All geared up (mostly) for 3-gun!

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Advoc

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So I always thought it was a bit of a pipe dream, with how my wife might have thought about it, or not having the money, or kids in the house etc...

i've had the pistol for about a year now, and my wife of all people bought me the lower for Christmas, and it's been sitting in my tiny sentry safe, half built since then.

Well due to some crazy EE deals and a lack of self control, I now have all the main hardware.

rXKZBnT.jpg


'95 BHP in .40

Winchester 1300 Defender

Mutt AR15 (ATI, Norc, DD, MI)

The pistol runs like a champ, but I have yet to bench it and really set the novak sights on it. Something I should really do one day soon.
The AR15 is having some issues. ( http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1301193-Finally-finished-my-first-AR?p=11864560&viewfull=1#post11864560 )
but I will get those sorted out soon I hope.

I have yet to fire the 1300, I just got it in a few days ago, but Dad always had one for duck and this thing is as smooth as his. I love this shotgun. Should I leave it with a bead sight or get ghost ring sights? Been debating a pistolgrip stock as well, but I know what I should really do is get out and shoot it a bunch before doing anything to it.

I'm not set with all the accessories I need. I have a fobus holster for the BHP, but the mag pouch is a paddle and i don't like it. I'm thinking of some kind of combo pouch for the rifle/pistol mags like a taco or something. I also need decent sights on the AR. Right now I'm debating between a See All and a Vortex Strike Eagle. Maybe I'll get the strike eagle and put a See all on a 45 mount.

I have a guy with the local club that I think I can talk to about easing my way into competitions. I'm just wondering if there's anything you guys would advise a complete rookie to do who is looking to start out.
I'm in this for the fun more than anything. Maybe at some point I'll start getting good, and then i'll start thinking about winning, but until then I want every trigger pull to be worry free.
 
Stay with the bead sight on the shotgun. What do you have for holding shotgun shells on your person?

I have a Sightmark 1-6 scope posted in the EE. I am currently running the Millet 1-6 scope. Those are both good alternatives to the Strike Eagle.
 
One important note for the shotgun; The main job of the shotgun will be knocking down steel plates with bird-shot.

For that purpose; You will want a barrel with chokes. Cylinder bore shotguns have a hell of a hard time knocking down plates.
 
What choke would you recommend ? Keep in mind that most 3gun shoots have at least 1 stage where slugs are req'd. Benelli recommends an Improved Cylinder choke for slugs. This choke may also help with a quicker shot spread at the closer distances that 3gun shotgun sections usually run at.
 
doo925 said:
What choke would you recommend ? Keep in mind that most 3gun shoots have at least 1 stage where slugs are req'd. Benelli recommends an Improved Cylinder choke for slugs. This choke may also help with a quicker shot spread at the closer distances that 3gun shotgun sections usually run at.
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Choke selection depends on the targets and distances involved. I use Imp. Cyl. or Mod. depending. I've seen guys use Full and Extra Full as well.

There's no issues shooting rifled slugs through Full chokes.
 
On that note... What size shot do you typically use? most of what is available and cheap to shoot around here are the winchester value packs. usually in 4, 7, 7 1/2, and 8. I'm assuming you would probably spring for some more premium ammunition during competition though as well, but what is the popular opinion on shot?

Also... is ther a way to modify my barrel to accept screw in chokes? or should I just go try to find another barrel? (probably a bit more difficult with this model)
 
On that note... What size shot do you typically use? most of what is available and cheap to shoot around here are the winchester value packs. usually in 4, 7, 7 1/2, and 8. I'm assuming you would probably spring for some more premium ammunition during competition though as well, but what is the popular opinion on shot?
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Usually 7.5 or 8 shot. The same stuff you would use for trap-shooting.

I prefer full choke.
 
Advoc said:
On that note... What size shot do you typically use? most of what is available and cheap to shoot around here are the winchester value packs. usually in 4, 7, 7 1/2, and 8. I'm assuming you would probably spring for some more premium ammunition during competition though as well, but what is the popular opinion on shot?

Also... is ther a way to modify my barrel to accept screw in chokes? or should I just go try to find another barrel? (probably a bit more difficult with this model)
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I shoot the cheapest non-Winchester bulk pack ammo I can find. Preferably Federal 7.5 shot, 1 1/8 oz, 3 Dr. Eq.

You may be able to find someone, like Casey at Tactical Ordnance in Ontario, who can thread it.

Get an extension for the shotgun as well, if it will accept one.
 
Learn how to reload your shotgun as fast as possible. This is the critical area where you can really impact your score and pull ahead of others or catch up to leaders. YouTube has hundreds of vids; both with and without specific shell holders being used.

