This Thread is for folks wanting to get into 3 gun or Multi- gun matches. If you have questions ask them here. I my self have lots and want to get into it.
There is a Competitive Shooting forum, with lots of 3-gun info.
If you have questions then ask them. There are several competitors and even some match directors.
Whats your questions? We cant help unless you ask.
How many rounds do you guys bring to each stage, and to a match?
Rifle, Shotgun, Pistol.
I’ve seen where basically anywhere from 2-4 magazines of pistol are present, usually 3-4 speed loaders with 5 rounds for shotguns and one spare magazine for a Rifle (Usually a 30 round).
I realize there are shotgun and rifle geared stages so you may not use one of the three guns at all at one, but speak in generalities.
Also… I’ve noticed something with Three Gun Comps… Or atleast Youtube Videos.
It seems like either they’re shooting at over 100 yards, or within 25 (some… it seems like they’re shooting IDPA or IPSC stages, at 5-10 yards).
Why isn’t there more variation?
I also guess it depends on the range and the limitations of how much real estate they have to play with…
What are some huge mistakes you guys made starting out and what would you recommend not repeating.
I think I’ve got most of the answers I’m looking for, but I figure input is always valuable, especially on a forum like this.
I know it seems like bringing some snack (nuts, etc.) and lots of water are a good idea, sun screen, etc.
What about mind games, what do you guys recommend in running stages, what do you guys look for?
I’ve always looked at competition as something, especially like this… certain things you want to get all fired up about, like when I used to play Defensive Line in Football, you basically gear yourself to do violence, raw emotion, fear and intimidation are the tools of the tool box, etc.
But with things like Golf and as weird as it sounds… bowling, I need to clear my mind of everything, all the distractions and focus on my technique and practicing the fundamentals.
Really, sometimes not even thinking about the fundamentals or what to do and what not to do are where I perform best, where you just live in the moment, don’t think about the future, the past, just where you are, think of nothing. I played the best nine holes of my entire life in golf, thinking of nothing, just going through the motions fluidly, giving them the due attention they needed and not getting wrapped up in finishing a hole a certain way or how to play it.
Brian Enos also talks about staying positive and optimistic, if you walk into a stage pissed, and thinking about what you screwed up on the last stage, you won’t be thinking about what you’re going to do on the next stage, etc.
Where do you guys find yourselves in the emotional realm to perform the best?
Thanks, I figure I’ll ask more later, I appreciate the input.
Usually bring 200 rds of rifle, 200 rds of pistol, 100 rds of bird, and 20 slugs for a local match and that is WAY OVER KILL. On the belt are 2 pistol mags, 2 rifle mags, and enough space for 20 shotgun shells. Since I run a G19, an ar15, and 8+1 sg that is a total of 45 Pistol, 84 rifle, and 29 shotgun shells on me and in the guns once the buzzer goes off.
I guess this would have to do with stage design and reset. If you have a bunch of paper targets or knock down steel scattered from the start line all the way out to 300 yards it’ll take forever to reset a stage. Much easier to have a bunch of stuff close to tape up and reset and leave flash targets out at long range. Plus shooting steel plates with rifle closer than 100 yards tears them up really bad.
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Really wished I hadn’t bought anything until after my first two matches. Looking back I could have just brought my pistol holster and a double pistol mag pouch and put everything else in my pockets or a dump pouch to start off with.
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Load a 30 rounds into a 30 round magazine. Down load to 28. I’ve witnessed more than 1/2 a dozen times in the last year (and had it happen to me) where someone rams a full mag so hard into the magwell that it doesn’t really catch it. Even witnessed a guy use the “push pull” technique only to successfully PUSH and PULL the mag IN and OUT of the magwell, TWICE.
It seems like either they’re shooting at over 100 yards, or within 25 (some… it seems like they’re shooting IDPA or IPSC stages, at 5-10 yards).
The matches I run a Blackwater have targets from contact distances to 300yards. I try to have some of everything. I use reactive steel for all long range targets, and paper for closer stuff. Intermediate distance targets can be a problem for reset time if the have to be pasted or reset.
Come on up and try one of our matches it sounds like what you are looking for.
Matt
Was kicking around the idea, honestly I want to get all of my stuff figured out, and compete some locally before I travel long distance to embarass myself. 
I appreciate the offer though.
Pistol Holster: You need one that securely holds your pistola when you go prone. And something that rides a little behind the hip will help keep it out of the dirt.
