New to competition shooting

[wmaddox]

Im curious about getting into 3 gun style of competition shooting. I live in Columbia and was wandering if there was a place close by for me to go and learn the ins and outs of it. Any suggestions?

[Rickey]

There's MTSC in Manchester that shoots 3-gun the first Sun of the month. I dont shoot 3-gun so I dont know much about it other then they shoot it there

[DMark]

You'll find 3Gun in Manchester, Dickson, Pelham, among a couple of other locations.

 

Here are some links that discuss 3-Gun near you.

 

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/83592-3-gun-at-middle-tn-shooters-12-7-14/

 

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/83915-tennessee-to-hold-competitive-3-gun-series-in-2015/

 

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/83575-3-gun-match-at-elk-river-gun-clubpelham-tndec-6th/

 

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/83351-3gun-music-city-tactical-shooters/

[wmaddox]

Are there any places local to Columbia to get gear, or any websites that you recommend

[DMark]

Are there any places local to Columbia to get gear, or any websites that you recommend

 

Not sure about any local places in Columbia.

 

Just Google "3Gun Gear" and you'll find several suppliers.

[wmaddox]

Yea ive seen several online but I was hoping for a place where I could get my hands on it and check it out.

[Jonnin]

Are there any places local to Columbia to get gear, or any websites that you recommend

 

Go to a couple of matches before you start spending big.

All you need to try it out is one set of guns  --- a shotgun (at least a 5 shot pump or semi), a pistol (semi auto...), and a rifle (semi auto, mag fed).   Many places will let you shoot guns that are not really acceptable to "try it out" a few times, like a 10-22 for the rifle.   If you do not have gear to hold your spare magazines, use a pocket the first few times.   You *must* have a holster for the pistol on a sturdy belt.   Pockets are considered unsafe, as is clip on to pants holster, by most groups.  You need the obvious safety gear (glasses and hearing). 

 

If you enjoy it, then you can go buy stuff.   And while you are there learning and trying it out, WATCH other people.  See what items they have that seem to be worthwhile.  There are lots of items that are just not necessary at all, and there are a few that will dramatically make your shooting faster and easier.  If you can't see the benefit to an item, do not buy it until you DO see the benefit of it.  Its easy to drop 5000 bucks on mall ninja gear that is of dubious value.

Edited December 18, 2014 by Jonnin

[wmaddox]

Thanks for the info and the advice. I just hate it's the off season now so I will have to wait to go to one. I hate loosing the training time to practice between loading with quads vs dropping deuces, small things like that. Hope that makes sense. I've been shooting competition in the military for a few years but the transition over to all the guns and the different equipment is what I was hoping to get my hands on. Maybe I can link up with someone on a local range who is training in the off season.

[wmaddox]

I do have a question about a shotgun speed loader. What are yalls thoughts on that 8 shot tube style loader? Is it worth it and can it be used in any division or will that be for open only.

[El Guapo]

It will just be open that you can use it in.

[Jonnin]

Thanks for the info and the advice. I just hate it's the off season now so I will have to wait to go to one. I hate loosing the training time to practice between loading with quads vs dropping deuces, small things like that. Hope that makes sense. I've been shooting competition in the military for a few years but the transition over to all the guns and the different equipment is what I was hoping to get my hands on. Maybe I can link up with someone on a local range who is training in the off season.

 

Look around, some places run one a month regardless of time of year. 

[wmaddox]

My wife picked me up a moss 500 in a 20 gauge for Christmas that I'm thinking of using for 3 gun. What are your thoughts on ammo and choke. Its a 26 inch barrel.

[Jonnin]

My wife picked me up a moss 500 in a 20 gauge for Christmas that I'm thinking of using for 3 gun. What are your thoughts on ammo and choke. Its a 26 inch barrel.

 

no choke at all is how I ran.  You don't need it; and slugs are used some in 3-gun so you are limited to whichever ones (sorry, but ive forgotten!!) are safe with a slug.  No choke for sure is safe with slugs, and I only had on-hand a type that was unsafe, so I took mine out and left it like that.  It worked great.   

 

Ammo: cheapest thing that works is what I used, because I am cheap.   Mine is an auto, so that turned out to be some work to choose ammo that actually cycled the gun reliably.   A pump can shoot anything without worry, long as it goes bang.   When it comes to birdshot, ASK YOUR DIRECTOR.  Some shot is more damaging to the targets than others, and he may steer you toward a particular shot size (pretty sure you want the smallest couple of sizes only).   Slugs mostly hit paper, so just the birdshot matters.   Steel shot is "right out".  You don't want to have to pay $50 for a new target after you vaporize it....  (and I am pretty sure the bounced steel would be considered dangerous and an offense of safety rules!).  Sorry for cpt obvious moment but after some of the things I have seen people do, I just say everything explicitly.

Edited December 26, 2014 by Jonnin

[wmaddox]

Hey. Thanks for the info. No choke and lead shot it is.

[El Guapo]

You are going to want some chokes for that shotgun. You can run cylinder on a 12 gauge and be ok with most shots but that 20 gauge is going to put you at a disadvantage. A good match director will calibrate all the steel shotgun targets at their match to fall to 12 gauge cylinder bore, unfortunately you don't always get a good match director. It can be very frustrating to be standing there wailing away on a plate or popper and it just stands there waving at you. My opinion is that you should have an improved cylinder, light modified, and modified choke in your bag. Know how each patterns and know where slugs hit with each. Hope that helps.

[wmaddox]

I guess the next question is how much a disadvantage will I be with a 5 + 1 ammo count. As they don't make an extension for the gun i have.

[wmaddox]

And do you recommend bird shot or buck for the course of fire with a 20

[wmaddox]

Or am i better off going to a 12 all together

[Jonnin]

And do you recommend bird shot or buck for the course of fire with a 20

 

I do not think buck shot is good for the targets.  I think smallest couple of birds is most used, and recommended.

12 is going to knock stuff down better, but 20 is fine.  

capacity means reloading it more.  It slows you down and time = score...  if you have it modified to use the reloading sticks you can bypass that some. 

[El Guapo]

You are better off going with a 12. The lower capacity of 5 in the tube is a big disadvantage. You really cant go to speed loaders or "reloading sticks" as jonnin calls them as I dont know of anyone that makes them for 20 gauge and they put you in open. Trying to shoot open with less than 14 rounds at the start is pointless. If you haven't shot the 20 gauge yet and can take it back, do it. Get a gun that you can get a tube extension for.

[wmaddox]

I haven't shot it yet but hear is my thinking. shoot it with the 20 to make sure i like it. If i do and imm sure i will ill go buy the 12 i want (JM PRO) in a few months and hand down the 20 to my 10 year old son.

[wmaddox]

Already got the thumbs up on this plan. Hate to take this one back. My ordered a cheeper 12 for Christmas and they sent me the 20 with 2 barrels, 1 of them threaded with scope. The price difference was almost 200. Normally I would take it back and let them know they screwed up but they were so rude to my wife talking down to her about what they thought they knew about guns, it pissed her off. So there loss on that 200. This way i get 2 knew guns in just a few months.

[El Guapo]

Not a bad plan. You can never have too many guns. If you are looking at budget shotguns for 3 gun take a good look at the stoeger m3000. Good gun at a good price. There is a long thread about them over on enos forum. Definitely worth a look.

[wmaddox]

Anyone have any gear for sale, so I can start piecing a rig together?

[wmaddox]

So after much thought, budget review and lots of research I am sending back the 20 gauge the store sent by mistake and I'm buying a Stoeger m3000 this week.