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Steel Challenge
- Thread starter Carver Speed
- Start date
allen-1
NES Member
I'm not @Broc, but I'll suggest that you start with something like a Blade-Tech, it's reasonably priced and will do the job quite sufficiently.
Link: S&W 686 Holsters | Shop OWB Holster for Smith & Wesson 686
Steel Challenge is a game where literally a tenth or two of a second can make a difference. If you find that you like shooting revolver in SC, and you're good at it - then AFTER you've gotten good at your draw, your transitions and your accuracy - take a look at SPEED CR. These are pure speed holsters, they're good only for competition - but they're VERY good for competition. And of course their price reflects it.
I use a double Alpha race revolver. No need for the muzzle to rest on anything, it holds the gun just fine. Super fast, but those are expensive.
But I started cheaper, with a set up like this one:
Smith & Wesson 929: USPSA Revolver Rig
A blog about revolvers, competitive shooting with revolvers, revolver related products and gear, and more with updates posted on #wheelgunwednesday.
If you want to do it right from day 1 and spend a little more, go race holster.
My stuff:
For moonclips, don't buy the stupid expensive that TK Custom makes. I think it is Reovlver Supply or Speed Beez sells some that are cheaper. I bought 40, I reloaded each of those 40 over 20 times, no issues. The only one that ever broke was during USPSA, I forgot to pick one up and a dude stepped on it.
I shoot a 929
chris_1001
NES Member
FYI. Old Colony does idpa shoots once a month. I’ve shot a bunch there same with Marshfield. Marshfield also alternates with idpa and uspsa (also did a shotgun match there PLEASE DO ANOTHER)
Looks like the appropriate thread to bump. @Broc Tuah @chris_1001 and anyone else with advice, here's the background:
A very good friend of mine down south is an officer on the county chamber of commerce and CEO of a decent size company. His company as well as the chamber host steel challenge matches. I've had an open invitation and today was asked to join the fun at a specific event this summer. So where to begin? Assuming I don't know jack would be correct.![[laugh]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/012.gif "Laugh [laugh]")
Appropriate (I think) guns I could shoot are Glock 35 converted to 9mm w/ a trigger job, Canik Mete SFX, Ruger Mark III, Sig P322, or a couple choices of single stack 1911's in 45ACP. All are iron sights except the Canik which has a Holosun. I compete regularly with rifles but not with pistols, though I did very well in my first pin shoot believe it or not with a RIA 1911. Seems like one of the above would do well, but I'm going to need a holster, correct? The Canik comes with a holster but I haven't tried it yet. I'll need 5 mags, correct?
I'm only 'bi curious' regarding pistol competitions but do want to practice a little so I don't completely suck. I'd do a few for fun but will generally stick to my rifle schedule. One of my clubs has a lot of steel and the one very close has a little. Any advice for practice? Might try a match if somewhere close to central Mass.
Totally OK to tell me there is no choice but to find a Staccato even for the occasional fun match.![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
A very good friend of mine down south is an officer on the county chamber of commerce and CEO of a decent size company. His company as well as the chamber host steel challenge matches. I've had an open invitation and today was asked to join the fun at a specific event this summer. So where to begin? Assuming I don't know jack would be correct.
Appropriate (I think) guns I could shoot are Glock 35 converted to 9mm w/ a trigger job, Canik Mete SFX, Ruger Mark III, Sig P322, or a couple choices of single stack 1911's in 45ACP. All are iron sights except the Canik which has a Holosun. I compete regularly with rifles but not with pistols, though I did very well in my first pin shoot believe it or not with a RIA 1911. Seems like one of the above would do well, but I'm going to need a holster, correct? The Canik comes with a holster but I haven't tried it yet. I'll need 5 mags, correct?
I'm only 'bi curious' regarding pistol competitions but do want to practice a little so I don't completely suck. I'd do a few for fun but will generally stick to my rifle schedule. One of my clubs has a lot of steel and the one very close has a little. Any advice for practice? Might try a match if somewhere close to central Mass.
