3 Gun Questions

[Guest Muttling]

Greetings all,

I'm a year or more from having the funds to get into 3 gun, but I find this competition very interesting and am looking at it as a long term goal.

As for background, I'm a good shot as far as hunters go but I'm not a competition shooter by any stretch of the imagination. I'd be looking to get into it for fun and to see how I improve over time as well as how I match up against the real shooters.

Now for questions....

1 - Are there any clubs around Nashville that do a lot of 3 gun?

2 - What would be a good starter set up? (By that, I mean forgiving to a non-competition shooter and forgiving to his wallet.) I'm thinking a Glock in .40 or 9mm, but am uncertain on rifle and shotgun. Obviously, I can find weapons I drool over for top dollar, but I'm more interested in getting some the best bang for the buck. (I can shoot the BEST weapon in the world, but it's still Mutt who's shooting it.)

3 - What are the competitions like? I know the basics, but it sounds like they can be set up in a wide variety of ways. (Something that really interests me.)

Asside from all that, I'm just interested in hearing what people think of 3 gun and enjoying the conversation. (Hopefully getting to watch a few matches in the near future.)

[broylz]

most ive seen use a glock, AR and semi auto shotgun. you can use a pump shotgun as well but it will slow you down.

id get a full size glock 9mm, 17 or 34, a cheap mil spec AR with a reddot and a Mossberg 930. that should be a good mid level entry setup. start with a remington 870 pump to save a couple hundred.

if you want a good start into the competition side of things, look into IDPA for pistol comps and start there. i shot my first match out at rattlesnake ridge in woodlawn last month. it was a blast.

i too would like to get into 3 gun but i have a pump shotgun and a M14 bush rifle. i would definately be at a disadvantage but would feel better with my weapons of choice. i like the competitions but, like in IDPA, i do it for the handling skills and fun more than to win. at least thats what i tell myself until i get better

[gsbell]

Music City Tactical and Gallatin gun club both usually do a couple a year. We also both alternate rifle and shotgun side matches after our normal IDPA matches.

Music City Tactical Shooters - IDPA Nashville

Gallatin Gun Club Web Site

[herr.baer]

I run in the Tactical Irons class meaning that I don't use optics. I would stay with at least a .40. I have seen a few steel plates that didn't want to fall when hit with a 9mm.

xD45 with 13 rd mags

AR15 A1 configuration

Remington 870

I am at a slight disadvantage over the guys with the semi-auto shotguns but I already had the 870 for home defense. No need to buy something new.

I use 2 of these to carry my shotgun shells. California Competition Works Speed Stripper Tactical Shotshell Ammunition Carrier 12 Gauge 6 Round 2-3/4" and 3" Shells Polymer Black - MidwayUSA

I use the holster and mag carrier that came with the xD. Then you just need a mag pouch for your AR mags.

[broylz]

isnt there a class that uses 30 caliber military rifles and pump shotguns? thought i heard that before.

[Guest Muttling]

Thanks for all the info guys. As I mentioned, I'm thinking of a long term goal and exploring ideas which you folks have provided many thoughts to ponder.

On the subject of .40 v 9mm, I have read that some competitions have a score adjustment for hitting power but I haven't dug into the details. Any links to how such competitions are scored? Do the clubs around here score by this method or is caliber irrelevant to scoring in this area? In competitions that score on caliber, what about .357 mag and .357 sig....do they score the same as a 9mm or do they get a hitting power bonus?

I haven't heard of a hitting power adjustment on rifle, is there such a thing? Does a 5.56 score the same as a 7.62?

At this point, I think I'm going to come up with a wish list and look to move into IDPA at some point next year then grow into tactical shotgun and finally rifle. This is good in a way as pistol is a weak point and rifle is my best skill by far, but it's primarily based on least expensive first.

[herr.baer]

isnt there a class that uses 30 caliber military rifles and pump shotguns? thought i heard that before.

For Heavy Metal class the rifle has to be .308, pistol has to be .45 and a single stack or only 8 rounds loaded, and pump only 12 ga.

I want to shoot that class but haven't gotten and AR-10 yet.

[Guest Muttling]

For Heavy Metal class the rifle has to be .308, pistol has to be .45 and a single stack or only 8 rounds loaded, and pump only 12 ga.

I want to shoot that class but haven't gotten and AR-10 yet.

That is very tempting as I dearly love those cartridges, but the previous posters only mentioned a small number of 3 gun competitions being shot in this area.

Does each competition include a heavy metal class?

P.S. - It gives me a good excuse to put a FNH-FAR or similar on my wish list.

Edited November 20, 2009 by Muttling

[gsbell]

Does each competition include a heavy metal class?

Typically

[DMark]

..... Then you just need a mag pouch for your AR mags.

These work for me.

BLADE-TECH : Mag Pouch w/3" Belt Loop (098-000-042) - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools

[Guest abailey362]

i prefer to shoot a pump shotgun. semi's are a little faster, but normally sacrafice capacity. Also, it seems that there's always at least one semi per match that jams up, which costs a lot more time.

If you have a shotgun, high cap rifle and pistol, i'd go ahead and play with what you have.

I started with a mossberg 500 5 rd with 28" barrel. I didn't win any matches but still had a blast. I've since upgraded to a mossberg 590 with a shorter barrel and higher capacity which speeds me up.

[Guest Muttling]

If you have a shotgun, high cap rifle and pistol, i'd go ahead and play with what you have.

