Suggestions for 3gun and IPSC guns

[bp78]

I've gotten the bug for practical shooting matches after shooting a couple IDPA matches. In central North Carolina we have a respectable number of regular matches for 3gun, IPSC, and IDPA. I'd like some suggestions on rounding out my inventory so that I can compete any weekend in some division of these matches. note: I'm more interested in the stock divisions rather than chromed-out $3k compensated race guns with optics.

Right now, I own the following relevant guns:
+ Kimber Custom CDP .45 (alloy framed, single stack)
+ Sig P228 9mm
+ Remington 1100 12ga 2.75" (field shotgun, plugged to 3rnds)

So here are my pointed questions:
1. I know I need an AR, I can search other threads for a basic AR suggestion. I think I'd prefer something m4ish but i'm still clueless on ARs or if I should be expecting to buy optics.

2. Should I buy a dedicated tacti-cool 12ga shotgun or can I add a barrel & magazine extension to the 1100? The 1100 was a gift and I'd rather not make it look horrible at the sporting clays club. In other words, stock changes or semi-permanent barrel modifications are out. I switch to the 28" barrel on it probably two maybe three times a year for sporting clays get togethers.

3. Should I add another pistol? I've thought about adding a single action CZ for the ESP IDPA division (or perhaps Glock 34 or 35 if I can overcome my personal Glock bigotry). I've done well with my P228 in SSP and I'm still working shooting my 1911 fast, my recovery is a little slow still. I've shot both a worked over CZ and a G34, liked both and shot both well with a slight nod to the CZ.

Since shooting is not my only cash consuming past time, keeping cost down is a concern but I've not set a budget cap. I'll pay for quality where it's warranted.

Any advice and suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

 

[HSMITH]

I would suggest you pick up a mag extension for your 1100, maybe some stick on fiber optic sights. Call that one done for about $75.

Keep shooting your 228.

Build an AR from a bare lower, lower parts kit, and assembled upper. Stick with a 20" AR for now, the short guns don't gain much where they do gain and cost you more often than not in sharper recoil and shorter sight radius.

Keep your guns pretty plain and average. Shoot for a while and figure out WHERE in the sport you want to go. When you know where your goal is set then make some equipment decision. Sticking with what you have now and learning to shoot is far more important than what you are shooting. It is also a WORLD cheaper in the long run to buy your competition set once or twice than it will be to try even a smattering of the different guns out there.

 

[Chris Rhines]

It is also a WORLD cheaper in the long run to buy your competition set once or twice than it will be to try even a smattering of the different guns out there.

Very good advice. With this in mind, I'd suggest buying the absolute best gear you can possibly stretch to afford.

I think I'd prefer something m4ish but i'm still clueless on ARs or if I should be expecting to buy optics.

Depends on what division you want to shoot in. Limited division is iron sights only, Tactical division allows one optic, Open division allows multiple optics. Tactical division is by far the most popular.

The most popular optic for Tactical division 3-gun is probably some flavor of Trijicon ACOG. That'd be my first choice.

Should I buy a dedicated tacti-cool 12ga shotgun or can I add a barrel & magazine extension to the 1100? The 1100 was a gift and I'd rather not make it look horrible at the sporting clays club.

Get a dedicated shotgun. Swapping barrels between games quickly becomes a pain in the rear. If you like the 1100 platform, find an inexpensive used one. Have the barrel cut to 21" or so, get an Easyloader and a +5 magazine extension.

Or purchase a 21" Benelli or a Winchester Super X2 Competition model.

Should I add another pistol? I've thought about adding a single action CZ for the ESP IDPA division (or perhaps Glock 34 or 35 if I can overcome my personal Glock bigotry).

Glocks and 1911s are what the winning shooters use, and for good reason.

- Chris

 

[bp78]

Thanks for the advice so far. Some points I should probably add.

