i don't compete in 3gun competition because...

[taliv]

i'm just curious


i'd sort of like to limit the discussion here to people who answered "requires too much equipment" or "it's no fun". if you answer either of these, please comment further

[HB]

It looks like fun but it is expensive (you need an AR-15, shotgun, and centerfire pistol) and ammo isn't cheap anymore. I've also never really have been interested in it, it's like SASS with modern guns. You also need dedicated equipment for the most part, which is a turn off to new commers.

HB

[taliv]

(sass, minus the goofy outfits and people calling you Tex :) )

[g.willikers]

Yeah, centerfire rifle ammo is too expensive to burn up at the rate required of a three gun event. Even reloads are way more than pistol caliber. And the rifles are pricy.
And 12 gauge slugs ain't no fun at all.

But two gun, pistol and shottie (with birdshot just on steel) is great. Pumps are low priced. Very affordable. Easy cleanup, too.
Or pistol caliber carbine maybe.

[TAB]

how about, my only real choice to be competative is a M1a ( shooting heavy metal)or a heavly modifed( read $$$$) min 14 in this state.

[rantingredneck]

Lack of time and money.

[lazyeye]

Lack of time, money, and I'm probably not good enough.

[rantingredneck]

Yeah that too. :D.

[Floppy_D]

If I had someone to get me into any form of competitive shooting, I'd go. I just don't know anyone who does it, and never been to a match.

[VegasOPM]

It IS expensive to be competative- but not to compete. A $200 Mossy 500A and a $450 Mini-14 or WASR will open the door to wonderland.;) You can also go to a match and get to know some folks. I used to buy ammo for another shooter in exchange for using his rifle, until I built my own. I loan my shotgun out all the time (as long as they are on the same squad).

The opportunity to put shot on steel or take on multiple targets at 50- 200yds away, under pressure and time constraints, will make you a better shooter. To be honest, there is nothing more satisfying than using very basic gear to the best of your ability. The first time that you beat a "pretty good" shooter with go fast guns, using cheap guns, you will be hooked.



Of course, when you get hooked- it starts to get expensive.:uhoh:
My 3 gun setup cost me about $2800 and I built everything myself. Of course, mine is one of the cheapest rigs you will find.

[sargenv]

I no longer have a rifle.. but I can borrow one. One time I used a bolt gun :D

[taliv]

ok, so...

for those of you with equipment/money woes, if there was a "22LR" division, where you could compete with a 22lr pistol (e.g. walther p22, browning buckmark), a 22lr rifle (e.g. a 10/22), and any caliber shotgun... and a $13 / 550 rnd bulk pack from wally world would get you through two matches...

would that make a difference?


(you'd still need a safe, usable holster, and a ton of magazines, etc)

[TAB]

I find the cost of ammo is cheap compared to the other costs.

[Smokin Gator]

Actually, there is a spinoff of SASS called Western 3 Gun. The revolver and rifle targets usually have a 6" knockout in the middle of the steel plate. You get minus 1 second for each bonus you hit. The targets for each gun are not all visible from one position. You might shoot 2 targets and then move to engage the remaining targets with the gun cocked but your finger off the trigger. You can't move both feet with a cocked gun in SASS. W3G has a lot more movement and the accuracy reward that SASS doesn't have.

[Navy joe]

I do, but I don't. The I don't right now is time and money. I usually do better at rifle and Shotgun than I do at pistol. Unification of rules is a big thing. Obviously, as a USPSA member I am biased, I think they are going at it correctly with regards to equipment classes and scoring.

[rantingredneck]

I've actually got the equipment to get started.

I have an AR, I have an 11-87 and several good pumpguns. I have several good single stack .45's of the non-1911 variety (sorry just not a 1911 guy).

For me the cost prohibitive part is the ammo but even that pales in comparison to the time-prohibitive part. I just have too much other stuff and too many irons in the fire to get hooked on something else right now, and I'm the kind of guy who gets hooked.

