Wheelgun for next year

[beaversgs]

Looking to use a wheelgun in IDPA next year. Torn between .45 & .38/357. The .38 is cheaper, both the gun & ammo, but I do love a .45 and my carry revolver is a .45, so....

Anyway caliber nonwithstanding. I'm either looking at a fixed sight or adjustable sight gun. Given that I might be shooting different loads (i.e. reloads or whatever is cheaper or available) I'm leaning toward adjustable sights, but wonder if the distances at which we shoot IDPA (@20-30 yards max) if it would make that much difference. One other factory is both of the adjustable sight guns @6oz heavier. I'm a marksman level shooter, so I'm not sure that I'd be able to tell the difference in sights and weight at my level. Recommendations?

GregB

P.S. Guns I'm considering:

S&W 28 or Model 10 (pencil or heavy barrel)
S&W 19
Ruger GP100
S&W M22 thunder Ranch
S&W 625 JM or regular

I've had a 586 and a Ruger GP 100 and for some reason I preferred the Ruger, I think because it was a little lighter.

[Hozer]

Get a plain old 625, a stack of moon clips so you dont have to load/unload them at the match, a LPA adjustable rear sight and a SDM front sight. Hack off the hammer spur and consider have a trigger job done or get a spring kit and do it yourself.

My IDPA revos wear Clyinder and Slide fixed rear and dovetailed front. This is only an effort to keep the gamer/non-carry gun comments down to a dull roar.

[frankt]

I have shot several IDPA matches lately with a revolver. I used either a 2.5" S&W 66 or a 4" HB Model 10. I could not tell much difference in the fixed or adjustable sights as IDPA is normally not a long distance event.

All of the revolvers you listed would work fine. I have had a 28 and currently a 4" 29 and they were a little too heavy for me, especially with one or weak hand shooting.

I guess it depends if you want to shoot SSR or ESR, that would narrow down the choices some between moon clip guns and speedloader guns.

I have seen many different revolvers being shot with the 686 and a 625 or some close variant being the most common.

I personally am keeping my eyes open for a 4" 19 or 66 but that is just me.

Good Luck and have fun!

[tobin]

I have been using an old 4" Model 19 S&W, with Safariland Comp II and III loaders. It is the most fun you can have if you are an old PPC shooter. The autos are faster, but I always get a kick out of shooting the round gun!

[Young-Kiwi]

Any and all the pistols you mention seem good to me.

Personally my favourate pistol to compete with is my Model 65-2 (yep, pinned and recessed, so not very new)
In action type events I have never found the fixed sights an issue. It's a great gun.
In some precision shooting it has handed out a couple of lessons to others that's it not just the equipment.

From my perspective, a gun is a gun is a gun. (as long as it works, and shoots reasonably accurately)
What really matters is that the shooter is happy and confident with their firearm, it counts more than you might think.

[skorpio]

625 w/ round nose 230's and chamfer the cylinder and the moon clipped .45's just seem to fall right in of their own accord! Add a Jerry Miculek sping kit and you'll pretty much be good to go. That, and a pile of full moon clips so as not to have to reload during a match.

Loved mine, solid feeling gun (4" JM edition). Recently traded with some extra $ for the Performance Center 625. Got a bit of work to get it up to the feel of the original it replaced...:upeyes:

[HighVelocity]

I'm using a 4" 686. It's been totally reliable and I've managed to keep the budget pretty low. I'm using an SDM fiber optic front sight and stock smith adjustable rear with white outline. I tried the plain black and v-notch rear sight blades and went back to the white outline. It's just faster, for me anyway.
I got the Miculek spring kit from Brownells and did the work myself. If you go the do-it-yourself route, I highly recommend you invest in a good gunsmithing screwdriver set, wheeler, chapman, etc. Proper fitting screwdiver bits are your best friend while just any screwdriver can really ruin your day.

Gary

[J.P.]

S&W M19
The K-frames rule SSR.

Too bad nobody makes gear for them.
:sad:

[HighVelocity]

J.P., why do you say the SW19 rules SSR? I tried my 19 first but the extra weight of the 686 made a huge difference in ease of control.
I have fairly large hands so the size of the gun isn't an issue for me.

I'm not being a wise guy here, I am just wondering what's so great about a 19.


Gary

[J.P.]

Originally posted by HighVelocity
J.P., why do you say the SW19 rules SSR? I tried my 19 first but the extra weight of the 686 made a huge difference in ease of control.
I have fairly large hands so the size of the gun isn't an issue for me.

I'm not being a wise guy here, I am just wondering what's so great about a 19.


Gary
no offense taken at all,my friend.
I simply prefer the M19 and I find it easier to acquire and reload.
Our SSR shooters around here largely use K-frames.19s and 15s and we have two National champs that use nothing but.
This obviously may not be representative of IDPA across the nation but in my area,K-frames are the tops.

[GlockRacer]

I just purchased a model 66-2 4" gun for IDPA SSR for next year!!! Can't wait to try those reloads!

[J.P.]

What load are you using?

[cmzneb]

S & W 625!!!

I'm making the switch from USPSA Production (Glock 34) to shooting revolver this next year.