[EMT40SW]

I have shoot IDPA infrequently for several years. I want to start shooting 3 gun next month. My question is what equipment do I need? I have $150 & the following guns & gear already:
Glock .40 or Kimber .45 with 5 magazines for each and holsters/mag pouches
12 ga Mossberg 590A1 20" barrel/9 shot with 6 shot side saddle
stock Norinco SKS with standard 10 round magazine & lots of stripper clips
I have slings for both long guns

I know my rifle is not ideal but I am using what I have in the safe & according to my range's 3 gun homepage "any handgun, shotgun, & rifle will work for 3 gun". I also have an AR-15 on order. My point is not to win but to gain more confidence with my self defense guns. I need to know how much ammo to bring, what kind (slugs, buckshot, FMJ, Soft points, or birdshot), & mostly how you keep 12 ga ammo on your person for reloading. Any advise is greatfully appriciated in advance.

[Chris Rhines]

First things first, email the match director. He'll know how much ammo to bring, of what types.

Most 3-gun shooters use Choate-style shell carriers to hold their spare ammo.
http://www.riflestock.com/catalog_page_detail.cfm?recordno=1&Product_CatalogID=2830&ProductNumber=60%2D09%2D22&ProductCode=28&ProductSubCodeID=181&NewProduct=0
http://www.demooner.com/product.asp?numPageStartPosition=1&P_ID=25&strPageHistory=cat&strKeywords=&strSearchCriteria=&PT_ID=15
http://www.progressivemachine.net/images/quikstripper.jpg

Three or four will do the trick.

- Chris

[akanotken]

3 gun still has a lot of variety to it. USPSA has std rules, but most matches I've seen run on thier own rules. And the size of the match is also very different. And the max distances ...

But if I had to give advice for my local match, Minimums would be:

Glass on the rifle (our MD loves grey on grey targets/no shoots!). 100 rounds (no steel core). couple of mags cinched together get 95% done.

Pistol Glock with 3 mags and 100 rounds.

Shotgun depends on loading style. Most stages are under 15 rounds total. Bring 10 slugs and 50 bird.

But I don't know how they group your firearms. it might make more sense to run a .45 if it puts you in a he man classification (.45 + 12pump + 30cal often is).

So the MD is the best to ask.

[another okie]

The gear you have is fine to start with. Later you will find many reasons why you need numerous new firearms, as if we need an excuse anyway.

The only short term suggestion I have is that you may need some way to carry more than 15 shotgun rounds, though you might be able to just stuff a few in your pockets.

I started with a pump 12 gauge, an M1 garand, and a Glock. You're not going to win at first anyway, so relax, be safe, and shoot the gear you have.

Not many 3 gun matches require slings, even for multigun stages, for safety reasons. Usually you stow one gun somewhere and pick up another.