how to set up a three gun course

by Dr. Lorena Lindgren V 8 min read

How a 3-gun course is laid out is ultimately up to the event director, however there are some specific elements competitors can expect to go up against. First, the shooter assembles at the starting line, and takes-off at the sound of the starting horn.

Full Answer

How do I get Started with 3-gun shooting?

Find a shooting range in your area that puts on 3-gun matches. Then spend some time watching and learning, also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Once you decide to take the plunge, go easy and don’t spend a lot of money on anything too fancy. It’s a learning process, and it’s about having fun.

What do you need for a 3 gun stage?

A typical 3-gun stage may require 20 or more shotgun shells, a spare 30-round AR-15 mag, and a couple of handgun magazines. That’s roughly 10 pounds of stuff, so don’t plan on carrying it all on a dress belt or in your pockets. What You Really Need A competition-style nylon gun belt with magazine pouches.

Should I compete in a 3-gun shoot?

While there are sponsored 3-gun pros at some shoots, rest assured that the vast majority of competitors are hobbyists, just like you. Your goal should be to compete, be safe, and have fun. Speed will come with experience.

Where can I find a 3-gun tournament?

A great place to start is -3gunnation.com. An emerging body that currently sanctions matches in more than 100 townships across America, 3-Gun Nation works to standardize the rules of 3-gun and to create a network of local tournaments whose winners can move on to bigger events.

What is needed for 3-gun?

As the name implies, the sport of 3-Gun requires three different guns — a pistol, a shotgun and a rifle. The course of fire is timed and you score points by shooting a variety of targets including cardboard silhouettes, clay pigeons and steel — but that's not all.

How many shotgun shells for 3-Gun?

A typical 3-gun stage may require 20 or more shotgun shells, a spare 30-round AR-15 mag, and a couple of handgun magazines. That's roughly 10 pounds of stuff, so don't plan on carrying it all on a dress belt or in your pockets.

What is a three gunner?

0:051:13What is 3-Gun? | Introduction to the Shooting Sports - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clip3-gun has been called the x-games of the shooting sports as the name implies there's three differentMore3-gun has been called the x-games of the shooting sports as the name implies there's three different platforms rifle pistol and shotgun.

What kind of targets is pistol shooting meant for?

Handguns are typically used for firing at stationary targets.

Are magazine fed shotguns allowed in 3 gun?

Shotguns must be traditional tube-fed guns. Magazine capacity is limited to 9 rounds at the start. After the start signal, you can load more rounds into your gun. The magazine-fed guns are only allowed in Open Division matches.

Do you need a tax stamp for a Mossberg Shockwave?

Since Mossberg fits a new receiver with a pistol grip at the factory, the Shockwave falls under the definitions in the Gun Control Act of 1968, which calls it a “Pistol Grip Only Firearm.” That's why the Shockwave doesn't fall under the National Firearms Act rules and doesn't require a tax stamp.

How much does a Ghost Gunner CNC cost?

$1200The Ghost Gunner is a small CNC milling machine that costs a mere $1200 and is capable of spitting out an aluminum lower receiver for an AR-15 rifle. This device allows people with no gunsmith training to assemble a working assault rifle at home with no licensing or serial number — and it's completely legal.

What is a ghost lower receiver?

Ghost guns, however, are made of parts and are then assembled together. The critical component in building an untraceable gun is what is known as the lower receiver.

What is a ghost gun machine?

Ghost Gunner is a general purpose CNC mill that gives you the ability to finish a growing library of mil-spec 80 percent lowers to completion. 5x faster. Automatic leveling.

What does AR stand for?

ArmaLite rifleThe AR in "AR-15" rifle stands for ArmaLite rifle, after the company that developed it in. the 1950s. "AR" does NOT stand for "assault rifle" or "automatic rifle." • AR-15-style rifles are NOT "assault weapons" or "assault rifles." An assault rifle is fully.

How close can you shoot steel with 9mm?

How Close Can You Shoot Steel With 9mm? For 9mm ammo (FMJ or Ball) 25 yards plus is recommended, for typical steel targets. If the target is reactive with swing or auto reset spring action, closer shots can be made safely. Meaning the target will absorb some of the force, safely deflecting the round splatter down.