Totally OK to tell me there is no choice but to find a Staccato even for the occasional fun match.
Last edited:
slipknot
NES Member
Monument Beach Sportsmans club in Bourne is not far from Carver, they have a speed steel match on Saturdays, second Saturday of the month I believe. Begins back up in the Spring.
It’s not Steel Challenge, but it is competitive
It’s not Steel Challenge, but it is competitive
Rick O'Shea
NES Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2016
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Read the rules so your aware of them. Whatever you bring make sure it's reliable. If you want to shoot for fun bring a lever action or any other non competitive firearm. If your there to race bring your favorite 10 rounder and 6 mags. If you bring a revolver, Your squad will appreciate speed loaders of some style. Figure out your division and the rules will explain necessary equipment.
SJan
NES Member
Rimfire divisions have the most participation at most steel challenge matches, I would recommend one of those. Your Ruger mk3 is perfect. Iron sights or optics, there is a separate division for each. No holster required for these. You will need 5+ magazines. Find a reliable ammo and go have funAppropriate (I think) guns I could shoot are Glock 35 converted to 9mm w/ a trigger job, Canik Mete SFX, Ruger Mark III, Sig P322, or a couple choices of single stack 1911's in 45ACP. All are iron sights except the Canik which has a Holosun. I compete regularly with rifles but not with pistols, though I did very well in my first pin shoot believe it or not with a RIA 1911. Seems like one of the above would do well, but I'm going to need a holster, correct? The Canik comes with a holster but I haven't tried it yet. I'll need 5 mags, correct?
I'm only 'bi curious' regarding pistol competitions but do want to practice a little so I don't completely suck. I'd do a few for fun but will generally stick to my rifle schedule. One of my clubs has a lot of steel and the one very close has a little. Any advice for practice? Might try a match if somewhere close to central Mass.
Is Harvard close to Central MA? They do matches monthly spring to fall
SJan
NES Member
Folks who shoot these matches, SC, USPSA, IDPA ect will consider that a short drive. Many travel 2 hours or more so they can shoot a match every weekend at the various hosting clubs.
Rick O'Shea
NES Member
- Joined
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Keene NH runs matches also. HSC offers a quality match. There's a falling steel match every spring also. Some people drive 40 minutes for groceries.
chris_1001
NES Member
Looks like the appropriate thread to bump. @Broc Tuah @chris_1001 and anyone else with advice, here's the background:
A very good friend of mine down south is an officer on the county chamber of commerce and CEO of a decent size company. His company as well as the chamber host steel challenge matches. I've had an open invitation and today was asked to join the fun at a specific event this summer. So where to begin? Assuming I don't know jack would be correct.
Appropriate (I think) guns I could shoot are Glock 35 converted to 9mm w/ a trigger job, Canik Mete SFX, Ruger Mark III, Sig P322, or a couple choices of single stack 1911's in 45ACP. All are iron sights except the Canik which has a Holosun. I compete regularly with rifles but not with pistols, though I did very well in my first pin shoot believe it or not with a RIA 1911. Seems like one of the above would do well, but I'm going to need a holster, correct? The Canik comes with a holster but I haven't tried it yet. I'll need 5 mags, correct?
I'm only 'bi curious' regarding pistol competitions but do want to practice a little so I don't completely suck. I'd do a few for fun but will generally stick to my rifle schedule. One of my clubs has a lot of steel and the one very close has a little. Any advice for practice? Might try a match if somewhere close to central Mass.
Totally OK to tell me there is no choice but to find a Staccato even for the occasional fun match.
As for gear, I'd say any 9mm is fine as long as you have a decent holster (as you have to draw from it) and 5 mags for it. I did shoot my CZ TSO a few time long ago, but I have been sticking to .22lr as its cheaper to shoot and I don't have to wear the gear all day.
I shoot one of two modified Ruger Mark IV's
Big thing is bring a reliable gun. out of the 5 strings per stage, they will toss out your worst string.
The Steel Challenges at the below places I think are done for the winter. But we can connect next time one is on and we will be happy to get you going.
