There is a local carbine match next week to benefit a fallen soldier.
I got mine built,tested, zeroed–its time to go!
Whats a good beginner setup for magazine carriers (Got my BCM mags already, plenty of em). I am coming into this blind from and IDPA type setup (magazine carriers on the belt). Down here in Texas, its pretty easy to go gear shopping.
I’m running a single point sling, going to switch to 2 point
Depends on what you want. If you are going soley for speed and comfort, I would recommend a belt rig. I like the Raven stuff myself but you surely wont have it by next week. Comp-Tac builds some pretty solid gear, IMO, I would check them out.
I use a bladetech belt-mounted magazine carrier, but in the Texas Tactical carbine matches you never need more than one spare magazine on a stage.
I was running an MS2 sling as a two-point sling but I haven’t figured out how to quickly manipulate that setup when I want to shoot from support side around cover on my left. I’ve gone back to running it as a single point sling for that purpose, so long as the RSO isn’t going to have a hissy fit if my empty rifle is sort of pointing at my feet when I let it hang for a transition.
I like the BladeTech AR pouches. You can get them direct from BladeTech or Brownells or a bunch of other places. I prefer the more expensive Kydex version because they are cleaner. The polymer version works good too. I run their drop and offset attachment on mine so that I don’t have to reach up under my armpit to pull a msg out. I run one or two in my left hip with the bullets facing forward just like my pistol mags would face. I also run a SHTF mag vertically on my lower back with the bullets pointing down.
KyTac and The Wilderness also make a nice pouch.
I’d third the bladetech mag holder suggestions. On that note, the Bladetech tech-lok system is excellent; easy on and off and to adjust position on your belt.
Carbine, and multi-gun, matches are almost ALL “outlaw”, however there appears to be two main types: IPSC-based and IDPA-based. The main distinction being the use of cover and the treatment of partially-loaded magazines. Gear selection won’t vary too wildly for each but the IPSC-based matches are where you’re more likely to see a more minimalist approach and no slings used where as the IDPA-based “tactical” matches are where you’re more likely to see slings on the carbines as well as things like chest rigs, padded MOLLE belts, plate-carriers, etc. as people use the venue to push themselves to perform with their own chosen gear.
In my experience, and assuming this is strictly carbine and no handgun or shotgun, a pair of simple magazine carriers on the belt will get you through just about anything. Having QD points on your sling will help you tailor the gun to the game as-needed.
I’m a big fan of these due to the low profile, minimalist nature, and a lot of our shooters have bought and use them based on my recommendation so we see quite a few. Eventually they can fail at the bend in the belt loop but I find this has a lot to do with how you put the pouch on the belt and that they will start to crack before they fail, allowing you to take them out of service before they drop your magazine on the ground.
Most important accessory? A good zero.
Beyond that
I have not seen any IDPA based three gun. There are two types outlaw and USPSA style. But the divisions and equipment rules in both are fairly similar. The main difference is the scoring. Never been to a match that penalized me for dropping a partial mag like IDPA does. In fact IDPA’s three gun has not been well recieved from what I have seen so far.
Pat
There are no less than three clubs in Florida that are far more IDPA-based than IPSC-based. Among other things they expect you to use cover vs. “run-n-gun”.
I guess just a different region. When I host outlaw matches but if I want someone to use cover I put in a port or fault lines near a barricade or wall. I do like IPDA’s scoring system better because its simple and easy. I also prefer the Failure to Netralize penalties vs USPSA Failure to Engage penalties. Its much easier to score a target vs trying to keep track of which target someone is shooting at.
Pat
Two of the three clubs in FL use neutralized/non-neutralized scoring for targets. X number of hits in this zone, or Y number of hits in that zone, and provided the number of hits are there the target is neutralized. For our matches it’s 30 seconds for FTN and 30 seconds for hits on non-threat.
The other emerging rules for 3-Gun are the International Multi-Gun Association (IMGA) rules: www.wisconsinshooters.com/documents/3gun/wisconsin_3-gun_match_rules.pdf
These are popular here in westernmost TX and into NM. It scores fast like IDPA and doesn’t pole vault over mouse droppings like some of the alternatives.
+1 on the knee and elbow pads. I have Carhartt pants that take knee pad inserts- works well enough, and I just use old knee high socks with the feet cut off and double them up on my arms. Helps with sun protection too.
Good hat, sunscreen and water and a snack. Shooting matches seem to take forever.
Baggy for your brass.
I like Raven mag holders, but if you are going from 20s to 30 rounders and USGI and Magpul or others, the non-specific holders are more versatile. I use Bladetech- make sure the screws are tight ;). Ravens mold to the mag so you they are specific to the mag body.
I have an Eagle/SKD chest rig I have used, or kydex pouches that go on my belt. Two AR mag pouches and a double Glock mag pouch along with a kydex WML holster that goes OWB.
I’ll post pics of the belt set-up when I get off work today.
Jeff
The original mag pouch ie a pocket can work fine for your first match if you don’t have time to pick one up. There’s always the option of borrowing a mag pouch from someone there.
If you have a chance to pick something up, the belt mounted mag pouches mentioned are the main competition method for carrying spare rifle mags. I’ve also found CCW’s shot shell caddys also fit a AR-15 magazine, and I’ve even used a single AR mag pouch meant for a vest, molly mounting, and looped my belt through it.
Both those methods have worked well if you don’t have time to get a kydex type pouch or if you don’t think you’d have much use for one after this match.
EDIT: Sorry, I didn’t realize this was from back in April. OP, how’d the match go?