S&W 627

[Art Yeo]

The rule book for IDPA says the max number of rounds allowed is 6 for either ESR or SSR.

This makes the S&W 627 quite a pain when reloading the cylinders during a course of fire.

Does this mean the 627 is not particularly suitable for IDPA's ESR or SSR?

The obvious would be to check if the cylinder is correctly rotated before it is locked but that would penalize me with some time.

Am I thinking this correctly?

[seanc]

The rule book for IDPA says the max number of rounds allowed is 6 for either ESR or SSR.

This makes the S&W 627 quite a pain when reloading the cylinders during a course of fire.

Does this mean the 627 is not particularly suitable for IDPA's ESR or SSR?

The obvious would be to check if the cylinder is correctly rotated before it is locked but that would penalize me with some time.

Am I thinking this correctly?

Trying to run a 7 or 8 shot revolver in idpa is futility.

[Steve Koski]

Agreed. It doesn't work very well.

[M1911]

If you want to shoot a revolver in IDPA, get a six shot revolver.

[MTSCMike]

Darn....you'll have to buy another gun don't you just hate it when that happens

[Art Yeo]

That's a fairly good excuse, isn't it?

Edited August 23, 2012 by Art Yeo

[MTSCMike]

It was all the excuse I needed

[Bones]

Try ICORE or USPSA with your 627. You can run it in any of 3 Divisions in either, though Limited is probably best in ICORE and Production in USPSA. You'll get to shoot more with many fewer restrictions on reloading and ammunition type in both sports relative to IDPA.

IDPA is a 6 shot revolver game in the current rule structure.

Craig

[Art Yeo]

Thanks, I'll look into ICORE and USPSA ... but, but, but ... then, I won't need to get another gun ... shucks!

Seriously, there aren't any ICORE clubs here in WA state.

I think there are a couple of USPSA monthly matches nearby.

Upon looking at the rules for the Revolvers Division, it says:

Rule #9 ---

Maximum ammunition capacity:

No, maximum of 6 rounds fired before reload

That looked to me like IDPA. Do they have the same rules for Production?

Edited August 27, 2012 by Art Yeo

[JohnRodriguez]

the sad thing is that the conceled market for the revo market is geared towards the 7 shot medium frame revo's and im my case a 8 shot 327 S&W with a 2" barrel and IDPA says you can't use it in their revo division. these are some the most sold firearms used for conceled carry and IDPA just ignores it.

[M1911]

the sad thing is that the conceled market for the revo market is geared towards the 7 shot medium frame revo's and im my case a 8 shot 327 S&W with a 2" barrel and IDPA says you can't use it in their revo division. these are some the most sold firearms used for conceled carry and IDPA just ignores it.

I disagree. The vast majority of revolvers used for concealed carry are J-frames. Of the few folks who carry medium frame revolvers, far more are 6-shot than 7.

[Bones]

Thanks, I'll look into ICORE and USPSA ... but, but, but ... then, I won't need to get another gun ... shucks!

Seriously, there aren't any ICORE clubs here in WA state.

I think there are a couple of USPSA monthly matches nearby.

Upon looking at the rules for the Revolvers Division, it says:

Rule #9 ---

Maximum ammunition capacity:

No, maximum of 6 rounds fired before reload

That looked to me like IDPA. Do they have the same rules for Production?

You are correct. You do not want to fire that 7th round if you are competing in USPSA Revolver - you will get bumped to Open. At least USPSA allows you to load the 7th and 8th round though - not as challenging as IDPA SSR or ESR with a 7 or 8 rd gun, but close.

Seriously, you can, however, shoot Production, Limited 10, Limited or Open with your 627 in USPSA without needing to count rounds. Production is the best fit because it is scored minor (you would probably shoot 38 Specials), so you only have to deal with the 10/11 rd vs. 8 rd challenge - you can be reasonably competitive. It will probably cost you 1 or 2 additional reloads on most stages. Get squadded with some single stack competitors shooting Major (limited to 8 rd magazines)- it will help you learn to break down stages faster than trying to figure it out on your own.

