yes another 3 gun newbie (Edmonton)

jay007

jay007

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St Albert, Alberta
I know everyone is probably tired of threads from wannabe 3 gunners. But I wanna know if I am heading in the right direction.

I recently moved to the east side of Edmonton, so naturally I think I am going to join the Spruce Grove Gun Club, stopped by last weekend watched some of the WRAS match and checked out the facilities. I have enjoyed sporting clays and trap in the past and looks like their facilities are nice. Also considering Phoenix if I get a pistol bought.

I am not new to shooting, but would like to take the next step.

My plan is to get what I need together over the winter.

Shotgun - My 870 should be fine, a mag ext and a 20 inch barrel should be good to go?

Rifle - This is where my budget comes into play, I have an sks, yes I know its not an AR but for a while it might have to work. It is in a Tapco stock, and plan for the winter is to grab a scout scope mount, a simple optic, maybe the adapter to eliminate the duckbill off the mags, and of course more 5rd mags. (or cut my losses and grab a Norc CQ, but lets say that not in the plans for now)

Pistol - This is where my knowledge is limited, I have had my RPAL for years but never bought anything restricted. Fom a couple trips to the gun shop and looking throught the EE adds I have a few I like. (chances are I will be buying used to price reasons)
Sig P226 - fells god in the hand, used prces dont seem bad.
CZ 75 or 85- if I even have the model numbers correct, from reading seems to be a good choice and at a used price should be able to get a good deal.
Baby Eagle - Just always liked the looks and feel, no idea if its a good choice, price is right.

Gear - I dont want to go expensive of the get go, my plan is to watch the EE for anything that comes up. I think I would like to go with the belt set up, but at the same time is this even a reasonable idea with SKS mags? From looking online this actually seems to be a but more expensive than I had anticipated.

I will probably have a lot of questions over the winter months, I will try to find out the info before being the Newb with dumb questions.
 
Yup 870 will do you just fine.

You CAN use your SKS however I think you're idea of a norc m4 is a better plan. .223 is far more accurate than 7.62x39 and an AR platform is much more userfriendly for 3gun style stuff.

I spent about $800 when all was said and done, trying to 3gun-ize a sks and it still didn't perform like and AR or how I wanted it to perform. There are other options out there for sure, however personally I like the AR for that style of shooting. SKS's are meant to add ammo and shoot, personally I feel adding anything to them is a waste of money that could be spent on ammo.

Pistol- Well I'll tell you right now, I have a cz75 sp-01 shadow and I love it. I would highly recommend it. That said, everyone is different. Try and feel up as many different guns as you can. If possible shoot them. Get what feels "right" in your hand and what YOU shoot well. Don't get what buddy's buddy shoots well.

I've only shot a few 3gun matches myself and am definitely no expert, but from my experience that's my opinions on things.
 
Wannabe? Heck you're just a pistol away from being one! :D

Like the poster above, I'm no 3-gun expert by any stretch but my advice would be a little different. It's clear from your post that you are wanting to get into this without dropping a whole lot of cash. My advice would be to put off buying that AR for now and keep your eye on the EE for a good pistol with holster and mags (3-4) included. The S&W M&P kit comes to mind and they show up on the EE fairly regularly for around $5-600. My 3-gun pistola is a Ruger SR9 and they are inexpensive, reliable, accurate.
For now I'd say shoot that SKS without any optics...you'll have fun and all it will cost you is an extra mag or two (or three ;) ). Like ndb86 said, putting more money into the sks might be a bit of a waste, especially if you think you will want to get into an AR in the not so distant future. You don't even need to buy mag holders for the SKS mags; I've seen several guys just taping mags together, stuffing them in their jacket pockets, etc.
Remember that you're not going out there those first few times to try and make the top 3, you're just out there to have some good, safe fun and get a feel for the game!
 
I only know 3gun inside Ontario and the rules here but here's what i've found as far as equipment goes.
Pistol-get a single action, lightest trigger your comfortable with, ipsc guns an advantage since all pistols except open are in the same class, make it a 9mm, cheaper, less recoil, 1911's are great with 10 round mags or CZ design based guns
Shotgun-Mossberg 590 or Benelli Supernova seem to have it all with the right aftermarket additions
Rifle-AR's rule due to 10 round mags, anything that takes a LAR mag will have an advantage over a 5 round mag. .223 very accurate and less recoil, cheaper to shoot than .308 some ranges won't allow 7.62x39 or steel core, get the best one you can afford and there is a ton of aftermarket, Stags are excellent value
 
Rifle - This is where my budget comes into play, I have an sks, yes I know its not an AR but for a while it might have to work. It is in a Tapco stock, and plan for the winter is to grab a scout scope mount, a simple optic, maybe the adapter to eliminate the duckbill off the mags, and of course more 5rd mags. (or cut my losses and grab a Norc CQ, but lets say that not in the plans for now)
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If you're going to use your SKS, leave it stock and run it with stripper clips. Save your money to spend on a better rifle in the future.
 