Harvard is about 45 min for me also, worth the drive. I have done many Steel Challenges there and at Copicut (also about 45 min min for me) With @Broc Tuah and a few others that you have met at the meets..
This. Start with .22. You will start from low ready, so no drawing from a holster.
For practice, if possible set up four targets side by side. Start at low ready. Using a shot timer, on the beep bring the gun up from low ready and shoot one shot at each target.
Thanks all for the responses thus far. Couple of newb questions-
Do you get one shot per plate? If more, what is the allowed round count per string?
Also- what's a decent entry level shot timer? Do they make them with a delay so that you can hit go and have a couple seconds to wait for the first beep? As mentioned, pistol competition hasn't been my game so I know nothing.
Do you get one shot per plate? If more, what is the allowed round count per string?
Also- what's a decent entry level shot timer? Do they make them with a delay so that you can hit go and have a couple seconds to wait for the first beep? As mentioned, pistol competition hasn't been my game so I know nothing.
chris_1001
NES Member
Thanks all for the responses thus far. Couple of newb questions-
Do you get one shot per plate? If more, what is the allowed round count per string?
Also- what's a decent entry level shot timer? Do they make them with a delay so that you can hit go and have a couple seconds to wait for the first beep? As mentioned, pistol competition hasn't been my game so I know nothing.
You just need ONE hit on a plate, you CAN shoot it more, but that costs you time. If you miss, you can keep trying to hit it, but once you do move on to the next plate.
You can soot it in any order, as long as you hit the stop plate last. But there is a strategy to keep the time down.
Unlimited rounds per string. But a perfect string is Just 5 rounds.
I load one ten round mag for the first string, after each string, I load a fresh topped off 10 round mag for the next (so now I have 11 at the top of the next string)
Pact and Competition Electronics are probably the most common I see at shoots. Yes, you can set a delay.
chris_1001
NES Member
Yup.
I'll start with a 10 round mag, so 1 in the pipe and 9 in the mag, when I swap mags, then I will have 1+10 for the next string.
Steel Challenge is a great place to start. Super easy compared to say IDPA or USPSA (Which I also shoot, just not as often post Covid).
I will some times will shoot a PCC (AR-9 platform) or a M&P 15-22 just to switch it up.
This video is one I ususally send the link to for new shooters. It answers a lot of your questions.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMB8zKY08RU
Harvard runs 3rd Saturday of the Month May to November. Registration opens two weeks prior to the match. I just posted all the maches for this year.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMB8zKY08RU
Harvard runs 3rd Saturday of the Month May to November. Registration opens two weeks prior to the match. I just posted all the maches for this year.
You need to hit each plate once. The stop plate has to be the last plate that you hit. The plate that is the stop plate is in different locations, depending upon the stage. You can shoot as many shots as you want. You can load 10 rounds in the gun. Don't bother doing a reload during a stage -- if you've fired 10 shots without hitting all the plates, you're toast.Thanks all for the responses thus far. Couple of newb questions-
Do you get one shot per plate? If more, what is the allowed round count per string?
Also- what's a decent entry level shot timer? Do they make them with a delay so that you can hit go and have a couple seconds to wait for the first beep? As mentioned, pistol competition hasn't been my game so I know nothing.
Decent times are a small number of seconds. Don't worry about that. Just worry about being safe.
chris_1001
NES Member
Pistol competition would be new excepting the pin shoot I did this fall. I'm generally pretty good with safety procedures under strict eyes for rifles, accustomed to following RO commands, and should be OK for pistol once I know the ropes. That said, safety reminders are always good in my book.
chris_1001
NES Member
So for the longest time I was thinking I had a MkIII. Oops- it's a MkII. Makes sense as it was a gift from my Dad who unfortunately passed before MkIII's were released. No matter, I'll make a little project out of the MkII and set it up better for plates.
It will be fine as is. Just buy more magazines and go to your first match.
Rick O'Shea
NES Member
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Whatever you decide to shoot just make sure that your firearm ammo combo can run reliably, and sometimes this may not be your most accurate ammo.
