3 Gun Competion

[browningpotato]

I have really been interested in getting started in 3 gun competitions. I think I have all the necessary gear, at least enough to get started and get my feet wet. Problem is, I do not know anyone who shoots 3 gun, have never been to a match, and the only info I have is from researching it on the net.

First off, I live in Northwest ohio, somewhat near toledo, does anyone know of any clubs in the area that shoot 3 gun? Also, I am somewhat unclear as to the different divisions so I will list what I have, if someone could please point me toward a division (from my research it sound like tactical):

Rifle: AR with 18" WOA barrel and leupold 3.5-10 scope (is this too much magnification, will I need a DR. sight?)

Shotgun: Benelli SBE II ( it has an extended tube, i cant remember if it hold 7+1 or 8+1) Are the regular beads fine or should I get a fiberoptic front sight?

Pistol: I have an HK USP 45 and a Springfield MC Operator ( i do not know which would be best to use as I am equaly awful with both
I was also thinking about getting a Springfield TRP operator would thins be a good 3 gun pistol?

I know there are a lot of questions here, but like I said I do not know anyone that shoots 3 gun that I can ask. If anyone can help out with these questions or give any other helpful advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[OHtard]

1. Change scope to a red dot.
2. Shotgun will work fine
3. Use the hk load mags all the way up.
You would be shooting tactical optic division.

I am in norheast Ohio, we shoot 3 gun once a month at my local club. Feel free to pm me with any more questions. Also try www.brianenos.com

 

[Riss]

If you shoot long range like we do, 200 yard flashing plates, the red dot will not do well. A second mount for the red dot on a 45 deg will help for the up close shots but that might put you in a tougher class. 45 acp pistols are fine but the decreased capacity will hurt. You will likely be shooting with high cap 40's. Got to USPSA.org website and look through the rule books and upcoming matches. And also double check with local clubs to see if they are lumping any of the divisions together. If its a local, non sanctioned match this could happen. If its a division, regional or state match the divisions will go by the rulebook.

 

[Justin]

I have really been interested in getting started in 3 gun competitions.

Awesome! 3Gun is a ridiculous amount of fun and presents some very unique challenges both mentally and physically.

I think I have all the necessary gear, at least enough to get started and get my feet wet. Problem is, I do not know anyone who shoots 3 gun, have never been to a match, and the only info I have is from researching it on the net.

If you're interested in finding matches, or likeminded folks, join the Brian Enos Forums, there's a pretty active sub-section dedicated to 3Gun. There are some very experienced 3Gun shooters there who should be able to answer any questions, as well as point you in the right direction for finding nearby matches.

I am somewhat unclear as to the different divisions so I will list what I have, if someone could please point me toward a division (from my research it sound like tactical):

Based on the gear you're listing, you're pretty well set up for Tactical or Limited Division. (The name varies from place to place.)

Rifle: AR with 18" WOA barrel and leupold 3.5-10 scope (is this too much magnification, will I need a DR. sight?)

For Tactical division, most shooters are running fixed-power optics that have magnification of 3-4x like the ACOG TA11. Your Leupold will work for the time being, just keep the magnification set low. The biggest disadvantage will be that the magnification will slow you down for shooting close-range targets (0-50 yards.) However, attaching an additional scope to the rifle, like a Dr. sight, JPoint, or other non-magnified optic will bump you from Tactical to Open division.

Shotgun: Benelli SBE II ( it has an extended tube, i cant remember if it hold 7+1 or 8+1) Are the regular beads fine or should I get a fiberoptic front sight?

Most matches will have a total capacity limitation of nine rounds for Tactical shotgun. The fiber optic sights like the ones made by Hi-Viz are nice, but by no means a requirement.

Pistol: I have an HK USP 45 and a Springfield MC Operator ( i do not know which would be best to use as I am equaly awful with both
I was also thinking about getting a Springfield TRP operator would thins be a good 3 gun pistol?

Unlike IPSC, most 3Gun matches don't have a power factor requirement, or differentiate between calibers. Because of this, high-capacity 9mm pistols are the most common. Usually you'll only see .45s used in He-Man/Heavy Metal division. That said, for getting started, the USP would probably be the gun to choose. Make sure you've got enough spare magazines and carriers.

