Ok, so I’m interested into do a 3 gun match. I have a Remington 11-48 Shotgun, a factory Colt SP1 AR-15A1, a heavy barrel scoped AR-15 which is accurate up to 500yds, and a Glock Gen. 1 model 17 using 17 and 33 round mags. Tactical gear includes a Blackhawk holster, 5.11 Tactical vest able to hold 8 Magpul Pmags of 30 rounds each, and a skeet shotgun ammo pouch. Are these guns any good for a 3 gun competition?
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Highly recommend cutting teeth in the pistol only games first.
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No need for the vest.
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you’re going to want shotgun shell caddies
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Also, leave the 33 round mags at home, they are too long for any division.
Really, you will most likely be fine with what you have (as long as you aren’t worried about your score or how you place), and will be able to see what everyone else is using.
Most important things:
- Follow the safety rules of the game/range. No fun getting booted for a safety violation.
- Be sure you can carry enough ammo to complete the stages, even if you have a magazine fail on you/fall off of you or if you foul a shotgun reload.
You basically just need 2-4 pistol mag pouches, a couple of AR mag pouches, and a way to carry shot shells. I would suggest that you head to the club holding the match, talk to some folks, and borrow what you need to dip your toes in. Most folks don’t have a problem loaning gear to someone who’s just starting out. There’s a lot of options for toting shot shells, so you’ll want to research and if possible play with a variety of methods to find what works best for you.
With that said, if you haven’t already, start with pistol matches. That way you can familiarize yourself with the match environment without having the extra work of juggling three guns and the necessary ammo.
- You’ll be ok with the guns to get started. The 1148 will definitely need to have an extended magazine if you dont have one already. If you stick with 3-gun you’ll end up getting a different shotgun, essentially no one uses Remington 1100’s in this game.
- As noted, the skeet pouch is not going to cut it. You need shotgun shell caddies. Reloading in a hurry is the name of the game. There are lots of options available. You’ll have to decide if you like traditional weak hand, strong hand, load 2 or quads before you decide which caddies to buy.
- Stick with the 17 round Glock magazines, but eventually you will want to get extended base pads for them. I use Arredondo and Dawson Precision basepads.
- Ditch the vest. You need to be able to carry 1 extra AR mag on your belt and stick another 1 in your back pocket in case things get really bad. For pistol mags 2-3 in traditional pouches should suffice. Also a good two piece competition belt like CR speed or Double Alpha will be a smart buy.
- You’ll eventually want a better pistol holster. The Blackhawk will suffice to start with.
- Go with the lightest AR you have. A heavy barrel that is good to 500 yards is unnecessary.
You’ll get addicted and replace most of this stuff but you’re off to a good start. I’ve got a Youtube channel and blog dedicated to this stuff if you need more info.
OP- You didn’t specify, so I’ll ask… What are your goals for shooting match? Mission drives the gear.
I’m looking at just getting started. I’ve seen the 3 gun matches on the Sportsman’s Channel. I want to see how I do cause the better you get with using your gear the faster the time. So ultimately I want to win one.
I also have a Colt SP1 AR-15A1 rifle. Is that a good gun to use?
Read up and familiarize your self with range/game rules. Show up to a match. Run what you brung. Let match director know it’s your first time. He will probably put you with a mentor and will keep you from going first on a stage so you can see it done. TAKE YOUR TIME when you are up. No one wins their first match. Think before you do ANYTHING. Help tape targets and pick up brass.
Something like this:
Shooter ready?
Stand by…
Beep
Think “I am going to draw my pistol” then do it at 1/2 speed with staged intentional movements and manipulation.
Weapon out of holster… Finger off trigger… Meet support hand at chest… Drive weapon to first target… Engage target… Look at impacts… Re engage or move on to next target.
Think about every movement before you do it, even simple stuff. Try to make a good first impression, you will see these guys again. You will not be judged on your ranking by others but you will be judged on your attitude. Take advice with a ‘thank you’ even if you disagree or already know it.
Set goals for first match. My first match goals were to not finish last and to not get DQ’ed. I placed 36 out of 40 even though I was walking to transitions that others were running to and was watching my impacts on targets.
You don’t beat anyone in games other than yourself. The ‘winner’ is the person that screwed up least. Penalties are what will push you to the bottom not overall time.
Take your time, get your hits and think before you do anything.
Safety first. Learn to live with and love the 180. Don’t move or do gun manipulations with your finger on or near the trigger. Know your rules and scoring system.
As for equipment, don’t sweat it. Make sure it’s legal under your matches rules. Pick a division, I recommend Tac Scope and roll with it. Equipment (assuming it works) is not what wins. Shooter skill and strategy is what wins. You will need some sort of shot shell loading system though: caddies, quads, dropping deuces, whatever…
Zero your rifle, zero it again, and then check your zero. KNOW hold offs.
I taught a 3 gun class for new shooters. Some observations: 1) most have not mastered the basic functionality of equipment. 2) most don’t understand scoring beyond “go fast.” 3) most have not learned to live with and love the 180 4) most haven’t really zeroed their rifles 4) most try to " go fast" but don’t know how to build a basic shot much less a technical shot. GET YOUR HITS! 5) Starting with USPSA or even IDPA pistol is not a bad idea. 6) barricades and props are your friends and enemies 7) don’t try to go fast, get your hits 8) calling shots is a lost art but you dont know what happened unless you can instantly call shots 9) give every shot the respect it needs and no more (this is how to go fast) 10) relax and have fun, don’t expect instant success.
Watch and learn from the better shooters. Ask them questions
That’s what talking about!
Attend a match and ask a lot of questions. Ask to check out everyone wakes guns and gear and ask them why they use what they use. There are very few guns or pieces of gear that are must have. Lots of options and opinions out there.
As was said earlier you’re gear will get you through a match but you will soon be upgrading shotgun and shell Caddy’s.
That’s an excellent choice.
A gun cart makes the day a lot more bearable too. Get a used golf pull cart or jogging stroller and attach Kolpin gun holders for your rifle and shotgun, and use the cargo space for ammo can+ cooler for snacks and drinks. It beats carrying all that stuff around on your shoulders while ya got everything else to deal with.
Style points for that.
I’d highly recommend going to a local match and watching how they do things before buying any gear. Matches and gear requirements can vary widely from match to match.
For example…
-One local match is held at a range with only pistol bays (so you don’t need any magnification on your rifle) and always has two stages that are shotgun only (so you better be ready to do a lot of loading).
-Another local match shoots rifle out to 500 yards every month but almost never has any shotgun reloading. In fact, all their stages allow you to shoot the shotgun arrays with your pistol. And if you’re a good with a pistol you’ll do better to not even bring a shotgun.
Show up early to help set up, stay busy resetting targets and you’ll have no trouble being able to borrow gear to try out.
I’d also recommend starting with a few pistol matches first. They’re less gear dependent and are a great way to get used to stage planning and how matches run. And you’ll never be a winning 3Gunner if you’re not a good pistol shot anyway.
The first step is showing up
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Ditch the Glock for a CZ75 / P0-1
He’s talking ultimate goal - if I personally were to do three-gun, I would just be seeing how I can do running stages as though they were well-set up training scenarios with gear I already have; I would suck but I would improve at what I ultimately want to be good at - running my own stuff.
What it YOUR ultimate goal for participating in three-gun competition?
Getting a competitive shotgun and shotgun support gear will be a larger performance gap-closer with regard to equipment than the difference between a 6920 and a built for purpose JP rifle, assuming that skill and optics are equal.