Someday maybe, but for now, just not doable.

[bgeddes]

This thread got me Googling (God forbid) the three gun thing. I think I'd like to see a match and evaluate my ability to try it. I own an 870, an AR & AK, and a cheap 1911. Perhaps I should upgrade my handgun, (an RIA 1911) to something a bit more fancy prior to shooting. Right up my alley though, shooting static paper is not so much my thing.

[ny32182]

The only reason I don't shoot it more is that the local club doesn't have more matches. I will go to almost any lengths imaginable to be present when they do have one, which occurs about every 6 months to one year or so. Others are several hours drive, and that, unfortunately, is more than I am willing to do for a single match at this time.

The most recent one here was this past weekend... it was four stages, and the round counts I fired were, iirc, 58 pistol, 78 shotgun, and 86 rifle or something like that. Not a huge amount of ammo.

To be truly competetive with the best requires a massive commitment of time and money of course. Personally I don't use game guns, but see it as dynamic practice with a milspec carbine, stock G19, and stock M590A1. I imagine most of us already have that kind of stuff. You don't have to win the contest to get good practice with your equipment and have a good day shooting.

And watching the gamers reload 8 shells into a shotgun tube in 5 seconds is something to see indeed, if you never have. :what:

[skinewmexico]

I don't shoot it as much as did, because it got gamey here fast.

[taliv]

gamey how?

[Chris Rhines]

I do shoot 3gun, a lot. It is expensive, and it does require a lot of practice to be competitive. Hasn't stopped me yet...

Honestly, I don't like the idea of shooting .22 pistols and rifles for score in 3gun, for reasons that I cannot fully articulate. It would be tantamount to running a Hyundai in an F1 event.

I do like using a .22 rifle to practice with.

-C

[Corey ACP]

I DO shoot 3-gun. It is by far my favorite type of match. My IDPA club holds one 4-5 times a year. Yup, ammo and components are pricey, gas is expensive, match fees have to be paid, but I have yet to see an armored car following a hearse. I only wish there were more 3-gun matches in this area.
If it wasn't for 3-gun matches, I would probably never take the 12 gauge out at all.

[SamG.]

Are there any age restrictions on 3-gun matches?

[taliv]

not sure, samG, but i think a 14 yr old is the youngest person who's beaten me so far :)

[Grump]

I'm "none of the above".

My reasons:

1. Shooting time is still being spent in load development with my oldest son. S/B done in 2 weeks....

2. Local events (:30 drive one-way, not bad) are only maybe 2x/year, and I just haven't had my free weekend coincide with that club's events.

3. Monthly events are a 2:45 1-way trip, and the rest of the family won't have any fun tagging along to make it a weekend (other local commitments have until recently filled Sundays anyway).

4. I haven't been in the mood to borrow a shotgun to shoot a match. Yet.

Overall, I just plan to show up to 2-3 of the local club's pistol events and get myself re-acclimated to the run 'n gun scene before expanding back into 3-gun, which I helped get started at the more distant club almost 20 years ago. My start was with a monthly pistol shoot that had 1 almost IDPA-style score is time stage (speed shoot), 1 NRA Action Pistol-style par time stage (accuracy shoot with time pressure), and 1 IPSC-style Comstock stage (combined speed and accuracy shoot). Our round counts were often small, but we also had everyone done before noon, too.

Then there's the fact that my GI mag carrier with 2 USGI M14 mags disappeared at the last 3-gun shoot I participated in... Then the Klinton mag ban set in. Ick.

[pistobro206]

I can't find any near me. Most matches are at least 3-4 hours drive and might require an overnight stay before and/or after.

I'd like to try it out a few times though, just afraid I might get hooked.

-Albert

[skinewmexico]

gamey how?

Well, you had to have a White Oak upper and an ACOG, and a Benelli to be competitive.

[Hoser]

you had to have a White Oak upper and an ACOG, and a Benelli to be competitive.

