Best 3gun Pistol?

[Waffle]

I dont like the google searches for this and I get lost in all the forums that pop up when i search it.  It also feels like an advertisement whenever I click on something.

The hardest part is finding a shop that will let you rent the gun to shoot and see if you like it or maybe if someone has one that they will let you shoot at the range.

So far, the top 5-10 list is pretty obvious and all those guns are always over a grand and vary in position based on who you ask.  This is the list I am researching and what I like:

Canik TTI

Sig Xfive DH3

CZ shadow 2

Springfield Prodigy 5"

Staccato - not gonna buy it but its worth mentioning

Of course there is a Walther and S&W that have a good match gun.  Also a shadow system has been mentioned.

 

Right now I have an old Springfield XD tactical 5" 45 cal and a Gen 1 Sig P320 X-Carry with a Romeo 1 optic on it.  Great guns to shoot but not sure if they will cut it for 3gun comp.  I would also like it just out of the box good but if its an easy upgrade, thats doable. 

What say you sir? 

 

[gary_boom]

It’s the Indian not the arrows, I have tried a bunch of different pistols and as bad as I shoot it doesn’t matter.

[Waffle]

Yea, I agree.  but there are some things you will do better with, you just have to come across it at some point.  When it comes to why I have each gun, there are reasons for each.  But when it comes to my 3gun, they just dont really fit to be competitive.

[deerslayer]

Which set of 3 gun rules will you have to follow?  That might eliminate a couple options.  

[ken_mays]

Of course you can always spend as much money as you want, but something like a Glock 34 will be very hard to beat for the money.

[BigK]

I was in the same boat once. I settled for a Glock 34. I used it about 3 or 4 times including a club hosted GSSF match. It quickly inspired me to save up some money faster for a CZ 75 Shadow. That was my sweet spot. These days I don't even like taking it to the range...feels like I'm cheating.

[Thearmededucator]

Do you already compete? If not, my recommendation is to not buy guns starting out. As long as the Sig doesnt go off in your holster* it should be fine.

Go shoot some matches and see what you actually need. I shot 3 Gun for 3 years with my 870 because I already had one and the time on the pump wasnt making enough difference to matter. Once I starting getting in the Top 3 in my division I finally upgraded to a semiauto. That year I won my division for the Season at TSF in Jackson. 

Another big factor is what level you plan to shoot 3 Gun. If its just local matches theres really no reason to buy extra pistols if you have some that already suffice. I did wind up buying a Glock 34 for competition after a while, mostly due to the ammo costs of competing with a .45.

I would recommend buying a couple shell caddies to start off with, so you can dryfire.  I really liked the EZ-8 as my first one due to price (it was like ~$40) and Invictus Practical (although I heard they went out of business)

Edited February 25 by Thearmededucator
Added Pic

[gospelmando]

I've never competed 3 gun. But I do have several guns similar to what was mentioned. Including: the Canik TTI Combat, Walther PDP Pro, and the Sig P320 AXG Legion. I definitely shoot the TTI Combat the best out of all these. But as already stated, and I'm sure you already know this, the shooter makes much more difference than the gun. 

Edited Wednesday at 05:39 AM by gospelmando
Grammar

[BigK]

I got a chance to shoot at an 18" steel popper at 100 yds in a firearms class once. The instructor was a Glock guy and didn't like me bringing my SA/DA CZ P-01. When I missed 3 times with my CZ P-01, he proceeded to hit the target on his first shot with my pistol in DA mode. I was quite impressed and it sold me on the idea that skill is more important than equipment.

[Waffle]

Yea, i competed once at TBS up in Quantico, they gave us all the gear to shoot but that was back in 2009.  Since then I wasnt going to spend the money on it and I had zero time until recently.

I am considering just waiting and using my Sig X-carry for the time being.  I just put a romeo 1 on it and just ordered a level 2 holster.  I am really enjoying shooting with that romeo 1 but it does well with the normal sights.

There is just a lot of gear I need to get into eventually.  Trying to make the March 3gun at the cleveland gun club

 

Ive had these for awhile and only doing a few upgrades to them but this is what i am running right now.  

Sig Sauer P320 X-Carry (Gen1) with Romeo 1

Berretta Comp 1301 (Gen1) with extended tube for up to 9+1

AR - DDM4V7 Upper, Anderson Lower, with Geissele S3G trigger, and Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24mm EBR-8 MOA LVPO

Have an additional Anderson AR that is nice and I just put a Geissele SSA-E trigger on it.

[Waffle]

On 2/24/2025 at 10:20 PM, deerslayer said:

Which set of 3 gun rules will you have to follow?  That might eliminate a couple options.  

Will have to start out in the limited or tactical to start.  Would go for heavy metal too if I have the gear for it.

[Thearmededucator]

I always wanted to do a heavy metal match, but the ammo costs were too much for me

[deerslayer]

9 hours ago, Thearmededucator said:

I always wanted to do a heavy metal match, but the ammo costs were too much for me

Same here, but that .308 ammo is no joke.  

[Thearmededucator]

100%

Running my M1A EBR would be SICK though...

[deerslayer]

1 hour ago, Thearmededucator said:

100%

Running my M1A EBR would be SICK though...

My suppressed M&P 10 might be worth one match.  

[Waffle]

7 hours ago, deerslayer said:

Same here, but that .308 ammo is no joke.  

Yea, I bought two M1A socoms a bit ago and one was scoped and came with a ton of ammo.  also had a bunch from awhile back, so I have plenty 308.