We’ve looked at getting started in a number of different types of competitive shooting for shotgunners and pistol shooters. Now, we’ll tackle what I think is the best of all—3-gun competitions, where you use all three kinds of guns, sometimes on the same stage!

I’ve tried nearly all of the shooting competitions, and multi-gun competitions, most commonly 3-gun, are my favorite. In fact, I was pretty serious about 3-gun for several years leading up to the pandemic, when nearby opportunities faded away and I took up another hobby.

3-Gun Competitions: Dynamic Action-Shooting Fun!

While the most fun, 3-gun is also among the most expensive for two reasons. First, you need a rifle, pistol and shotgun to participate. Second, in a typical match, you burn through a lot of all three types of ammo—sometimes in the hundreds of rounds of each. And training leads to an even bigger ammunition bill!

Equipment Needs

Of course, you don’t have to have a $5,000 rifle, $3,000 shotgun and $2,000 pistol to compete. You can jump right in with just about any AR-style rifle, shotgun and semi-auto pistol. But to be competitive, you will need at least a few modifications to your stock guns if you choose to go that path.

The main equipment factor is that 3-gun, like most shooting sports, is about speed and accuracy. And since speed is important, more ammo capacity means less reloading and, consequently, less time lost while reloading.

Rifles

For rifles, 3-gun competitors mostly use AR-style rifles, typically with 16- or 18-inch barrels. Bay-style matches where shooting is usually under 50 yards, rifles with 16-inch barrels generally get the nod. For matches with longer shots, say 200 yards or over, many competitors opt for an 18-inch barrel.

Since two hits are required on most cardboard targets, a good muzzle brake that will keep your gun on target without a lot of muzzle flip will make those double-taps quicker and shave important seconds from your time. 

Magazines are another consideration. Typical 30-round AR magazines won’t get you through a lot of 3-gun stages without reloading. To save the time it takes to reload (precious seconds), many 3-gunners use a magazine extension to take their mags from 30 rounds to 35 or so. When I was shooting a lot of competitions, I had a 40-round PMag with an extension, which gave me 44 or 45 rounds without reloading. I saved a lot of precious seconds by being able to shoot the entire rifle part of some stages without having to worry about reloading.

For some classes in 3-gun, a red dot sight is necessary, since optical sights (scopes) are not allowed in some divisions. For those that allow scopes, a good-quality scope that will go true 1x power and all the way up to 6x or 8x and has an illuminated reticle is ideal. The true zero power will allow you to shoot close targets with both eyes open like if you were using a red dot sight, making you faster than with a more powerful lower level that makes it hard to find those really close targets.

You’ll also need an extra rifle mag carrier or two on your competition belt, which is another necessity. 

Shotguns

For shotguns, just about any repeating shotgun will do. Some people even use pump shotguns. However, a semi-auto is the best, as long as it reliably runs the ammunition you intend to shoot with during your matches. Those who get serious about the game often expand their loading port to facilitate loading two or four shells at a time (another time saver) and add elongated magazines that allow them to fire 12 rounds or so before reloading. Trust me, that extra ammo comes in handy, as it takes a lot of practice to quickly reload a shotgun on the clock. 

For shells, most use typical number 8 target loads. It’ll knock over steel quite well. Some shots might be longer, so having a couple of chokes along might help your success. Many matches have a few shotgun slug targets, so having a shotgun with a red or yellow sight on the front helps with lining up those slug shots. 

A good shell carrier of some kind is also necessary, as speed in reloading is very important. I always preferred a chest setup and had one that would hold 20 shells or so, allowing me to grab and reload as I moved from one target to the next. (Theoretically, that is. Sometimes, I left more shells on the ground than I got in my shotgun.)

Pistols

Last but not least is a quality pistol. A stock Glock will do, but many 3-gunners prefer high-capacity 2011-style pistols in 9mm. I had one that would hold 20 rounds or so, and with magazine extensions closer to 23. Again, fewer reloads save time. Regardless of the pistol you choose, you’ll need several magazines, and magazine extensions if you can fit that into your budget.

On your belt, you’ll need a good holster since the game involves moving with your pistol in your holster until you get to pistol targets. You’ll also need a pistol magazine holster or two, since many stages will require more shots than what your initial magazine will hold.

Ammo

For ammunition, you’ll need rifle ammo (typically .223 or 5.56mm), pistol ammo (usually 9mm) and shotgun shells (typically field load Number 8s, but you’ll likely also need a few rounds of slug ammo). If the match calls for 150 rounds of pistol, 125 rounds of ammo and 75 rounds of shotshells, you’ll want to take at least twice that to account for misses or possible reshoots on some stages.

More Gear Needs for 3-Gun Competitions

Of course, you’ll need good eye pro and ear pro just like in any other shooting sport. And, oh yeah, you have to have something to carry all this stuff in from station to station. Not only do you need a bag for ammo and such, but a bag for your rifle and your shotgun. Many people get a 3-gun cart just to tote all their stuff around. Trust me, there are a lot of pounds of gear to lug, and by the end of a long, hot day it can feel even heavier!