While there are many different kinds of shooting competitions that newcomers to guns and shooting can compete in, 3-Gun is among the most challenging. That’s because at a match, nearly every stage requires competitors to shoot targets with a rifle, a pistol, and a shotgun. Obviously, that requires intimate knowledge of and training with all three guns.
Competing in 3-Gun Competitions
I competed in 3-gun for nearly a decade before moving on to different hobbies, and found it to be the most enjoyable shooting experience I’ve ever been involved with. Note that the sport is fairly gear-intensive, so you’ll need to gather everything you need before you start. Let’s take a look at the necessities to give it a whirl.
First, however, as with any shooting activity, safety is paramount in 3-gun. Always follow the four cardinal rules of gun safety.
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The Three Guns
For the rifle, 3-gun competitors mostly use AR-style rifles, typically with 16-or 18-inch barrels. For bay-style matches with most shots under 50 yards, the shorter barrel will suffice. The 18-inch barrel is a little better for matches with long-range targets of 200 yards or more. Two hits are required on most cardboard targets in 3-gun, so a good muzzle brake can help you stay on target with double-taps, thereby lowering your time. Remember, the fastest and most accurate wins.
For the shotgun, about any repeating shotgun will do. Semi-autos are best and fastest, as long as they run reliably. To achieve the best scores, most shooters add an extended tube magazine to their shotgun so they don’t have to stop and reload as often. And those who get really serious about the game often expand their loading ports to facilitate loading two or four shells at a time, speeding up the shooting process.
As for the pistol, a high-quality 9mm semi-automatic, preferably with ample magazine capacity, fills the bill. A stock Glock or Smith & Wesson will do, however, many 3-gunners prefer high-capacity 2011-style pistols that hold 20 or more rounds. Remember, fewer reloads mean faster times. Adding a magazine extension to your magazines will further increase capacity, reducing the number of necessary reloads.
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Other Necessities
A quality competition gun belt with a good pistol holster and magazine holders is also needed. And speaking of mag holders, you’ll also need a way to carry extra AR magazines and extra shotgun shells. Shell carriers are available commercially in several different configurations.
Of course, you’ll need ammunition for all four guns—typically 9mm pistol ammo, .223 or 5.56mm rifle ammo, and 12-gauge shotgun shells. And since some matches have shotgun slug targets, you’ll need to have a supply of those on hand, too.
Last but not least, you’ll need something to carry all this gear in. That means a quality range bag, a rifle case, and a shotgun case. Plus, since hauling all that gear from stage to stage can be a behemoth task, a cart of some kind to tote all your gear around while at the match is a definite plus!
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