LOL. You explained it in much more detail than I did.

That said, for the OP, practice with the SKS and you will not finish last.
 
CHAS is having a 3 Gun Shoot this weekend on Saturday out at Genesee. You should bring your SKS and 870 out and have a run through.
 
Long said:
CHAS is having a 3 Gun Shoot this weekend on Saturday out at Genesee. You should bring your SKS and 870 out and have a run through.
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I would love to, even to come and watch and check things out, but got work I'm probably headin to Manitoba for a week or so for work.

I just have to keep looking for the next peice of gear to pick up.

Any Belt suggestions? Width? Brand?
 
I go out to the WRAS shoots occasionally when I get the time. I go for fun, and don't come anywhere close to Tex or Sosa. I run a Norc AR, and a Norc NP-22 in 9mm. Neither one is going to get me into the "Nationals" but they both work for the 3 gun matches, and they were affordable as starter guns. A kydex holster and a couple mag puches that you can pick up at one of the local retailers for under $75 and you're ready to go. Lots of guys use the 870.
 
Nothing wrong with a CZ-858 for a rifle setup, and for $749 it's cheap. Shoots 7.62x39 or in the sporter version (restricted with a 15" barrel) it shoots .223. Unlike what seems to be the common consensus, it's not less accurate than .223 (at least not at the distances you're going to shoot in WRAS 3-gun) and if you get the 19" barrel unrestricted 7.62x39 you can practice off-range in the woods till your ears bleed and feet are sore, lol! I run a mildly barbie-ized CZ and I love it. Never a mag problem and never a jam. It's a beast and just goes bang every time you pull the trigger. The fact that you have to run 5 round mags instead of the cheaters (KIDDING!!! ;) ) with their 10 round LAR mags in an AR? More practice on loading is all I say, lol... I think if you're in it for the fun (like myself) try and keep your budget down and enjoy the sport. Shoot in a few 3-guns and if you decide you want to be a contender with Sam/Todd/Ken/etc then spend the extra $$$ and build a set up that suits you. Worst case is you have a cool cold war gun that you can shoot for cheap.

As for a pistol, I love my CZ SP-01 Shadow, but there are a million options out there. I think sticking to 9mm just for the price point on ammo is a good idea unless you just wanna make bigger holes, lol! 9mm comes in every flavor from a 1911 Kimber to a Beretta 90-Two. With a pistol it just boils down to what YOU prefer... don't listen to anyone that says one or the other pistol is THE BEST. What you shoot well and what feels right in your hand is what's best for you. Spend some time and $$$ shooting some pistols before settling on one. Find that one that fits your hand the best and is ergonomic for the length of your fingers ie. the safety is easy to engage/disengage, mag release is easy to thumb, etc.

Rem 870 will do you just fine. I think our max rounds for shotgun is 7+1 so don't go crazy and get a 20+1 mag extension, lol...

Keep it simple to start with and build up from there. If you can get a Norq M4 or any AR variant for ~$800 it's probably a good choice. 99.9% of the guys are running them and everyone knows the in's and outs of the AR and can help with any questions or issues. Plus, you'd have the option of 10 round mags. I seem to be the only guy that runs a 7.62x39 and I do it mostly cause I like being different and it forces me to not be too competitive and just enjoy myself. Plus, I pay almost half the price of .223 for ammo...
 
Thanks for the help so far guys, i have a few more newbie questions.

1. Barrel recomendations for my 870. 18.5 inch? choke?

2. Mag extension +2? +3?

3. I want to order a few things this week, one being a belt, do most the accessories fit the same width belt? 1.5inch?


i know, newbie dribble but I gotta start somewhere
 
for pumps go with the most rounds you can, we shoot some slugs, personally I have never used a choke

18.5 is fine, main thing to have is a good holster for your pistol and a decent gun belt with a few pouches, you will thank yourself later if you wait till after attending an even to buy much more then that
 
I like my 18" on my SXP/defender. Sometimes I wish it had a choke, but I think the problems we had earlier this year with the poppers not dropping with #5 have been resolved. The steel was just set too hard, :) I don't run a mag extension, but it's on the list of things to get... 5+1 sucks when everyone else is 7+1, haha!

A belt is a biggy... I use just a really heavy grade leather Uncle Mike's shooting belt. I believe it's just a 1" as it fits in my belt loops.

Edit = What Easy said. Hit a match up and that will give you a better idea. Don't go nuts on spending yet, lol!
 
KaptinKaos said:
I like my 18" on my SXP/defender. Sometimes I wish it had a choke, but I think the problems we had earlier this year with the poppers not dropping with #5 have been resolved. The steel was just set too hard, :) I don't run a mag extension, but it's on the list of things to get... 5+1 sucks when everyone else is 7+1, haha!

