Help me pick my IDPA gun

[Jim Watson]

I’ll have you know that I was first Rev and clear up to third from last my last IDPA Rev shoot.

 

[Skribs]

The only problem with Revolver division is you too often finish both first and DFL.

I'm there to play, not to compete.

 

[mcb]

I'm there to play, not to compete.

Then Revolver will be even better.

That said nothings better than beating the filthy bottom feeders with the noble round gun.

 

[Jim Watson]

I'm there to play, not to compete.

I am always competing. I am no longer truly competitive what with age and decrepitude, but that only affects my scores, not my attitude.

 

[Skribs]

I've recently started BJJ. My thought process is that if I show up, have fun, and do my best, I'm going to improve. If I put too much pressure on myself, I'll fail to live up to that and quit.

So my goal in IDPA is going to be the same. I'm going to show up. I'm going to shoot stuff. It will be more fun than just standing still and shooting at a single target at the range. And that's it.

 

[Skribs]

Update on the GP100 - got a new grip and it fits much better now. Gonna test it out at the range tomorrow.

 

[MrBorland]

The only problem with Revolver division is you too often finish both first and DFL

Yes, exactly

If he gets good at the sport with a revolver he will be that much more ahead when he switches to a more competitive division.

There's a lot to unwrap here, so here are some of my own thoughts based on my time in IDPA (much of which was with a revolver)

First, in any competition, executing the process well leads to good results. Focus on where you place and who you beat or didn't beat, how many others there were in your division, etc have nothing to do with executing the process. Put your focus on executing the fundamentals and the process, and your place (and target) will take care of itself. In a nutshell, much depends on the shooter & their mindset.

That said, IME, in your standard 72-78 round 6-stage match, a revolver shooter can be as competitive as semi-auto shooters with the same classification. But...there's very little room for sloppiness. Steel has to fall with one shot, reloads need to be nailed, no make-up shots, no procedurals, no no-hits, etc. As mentioned, getting all this good execution down pays manifold rewards later. Sure, the semi-auto shooter can execute extremely well, too, and the very good ones do. But for many, the semi-auto trap is the flip side of its advantage - compared to a revolver, there's less penalty for sloppiness, and many seem happy to make that trade. IMO, it's a deal with the Devil, as it becomes habitual and one just can't figure out how to get out of Sharpshooter Hell.

Speaking of traps, it's only fair to mention the revolver trap: The Great Revolver Narrative. The GRN states that everything is oh-so hard with a revolver, that stages aren't revolver-friendly, reloads are so hard and there's more of them, blah, blah, blah. If you shoot a revolver, you're likely to hear a lot of it by well-intended seemingly supportive folks (often other revolver shooters). Unfortunately, it promotes a victim mentality, so do your best to ignore it.

IME/IMO, a big reason why revolver shooters don't do better at matches is because they've subconsciously given themselves to underperform before they've even gotten to the line. If the OP decides to shoot their GP100, then, I offer my kudos and any help and advice I can give. But I'll also suggest you simply look at your gun as just another gun (and strive to execute well and avoid unforced errors). No different than anyone else's. I just happens to be a revolver.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Shot a model 19 S&W for years. Started shooting UPSC after Bullseye.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have seen some outlandish claims of what can be done to a Ruger GP for a fine DA.