Nothing is wrong with that. The "to be competitive" part is why. Sure you could run a single shot shotgun, a j-frame revolver and an SKS with irons, but you wont be very competitive.

Its supposed to be about having fun.

If you are out there to win, its gonna cost you.

[Eric F]

I use to have all the goodies required for 3 gun matches, There use to be 1-3 monthly matches around here and now there is only 1 semi local match about 3 times a year not enough to keep me interested, so I sold all of my tactical wanna be stuff and have purchased black powder and idpa stuff.

[jmorris]

You don’t have to waist money on equipment to be competitive. I’ve won 6 of our last 8 3 gun matches using an AR I have less than $1000 in and a $350 used (but fast) shotgun. You can go bucks up in SASS too a pair of colts will run you around $3000 and a slicked up ’92 will set you back a few green backs as well.
Look at it this way, I could give Tiger Woods my mom’s old golf clubs and he’d still do better than most.

[taliv]

eric, what happened to the other two matches?

[skinewmexico]

If you are out there to win, its gonna cost you.

I'm just saying that all other things being equal, it took about 6 months at our local group before there was a direct correlation between finish place, and check book size. And that is never good for continued growth of any sport.

[Hoser]

there was a direct correlation between finish place, and check book size.

You can throw a ton of $$$ at 3-Gun and it still comes down to skill. You cant buy that, but you can afford to train more. Equipment can only take you so far.

I could show up with a new $3,000 SV Limited Pistol, a $2800 JP AR-15 wearing a $2300 scope on top if it and a $1700 Triangle Sports Benelli M2 and still get beat by a hard old man and a 1897, single stack and an M1A. I was too busy trying to look good and buy points instead of practicing.

[Realbigo]

i'd love to have a chance to try it. Even though I'm poor, i think i'd do ok. Of course if they held them in my area, there would be some actual SeALs and the like around. I still think it'd be fun.

[glockman19]

I have no excuse...I have all the equipment, plenty of ammo, I've just never done it.

[Joe30045]

For anybody interested, there will be 3 Gun match at Crosse Creek Rifle and Pistol Club tomorrow (Sunday, 7 Sep) and one at Wagram, NC next Saturday, 13 Sep. The info for the one tomorrow is as follows:
There's a new 3-Gun match in town. Kevin Cates (SRNC) and Rick Smith (Crosse Creek) have worked very hard to put on what we hope will be a new regular monthly 3-Gun match. Your attendance will determine whether this is a one-time match, or a recurring monthly event! Where: Crosse Creek Rifle and Pistol Club 3229 Blossom Road, Fayetteville, NC (SEE WEB SITE FOR DIRECTIONS) www.crossecreekrifleandpistolclub.com When: Sunday September 7, 2008 @ 11 am Registration starts at 10 am, Shooters Brief at 10:45 What: Four Stages of 3Gun fun! Classes: Open, Tactical Optics, Tactical Irons, Heavy Metal Match Fee: $25.00 Cash payouts based on number of competitors in each class. Contact: Rick Smith, [rick@cgls.net], (910) 494-0209.
This has become a recurring event, as the club voted to hold a 3 Gun Match every month at least for the next year.

The Wagram Match is the inaugural match and participation will determine whether it continues. The directions for it can be found at the following website:
http://www.carolinacowboys.us/CrossCreek/directions.pdf
Other info: Sign up at 0830. Start shooting at 0900. 4 Stages that will involve paper targets, steel, bowling pins, and clay pigeons. Minimum round counts of 39 Pistol, 24 Shotgun (shot ONLY), and 63 Rifle. The match fee will either be $15 or $20, I don't remember what was finally decided after all the discussion. Any questions that I can answer, or if you need to borrow a gun, let me know.
Joe

[686+]

I do compete, I suck and still enjoy it a ton. I usually come in last or just above last. Lack of practice, gun issues, gear issues, lack of time, blah blah :neener:

But if you truly want to get better at shooting and see how and when your gear fails you need to run a 3G match! (Yes your gear will fail! My "flawless" pistol and shotty started hickuping at the last match.) So if you think your a pretty good shot, or your gear is perfect, go to a 3G match and watch it all fall apart.:what:

As for gear: run what you brung! If you are good with it it will show and you will place well. If you shoot poorly you will see that too. I have shot a match with a Mossy 500, an SKS and an 8 round DAO gun. Of course I buggered a few slugs and could not find POI on the SKS as the poper was at 50 yards. Still was fun as heck!

And guess what: the top shooters will bugger up too, even with top $ gear.

[Chris Rhines]

I'm just saying that all other things being equal, it took about 6 months at our local group before there was a direct correlation between finish place, and check book size. This is true of every sport, everywhere, always. All else being equal, the more money you can spend on a game, the better you will do in it. Fact of life.

Personally, I deal with it by working a lot of overtime.

- Chris

[Gunsby_Blazen]

I would really like to, but I dont have the cash to get all of the equipment. No AR, and my shotgun is a really really old pump. Also, I really dont think I am a good enough shot. If anyone has any free gear for me, I would be happy get started.:neener:

[akanotken]

As for the .22 idea ... my local club's land owner just recently banned "loud" guns from two of the three ranges we use. So, some monthes they have pistol/shotgun stages on them, but other months they've had pistol caliber and .22 conversions run. Had some running suppressors on their rigs too! AWESOME!

I have a moderate $$$ tied into my gear. I used to place well, but lately have slipped .. but that's mostly due to a lack of practice on my part.

As there are no widely accepted rules, some gear may do better in some circles than others. But here's what I'd recommend for decent setup:

A 40 cal doublestack. Hard to beat a G22 here for price. Could add a magwell and extensions to your mags and likely remain "legal" in most matches ... might pick up a 30 round mag for the times they are allowed. This will hit steel a little harder and keep you out of minor scoring that some matches would put you in.
Base gun $500 (or less)
You'll need holster and mag holders and then you can add whatever else floats your boat.

Rem 1100/1187. Shoots softer than a pump.
~700 but you can find these very cheap used at times.
You really need to extend the mag tube, and you'll need to add ways to hold shells ... often on gun, but many prefer belt mounted caddies.
Lastly rifle.
I'd suggest grabbing an AR with a flat top, armalites 1 piece scope mount and a simmons prodiamond turkey scope for an inexpensive way to play. Free float the bbl ... and drop a JP trigger in if you can afford it!
Base rifle ~800 (but you can spend MUCH less if you try ...).
Scope and mount = 200 (or less, those scopes were clearance at CDNN sometime back for $50!).
Better add 75 for some decent mags and belt holders.

Say $700 on pistol, $800 on shotgun and $1075 for rifle.

That sounds like a ton (heck, it is a ton) but I was salivating over a nice $2600 competition AR just yesterday. :(

but if you buy used and catch good bargains I think total outlay to play could shrink from 2600 down to 1800.

But shooting whatever pistol you own, a pump shotgun and an iron sighted AR could get you much lower ... and still is quite a bit of fun!

[Grump]

I do compete, I suck and still enjoy it a ton.

I won't repeat your name, but you're my kind of shooter!

Tell my kids all the time that you don't have to be good at it to enjoy it, and everybody sucks when they begin. It's nice have room to go UP.

[M47 Dragon]

I voted too much equipment, but I probably should have voted other.

I have most of the equipment, but I don't have a lot of time due to my commitment to IDPA shooting. I think the one local 3 gun match day in my area would clash with my favorite IDPA match day, and I am not willing to give that up for something that will cost more.

It sure looks like fun, though!

[sigma 40ve]

where would a person find out if there are any matches in their AO? I have been thinking about it for awhile now. Got all the equipment, just haven't found a match yet, or the nerve to try it yet.