You know, I was thinking about running my concealment rig.
I use a Comptac Spartan IWB and a Tactical Wilderness 1.5’’ 5 thread belt, with two spare mag carriers, I probably need to pickup two more.
I’m in a lucky position, in that I’m left eye Dominant and Right handed. I shoot pistols predominantly right handed and rifles predominantly left, because I like to keep both eyes open. So I can have probably 4 magazines on my left side for pistol, and 2 rifle magazines (as long as they don’t obscure my pistol draw stroke) on my right side, and shotguns across the midsection.
I’ve seen guys run a belt rig and vested rigs, (or at least reportedly).
I’m thinking about picking up a thicker belt and having something on the outside of my clothing. I want to keep my draw stroke consistent with what I’d shoot whether it be practicing drawing from concealment, shooting IDPA (which… is in my area, and I’m thinking about trying I really want to get some match experience before I go to a massive match, start small low pressure, and baby step my way up), or three gun, with the sacrifice of speed, I figure I’ll gain proficiency.
I also shoot a 1911, so, it’s a single stack, should I bring more magazines? I realize there are single stack divisions, limited, open, etc. in traditional pistol shooting competitions (IPSC, IDPA, USPSA, etc.) where they do have magazine capacity limits (or lack there of in certain divisions), where as 3-gun, I’ve never heard of it being limited, so how many 1911 magazines would I conceivably need to carry? I usually carry an 8 rounder seated in the pistol and two Chip McCormick 10 round power magazines as replacement. I figure I’ll probably use Chips exclusively for competition. I’m figuring four (ETA: Four spares)
I also think I’m going to go with a belt rig, as that’s the most realistic for me to use in a hypothetical “situation” (I realize it isn’t training, but, muscle memory forms, regardless, and I’d rather keep it consistent as possible). What belts do you guys recommend? I see a lot of guys like Raven Concealment, but, I’d like to keep the same exact holster.
I was going to try some Comptac magazine pouches for my belt (as far as rifle). I use a double magazine pouch now for pistol.
Since this is a generic 3 Gun Q&A, here’s a really generic question.
What do you guys use to hold your magazines?
What do you look for in holsters, and what would you steer clear of?
I think Kydex is an obvious choice, but I’m open to any and all suggestions.
Thanks again, I appreciate it.
is there a standard length for a “course” from match to match? or is it all up to the person who sets it up?
also is there a standard target/knockdown that is always used or is there variation depending on how creative the match creator is?
Alright, I’ve got a question, those of you that wear glasses (like me), how do you manage that?
I’m thinking about switching to contacts for shooting competitively, are there competitive shooting glasses?
My glasses even though they’re titanium (Flexon) and light weight, they still move around when moving, etc.
What do you guys use?
BWT, Country DeVil, et al-
There’s no standard for the length of a 3-gun stage or match. I just got back from the MGM Ironman match in Idaho, where I fired over a thousand rounds combined over three days. At local matches, on the other hand, you might only fire 150 or so rounds total. Any good match, local or national, will give you a round count in advance.
My own setup consists of one Redi-Mag on my rifle plus one rifle magazine pouch on my belt at 6:00, two pistol magazine pouches at 9:00, and up to 6 4-round shotshell carriers across the front. I also sometimes run a OttoMadeIt shotshell chest rig for shotgun-heavy stages, which gives me another 24 rounds available.
The general rule of thumb is to carry enough ammo on me to complete the stage, plus one extra magazine for emergencies.
For holsters, I like Kydex and simple. I use Ready Tactical belt holsters for all my competition guns. You’ll see a lot of Blade-Tech gear at the matches, but I think Ready Tactical stuff is better designed and better quality.
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There’s no standard for targets in 3-gun, either, but there are some common ones you generally see. Paper targets are usually USPSA or IDPA, sometimes reduced-size. Close-range pistol and shotguns steel can be Pepper Poppers, 5" knockdown plates, MGM auto-poppers, and similar.
Long-range rifle steel used in 3-gun all has one thing in common - it’s all self-resetting. No one wants to run 300 yards to reset steel in between shooters. The defacto standard for long-range rifle targets in 3-gun is the MGM flash target. I use 6" auto-poppers and 10" hanging plates for my own practice.
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I wear glasses, too. For shooting, I use Rudy Project Rydons. They’re light, full-wrap, have interchangeable lenses, many Rx options, and Rudy Project is a supporter of practical shooting. If you order from their website, punch in the discount code “2alpha” for a substantial discount.