Can bullets ricochet off steel targets?

In reality, when used properly, steel targets have a very low ricochet risk. There can be ricochet when shooting steel targets if the wrong ammo is used on the wrong target. With proper precautions, ricochets are extremely rare and not harmful.

How many rounds are needed for a 3 gun stage?

A typical 3-gun stage may require 20 or more shotgun shells, a spare 30-round AR-15 mag, and a couple of handgun magazines. That’s roughly 10 pounds of stuff, so don’t plan on carrying it all on a dress belt or in your pockets.

How many stages are there in a three gun match?

Three-gun is a test of skill, an obstacle course, and a race. A typical match includes eight to 12 individual stages, each presenting five to 35 targets that must be hit in the shortest amount of time possible.

How to get faster at gun rest?

The upside to all those obstacles is that they usually make good gun rests. For waist-high barriers, drop your left knee to the ground (if you’re a right-handed shooter) and use your left hand to support the fore-end against the object.

How to do a walk through in a gun game?

Visualize the Stage. Prior to each stage, you are allowed a walk-through. Pay attention, then mentally run through the stage while waiting to shoot. Visualize smooth transitions between guns, how you’ll tackle tricky obstacles, and the best order in which to take out targets.

What class of rifles can you use with an optic?

One optic is allowed on one gun only. Most sportsmen have at least one of these guns in the cabinet already, so it’s a practical choice for beginners. Heavy Metal: This class allows only rifles of .308 caliber or larger, 12-gauge pump shotguns, and .45 ACP handguns with -single-​stack magazines.

Is the MGM Iron Man 3 gun course the same as the Crimson Trace?

No two 3-gun courses are exactly alike, and some are known for various themes, like Crimson Trace’s Midnight Invitational, which is held at night; or the MGM Iron Man, which is notorious for grueling runs between shooting stages. But you can make 3-gun as hardcore or as relaxed and fun as you want.

Do experienced shooters have to be a hobbyist?

While there are sponsored 3-gun pros at some shoots, rest assured that the vast majority of competitors are hobbyists, just like you. Your goal should be to compete, be safe, and have fun. Speed will come with experience.

What is a 3 gun?

As the name implies, the sport of 3-Gun requires three different guns — a pistol, a shotgun and a rifle.

What happens if you drop a firearm during a golf course?

Dropping a firearm during the competition will result in an immediate disqualification, so pay attention when selecting your equipment and choose those pieces that both protect your firearms and aid you in staying safe.

What is the difference between tactical and limited rifles?

The primary difference between Limited and Tactical is that Tactical permits the addition of a magnified optic on the rifle. Heavy Metal — Competitors in Heavy Metal like to take advantage of the larger calibers, so there is a larger minimum caliber requirement.

How is a golf course scored?

The course is scored by how many targets you hit, the accuracy of the shot on certain targets (cardboard), deductions for various penalties and, of course, the time you take to complete the course.

Is 3 Gun Nation a national club?

As part of NRA Sports, 3-Gun Nation also runs a national club series of matches. At your first match, even if you attend as just a spectator, you’ll find plenty of other shooters, both new and experienced, ready to partner with a new shooting buddy or help a newcomer get their start the sport.

Can you compete in a triathlon with a 3 gun?

Indeed, 3-gun has injected a shot of adrenaline to the shooting sports that has propelled it into a combination of a drag race and an obstacle course involving multiple gun disciplines. Best of all, you can participate in 3-gun, even excel in 3-gun, without tricked-out special equipment or being fit enough to compete in an Ironman triathlon.

Is 3-gun a static target?

Today, competitions like 3-Gun are anything but that. Creative and exciting, the action is fast and the shooting is heart-racing for both the competitor and the spectators.

How does a 3 gun course work?

First, the shooter assembles at the starting line, and takes-off at the sound of the starting horn. The course resembles a practical shooting situation , with the competitor managing obstacles, targets and no-shoot targets along the course. The shooter makes their way through a series of stages where they transition between shotgun, rifle and handgun targets as dictated by the station they’re at.