[Justin]

Honestly, I don't like the idea of shooting .22 pistols and rifles for score in 3gun, for reasons that I cannot fully articulate.

Admit it. Getting to John Woo a brace of .22 SW revolvers this year at RM3G was fun.

Try to deny it... ;)

[Justin]

Honestly, I don't like the idea of shooting .22 pistols and rifles for score in 3gun, for reasons that I cannot fully articulate.

Try running a Google search. Short of that, if you shoot IPSC/IDPA type stuff already, start asking around at your local matches. Someone is bound to know if there's anything nearby.

[abe586]

I do the 3 gun every chance I get. :o

[Fly320s]

I answered "requires too much equipment."

Frankly, I don't care to shoot shotguns much. I enjoy a round of trap or skeet every now and then, but 3-gun is too much for me.

What I'd really like to see is more 2-gun matches. 1 rifle/carbine and a sidearm. Run it like IDPA or USPSA and I'm in.

[taliv]

actually, i very seriously considered "2-gun"

[MarshallDodge]

I have tried it out a few years ago and loved it. I need to look into it again.

[Sunray]

"...I do compete, I suck and still enjoy it a ton..." That is the true measure of a sportsman. Personally, I congratulate and sing praises to 686+. Shooting any match just because it's fun is laudable. And I thought it was just me. Thanks 686+. Ever shoot pins?
Pistrobro, assuming you're a club member somewhere and the facilities allow it, do it yourself. Put together a course of fire and go nuts. Competetive shooting isn't always about the prizes offered. Sometimes just having fun will do. Call it a practice if you need to, but I'd bet guys like 686+ will show up just because it's fun.
"...you need an AR-15..." No, you don't. Any rifle will do nicely. An old pump gun will do, as will any firearm. Three gun shoots are about playing with what you have.
Nobody says you have to shoot all of a 3 gun match.
"...don't like the idea of shooting .22 pistols and rifles for score in 3 gun..." Think bottle caps or other wee targets with a .22 pistol with iron sights. Real shooters don't use anything else anyway.

[3GUNNR]

Shooting 3 gun is the most fun you can have outside of the bedroom. Give it a try.

Use what guns you have or can borrow and have blast. I've seen 3 guys show up and all use the same AR and shotgun and have some fun.

[ClonaKilty]

I voted "other" but in reality I don't shoot our local one because it requires a Pistol Caliber Carbine, which I do not own.

I have shot it before and do enjoy it, but financial priorities dictate that buying a PCC is way, way down the list. I may borrow friends' guns but that gets old after a while.

[cdrt]

None of the above.

Too busy shooting Bullseye and NRA High Power to fit in another discipline.

[taliv]

just an interesting observation: the poll has changed fairly dramatically since it was first posted.


About 24 hrs after it was posted, "no matches near me" and "I DO shoot 3gun" were tied at 40%. "too much equipment" was 10% and the remaining 10% was split between the other choices.

at the time of this posting, "I DO shoot 3gun" has dropped to 25% and "too much equipment" and "other" have both shot up to dramatically.

[bobehud]

okay this aint right i have been reading about this for an hour.watched a few you tube vids.
I have the equipment- i have been inivited to shot in a match already and now i cant wait.I shoot about 4-6 times a month at a state run range.

got to figure out a way to see when more of these are going on.

[taliv]

it gets addicting quick, bobehud. :)

[bobehud]

ok-ok this is what i have lined up
Shotgun-Mossberg bullpup 9 shot
Carbine a custom INRANGE gun with Aimpoint
Glock G30 .45

Thoughts?Ideas?Opinons...?

:D

[cerberus65]

Looks like I'd need an AR or AK. Not too interested in either of those. Plus I'd have to get another barrel for my shotgun. I have an 18" barrel for HD and a 28" barrel for birds but nothing in between. Plus I'd need magazines. Plus I'd need a holster for a gun I don't carry.

