How does one get into 3-gun?

[Wiggity]

Looks like a load of fun. How does one get into it?


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[Zundfolge]

Money. Lots of money.

[Gunner]

What kind of gear does one need to just start. I'm sure it's been answered somewhere in this fourm. Beside the obvious like a shotgun rifle and pistol


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[Fromk]

Here's what I tell people thinking about it:

I think the minimum you need is a pistol setup including a reliable gun, 3 magazines, a quality holster, magazine holsters, and a good, stiff belt. The rest can be borrowed and swapped easily. Changing out a whole belt with somebody is cumbersome and time-consuming. It's hard to talk a stranger into going through all that.

The minimum mindset is knowing your basic range safety, generally how all three guns work, paying attention to the range rules, and slowing down to pay attention to what you're doing. Most matches offer a quick new shooter briefing.

Contact the match director before hand if you need any loaners. They can either provide you something (SoCo has a great loaner rig) or hook you up with nice people that can. This is usually shot shell holders of some type and/or an actual shotgun. I always have extra shell caddies in case somebody needs them. Don't go out and just buy a whole bunch of things before your first match.

Bring quality factory ammo for what you don't have. It's so easy to share a rifle or shotgun but a lot of guys won't let unknown reloads through their guns.

The last big suggestion is to just get yourself to a match. That's the hardest part for most people. Just one time and you'll be hooked.

Given your location I would highly recommend the Big Ben Multigun match out at the Ben Lomond Gun Club. I went there for the first time last week and it's a much better starter option than the other "local" match SoCo (which also sells out crazy fast) that's in Colorado Springs. Also keep an eye out for CRC Multigun and the Weld County match. I guarantee there are nice guys there who will be happy to help out.

If you have any more specific questions either post them or send me a PM. I'd be happy to help you out where I can.

[Erni]

Bring lots of mags, ammo, and a good attitude about sucking way worse than you think. [emoji83]

If you have a pistol, rifle and shotty, then run what you got and see how it works for you. Run in whatever class the MD puts you and have fun. Put your mags in your pockets, but do borrow shell caddies or bring a way to hold them.

If the equipment is compatible with the division you are thinking about, skip new guns and buy cases of ammo and go to more matches.

[Green Boss]

SOCO did an instructional class that was very helpful. able to get the basic down of what it was all about, what you needed, and how to run a stage. Not sure when/if they are going to have another, but that is what got me from thinking it looked like fun, to actually participating. Like others have said, just get to a match, there will always be somebody there to help you out.


It is stupid addictive, and an absolute kick in the pants!

[Hoser]

Just getting the guts to show up at a match is the biggest hurdle to overcome. Many can never do it. If you never come out to a competition you will never know how good you are or how good you can be.

First thing to do is contact the Match Director or match staff member. They can advise you on exactly what is needed.

Don't worry about gear. Just bring three reliable firearms to the match and as many mags as you can.

Match flavors vary. For example, Lake George had lots of close up shooting. Colorado Springs has rifle shots out to 40-50 yards. Pueblo rifle shots start at 100 yards. Threads and match staff members can be a huge help.

[MarkCO]

I recommend you shoot an IDPA, Steel Challenge, USPSA match first. Except for one outlier, the rules for safety and match procedures are all the same. This MUST be down cold.

Then, all you need is a pistol, holster and a few mags. Contact the MD ask questions and inquire about borrowing gear and guns. If you buy factory ammo, most people will let you run their pistol and shotgun. If you do, don't run them like rentals, cause you are not going to win anyway.

This is a volunteer sport and no-one (again there are exceptions) makes any money on this. So work hard to learn the rules, re-set stages, etc. If you learn wrong, it will hurt later, so make sure the advice and input is being receiver from folks who have been doing this for a while and understand what they are doing. Hoser above is one of the most knowledgeable guys in the state.

Top drawer gear helps if you are a top drawer shooter, but for starting out, a pump shotgun with a tube, a fantastic plastic pistol and a M&P sport (maybe $2K total) will likely get you a better score than most of the halfway there stuff.

[Delfuego]

Just getting the guts to show up at a match is the biggest hurdle to overcome. Many can never do it.Wise words from the Zen Master...

[Wiggity]

Awesome. I have the rifle/pistol/shotgun covered. Do any of you guys have matches coming up? Or a list of matches?


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[buffalobo]

Shooting sports and events forum

https://www.ar-15.co/forums/114-Shooting-Sports-and-Events


Popular annual match

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/155579-2016-MEGA-Stage-Match

Some monthly matches to keep you broke and addicted


http://www.pawneesportsmenscenter.com/3-gun/

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/154615-2016-CRC-Multigun-First-Saturday

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/149973-SoCo-3-Gun-1st-sunday

Hang around the Shooting Sports and Events forum too much and soon your head will hurt trying to decide which matches to shoot.

As has been mentioned, you may want to start with a few single gun competitions(if you haven't yet) to get the feel of matches. There is a standing invitation for forum members(and anyone else for that matter) to shoot on the "Cool kids" squad at the monthly ECO IDPA matches held the 4th Saturday of the month at CRC.

[Fromk]

In addition to Buffalobo's match list you should get yourself on the mailing lists for the matches you're interested in. There are regular and informative email blasts for SoCo and Kevin's related events, for instance.

EDIT: Speaking of which, Kevin announced a plan to do three single-gun matches under 3-gun rules. Getting on that email list will likely be the best way to stay informed of those.