Equipment for 3 gun matches

[Gatordad699]

I am going to start shooting 3 gun matches. I have the equipment for the pistol (already shoot IPSC and IDPA). I have the shotgun (Remington 1100 Tactical) and AR-15(JP rifle). I was wondering if anyone could help me with some other equipment questions;

How many mag holders do you need for the rifle?
Can you put them on and off your belt in between stages?
How many shotgun rounds should you carry?
Can you switch that belt in between stages?
Do you shoot all 3 guns in one stage?
2 of the guns in one stage?

Thank you for any help.

 

[Chris Rhines]

How many mag holders do you need for the rifle?

I run a Beta mag, plus one mag carrier on my belt for emergencies (malfunctions and such) and another in my shooting bag. In general, one or two rifle mag carriers will do the trick.

Can you put them on and off your belt in between stages?

Usually yes, but it depends on the rules of the match.

How many shotgun rounds should you carry?

Enough to complete the largest course of fire you expect to shoot, plus a few extras. I carry 12 on my belt, 9 in the gun, 8 on the sidesaddle if needed. How you carry them depends on your loading style.

Can you switch that belt in between stages?

Again, depends on the match.

Do you shoot all 3 guns in one stage? 2 of the guns in one stage?

In a multi-gun match, yes and yes. In an old-style "three-gun" match, you only shoot one firearm on a given stage.

- Chris

 

[Wakal]

My general rule of thumb, taken for what it is worth , is to carry twice as many rounds in twice as many feeding devices as I need for a given stage. Having both watched top shooters dump their spare ammo as a unit and having done it myself, I learned

There is no need to tote all your gear all the time, unless you are one of those cool Trooper Class guys from Cav Arms or you are at some freaky match that requires it (which I haven't seen yet, but it sounds like fun. But I'm nuts ).

My (Bladetech) AR mag pouches (I keep two in my 3GunCrap(tm) bag) have TecLock clips on 'em. For, say, a 25 round rifle stage I'll put a 40 round mag in the rifle and another 40 on my belt. Big stages, I make like Chris and go Beta (with a spare 40 or two) unless the on-gun weight savings gained by reloading would make a difference.

My shotgun...well, at non-limited (read: non-USPSA) matches, the 20 round drum is usually on the shotgun unless, again, weight or reloads makes a difference. My (Bladetech, see a trend there?) shotgun mag pouches also have Techlock clips, and I keep two pouches on hand too. If I expect a long stage, extra mags go in my back pocket. If I need 'em, the extra time has already dumped me off the top of the page

If I'm running one of those antique "tube fed" (how quaint ) shotguns, my spare ammo is on the side of the gun (ten rounds) and in six-round clip-backed skeleton holders on my belt.

My pistol...I've taken to running a Bladetech (lol) DOH for my STI Open gun in most three gun matches, with a dual mag carrier. That only gives me 82 rounds (28 in the gun, 54 in the carrier, unless I need to drag out ExcaliberMag(tm) and go 30 in the gun). If the extra tenth of a second from a speed holster would be in order, the gun belt comes out with the Limcat holster and the three Safariland 771 pouches. Since Safariland pouches ALSO hold AR magazines nicely, that leaves my shotgun mags getting locked on as necessary.

Actual milage may vary, not for the other use, keep out of children.






Alex

 

[akanotken]

How many mag holders do you need for the rifle?
Can you put them on and off your belt in between stages?
How many shotgun rounds should you carry?
Can you switch that belt in between stages?
Do you shoot all 3 guns in one stage?
2 of the guns in one stage?
QUOTE]

There are a lot more varied solutions in 3 gun than in IDPA or USPSA matches, where most things have been ironed out. Also, there are lots of 3 gun matches that have their own rule set. Recon matches where you must carry everything usually demands a vest, but most of the rest you can get by hanging things off your belt/bandoleers/offset off your belt.

So, most of the answers to your questions will be best answered at the actual matches that you shoot at.

How many mag holders do you need for the rifle? 40 round mags are pretty popular, there's some good discussion on prepping them up on brianenos. Cinch a couple together, add a basepad or two and you've got a pretty versatile combo
Can you put them on and off your belt in between stages?At every match I've been to. In fact, the only changes not permitted that I've seen have been to equipment. Can't change optics between stages (tho you can adjust magnification), can't add or remove a bipod, etc
How many shotgun rounds should you carry? I shoot a magfed Saiga, and typically have 2x as much as I need or more. Mags will fall.
Can you switch that belt in between stages? yes
Do you shoot all 3 guns in one stage?I've seen, one, two, three and 4 gun stages (fourth gun is a guest firearm, or a MOR)
2 of the guns in one stage?
QUOTE]