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Last bits of advice.
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There are only two shotguns for 3-gunning. The FNH SLP Mark 1, and the Benelli M1/M2. Don’t make the mistake I did, and try to rig up some other brand to work. Get an FN or a Benelli, straight off.
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Zero your rifle, and know your holdovers out to 300 yards at least. Remember, you’re frequently going to be shooting at a 10" plate at that distance. It’s a good idea to have a hardcopy dope table in your rifle case.
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Don’t go to war on long-range targets. I see this a lot - a guy will burn through 30-50 rounds (and 2-3 minutes) trying to hit a long-range plate that’s just beyond the reach of his gear and skill. Don’t do this. Fire x rounds at each target, and move on.
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Have fun! Winning big matches is great, but the training, the dry practice, the club matches - all of that is fun, too. If you’re not having the time of your life every second you’re doing 3-gun, you’re doing it wrong.
I doubt that’ll be a problem, though. 
-C
:rolleyes:
Chris you forgot Remington and Saiga.
Dan used a Rem 1100 at the 3man 3gun at Topton Zombie match on Sunday and did most of the shotgun shooting that day. Dans ‘green monster’ runs very well.
VA Arms Co took 3rd at that match.
1st was Dave Olhassos’ team (can’t remember the name of the team)
2nd was Deans team (match director, hosted the match)
3rd VA Arms Co team
4th Noveske Shooting Team
I can’t remember after that.
I keep my pistol in three gun the same place I keep it in IDPA, USPSA, on duty and off duty. Right in the middle of the hip. Never had a problem with prone.
Pat
Watching Dan L’s Remmy run proves that they do work and you dont need a tool box along with you. He shot it well. Robb and Va Arms Co. as a team shot well.
The NST did not event deserve 4th place. In fact, we should have been somewhere in then teens or lower due to a serious error in judgement that was uncalled for.
We were lucky to have only been penalized what the MD decided, instead of what we should have gotten was would have been a procedural for every target that did not have 2 shots on it.
I ran a M2 that all year has had no issues until I had the brilliant idea to change ammo mid match… stupid stupid stupid.
Sometimes you learn from mistakes, I know I did.
I hope we are fortunate enough to come back next year for the match.
I enjoyed shooting with everyone on our squad. It was nice shooting with a fellow M4C Mod/Staffer too.
I think if you find a good deal on a used M1s90 (they are all over the net for sale), I would seriously consider it. 700-750 in good shape would be a good price in my mind.
While you’re on shotguns, how would you guys outfit an 870 for 3-gun? My local range has started having them monthly, and they’ve been good fun.
I’m using an 870 I got in a trade some years ago, and it serves my purposes. But I’m wondering what could be done to it to make it better for 3-gun. I have a 2-shot extension on it already, and I’m using the 18" slug barrel that came with it, which also has rifle sights.
Can anything be done to make it perform better or ensure reliability? Do you recommend any spare parts? Do you know of a good replacement forend that allows for a shell carrier to be mounted on the receiver?
I’m not looking to spend huge amounts of money on the game, as I’m having enough fun as it is. But I would like to do what small things I can to make operations easier. I haven’t really had a chance to quiz anyone at the matches—I’m usually the only one using an 870 anyway.
How much ammo do you carry into the match, I mean on your person while you are shooting. also how much do you take with you overall?
Usually bring 200 rds of rifle, 200 rds of pistol, 100 rds of bird, and 20 slugs for a local match and that is WAY OVER KILL. On the belt are 2 pistol mags, 2 rifle mags, and enough space for 20 shotgun shells. Since I run a G19, an ar15, and 8+1 sg that is a total of 45 Pistol, 84 rifle, and 29 shotgun shells on me and in the guns once the buzzer goes off.
From above.
I’m thinking for the more intense matches two mags sounds good for AR’s with one spare for the more intense ones… (For Instance, I want to shoot a basically 2-gun match in my area next month for the first time, they usually shoot 100 pistol and 50 rifle total or at least that’s from what I gathered, there’s no need for me to carry 86 rounds of .223 Rem I think I’ll get by fine with 56) I’m thinking I’ll carry (I’ll probably be using my 1911, so 10 rounder magazines for spares, start the stage with an 8 rounder in the gun) 2-4 spare magazines for Pistol, and I’ll follow his recommendations for shotgun.
But I won’t be shooting any 3-gun comps for now, only two gun and pistol, I really need to figure out my shotgun component of this…