Sounds pretty expensive... :-(

[taliv]

not interested because you don't like rifles or because you don't like AR/AK? there are many other perfectly suitable rifles. e.g. m1a, fal, etc. nothing wrong with an 18" barrel other than you have to load it more often because presumably, the magazine tube is also 18".

[cerberus65]

My rifles are all bolts. I might get a lever-action at some point but semi-auto rifles just don't seem to interest me. Plus, they're expensive. I'm cheap. I admit it. :-)

Yep, mag tube is only as long as the barrel and that means only 6 shells at a time.

[elChupacabra!]

What about YOU taliv? Do you compete? Just curious as I don't think I've seen your take on the matter... if I missed it, forgive me :) (P.S. no matches around me that I'm aware of, probably not good enough at this point for my answers)

[taliv]

yeah, sorta. I'll have an announcement about that later this week :) might solve that P.S. for you

that's mostly why i've been keen on everyone else's opinions lately

[elChupacabra!]

Oh well in that case let me say as loudly as possible that, if there was an opportunity nearby for me to attend matches (especially rimfire matches, if I read that one post of yours right) in the Nashville area on a semi-regular basis, you had better believe I'd be there:)

[Claude Clay]

practice and enjoy what you have. scores are being kept but you want to do your personal best. so, handicap your equipment. as in; look at a shoot and perhaps see that except for the 3 far targets i can use my 1894 45LC. so in my mind if i miss them i will give myself back 5 points(or whatever) each. my shotgun holds 5 and i need 8--i'll comp myself 10 seconds. the idea is that you have fun and improve yourself. after all, besides bragging rights (lfd) what does 1st place get you? and driving home figuring out your 'adjusted' score---you might just crack a smile.

[HB]

practice and enjoy what you have. scores are being kept but you want to do your personal best. so, handicap your equipment. as in; look at a shoot and perhaps see that except for the 3 far targets i can use my 1894 45LC. so in my mind if i miss them i will give myself back 5 points(or whatever) each. my shotgun holds 5 and i need 8--i'll comp myself 10 seconds. the idea is that you have fun and improve yourself. after all, besides bragging rights (lfd) what does 1st place get you? and driving home figuring out your 'adjusted' score---you might just crack a smile.

True, but it won't be much fun if you get killed every time out and never progress. There are some basic guns you need to be even remotely competitive and have a chance to advance. I'd love to shoot service rifle, but my SKS won;t cut it, and I don't have $1200 for a rifle and $.35 a shot for ammo. I'd love to shoot a .22 version though, maybe a pistol, semi/pump/lever stage, and a scoped, 100-200 yard stage.

HB

[Justin]

My rifles are all bolts. I might get a lever-action at some point but semi-auto rifles just don't seem to interest me. Plus, they're expensive. I'm cheap. I admit it. :-)

In that case it comes down to preference and priorities. If you have zero interest in semi-auto pistols/rifles/shotguns then 3 Gun probably isn't something you'd enjoy.

As far as cost goes, I would say that the equipment cost for 3 Gun is comparable to, or maybe just a bit higher than any other shooting sport that uses more than one weapon e.g. NRA Bullseye or Sportsman's Team Challenge.

You can always start off by using gear that will get you by for awhile, say one of the scratch and dent AR15's from CMMG. Heck, I'm still competing with a lightly modified Rock River entry carbine and doing alright. The thing is, if you get seriously interested in the sport, it'll only be a matter of time before you begin to look into upgrading your gear so that it keeps pace with your abilities.

Ultimately, it becomes a question of what you want to put into the sport, as well as what you want to get out of it. If you're happy to compete with what you've got, and just want to do your best and have a good time, more power to you. You're already worlds ahead of all of the guys who never even showed up to the match.

[Justin]

I'd love to shoot a .22 version though, maybe a pistol, semi/pump/lever stage, and a scoped, 100-200 yard stage.