And FWIW, I too shoot a pump (but with a 9 shot extended magazine) and use 7 1/2 for shot and S&B reduced recoil slugs
 
you can also use high brass number 6 if you dont have a choke for steel targets. If you have any questions let me know, i shoot 3 gun nation and uspsa multigun. I can also show you how to open ports, adjust spring tension, trigger jobs on shotguns, handguns, ar 15s, stipling, and any trouble shooting. Im probably one of the few guys on earth that has broken 2 glocks in 1 year lol.
 
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What are the ammo requirements? I'm also looking at getting into 3 gun and I'm approaching it the way I approached IPSC originally...what's the max number of rounds I would need to have for a long stage? I'm considering getting the LAR15 mags, but I also don't know how they'll fit in a taco (tbd if I'm a belt or a chest rig guy yet). I've already got some pieces of gear but some direction would be helpful in the decision making process. For rifle, assume AR15 style mags. Thanks!

~Chris
 
CSully said:
What are the ammo requirements? I'm also looking at getting into 3 gun and I'm approaching it the way I approached IPSC originally...what's the max number of rounds I would need to have for a long stage? I'm considering getting the LAR15 mags, but I also don't know how they'll fit in a taco (tbd if I'm a belt or a chest rig guy yet). I've already got some pieces of gear but some direction would be helpful in the decision making process. For rifle, assume AR15 style mags. Thanks!

~Chris
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The number of shotshells needed will vary widely. At the last match here it ranged from 6 to 31 minimum depending on the stage. The best answer is be prepared to carry lots.

That applies to rifle and handgun ammo too.
 
CSully said:
I'm considering getting the LAR15 mags, but I also don't know how they'll fit in a taco (tbd if I'm a belt or a chest rig guy yet). I've already got some pieces of gear but some direction would be helpful in the decision making process. For rifle, assume AR15 style mags.
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I use tacos on my belt. Could use 223 or 308 mags without changing pouches. Same goes for my pistol mags.
 
Lots of guys use 40 round p mags in the US and Beowulf mags in Canada. Round counts vary, jungle runs with 30 shotgun are common nowdays.
 
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I started 3 gun with a Winchester 1300 Defender and it was a great first gun, all I did was put a fibre optic front sight on it in order to sight it in (I always had to aim low with the bead). Instead of threading for a choke I just shoot high brass shells and I have never had an issue with steel at any range.

Definitely bench your pistol to see how accurate it is then practice until you are making the same size groups freehand.

The strike eagle seems like a good starter optic, I use a Vortex Viper 1-4 and I love it

Most importantly I would say practice and practice until you are extremely comfortable with your guns, practice clearing jams and manipulating reloading until you feel ready. I have seen guys show up that don't even know how to release the bolt on their semi auto shotgun while standing in the start box, little late for a lesson at that point.
 
WOW.

Yeah a LITTLE bit of forethought would help I'd think.

One thing I love about the 1300 is just how smooth (and FAST) the pump is, as well as feeding the magazine. Just smooth as butter. My dads duck gun is the same.

I bought a tac star side saddle, and it fits really nicely on the receiver, but the pump handle bumps into it, so unless I get a new pump handle that can accommodate it, it's useless to me.
 
These guys saying that you need full choke on a shotgun, and not being able to knock down targets. Pfff.. I'm using a 12" barrel with cylinder bore.









And they are absolutely right. It sucks. I can't knock bigger steel over, sometimes with a pretty direct hit. Get a full choke, or at very least a modified.
 
I think improved cylinder is fine, as others said, you may have slug and bird shot on same stage...and most bird shot hits are not that far, so better spread is useful, as it's easy to over swing/aim and miss when you're going fast, etc..
And further advise, don't forget to get good cheek weld and proper sight alignment, as you rush, if don't, you'll be shooting high and miss them.. I know, I did that when I switched from red dot on my defender to a front fibre optic with my Benelli... not used to it, was missing alot and couldn't understand why, cause I thought I was aiming right at it... Doh...

You can put on modified or full choke if a stage has long placed shots thru-out..for that stage.
 
Great picture. I am working my way to 3 gun too. Bot myself a Mossberg 590A1 tactical, Norinco 1911. Not sure what to get as the rifle yet. Hoping to get some kind of a 308 non-restricted. Any suggestion?
 
A norinco m 305 , m14 clone non restriceted, would put you in heavy metal division, and they can be found around $600. 10 round enfield mags that fit the m305 are available with couplers to get 2 10 round mags in 1, tradex ammo has 7.62 by 51 ammo for 73 cents a round austrian made brass ammo to your door right now.
 
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