I don't reload. As a young programmer, my work-life balance is hopelessly skewed to the work side. I don't have the time to give reloading the attention required right now in my life. Point of this statement being that I'd prefer what ever game gun I get to have a 9mm barrel option. I know the G35 has after market 9mm barrels available, and the .40 would still allow me major pf.

I'm not single for too much longer and while the wife to be isn't anti gun she already calls the 10 or so guns I have an arsenal. So I'd like to finish out my collection before there is any additional spending oversight.

In 3 gun competetions, what is the ratio of pump to semi shotguns? Do most use semi's? Would I be disadvantaged if built an inexpensive pump to dedicate for the purpose?

On the handgun front, are any 9/40 convertable 1911s available for a reasonable price? I prefer the 1911 SA platform to the glock. The G35 and the option are appealing esp given how cheap I can get a G35. I'm still impressed with the custom CZ I tried. Are those barrel-switchable between 9 & 40?

I'll check out the AR15 forum for build kit advice. The more I look around I'd like a long forearm and flat-top AR. I'm still drawn to the 16" one though.

Again, I'm out to have fun without finishing last. I don't expect to win a regional, I just want to stay competitive on a the local level.

 

[Zak Smith]

HANDGUN: If you will be shooting USPSA L-10 or Limited, get a Glock 35. It is a reliable 40SW platform. 9mm cannot make major in USPSA L10 or Limited classes. 3Gun matches do not have a concept of a "L-10" division, so you'll want the full capacity there. Some 3Gun matches score "Major / Minor" and some do not. Shooting your 1911/45 would be fine for USPSA L-10 and would not be a huge liability for 3Gun, though you will lose time to extra reloads.

SHOTGUN: Anything RELIABLE with a capacity of 8 or 9 total will do. MOST people are using Benelli M1S90's (or the new M2S90) with an 18.5 or 21" barrel and an extended magazine tube to bring the total capacity to 9 or 10. A pump shotgun is fine, you just need to train more. Shotgun stages are won by RELOADING QUICKLY and not missing.

RIFLE: get a standard 20" rifle from a major manufacturer, with a threaded muzzle and a flat-top (A3) receiver. If you want to shoot LIMITED, get one of the clamp-on carry handle rear sights or one of the other rear clamp-on sights. If you want to shoot TACTICAL, get one of the low power magnified optics like a TA11 ACOG, Accupoint, C/QT, etc.

Don't mess with switch-barrel stuff or more calibers than you need to.

 

[Correia]

The important thing is that you get out there and do it. Your idea on what the perfect set up is will evolve over time.

 

[Hagen442]

3 Gun IDPA

I shoot 3 Gun Matches with the following ,as you can see everyone is different as to what we shoot in these events.

Rifle: Beretta Cx4 Storm 9mm./ with a Ultra Dot
Pistol: Glock 34 9mm or a Sig 226 9mm
Shotgun: 1100 12 ga. Extended Tube /Standard Rifle Barrel or a
Mossberg 590 12 ga. / with a Ghost Ring Sight.

I shoot with several guys who shoot either AR'S , AK'S , Storms ,
M1 Carbines , Etc a real mixed bag of rifles.
( All of us have a few years on our eyes and we all use 0ptics on our rifles )
The Shootguns are mixed 20ga,16ga,12ga Pumps and Autos.

Use what you can get your hands on and have fun.

One note you may want to consider for a Pistol is Night Sights to compete in Night Events.

 

[SR_]

Have you shot IDPA or 3gun matches? If not, I'd suggest that you hold off any purchases for just a bit.

You have everything you need (gun wise) for either IDPA or IPSC production. You might need extra mags/holster/etc buy you have two great guns to start competitions with!

I'd suggest you go to a couple of the 3gun matches and just shoot pistol. I did that for the first time today and had a blast. The guy that owns the range and the gun that runs the match both shot pistol only. There were some tough shots but I had a blast. Either of your pistols would have worked!