I would, but I don't have. Most of my weapons are hunting weapons with slow rates of fire/ low magazine capacity. My other weapon is my side arm which is a .357 revolver. I really like each of them for the purpose they serve, but they're not reasonable for tactical competition.

I went through a bad period a couple of years ago and had to sell most of my toys. Now I'm getting to the point where I can rebuild and I'm looking at options.

I believe in the buy cheap and you will buy twice matra. Thus, I think carefully and save up to get solid performers.

[RWF]

Thanks for all the info guys. As I mentioned, I'm thinking of a long term goal and exploring ideas which you folks have provided many thoughts to ponder.

On the subject of .40 v 9mm, I have read that some competitions have a score adjustment for hitting power but I haven't dug into the details. Any links to how such competitions are scored? Do the clubs around here score by this method or is caliber irrelevant to scoring in this area? In competitions that score on caliber, what about .357 mag and .357 sig....do they score the same as a 9mm or do they get a hitting power bonus?

I haven't heard of a hitting power adjustment on rifle, is there such a thing? Does a 5.56 score the same as a 7.62?

At this point, I think I'm going to come up with a wish list and look to move into IDPA at some point next year then grow into tactical shotgun and finally rifle. This is good in a way as pistol is a weak point and rifle is my best skill by far, but it's primarily based on least expensive first.

most 3 gun matches are "out law" matches and have there own rules.

only at a USPSA match will you get into power factor scoring for pistol.

5.56 does not (in most cases) shoot against 7.62 (308).

limited, tact or tact opics use 5.56. 7.62x39 or =

308 etc will normally shoot in a heavy metal type division.

i do recomend a good semi shotgun (unless a heavy matel shooter) stay away for the remington semi's and a shotgun that is ported (rules).

i know you said local but all mutli gun matches are a little different so do not be afraid to drive 4 hours for something different and fun.

Edited November 20, 2009 by RWF

[DMark]

.... stay away for the remington semi's....

Why?

[RWF]

Why?

"to me" they have the most problems. i had a new 1100 competition master that was a aweful, lots of problems. also i myself have seen many fail at matches. i am sure they are much better with heavy hunting loads.

traded it for a used super X2 limited also factory set up for the game that was much better but not 100%. the FN copy seems to have got right.

but i now use a M2 that i should have bought in the first place!

i am not a shotgun guy maybe that is why i could not make my 1100 run but i seen many others with 1100 and 11-87 that had lots of problems.

and for what it is worth i see less of them each year at the bigger matches.

[DMark]

"to me" they have the most problems.....

RWF,

All good points. I too have seen Rems with the same problems. For me they have always worked. Heck even the old Model 48s & 58s will run for me.

Don't know why.

But I agree that the Benelli M1S90 or M2S90 are the class of the field right now.

[Guest Muttling]

My dad hunted with a Remington 1100 Mohawk since before I was born. I now have that weapon and it doesn't go into the field, it's something I simply treasure.

Dad wasn't known for keeping his weapons cleaned and well oiled, but I've never seen this thing jam despite 1000's of rounds going through it over the course of 40 years.

I don't think this adds anything to the discussion, but it's something I thought I'd share.

[Guest goomba]

I've been wanting to get into a 3 gun match. the cleveland range has IDPA as well as 3 gun matches. unfortunatly for me, I have to work saturday mornings, and Cannot make any of the matches

If I can ever get a Saturday off, I've my AR, XD45 & Win 1300 defender I plan to run...

IF I can ever get a fraking saturday off......

[Hershmeister]

i just shot in the gallatin 3 gun last weekend - used a 40 sig, US M1 Carbine Iron sites only and a Mossy 500 - had a total blast for my first time out!

[nb forrest]

"to me" they have the most problems. i had a new 1100 competition master that was a aweful, lots of problems. also i myself have seen many fail at matches. i am sure they are much better with heavy hunting loads.

traded it for a used super X2 limited also factory set up for the game that was much better but not 100%. the FN copy seems to have got right.

but i now use a M2 that i should have bought in the first place!

i am not a shotgun guy maybe that is why i could not make my 1100 run but i seen many others with 1100 and 11-87 that had lots of problems.

and for what it is worth i see less of them each year at the bigger matches.

My 11-87 was known as the Jam-O-Matic. A great gun that I really liked but I could not get it to run 100% of the time. I now have an FN SLP mk.I, which I am completely satisfied with. IMHO the perfect shotgun for 3-gun right out of the box.

[deerslayer]

I plan to shoot my first 3 gun match next weekend. I'll be using a Glock 34, a Smith M4 w/ a Leupold CQT scope, and a friend's 20" hi-cap Mossberg 500. I don't think the pump will slow me down much, but I may get educated next weekend. If I think I can do ok with the pump, I'll be picking up a 20" Mossberg 590. BTW, at MSSA just outside Memphis, there are several 3 gun matches a year--5th Sunday of the month (which doesn't happen every month), I believe.

[RWF]

Muttling, i would like to add that the ft. benning 3 gun championship is in less than 2 weeks you may want to think about driving there and checking it out. you can see first hand what people are using including the soldiers and some of the biggest name in the game. there will side matches also that you could most likely play.

[Guest Traumaslave]

TecLoader Shotgun Speedloader Kit Remington 870, 1100, 11-87 12 Gauge Polymer Black - MidwayUSA

Ya gotta have one of these. Pump won't make a difference, this will.

[RWF]

the speedloader would put you into open division,