sure and bring Sidney. Chris and I enjoyed meeting and shooting with you both. You've got a nice girl there.

Regarding moon clips, I just shot my 627 for its first match this past weekend. I used Ranch Products moon clips ($75 for 100 clips). When I was testing various loads with range brass, I found that not every combination would work. However, using all Starline or Remington brass works flawlessly. PMC doesn't seem to work at all. Winchester brass also doesn't work so well. With my 625s, I never sorted brass, and they all worked just fine. The 627 seems much pickier, but with Starline, i haven't had any issues.

At this point, the photo is probably necessary. My son was asking his mother something about strippers and folded dollars after we got home. She might understand better with Waltermitty's smiling example! Pin Shooter -- It was a real pleasure meeting and shooting with you. This was a great match, and it seemed like there were even more folks this year than last. My son had a terrific time, and told me that shooters seem nicer than most other people. I think he's right.

I made the little trip over there from OK last year, and it was well worth it. Great stages on a nice range, with good folks to boot.

That is just about the same load I use. It easily makes minor in USPSA and works well for ICORE, too, from my son's 4" and my 6".

My son uses a GP100, and I shot 6-8 matches last season with one as well. We use Comp III loaders, with the loader base trimmed down so that it just covers the rim of the cartridge plus a mm or 2. My son uses his right hand on the loaders, and I use my left. Which do you use? I have found that the Comp loaders are more than twice as fast as the hks loaders. Keep the gun high, and "look" the loader all the way to the cylinder. If you will hold the loader with your middle finger touching the top of two rounds, you should be able to line it up with the cylinder pretty easily. Add a little chamfer to the charge holes and it is even easier.

The wife just suggested I leave that weekend, so my entry for two will go out tomorrow!! Looking forward to another fun match.

I'm very hopeful that my son and I can make it. Last year's match was VERY good. The Luttrels do amazing things with the indoor venue. The Mexican food down the street was pretty good, as I recall. My wife has big plans for that weekend, but she is already upset with me, so maybe I should make a break for it!

If you look it up in the dictionary, you will find a picture of Waltermitty!! I've learned that I can show up for a match with NOTHING, and his trunk will contain everything I need to shoot, including a belt for my son, something to sit on, a cool drink, and some light reading material. Now, if he could just fit a full-figured brunette in there, I'd finally be happy. On topic, I always load my moonclips with the sharp angle against the cylinder. When they become too crusty to tell which side is which, I throw them in the tumbler.

Somewhere, there is a video of Bubber executing that reload. However, it is of no help, because all you see is him shooting. The reload is so fast that ABC's "Super Slo-Mo" failed to capture any individual movements. Seriously, Bubber's method can be very fast. I use that same technique, and while not as fast as he is, it seems faster than switching hands.

C'mon!! I've heard you say that to a young "lady." Who are you trying to kid? Nice pair there, Hog Sniper!!

When my son started competing this year, I gave him a 4" GP100 and some Comp IIIs. It got to be a real pain switching the loader around to load his .38s and my .45s, so I started shooting with a 6" GP. With some minor adjustments to springs and trigger parts, I find these guns to be very shootable. It has been a real pleasure shooting minor loads for awhile, and my scores have been improving. I find the push-button cylinder release to be faster than the Smith, and the factory large grip is the best on the market for my hand. The factory small grip fits my son very well, too. Ruger has not shown much interest in USPSA or ICORE, but with new blood at the helm, they may. It would be nice to see a Redhawk in .45 acp, but because of the dual springs and grips, I'd rather have a Super Redhawk in .45 acp.

I'm shocked that Waltermitty and I did not make the Sands odds list. I won't pretend I'm not disappointed, as even mini DA has faith in me. Seriously, good luck to us all. It looks like a fun match from the stage diagrams.

Mini DA and I jumped on Squad 9 this morning. Looking forward to a great match!!

He'll love that! I got permission from his mom to get "Mini-DA" out of school for this one. We'll definitely be there.

Waltermitty and I took pliers to ours, and bent the clip around the belt. It is REALLY tough to do, but those babies aren't going anywhere. I don't have to worry about the velcro pulling away, either.

I think Chris and I can make this one, too!! Looks like a great match.

To make power factor in IDPA, I use 4.5gr of Tightgroup with a 158gr CMJ round nose bullet. That is for a 4" barrel S&W 66 but it gets me consistent 130PF Regards, That same load makes 126PF from my son's 4" GP100. It's a pretty mild load, but has been plenty accurate.

This match kind of spoiled me by having so many other wheelgunners to shoot with and learn from. The stages were such that there were usually multiple ways for a 6-shooter to solve the problems, and it was instructive to watch some of our sport's best shoot them. Ditto on Stephanie being a superb shooter. Her husband is no slouch, either! The best part is that both are really nice people, too. They are always willing to help or encourage other folks. They also put on some damn fine matches of their own. It was a real pleasure to meet and shoot with all of you other folks, and I learned more about revolver shooting at this match than any other I've been to. Thanks to the shooters and the organizers, as well as the cadre of folks working the stages.

Almost as tight as a 200 grain bullet over a steel plate? What a great match!! I really enjoyed shooting with two whole squads of realgunners. It was also a treat to watch Sweet Tea put damn near every round in the A zone on the 25 yard standard stage. I'm sure that the reason I didn't beat the B's, A's and Masters is that I was just in awe of all that talent! Thanks, guys, for making this a really fun road trip and a great match.