If ammo cost is a big concern for you, look into shooting Sportsman's Team Challenge. The bulk of the pistol shooting and all of the rifle shooting is done with guns in .22 LR. Other than that, you only need a 12 gauge shotgun.

[FM12]

Geeze, why would I embarrass myself three times over? Pistol is bad enough!

[Browns Fan]

Quote:
"Geeze, why would I embarrass myself three times over? Pistol is bad enough!"

Yeah, me too!

Besides, ya'll 3 gunners need to make up yer mind which gun your gonna shoot someone with!:D

[Gary G23]

I remember the first three gun match I went to. People were there pulling trailers with golf carts on them converted to hold all the necessary gear. Those that didn't have a golf cart were pushing around baby carriages converted to hold all their stuff.

I prefer to travel light. I don't do three gun anymore. Also when you get home you have three guns and the related gear that you have to clean up. You darn near have to take a day off work to get that done.

[Don Gwinn]

I'm with you, FM12. I'm too busy sucking at pistol to suck at two more weapons.

(That's a lie. If there were local matches, I'd be in.)

(Well, the part about sucking was true . . . . I just don't care.)

[FM12]

Don, I'm getting faster, though. I can now miss faster than anyone I know, and am really consistant!

This may be my best year ever!:eek:

[GEM]

There aren't enough three gun matches around here! Few and far between!

[VegasOPM]

I don't compete for 2 reasons- 1. My AR isn't running and I need to rebuild the upper. 2. We don't run matches in the summer. As soon as the matches start again, I'll fix the AR.

[benzy2]

The biggest problem I have is the cost to practice. There aren't setups like this that I know of around me. To get all the stage materials would be expensive to start, then ammo costs comes next. I just don't have the time or money to get a setup to practice and if I did I don't have the money to practice like it takes to be decent. I would love to have a modifiable stage I could unload when I go shooting. I have the firearms to do it. I really think that a .22lr course would be fun since you could practice all day for $10 or less. Hmm maybe Ill have to look into building the targets to set this up locally.

[Kind of Blued]

Then there's the fact that my GI mag carrier with 2 USGI M14 mags disappeared at the last 3-gun shoot I participated in... Then the Klinton mag ban set in. Ick.

That's a reoccuring nightmare of mine! ;)

I just watched a bunch of video of 3-gun competition as filmed by ShootingUSA, and although I've never competed in one, and (don't kill me) don't even own a shotgun, I'm as good as hooked.

I LIKE the fancy equipment. One of the reasons I love firearms is because I think they look neat. Another is that they can do amazing things if you can step up to them. I see the aquisition of "pricey gear" to be synonymous with the "diminishing of excuses", and there's nothing wrong with that if you're good enough that your gear is honestly holding you back. Even if it isn't, owning the best gear gives you headroom; the knowledge that YOU need to catch up to your GUN, and that is a liberating thing in any medium.

I'd absolutely love to shoot in a 3-gun competition. I'm nowhere near good enough, but I have a feeling I will NEVER be good enough to belong at something like that. Either way, I think it would be fun and I'm gonna do one sometime. :)

[burningsquirrels]

where's the option "because i'm poor/broke?" :D

[taliv]

it's implied in "requires too much equipment"

[burningsquirrels]

voted. :)

i'd pay ammo and rental perhaps... but the firearms themselves are the killer.

[Justin]

Honestly, in all of the competitive shooting games I've tried, if you take it with even a medium level of seriousness, the ammo costs tend to dwarf the cost of the gun sooner than you'd think.

[burningsquirrels]

absolutely. gun and equipment for me was about $650. reloading equipment was less than $500, but new ammo per thousand = $270/thou while reloaded ammo costs me $115/thou... and i'm starting to exceed that 1/k month count for my primary gun. fortunately 9mm is even cheaper to reload for the other gun... i don't even want to start thinking about an AR, shotgun, and reloading bot those as well... ouch!