Limited and Limited 10 will require you to compete with major scoring shooting minor and an 8 round gun vs. 10 or 20+. It can be done, but not by the faint of heart. In Open you get all these challenges as well as competing with optics and porting - truly for those in dire need of extreme humility.

You know, your area in WA is just one motivated revolver shooter away from having a functioning ICORE club. ICORE matches are by far the easiest of the 3 sports to set up, score and run.

[lugnut]

Shooting that gun in USPSA Productions presents other issues though.... you need to adhere to the Production equipment rules... no pouches in front of your hips. That hurts.

[seanc]

Shooting that gun in USPSA Productions presents other issues though.... you need to adhere to the Production equipment rules... no pouches in front of your hips. That hurts.

revolver speeloaders and moonclips are exempt from belt position rules in production division.

[lugnut]

Shooting that gun in USPSA Productions presents other issues though.... you need to adhere to the Production equipment rules... no pouches in front of your hips. That hurts.

revolver speeloaders and moonclips are exempt from belt position rules in production division.

Wow I didn't know that. I'll have to look that up! I assume the big bands with the spring the pushes the moon clips to the same position are cool too?

Edit: For my info it's in D4, 11. Thanks

Edited August 27, 2012 by lugnut

[seanc]

Shooting that gun in USPSA Productions presents other issues though.... you need to adhere to the Production equipment rules... no pouches in front of your hips. That hurts.

revolver speeloaders and moonclips are exempt from belt position rules in production division.

Wow I didn't know that. I'll have to look that up! I assume the big bands with the spring the pushes the moon clips to the same position are cool too?

Edit: For my info it's in D4, 11. Thanks

Yes, moonclip server, speederack, gsi, home made...as long as its coming off the belt it appears to be legal.

[Art Yeo]

It's interesting that they allow 45ACP in the Revolver division. In the eyes of a revolver purist, the 45ACP ain't a revolver cartridge.

But, didn't Jerry Muculek built his whole career based on that cartridge in revolvers?

So, in short, I guess if winning is all that's in my mind, a 625 is probably the way to go: it's a 6-shooter and has low recoil.

But, a more revolver purist would pick a 686 shooting 38sp and may have a recoil disadvantage unless he loads it lightly.

Edited August 30, 2012 by Art Yeo

[Brian Gonsalves]

First of all, you can always use another gun! Especially another revolver!

Bones, is right (as usual ) ICORE is the easiest club to start. When I bought my 627 I drove to a club about 150 miles away to try ICORE and I was hooked. The problem was they only had 5 ICORE matches a years (Jan-May). So in April with the matches coming quickly to an end, I hit up my local IDPA club and we started holding ICORE matches on an open day. It has quickly grown. If you have an questions, let me know!

On the other places to shoot your 627, I shoot mine in USPSA L10 minor (as I understand it my APEX hammer keeps me out of Production) as a matter of fact I'll be doing just that on Sunday in getting ready for the Midwest Revolver Championship in a few weeks.

I do also shoot 625's in USPSA Revolver and IDPA ESR.

[in625shooter]

It's interesting that they allow 45ACP in the Revolver division. In the eyes of a revolver purist, the 45ACP ain't a revolver cartridge.

But, didn't Jerry Muculek built his whole career based on that cartridge in revolvers?

So, in short, I guess if winning is all that's in my mind, a 625 is probably the way to go: it's a 6-shooter and has low recoil.

But, a more revolver purist would pick a 686 shooting 38sp and may have a recoil disadvantage unless he loads it lightly.

