Starting over from scratch

[56hawk]

Just got a S&W 327 TRR8 for the new rules and realize that none of my old 625 gear translates. Now I need to figure out what to buy so I can be up and running in the next match. Here are my questions so far:

Holster: I was thinking about getting a CR Speed holster, but I noticed a lot of people on here say the don't hold the revolver very well. I liked that they have a muzzle support, but am I better off just getting a Double Alpha Race Master?

Brass: I have a lot of 38 Special brass but it's extremely random mixed headstamp. Tried to use some with the factory supplied clips and they were a nightmare to load into the gun. Thinking about just buying a bunch of Starline Short Colt brass instead of trying to figure out which of what I have will work. Or is there an easy way to check the brass I have?

Clips: Figure that HearthCo is the way to go, but which ones do I get? I see that they list 38 Short Colt specific clips and Starline specific clips. Will either work?

Clip holders: I really like the idea of the Austin Moon Clip Server. Will it work with Short Colt loads? If I don't go with the server, which post style holder should I get?

Thanks

[varminter22]

Can't really comment on holster. I use an older (leather) Safariland #2.

When I got the M627, I went straight to Starline .38 Short Colt brass. (I bought 2000 rounds of the Short Colt brass; kinda wish I had bought more.) Can't comment about the feasibility of using mixed .38 Spec brass, except to say you'll definitely have to sort and get appropriately sized clips.

Apparently there is a little difference (in rim size) between new (approximately July 2013) and older production Starline .38 Short Colt Brass. I ordered new Hearthco clips for the Starline brass and couldn't get the brass in the clips. Sent brass samples to Mr Hearth and he quite graciously traded me for properly sized clips to fit my newer production brass. Great guy!

I've been using James Austin's moon clip server for about a year now. Love it. And yes, 8-shot clips of .38 Short Colt work just fine in the moon clip server. By the way, I was fortunate to shoot with James Austin at the 2013 ICORE Midwest Regional (Fallon NV). James is another great guy!

[PatJones]

What gear do you have right now?

The spring steel 45 moonclsupportlders from California competition works will work with the 8-shot moons, but you hang them off the front of the holder with just a couple rounds inside. I wouldn't buy them, but if you already have them....

I choose the double alpha holster due to the lack of muzzle support. I like my crown. The muzzle supports are generally made from a soft material, but as dirt and dust are slowly ground into the plastic you now have sandpaper. This is how you make a lap.

Remington and federal brass are usually your best options a they have the thickest groove. This allows for thicker moonclips.

[toothguy]

I really like the CR-speed holster because it's so adjustable, but it has a polymer toggle lock that you can pull through if you pull hard enough. I think it holds the gun fairly well but I don't fully trust it so I keep my hand on the gun walking between stages ect.

One of the most versatile setups that I have seen is Protocol Designs. Warren made a universal revolver extension for a Hogue auto holster so it fits different barrel lengths of revolvers and can be used with a 1911.

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=116177

Edited January 25, 2014 by toothguy

[johnmac]

I recently picked up a 4" 627 Pro Series. Here's my setup:

HOLSTER: The same holster I use for my 4" 625 in IDPA, a Bladetech, works for the 4" 627, for it, and I'm planning on using it for USPSA. May give up a small increment of time on a draw to one of the "race" holsters, but to me, it's worth having a consistent holster platform, and not worrying about the revolver falling out if it gets bumped when waiting to shoot, pasting, or whatever.

BRASS: Running .38 Short Colt from Starline, bought in Dec 2013

MOONCLIPS: From TK custom, the kind specifically made for Starline brass. Bought moonclips in Jan 2014, and they work perfectly with the Dec 2013 Starline brass. I assume these moon clips would also work for Starline .38 Special or Long Colt.

BULLETS: 160 grain Bayou Bullets

POWDER: 3.5 grains Unique

OAL: 1.20

MOOONCLIP HOLDERS: North Mountain. 3" posts are OK if you run .38 Short Colt. You want the 3-1/2" post if you want the option of running .38 Special, due to cartridge OAL. With three of the North Mountain "single posts", I can hold 2x8x3 = 48 rounds.

MOONCLIP LOADING PROCESS: Manual, pushing moonclip down on a round on a wooden bench. The first round is tough on the fingers, but then you can use the first round you've loaded to apply force, so it gets easier, the more rounds are loaded.

MOONCLIP UNLOADING PROCESS: This seems problematic without a tool, with the tight fitting TK custom moonclips and Starline brass. You sure would not want to bend the TK Custom moonclips at $7 a piece! I use the screwdriver/tube type tool from TK custom specifically made for .38, which works well. I'm sure you could make your own tool with a piece of pipe, cut a square notch in the end. An unloading tool for .45ACP isn't going to work.

Edited January 25, 2014 by johnmac

[alecmc]

The DAA Race Master is a good option, I like mine - at first it used to be a little finicky, but it broke in after a while, the fit is better on my 327 trr8 then it is on my 625, but regardless - a gun will never fall out of this holster as hard as I try.

