3 Gun Divisions and attitudes

[UM3Gun]

I know the basic USPSA rules and classificaions for the different divisions. What I'm unsure about, is whether or not there are some unspoken rules or limitations within the sport. Specifically, I like to run my equipment trooper style. It's been my experience among 3 gunners that most lean away from that and I'm trying to avoid being a "gun store commando."

I find myself routinely being the youngest competitor on the field, 24 years old, and I feel sometimes like there's an unpleasant undercurrent to things. I make it a point to conduct myself in a professional manner, and I am ALWAYS safe about it. has anyone else seen a similar trend around the ranges or am I unlucky?

 

[Sam1911]

I like to run my equipment trooper style. It's been my experience among 3 gunners that most lean away from that

Not sure what you mean. Can you be more specific?

I feel sometimes like there's an unpleasant undercurrent to things.

An unpleasant undercurrent? How so? Can you be specific about what it is you're seeing, hearing, or picking up on that makes you feel unwelcome?

USPSA can be a bit "too serious" and cliquish for some less formal and accomplished shooters. Is that what you're seeing?

 

[lmccrock]

Most 3-gun matches are NOT USPSA. Many of us shoot USPSA, but not in 3-gun. A few years ago I shot the USPSA Multigun Nationals and the staff was (not sure of a good word) "stiff" or "uncomfortable". It is better now, but the traditional pistol shooters look askance at 3-gun.

Anyway, tactical equipment, e.g., mags on a vest, is less competitive than competition-specific gear. I shoot with some hard core competitors. Also, some folks who use matches to apply training; these tend to have tac gear. I go for fun.

"Trooper" takes the tac gear concept farther. Decide what you want to get out of it, and proceed safely.

Lee

 

[jmorris]

You really havge to be more specific as to what 3 gun game you are playing. "3 gun" is kind of like saying "action pistol" more than one game to play these days.

 

[NWcityguy2]

Chalk me up as another person who doesn't know what trooper means. Attitudes vary club to club so the only thing you can really do is show up and see what it is like. As long as you are safe and courteous I can't see people giving you an attitude but showing up wearing jeans and a normal t-shirt will go a long way towards not looking like a mall ninja regardless of what your gun looks like.

 

[taliv]

lots of people (local cops, military) run their duty gear and use 3gun for practice knowing they're not going to beat the race gun guys. in fact, i've done the same, using a compact 45acp pistol and some other practical but not competitive gear.

i'd hope no one would give you grief over gear. just try not to wear too much camo or face paint or a balaclava or anything silly like that and you should be fine.

 

[JimStC]

Three Gun has progressed from outlaw club matches to Multi-Gun USPSA regulated matches. This has occurred over the last several years and in my opinion is good. The "outlaw" matches were run under USPSA rules even then and our stages were designed with that principle.
Attitudes? Unwritten rules of conduct? I never experienced that and have shot
matches in MD, KY, and IN, both club level and State matches.
As mentioned above, just be safe and forget the mall ninja stuff. Always be respectful of the RO and follow his/her commands without fail.
Another above comment merits a response. If RO's seem "stiff or uncomfortable", try playing their role for three days, running hundreds of shooters in normally very hot weather. It is a thankless job and it is completely voluntary with no pay and few if any perks. Without RO's there are no matches. I ran a stage at the Indiana State match a few years ago. The humidity and ambient temperature were oppressive to say the least. Nonetheless all shooters finished safe. You can thank the RO's for that.
Lastly if traditional pistol shooters look askance at Multi Gun competitors that really is a shame. Everyone has the same objective: fun, safe competition.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Trooper style?

Put me down as another one who has no clue what that means.

I find myself routinely being the youngest competitor on the field, 24 years old, and I feel sometimes like there's an unpleasant undercurrent to things.

I doubt it has anything to do with your age.

Competitions are structured events. They have rules. They have an order and pace so that the event is done and the equipment gets put away so the fellows don't have to be there all day.

To the newer competitor that can seem off-putting, especially if he is used to doing things his own way when he shoots on his own, or with just a small group of buddies. Perhaps this is what you feel?

The crew I shoot IDPA with is a lot more relaxed than where I go shoot mid-range F-class matches. But no matter where I've gone to shoot a match, no one running it has been a complete jerk. Some may be less outgoing than others, but that's just people.


My advice to a young person . . . Use your social skills. Be pleasant. Offer to help put up or tear down a stage. Don't steer every conversation towards guns. A conversation here or there about guns is OK, but personally I get bored really quickly talking about this, that and the other new gun out there. I'm not one dimensional; none of us are. After one or two events I can pretty much figure out who that guy is, and I avoid him. Because he's boring. And he's quite often a young fellow. If that piece of advice doesn't apply, OK.


I make friends at these matches, and my most rewarding friendships are with people I can talk with about a book, or just plain life.


Lastly, smile. Really. It's a small thing that requires no effort other than to remember to do it, but it sure does affect how people interact with you.

 

[lmccrock]

"Trooper" is a class at some matches where you carry your gear with you the whole match. All your ammo, guns, spare parts, cleaning supplies, etc., are on your body. You can drop your pack to run the stage, but moving stage to stage, you carry everything. Seems like it was mostly the Cavalry Arms guys who did it, but others, too.

If RO's seem "stiff or uncomfortable", try playing their role for three days, running hundreds of shooters in normally very hot weather.

Understood, I am an NROI RO, but that was not what I meant. The USPSA RO staff at the 2007 and 2008 Multigun Nationals, for the most part, did not have 3-gun/multigun experience. The were just, plain, uncomfortable running stages with 3 guns. My understanding is the last couple of Nationals were much better.

Lastly if traditional pistol shooters look askance at Multi Gun competitors that really is a shame. Everyone has the same objective: fun, safe competition.

Yep, its a shame. Might not be that prevalent, but I can think of 3 cases.

 

[JimStC]

Lee,
Got it now. The transition stages are tough to RO. They have to be well designed and I get your point very clearly....
Thanks for the reply,
Jim

 

[taliv]

That's to be expected. In 2008 the uspsa 3gun rules were still provisional. It was new. Give it another chance.

 

[NWcityguy2]

Now that I know what Trooper is, I'm inclined to say "When in Rome, act like Romans". I don't mean this to be rude, or what you are doing is wrong but I think you'll get further in life by being a shooter who doesn't stand out like a sore thumb. Tactical/MOLLE vests are common enough. With carrying extra long guns that aren't needed on a stage (or beyond their part of a stage) you probably will not have a choice though.

Truthfully the best place to do whatever you want without worrying about what others think is your own stage, which you make, at whatever shooting spot you go to.