As you shoot 3gun you'll meet folks and get their opinions. Heck they will probably let you try out thier equipment that way you'll be able to make a better choice of what you really want to get. The guys that shoot at Oxford are a great group!

Here are some add'l links to the one in your original posting:

http://users.gloryroad.net/~idpa/ events the first, second and third Sundays

www.goshoot.com IDPA the second Saturday. The guy that owns the range is a master class shooter in IPSC and his son is the youth champaion (the only person to win the title twice) His son was on the US squad that went to the World Shoot. They really know equipment because they shoot 3gun all over the country. (Mike Tilley is the owner – great guy)

http://www.sirwaltergunclub.com/ lots of events!


Send me an email if you want to ride to one of the Oxford Matches with me. I’m in Cary (close to US 1 and Cary Parkway).

 

[SR_]

Lance Ammo, who is just down the road in Dunn NC is a great company to get to know. If you get into competitions you'll go through a lot of ammo.

I purchase ammo in bulk and generally order 1,000 to 2,000 rounds per order. The owner will arrange to meet you to drop off the ammo - saves the shipping cost.

Best news, the offer factory loads as well as competition loads.

www.lancerammo.com

 

[bp78]

Lancer Mfg

I buy their bulk FMJ ammo from PDHSC. I was planning on trying their lead .45 and 9mm rounds the next time out and then looking into buying those in bulk. Glad to hear that they will do pickups. Let me know the next time you order from them, maybe we can both place an order at the same time to get a better discount for a Raleigh sale.

 

[richardschennberg]

Just bring your own handgun, holster, and mag pouches if any.
If you want to shoot long gun, bring some low-cost .223 ammo and a box of 12 gauge 1 1/8 oz #7 1/2 shells. Pants with back pockets should be fine for a spare AR-15 magazine, and a jacket with pockets should suffice to carry a few spare shotshells.
Richard
Schennberg.com

 

[bp78]

I'm shooting my first 3 gun match on Saturday at B&R. An old friend will let me share his AR & 12ga for the match and I'll shoot my normal p228 IDPA pistol. Looking forward to it. We also have a gunshow in town the following weekend - so I should be able to try out some things and then shop around at the show.

 

[Lee F]

AR15 lower

If you want to build a AR15 we are doing a group buy on stripped lowers in the Raleigh/Garner area. Go over to www.ar15.com and the hometown NC section. So far we are up to about 20 people +/- cat herding factor. Hopefully we will get a lower for less than $100 out the door with that QTY.

 

[bp78]

Thanks for the heads up; I just signed up at ar15.com. The lower looks to be the cheapest part of an AR build up, so long as you buy local to avoid any FFL xfer fees. The group buy price looks to be $90 and retail prices around $100? Is that right?
I assume this is the thread

 

[HSMITH]

A quality lower at $100 out the door is a good price. Jump on it. Throw a parts kit at it and an assembled upper. Done, you have a good useable AR for about $600 or a little less. Shoot it for a while, then tweak it into what you want.

 

[bp78]

Shot my first 3gun match this weekend, no results post yet but even on a borrowed scattergun and rifle i think i placed in the top 1/2 or so.

Used my usual P228 on the pistol course which was mostly cardboard and a pair of poppers. Shotgun stage was a lot of fun with 18 steel targets. Shot a mossberg 590 with a bead sight. Easy to load compared to the field remington 1100 I own. The rifle stage was much shorter than I would have expected. Furthest target was only 50yds out but it was a 32rd stage. Shot a buddies Olympic ar15 - very first time shooting an AR. Managed to drop the mag while moving my finger outside the guard to move positions.

People were shooting everything under the sun. Old-old colt da revolver on the pistol stage to one guy with a class III full-auto 9mm Sterling on the rifle portion. Several ARs, an AR10, m1a socom, cx4 and others.

After that experince I'm narrowing my shopping to either a remington 870 or mossberg 590 12ga with ghost rings. And I'm still big on a 16" AR, I'm still reading through the build v. buy and ABC & R brands right now.