3 Gun in California

[Mr-Derek]

I was watching the Sportsman Channel and I got to see a 3 gun match... Awesome.

As I watched I see all these pistols and AR's running magazines with way more than Cali's 10 round max, and the AR's without the magazine button. If we have any of these type of competitions can we compete with what we are allowed to buy? I guess I really just need to figure out with all your help this:

1. Do we ever have these kind of competitions in California and do all of our crazy laws even make it possible to compete?
2. If I were to get started on the most basic level what would you need to have to show up the first time?

[seal20]

Featureless build

[IVC]

"Featureless" doesn't solve the capacity problem unless it's a pre-ban magazine and even then magazines are subject to seizure under "nuisance" ordinances.

As a rule of thumb, in CA you get to compete in "special 3 gun matches" ("special" as in "special olympics.")

[Mr-Derek]

"Featureless" doesn't solve the capacity problem unless it's a pre-ban magazine and even then magazines are subject to seizure under "nuisance" ordinances.

As a rule of thumb, in CA you get to compete in "special 3 gun matches" ("special" as in "special olympics.")

That is super disappointing.

[Calif Hunter]

It's a level playing field if everyone has 10 rounds mags. The matches are still fun and challenging. You just have more reloads, which is a skill to be mastered anyway, no matter what capacity your mags are.

[repomanNWP]

I just recently started shooting 3gun, and I shoot in the "California Limited" class which means I go with 10 round mags, 9 round max on shotgun, bullet button on rifle, no magnification on optics. It really doesn't take a bunch of tricked out gear to get started. Where I shoot, the people are super friendly and welcoming to new shooters and will help you out.

For guns, obviously you need a pistol, rifle, shotgun, my thoughts on getting started:
- pistol, any caliber, and as many magazines as you can get, 5 or 6 is a good place to be. Most folks shoot 9mm, I have shot .45 and now shoot .40 with a Glock. Accuracy is way more important than anything else, shoot what you are good with.
- Shotgun, 12ga semi-auto's are the norm. You don't need anything super tricked out to start. You can even shoot a pump. The Mossberg JM Pro 500 is a really inexpensive gun if you are thinking of buying one, not the best by far, but ready for 3gun out of the box. Most folks shoot things like Beretta 1301 or Benelli M2 with extended mag tube.
- Rifle, any ol' AR will do. More mags the better. Red dot or Eotech are fine, but you will shoot at distance, so most people shoot with a magnified optic. I stick with a Red Dot to stay in CA limited

As for gear... you really do need a good belt and holster. Since you can only shoot the ammo you can carry in a given stage, mags, mag holders, etc. do become an issue, but to get started, you can just wing it by using your cargo pants pockets or whatever.

Just go out and shoot, or even just go watch an event and talk to the participants. That's the best way to get started. once you start, you'll want to buy a great belt system, like the safariland ELS setup. You'll pour money into tricked out shell holders, and mag holders, trick bits on your guns, etc. It's not cheap if you get into it.

[Pardini]

Go to a CA 3 gun match, do what most everyone else does and hope you don't get caught.

[Mr-Derek]

Is there a good resource for finding matches close to the Bay Area?

[PyroFox79]

Go to a CA 3 gun match, do what most everyone else does and hope you don't get caught.

Lol pretty much. The one I went to a few years ago, no one cared.

I guess you could always go to NV or AZ for a competition...

[gunhun]

Is there a good resource for finding matches close to the Bay Area?

Richmond RRGC

Concord USI. Diablo club

[buttfish]

Did three weapon shooting in Germany while serving in the Army. The Americans shot German weapons, and vice versa. It was gun shooting the HK93(?); G46 Machine gun; and PO8 (Luger). Fun stuff.

[CodyGT46]

3 gun sounds fun as hell. Seriously doubt there is anything going on in my neck of the woods, the central coast, without having to drive 2+ hours one way. Guess I'll have to stick to running and gunning with my rubber-band guns in my backyard!

[ldsnet]

It's a level playing field if everyone has 10 rounds mags. The matches are still fun and challenging. You just have more reloads, which is a skill to be mastered anyway, no matter what capacity your mags are.

3-Gun is a competition between YOU and the clock for contestants in the same class/category. Yes the old guys with featureless rifles and 30rd mags can put down lead faster, but you are not competing against them, you are against others with 10rd mags and buttons just like you have.

As others have stated, it is still a heck of a lot of fun, you will figure out what works best for you for mag changes.

[sigstroker]

"Featureless" doesn't solve the capacity problem unless it's a pre-ban magazine and even then magazines are subject to seizure under "nuisance" ordinances.

That's not what the statute says.

Richmond RRGC

Concord USI. Diablo club

Richmond has a really nice IPSC range. The first match I ever shot in Cali circa 1990 was 3 gun at Richmond. They even used to have 4 gun matches. The 4th gun was sniper rifle with the stage on the 200 yard range.

[kmca]

These days, I'm pretty sure you have to be "qualified" to shoot in a 3 gun match. Richmond Rod and Gun club offers a class on some Saturdays. Check their webpage for dates. I wouldn't worry about the bullet button or 10 round mags. If you practice, it won't add that much time. The real time killer is reloading shotguns.

Matter of fact, there's a 3 gun match this Sunday (8/30/15).