I know there are a lot of questions here, but like I said I do not know anyone that shoots 3 gun that I can ask.

That's what this forum is for.


Here's the thing about 3Gun, once you find a regularly-held local match, attend a few of them with the gear you have to see what works and what doesn't. From there you can begin to upgrade your gear. Also, don't get discouraged if your first couple of matches don't go as planned. The hardest part about 3Gun is getting started in it, and the best way to get better is to get out and shoot. As you go to more matches, your skills will increase.

 

[Slow1911s]

Here's something I posted on another board regarding 3-gun equipment that may be helpful.

* Rifle
o Magazines - two (2) 30 rd magazines will get you through most stages. Three is not a bad idea. As long as they function in your gun is all that matters.
o Magazine pouches - You should have at least one AR mag pouch. A nylon pouch from California Comp Works will run you $14 from Brownells. A kydex version from Blade-Tech also available from Brownells will run you $25
* Shotgun
o Magazine extension tube - You'll need a +4 or +5 extension for your shotgun. I like and use one made by Nordic Components that runs $80 that gives my Benelli 8+1 capacity. Dave's Metal Works, Choate and Briley make them for Remington, Benelli and Winchester/Browning.
o Holding the shells - here are your options
+ On your belt - I like and use California Comp Works Speed Strippers. $24/ea at Brownells. You should have 3-4 of these.
+ Dump Pouch - A Maxpedition RollyPoly is a simple and effective way to handle at least a box of 12 ga and also can work as a rifle pouch, also available for $25/ea. I wonder who might have some?
+ Side Saddle - I like and use the ones made by 3gungear.com/Buchanan Bag Works. You can get one from Dillon Precision for $24/ea You want the elastic loop kind, not hard plastic - trust me on this.
+ Arm - also from 3gungear.com/Buchanan - $24

So, where are we to get started?

* Rifle mag pouch...$14
* Shotgun magazine extension tube...$80
* Side saddle - $24
* Dump bag - $25

That adds up to $143. Now, before anyone says "that's a lot of money to spend on gear for a game!" just hold on. This is rock solid gear that you should own along with your guns in the first place. These things are practical. They make sense to own - game or not.

 

[ny32182]

I will qualify my post with the following statement: I had a ton of fun at the two 3 gun matches I have ever shot. So I am not experienced.... maybe that means this will help since I'm coming from the same place you are. If we had matches anywhere near me on a regular basis I would shoot them, but as far as I can tell, we do not.

Anyway... as someone who shoots IDPA SSP at the EX level most of the time, I was stunned at how bad I was at 3 gun. Not having much experience at rapid shooting with the rifle didn't help, but a solid 80-90% of my suckiness came from the shotgun portions. Here is what I used and how that gear compared to the rest of the field:

Pistol: I shot my stock G19; same gun and gear I run in IDPA. This was fine; not as gamey as what some of the best shooters were running, but just fine to get started.

Rifle: I knew beforehand that the longest shot would be 100 yards, so I ran my 10.5" LMT with Aimpoint. This was the right setup I believe. It got a little challenging because it turned out they were using reduced IDPA targets (approximately 8" or so at their longest vertical dimension, and brown cardboard color) against a brown dirt berm background... i.e. very little contrast, and glasses fogging up didn't help. There were a couple people in my squad that skipped over targets completely because they just didn't see them due to the lack of contrast. Overall though, I'd give the nod to the red dot unless some really longer range shots on smaller targets are going to be included. Just make sure you know your zero is good going in.

Shotgun: I ran the only thing I had available; M590A1. I can pump pretty fast, but not as fast as a semi. Also I was reloading out of my pocket, and in the time it took me to get a couple shells out of my pocket, the competitors had their tubes fully loaded. The shotgun is where the good shooters *really* dominated the rest of the field. If you want to be good at this game, a semiauto, belt mounted/vertical stacked shell holders, and lots of practice reloading that tube are going to be absolute necessities.

As I said, overall I had a ton of fun and would do it again if presented with any reasonable opportunity. The people around here that do it, however, are normally driving 6+ hours to the matches, and I'm just not at a point in my life where I have that kind of free time. Great fun though.