What's competitive?

[Tracer Tong]

I want to do IPSC(USPSA) competition. I will start with pistol only but I want to do the three gun matches when my budget allows. I'm not completely familiar with California's OLL and assault weapons ban. I'd like to stay away from any legal gray areas.

Can a person be competitive in IPSC with something other than an AR? Like an M1 or a Mini-14? I ask about those two specifically because it is my current understanding that you can run interchangeable mags with those without funny stocks or bullet buttons. Are there other options as well?

Thank you for your time.

[3GunFunShooter]

You can be competitive in 3 gun with a Mini 14 or an M1A,
but the AR's on mag changes will be faster.
A stock mini is ok at a local club match if targets are under 100 yards, or a KEL-TEC, M1 Carbine. Past that, you need to upgrade to the Target model Mini 14 or a conversion by ASI or some others, or the Volquartsen Evolution in .223.
There are 3 classes in 3 gun, Limited, Iron Sights only,
Tactical, Scope on rifle only, Open, scopes, red dots, speed loaders on shot guns, bipods.
Tactical is the largest class. Most pistols are double stack,
40 cal, (major power factor).
USPSA 3 gun is a great way (3 times the fun) to enjoy shooting .

[Yar]

Last match there was a guy with a newer model mini 14. It was one of the better shooting mini's I've seen. He was hitting the 360 yard flasher as well as any of us. He said the new mini's are generally pretty good, but the older ones are hit and miss

I would go AR with the funky stock. We are starting to see them at the local matches in CA and they seem to work and the shooter doesn't get made fun of.

[TMC]

shooter doesn't get made fun of.

If anybodys making fun of other shooters the rest of the people should to run that guy off the range. We don't need people like that.

[Tracer Tong]

Thanks for the replies.

Can you guys tell me if my understanding is correct? If you use the Monsterman grip with no assualt weapon type add ons(vertical foregrip etc.) then you can have interchangeable magazines WITHOUT the bulletbutton.

Is that correct or not?

I've already got a pistol and I'll be starting as soon as I can take the safe competitor class. I'll be doing production class because I think it's the least expensive as far as starting costs are concerned.

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to look up the Volquartsen Evolution and the other things mentioned. Thanks again.

[rkt88edmo]

Yes, if you have no other CA "evil features" then the MMG gets you detachable mags.

[MonsterMan]

OLL's with MMG's are used quite often at 3 gun matches and people do very well with them. I don't think you would be disappointed with it if you tried it out.

You are correct. Do not have any of the banned features on your rifle if you want a detachable mag rifle. Pistol grip, forward grip, flash suppressor, telescoping stock, thumbhole stock, grenade launcher, etc.

A nice light weight 16" upper with an A2 or A1 stock will work very nicely for competition shooting. You can change mags fast and easily.

Plus if you have pre-ban mags, you can use them with the mmg.

Here is mine.

[Tracer Tong]

Good to know. I'll look into building one myself, and then I'll have someone qualified look it over when I've finished. Of course, this will all happen at the speed of my budget.

[ar15barrels]

The most popular setup these days in 3gun is an 18" medium weight barrel with a rifle gas system, some sort of round freefloat handguard and a good muzzle brake.
I build lots of uppers like this for new 3gunners that want to start out right.

[xrMike]

Here is mine.

How'd you get it to hover in mid-air like that?

[ar15barrels]

How'd you get it to hover in mid-air like that?

It's got a piece of metal sticking out the rear end...

[Yar]

We did find out the monsterman does need a ambi safety or your reaching around the gun a alot. You also might need to tuck the stock under your arm when doing a mag change.

[randy]

That's a good looking rifle but I wouldn't use it for 3 gun.

I can't see well enough to hit targets fast at distance without magnafication. I think you add unnecessary weight weight with that forearm. The rifle would be easier to shoot with a comp.

Don't get me wrong if that's what I had then that's what I'd shoot. If I were building/buying something that wouldn't be it.

My first 3 gun rifle was a bushy with a 14.5 barrel and their Y comp.

Good luck and enjoy the matches.

[Tracer Tong]

ar15barrels, The setup you mentioned sounds great. How does that compare price-wise to the cheap as possible just wanna have fun upper?

I'm working with serious budgetary constrictions, thus the piece by piece approach.

[ar15barrels]

ar15barrels, The setup you mentioned sounds great. How does that compare price-wise to the self-built cheap as possible just wanna have fun upper?

Start with a cheap (but the best you can afford) 20" HBAR stainless free-floated upper and
you are looking at $125 to shorten/thread and re-profile down to medium weight profile.

Depending on what your budget is, I might be able to just build you an upper from scratch too.