Short colt and hearthco is a good way to go, take a peak at the revolver supply moonclips too, cheaper, thinner, not as nice, but work great for practice if you want to keep the hearthcos nice and fresh for matches.

james austin clip server works fine with the 38 short colt, I have no issues with mine.

[one-gun]

I have the cr speed for my 627 super. I have noted here before that I once was able to force the gun out by getting my elbow in between my hip and the gun and rolling it out and away from me while moving a table. BUT that was years ago and with a bit of care I've never had it happen again. So I still like and use the cr speed. Adjustable, but has never come loose, or failed me. And fast. And you can always un-bag and bag at the line for ultimate peace of mind.

May not be an issue for you but because of its "skeleton" design I can't shoot it in a local indoor match whereas I probably could have with the safariland I had before. (But that's what my bottom feeder rig is for.)

Fwiw, I still use the California competition works moon holders I started with. They are made for 6 shot clips but I hang them off the front because they're easy to grab. I have one 8 shot that I put the whole moon in. And I've never bounced a moon out running around. So +1 for using those if you already have them. Saves you money for those pricey holsters...and moons...and brass...

[56hawk]

Thanks everyone for the responses. My current gear is a Safariland 002 and California competition works moon clip holders. Could probably get them to work if I had to, but since it's three weeks until my next match I've got some time to get equipment that fits properly.

Think I've got everything figured out now, except the holster. With my 2011s when I switched to a Safariland 014 my draws became way more consistent because the gun didn't flop around anymore. Would I have the same problem with the Double Alpha Race Master? Is the CR Speed with the barrel insert as rigid as the Safariland 014?

[pskys2]

Order the North Mountain Moon Clip Holder, make sure it's the thinner posts. Then it can be used for any moon clips.

I use a DOH Blade Tech with the front of the holster cut out so the barrel clears quicker and then removed the DOH and reset it so it gives me a good angle but is more solid. And I can use it for any Revolver without fear of a gun falling out.

Seems the 38 special starline brass works good in the Hearthco's. On the first loading of my new Hearthco's and NEW 38 Short Colt starline brass it was a royal pain to seat all of them on better than half of the moon clips. Thought of calling Dave, but found out on the 2nd loading everything was great. So I surmised there was a tolerance stack issue and sharp edges on the moon clips that caused it.

If you don't want to have that issue, TK makes a similar Competition Caliber Moon Clip that is a bit more polished and even has size, etc. stamped into them for almost twice the cost. Both are great guys to deal with though.

If you're just starting up though the more critical issue will be your competition belt. The older Safariland Belts just aren't as stiff as the CR's. And do go with an Inner/Outer Belt system.

[toothguy]

Is the CR Speed with the barrel insert as rigid as the Safariland 014?

The CR Speed comes with a parts kit that has plastic trigger guard shims so you can get it as rigid as possible and still be able to draw the gun. The holster has 3 points of contact, the barrel plug, the trigger guard and a large flat plastic frame support screw. All these parts are adjustable so you can get a tight custom fit.

I really like the holster it seems to hold the gun well if it is bumped from all directions accept directly from the rear. Sorry I have not used the Safariland so I can't compare.

[toothguy]

What gear do you have right now?

The spring steel 45 moonclsupportlders from California competition works will work with the 8-shot moons, but you hang them off the front of the holder with just a couple rounds inside. I wouldn't buy them, but if you already have them....

I choose the double alpha holster due to the lack of muzzle support. I like my crown. The muzzle supports are generally made from a soft material, but as dirt and dust are slowly ground into the plastic you now have sandpaper. This is how you make a lap.

Remington and federal brass are usually your best options a they have the thickest groove. This allows for thicker moonclips.

Pat, I think you are right about this I can see an area on the rifling just inside the crown that appears more polished than the rest of the barrel. I think over time this has got to have some effect on accuracy, most of the wear is from dry fire ect. I'm thinking over time due to the draw angle it would wear more of a oval shape in the last 1/4 inch of rifling. So far I have not noticed any degrading of accuracy but I think it's definitely something to think about.

[56hawk]

Last of my parts showed up today. Ended up getting the CR Speed holster, Austin Moon Clip Server, Starline Short Colt brass, a BMT Mooner and twenty TK Custom clips. Was getting worried that my reload times were going to suck until the new clips showed up today. Feels even smoother than a 625.

Also put Hogue Big Butt grips, extended cylinder release and a fiber optic front sight on my TRR8. Bobbed the hammer and did a trigger job yesterday, but I need to get to the range soon to make sure it still lights off the primers. Sure hope it's worth it considering how much money I just sunk in this thing.

[pskys2]

I like how my 627 reloads with the Hearthco's and Short Colts also.

PM Dave Hearth here if you want more moon clips, when it comes to quality you just can't get enough.

Yea with the price you paid for your primo round blaster you could have gotten an STI Frame, 2 mags and a high quality match grade barrel. Or you could get all the extra parts and a slide and maybe paid a smith to put it together. Trouble is you couldn't do both with what you put into that great looking Revo!!! Heck for the price one would pay for a Limited gun minus what I paid to put together my 627, I could get one of them new fangled 929's. Or get new carpeting... Or enough supplies to load up 8ooo rounds.