Intro to 3 Gun

[Oni562]

Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

I am thinking about attending my first 3 gun competition in Jan in Piru, CA (X-3 multi gun)

Does have any advice on what to expect and what to focus on?

Is this a competition or just something to gauge skills?

What gear is a must to have?

Magazine capacity?

What are the classes/divisions
about? Which ones to steer away from being a beginner?

I am going to run the competion with
Glock 34/ red dot
Stoeger M3K 10rnd tube
AR-15 EOTech w/ 3x magnifier

Thank you

[Fatcat]

I would adise to attend a few matches just to observe before diving in and to talk to the competitors. If you are already experienced in USPSA/ISPC pistol it is a lot more things to manage.

[SCVlongstroke]

Good to know Piru is still open, I thought I heard the owner sold the land where the ranges were. Best of luck and have fun!

[SAD338]

That is a great club. Have you seen their video?

https://youtu.be/ySwvz90056k

[Spafxer]

Good to know Piru is still open, I thought I heard the owner sold the land where the ranges were. Best of luck and have fun!

Yep, Mike sold out quite a while ago now. The new owner has made quite a few improvements.

I sure miss being able to shoot the thousand yard plates since I moved I never did any competition shooting there so can't speak on that.

I'm surprised there is not more talk about Piru (California Tactical Academy) on Calguns.

[IVC]

You will have to deal with several completely separate issues.

First, you have to know the safety rules of the range itself. It's called a "cold range" and there are rules about what you can handle and where. This is just for getting around, packing and unpacking, fixing any firearm issues, etc.

Next, you will have to know the safety rules of shooting a stage. They are the same across all action shooting sports and include items such as muzzle direction, trigger finger rules, drawing, sweeping, reloading, clearing malfunctions and alike. Commands are also slightly different, but the principle is the same - there is a command when you can start shooting, there is an emergency stop command, and there is a command when you're done.

Finally, you have game rules. This includes scoring, how many shots per target, which targets you can or cannot shoot, any special cover/reloading rules (IDPA), steel target rules, etc.

While you will certainly get a lot of help on all of the above, it's also prudent to have a really good idea about how it all works before showing up. Others can help, but they cannot babysit you.

[IVC]

As for gear, (almost) whatever you have will work for the initial match. What you listed certainly works. Everyone shoots the same courses of fire using the same rules. There are "divisions" that group people with similar gear, but you shouldn't worry about it for your first match.

I'm not sure which rules Piru uses, but if they follow USPSA multigun rules, the optics on G34 would put you into Open division. It's completely irrelevant for your first match, just something to think about in the long run if you get into the game.

For the match, you will need eye and ear protection (even if you go as a spectator), guns, ammo, sturdy belt, holster and magazine pouches, including some sort of shell holders. You might be able to use your pockets to keep spare ammo, but this depends on which body sanctions the match at Piru. Ask match organizers.

[sigstroker]

Some clubs say all ammo must be controlled, which means you need pouches to hold spare mags and shells. Assuming you've done IPSC or the like before, you already have a holster and mag pouches for the handgun. Most people don't have those for rifle mags or shotgun shells, so ask the organizers. Even though you might feel like sticking an AR mag in your pocket would work, they might have a rule.

Otherwise, just let the RO on every stage know it's your first match and they'll probably won't make you go first on any stage, so you can watch. Be REALLY, REALLY careful of your muzzle because with a long gun it's much easier to sweep where you shouldn't.

[k1dude]

First and foremost, focus on SAFETY! Forget shooting fast or scoring well. Your total focus the first year should be SAFETY! Speed and scoring will improve as your comfort level improves and you learn the ropes.

Take the red dot off the G34. That puts you in Open division with all the best shooters.

You'll quickly find that 3X magnifier is too slow to manipulate. Get a 1-4 or 1-6 LPVO instead if you want to shoot Tactical Optics division, or stick to an unmagnified red-dot or prism scope if you want to shoot Tactical Irons division.

A fast holster, competition belt, and shell/mag holders are necessary. There are far too many to choose from to make a recommendation. Especially since it's all personal preference.

You'll figure out what mods you need to do to your weapons and how you load your belt. It's all personal preference where you want stuff and how fast you can get to it. You'll figure it out through trial and error. What works for someone else might not work for you and visa versa.

Beveling the loading port of your shotgun and welding (closing) the carrier forked gap are popular mods on your shotgun.

Improving the trigger pull on both your pistol and rifle are popular mods.

Installing good competition sights is a popular pistol mod.

Good luck. There's a healthy learning curve that only experience can teach you. The only way to learn is to go out and do it. Everyone is very helpful and will show you what works best for them. Ask lots of questions. Trial and error are your friends.

Keep in mind that more places are requiring proof of experience or training before being allowed to compete. You might want to ask the place you plan on competing what their requirements are. You may have to take a class first.

[ten888]

[unusedusername]

Bring what you have the first time. You won't know what is appropriate to buy until you check it out.

I would come the first time with expectations that I wouldn't be able to shoot. Go check it out first, then come shoot it when you have an idea about how that group runs things.

[OCEquestrian]

I read that Deadwood Boys USPSA matches will have competency checks implemented in 2019.

This voice of reason long over due. I am always amazed at the morons here who advise brand new shooters / competitors to just buy the gear and show up at the match with the advice to keep trigger finger off the trigger and shoot a match.

[Mayor McRifle]

This voice of reason long over due. I am always amazed at the morons here who advise brand new shooters / competitors to just buy the gear and show up at the match with the advice to keep trigger finger off the trigger and shoot a match.

I think keeping the trigger finger off the trigger is good advice.

[IVC]

I think keeping the trigger finger off the trigger is good advice.

Yeah, it's just very hard to shoot that way...

[IVC]

You'll figure it out through trial and error.
...
Trial and error are your friends.

Just make sure that "trial and error" are ONLY about gear, gear setup, the way you shoot the stages and alike.

There is absolutely no "trial and error" on anything safety related - those are hard and fast rules.