What is a 3 gun shooting competition?

A 3-gun shooting competition is one of the fastest growing activities in shooting sports thanks to its fast-paced and highly competitive nature. Participants move through a course that’s designed to test their skills in three major gun categories: modern sporting rifle (MSR), shotgun and pistol. Shooters must engage a number ...

How to shoot a shotgun?

Second, make sure to have at least one or two shotgun chokes and a wrench to improve accuracy and shot spread. Finally, you’ll need a way to load and store shells. Most beginners stick with a duo-load or quad-load method, where you insert shells that are lined up together either in a belt- or chest-mounted system.

How many guns are needed for a shooting competition?

If you’re into recreational shooting, you know that firearms and related equipment can come with a hefty price tag — and this type of competition requires three guns. Also consider entry fees and travel expenses that might accompany match participation.

What are the two major gun sanctioning bodies?

There are a number of official shooting competitions throughout the United States every year that are hosted under the two largest multi-gun sanctioning bodies in the country: United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) and 3-Gun Nation (3GN).

How many clips should a belt carry?

In some matches, you may be forced to start with an unloaded pistol, so a belt should be able to carry two to three clips. And, like rifles, you can purchase larger magazines, extended base pads or magazine extensions to reduce reload time.

How far can you shoot a steel target?

Targets may include anything from paper silhouettes to clay pigeons to knock-over plates and other steel targets, with shooting distances reaching up to 500 yards. Whichever competitor strikes the most targets accurately while avoiding the most penalties and finishes the course quickest, is crowned the winner.

Tips And Tricks For Setting up your 3-Gun AR-15 for Competition

From there, we have some general principles to keep in mind. First and foremost, keep things light: a heavy gun might be more accurate at extreme ranges, but here we need rounds on target, fast. Second, no unnecessary gizmos: a light worth a mortgage payment will not make you a better shooter.

How To Choose The Right 3-Gun AR-15 Optic

First, a simple dot sight. Some people much prefer green over red dots. For example, people with astigmatism see red dots as splotches, so those people typically prefer green dots. If you see your current red dot or red lights as a splotch rather than a dot, visit your optometrist for a better diagnosis.

Getting your 3-Gun AR-15 Rifle Ergonomics Right

Second, get a comfortable grip. If you’re building an AR, we recommend getting two grips with vastly different profiles, trying both in your hand, and returning the one you like least. I had a pre-built AR, so I did an old trick to my A2-style grip.

Buying a Gun Case for your 3 Gun AR-15

Depending on the overall length of your 3-Gun AR-15 you’ll have a number of gun case options. We have compiled a solid list of cheap gun cases if you spent most of your funds on building the best 3-gun setups you could.

3 Gun AR-15 Setup Conclusion

A lot of other folks will also recommend various grips, etc. to get your 3-gun rifle dialed in, and I’m not opposed to any of that. I might prioritize the grips and optics over any of the other accessories that may just be for aesthetics.

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What Is 3-Gun?

Gearing Up For 3-Gun

  • Believe it or not, you do not have to break the bank or sacrifice your kid’s college fund to enter the sport of 3-Gun. Attend a match to see what it’s all about, and you’re likely to find more than a few willing to loan you their guns for the day to get you started. Once the bug bites — and it will — with today’s prices, you can buy all three guns ...
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Shooting Classes Or Divisions

  • Like most shooting sports, 3-Gun is broken down into different classes and divisions. Men shoot against men and ladies against other ladies. Age on either end of the spectrum may earn you a different competitive division as well, such as veteran or junior. Firearm choice is also important to leveling the playing field and these can generally be broken into four different classes. These …
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Your First 3-Gun Shoot

  • Most who are interested in starting 3-Gun will want to watch a competition first. 3-Gun Nation is a nationally televised series that will give you an idea. (It airs on the Sportsman Channel, and many episodes like this one can be viewed on YouTube). While the television show primarily focuses on the pros, it also highlights competitors at all stages of the competition, so viewing a couple epis…
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