Actually they started using 45 acp's in revolvers back in WW I and have ever since. Revolver class in IPSC is limited to 6 rounds. IDPA divided revolvers into two categories. Stock Service Rev (SSR) for traditional revolvers with traditional speedloaders (38,357, or 41 44 for the men) and Enhanced Service rev (ESR) for the revolvers that take moon clips. Don't know the real reson for the split. Have read becaus ethe 625 guys were cleaning house because moon clips are pretty quick. All shooting is fun but lets face it IPSC/IDPA and ICORE have rules so that means they are games. Caliber is secondary in IPSC as long as they make min power factor. IPSC you can't load the 38's too low still have a 120 PF min. Idpa it's 105,000 (0r 105)for SSR. competition is fine but a lot of folks forget that the biggest way to win is to HAVE FUN! Some folks forget that!

Good Luck

[Bones]

Yes, the 45ACP chambering in a revolver is an unholy union born in haste of necessity, quickly abandoned, and practically useless, but, like many other vices, legal entertainment.

[Bones]

If you define winning as using a practical revolver in IDPA SSR and ESR, ICORE Classic, Limited and Open, USPSA Revolver, Production, Limited, Limited 10 and Open, as well as carry , buy 6 shot 4" L frame in 357 Mag and have the cylinder cut for moonclips (you can tell enquiring SOs you had a very precise and agressive chamfering job should the need arise). There is not a more versatile revolver to be had. It is the very definition of Practical by any informed standard.

If you want to optimize your equipment for any particular sport, buy what the people at the top of the standings are using.

Edited August 31, 2012 by Bones

[GOF]

Or, you could get a Ruger GP-100. Do a trigger job (Wilson Combat Spring Kit!) polish the chambers,chamfer the cylinders, and put a Bowen Rough Country rear sight on it. You then have a match tuned revo that shoots lead bullets better than the S&Ws, and doesn't break as often, because Ruger uses a coil mainspring and only has one other screw (the cylinder release screw) that needs occaisional attention.

Rugers are pretty trouble free, and shoot just fine. They also cost a lot less. They use L-frame speedloaders and Blade Tech makes nice holsters. I have four of them and love them.

[John Z Sr]

Thanks, I'll look into ICORE and USPSA ... but, but, but ... then, I won't need to get another gun ... shucks!

Seriously, there aren't any ICORE clubs here in WA state.

I think there are a couple of USPSA monthly matches nearby.

Upon looking at the rules for the Revolvers Division, it says:

Rule #9 ---

Maximum ammunition capacity:

No, maximum of 6 rounds fired before reload

That looked to me like IDPA. Do they have the same rules for Production?

You are correct. You do not want to fire that 7th round if you are competing in USPSA Revolver - you will get bumped to Open. At least USPSA allows you to load the 7th and 8th round though - not as challenging as IDPA SSR or ESR with a 7 or 8 rd gun, but close.

Seriously, you can, however, shoot Production, Limited 10, Limited or Open with your 627 in USPSA without needing to count rounds. Production is the best fit because it is scored minor (you would probably shoot 38 Specials), so you only have to deal with the 10/11 rd vs. 8 rd challenge - you can be reasonably competitive. It will probably cost you 1 or 2 additional reloads on most stages. Get squadded with some single stack competitors shooting Major (limited to 8 rd magazines)- it will help you learn to break down stages faster than trying to figure it out on your own.

Limited and Limited 10 will require you to compete with major scoring shooting minor and an 8 round gun vs. 10 or 20+. It can be done, but not by the faint of heart. In Open you get all these challenges as well as competing with optics and porting - truly for those in dire need of extreme humility.

You know, your area in WA is just one motivated revolver shooter away from having a functioning ICORE club. ICORE matches are by far the easiest of the 3 sports to set up, score and run.

Buy a good 6 shot for IDPA and use your 7 or 8 shot revo in ZSA 8 division, you get to buy a new gun, shoot the one you have, enjoy more shooting and stimulate the economy at the same time, we all win !!! Use your 6 shot in USPSA and get plenty of reload practice, then get to an ICORE match and choose which to shoot, how I love this COUNTRY !!!!