A belt is a biggy... I use just a really heavy grade leather Uncle Mike's shooting belt. I believe it's just a 1" as it fits in my belt loops.

Edit = What Easy said. Hit a match up and that will give you a better idea. Don't go nuts on spending yet, lol!
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I have been to one match and am trying to make it out to more (I should have started going much ealier this year), Oct 13 cant make it but definately try for the Nov 10.

Im not going spending crazy, I just want to pick up a few things a month over the winter. What I need to do is get a gun club membership here and start taking a serious look at pistols.
 
For what it's worth I will add my two cents. Let's start with the pistol. My self, I shoot a CZ shadow, a nice gun yes, maybe too nice to lay with in the dirt. I have found that a Glock or a M&P is really easy to find gear for, ie - retention holsters, but as with most things, whatever is comfortable for you is what will work. I shoot a Norc, I have shot it for two seasons and have had no failures with it. Well worth the money, and once again easy to find parts and accessories. The shot gun is something I am still experimenting with, I decided to go with a Mossberg 930 , not the easiest to accessorize but not a bad semi for the money, an 870 in comparison is easy to accessorize and fairly reliable. Gear is probably the hardest thing to pick. I am running a vest which I have found to be good not great, I think I and going to a chest rig and or belt set up. The best is a 5.11 and is fairly well built and priced. I think i am into it for 175 with the mag pouches. The pouches leave a little to be desired, I think I will go wil blue forces ten speed pouches that have elastic retention as compared to the Velcro flap. The biggest thing you can do to decide what to buy is to watch others and ask questions. Does this guy struggle with brand A as compares to guy with brand (or style) B? I have been in WRAS for two seasons and am just starting to figure the equipment out. Don 't fret! Hang out, have fun, ask if you could trial a piece of gear, most guys are pretty receptive to helping you find your ultimate setup.
 
Everyone is different and I just started shooting this year with WRAS out of Spruce Grove so here is my two cents. I shoot a Mossberg 500 but the 870 is a great choice, lots of upgrades for it and a bunch use it for 3 Gun. If your's is a 5 rounder I would consider shooting like that for now rather than getting the mag extension and save the money for rounds, rounds, rounds. For saving money for rounds (have I mentioned that yet?) I would rock the SKS iron sights with stripper clips. No sense putting money into mags and optics when you WILL just get an AR in the future, wether a Norinco or Stag or Remington an AR with 10 round mags are the predominant rifle in 3 Gun for a reason. Pistol's are very personal so first off find somthing that fits your hand, consider something easy to operate and then maybe price or availablity of accessories. Lots of guys us the CZ's, great quality. I used a Sig 226 initially but actually traded it in for the S&W MP9 Range Kit. Came with a bunch of stuff wich was nice when just starting. I do miss the 226 a bit but the MP9 is just so much easier to operate without a decocker or slide safety, anyway find something you like and practice practice practice! Trigger control and sight picture are where I was lacking at the start of the year, since figuring that out the pistol has now become my best friend! For equipment it's personal preference I guess. I like the vest with everything attached for 3 Gun and just a belt for Steel Challenges. I've watched guys and just kinda copied different things from here and there. Also learned the hard way this year is framiliarity with your weapons and reloading speed is the largest contribiuter to success, besides hitting the damn targets! You can be a crack shot with an expensive optic but if it takes you 60 seconds to reload that shootgun you are toast! You can always send a message to Sosa (the WRAS president) about coming out on the 13th and borrowing someone else's guns, happens all the time. Bring your own ammo, what better way to decide what you want to do.
 
Come out and try our Ponoka 3 gun shoot on 20 Oct. It is a really simple basic three gun shoot, very little equipment needed. If you want to borrow a gun I have lots. I shoot at WRAS and I don't have all the bells and whistles. I run either my M14 or M1 carbine with iron sights and lots of five round mags. I have an AR 15 but I really don't like it. I like shooting my old school guns. Who knows I might even try my SKS next.

For the distance we shoot at WRAS I don't see the need for optics. Shoot your SKS at Wras it will get you started.

For shotgun I use a Mossberg 500 with the 18 inch riot barrel. You can buy this gun in a combo kit with two barrels. One barrel for shooting sporting clays the other for three gun. Depending on the sale price you can get it for $300 - $400 dollars. Buy a side saddle that mounts to the frame to store six rounds of ammo.

For handgun the options are wide open. For a new handgun I would definte recommend the CZ 75 SP101 Shadow. If I had any spare cash to invest into more handguns that is what I would buy. Since I don't have the spare cash I still use my old Browning Hi-Powers, Nornico NP20 and S & W revolver.

My view is that I do 3-gun shooting for the fun of sending rounds downrange. Trigger time no matter what you use is fun.
 
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