This is probably a stupid question but I would like to start shooting 3 gun competitions and am a little overwhelmed on what equipment is good for it. For an AR is a 16 inch chrome lined berral suitable or would I be better off with a longer stainless steel barrel? Any input would be greatly appreciated!
It will depend a lot on what kind of matches you’ll shoot. Locally we have a club that regularly shoots to 450ish yards, a club that shoots a LOT at 100 yards and a club that never has a rifle target beyond about 40 yards. An ideal rifle / optic for each club would look a little different to me.
Even for the long range stuff, the targets are generally 4MOA (around here anyway) so extreme accuracy will help-but isn’t the most important part of a match.
Generally speaking, you’d be fine with your rifle. Especially to go get started. Before I bought anything new I’d go shoot a few matches and the buy or build to suit your specific needs.
I don’t 3 gun or game shoot, it isn’t that I haven’t, but it isn’t something that flicks my switch. That being said, as with most things, weapons tend to be specific to their purpose. If you are shooting just to enjoy the shooting, and get some quality trigger time in, whatever you bring to the table will be good enough. If you are looking to place, check out some of the 3 gun forums and get ready to drop coin.
Personally, the KAC is a great all around carbine.
I’d 100% get a KAC SR15 E3 MOD 2
100yrd or 400 it’s one if the best weapon systems I’ve used and for $2000 it’s top 3 in the USA IMHO
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No doubt it’s said far too often, but: look at what the pros use. The majority of professional competitors are using 18" rifle length gas race guns (JP, etc). They aren’t using chrome-lined either. Not that there’s anything wrong with running the KAC if that’s what you have. You’ll just have to acknowledge the fact that you’re not as competitive as you could be. Check out the BrianEnos forums for more info than you’ll ever care to read.
Depends on the scenairo, it can work well depending on things.
Is it something you already have or is it something your looking to buy for competition?
Yes…buy it!!!
I just did a mid range carbine class at Sig Sauer Academy 2 months ago. The class was focused on shooting a carbine at 300+ yards. I used my 16 inch SR15 Mod 1 with a TA31 ACOG. I had no issues at that distance. There was a timed compiition to shoot 1 hit on 4 6 inch plates at 300 yards, starting from standing and dropping to prone. I did it with 5 shots in just under over 12 seconds for the win 
I highly recommend the KAC SR15!
Here are my first 5 shots of the day at 300
300 yard plate target
Like was said above it depends on what you want out of the competition. If you are wanting good trigger time and scenarios to run your equipment then a SR15 would be great. If you are actually trying to compete to win then a purpose built gun would be an advantage.
I occasionally go to IDPA matches. I bring my duty gun and duty belt. I use it as a training opportunity and only compete against myself.
That looks like fun. Good shooting.
Yes. Add a 3-gun trigger, muzzle brake or comp, and a good optic. You’ve got yourself a quality reliable shooter. It’s not the gun, but the operator behind it. Train hard and train often.
Highly recommend MOD2 the mod 1 is not in production anyway. The gas system on the mod2 are like no others with there " brake line " fittings and with the new buffer tube and spring for the mod 2 has virtually no Recoil whatsoever!! I’ve got 2 factory built Noveske and 3 self built Ar and none operate as soft as my SR15 E3 MOD2
Good luck to all
This is also very true and I forgot to mention this in my post, bigjack7440 is spot on. The recoil on the SR15 (Mod one is extremely light but from what I hear the mod 2 is even better) is almost non existent. I run a KAC MAMS break on my SR15 and its super smooth! Just another thing to consider. Follow up shots will be super fast!
You can shoot 3Gun with whatever equipment that fits within given rules and you have handy and makes your face smiling. I shoot here with 14.5" HK MR223 (civi HK416) and I have lot of fun. I was also shooting 9.4"5.56 AK (wz.96 Mini-Beryl) on some matches and I won 3Gun steel shoot-off against guys with full space-age JPs 
I would take KAC SR-15 to 3Gun match without a second thought.
What’s the new buffer tube and spring you speak of? I don’t have any late MOD2s, but my early MOD2s are KAC’s normal carbine 3 ounce setup.
Y’all have been a great help! I am just about to purchase a mod 2 and plan on using it in tac ops. Thanks so much for the great feedback and pictures! You guys put aside all my reservations.
That’s it
If you have a MOD2 then you’ve got the latest and greatest . Mod2 is a softer operating weapon systeam with the gas systeam and buffer tube and spring to match . Mine operate really smooth and soft
Congrats! you won’t regret it!
I’ve broken a lot of hearts with an 11.5" gun.
In these days of long handguards, extended port positions, and optimized port sizes, the optic will play a bigger part than the gun will.
That said, if you want a KAC rifle with all of the benefits inherent, but want some more MV and precision potential, take a look at the Mod 2 LPR. 18" stainless match barrel that has been brought down to a fighting weight (pulled about a pound out of the original LPR barrel).
Been shooting one in SPR and 2-gun for the last few months. After shooting 7.62 and short 5.56 for as long as I have, the Mod 2 LPR is wicked fast.
If you aren’t shooting anemic ammo, an H2 buffer will smooth out the felt cycle.
Throw on a good brake/comp and the gun won’t be what’s holding you back.