3 Gun Tips and Tricks

New to 3 Gun

Todays TIP:

This is for new to 3 gun people.

Do not be concerned with what division your guns put you in.

Your firearms will dictate what division you shoot in; however, do not let your current (or planned purchases) stop you from competing because of the division that it will put you in. In most club matches, it doesn't really matter anyway.

Most firearms enthusiasts will purchase firearms based on the characteristics that interest them.

Maybe your shotgun has a ported barrel or a detachable box magazine.
Maybe your pistol has a red dot sight or a compensator on it.
Maybe your rifle has a bi-pod on it.

These features will put you in OPEN division, but who cares. Come out and run these guns. You shouldn't expect to win your first time (or season) out anyways. Learn and have fun!

On the flip side of the coin, maybe you shoot iron sights only on your rifle. Do not feel that you need to rush out and buy and optic before you compete. Come out and try it first.

Lastly, shotgun excuses:

I hear these all the time:

I only have a duck/goose gun.
I only have a "security model", no choke, 18'' barreled shotgun.
I only have a box magazine fed shotgun.

Bring your shotgun and try it out. Not everyone is out there to win the "world championship of 3 gun". Most come out to have fun and for the camaraderie.
After a few matches or a season, you will decide what works for you and if you need or want to change it up.
 
Played with my shotgun a bit at the range after reading this thread. Discovered that my SXP is 5+1 with 2 3/4. I've mainly just used it for slugs and only load the chamber or a few at a time in the tube so I guess I never noticed... Does anyone ever start with those short shells (1 3/4") in the tube?
 
grimreefer said:
Played with my shotgun a bit at the range after reading this thread. Discovered that my SXP is 5+1 with 2 3/4. I've mainly just used it for slugs and only load the chamber or a few at a time in the tube so I guess I never noticed... Does anyone ever start with those short shells (1 3/4") in the tube?
Click to expand...

5+1 is certainly good enough to get started. I've never seen anyone use anything other than 2 3/4 inch shells. Having a higher capacity can be a big help, but being able to reload smoothly and efficiently will likely pay off more than an extra round or two. One of the clubs I shoot at does not permit shotguns outside of matches. Some of the matches had stages that required up to 23 rounds of shotgun. There was a noticeable difference between the shooters that were skilled at reloading and those that were not.
 
I just made some mods to my shotgun. Smoothed down some of the sharp edges around the loading port and bits that were painful and pinchy when I was trying out the load two technique. Also trimmed down my mag tube spring. So much better now.

I think I will probably pick up one of the fancy shell carriers. Even if I don't try a match until next summer it will give me another skill to work on and have fun with at the range.
 
Speaking of mag tube springs, here's some guidelines I go by. On a Canada-legal tube 12ga shotgun magazine holding 5x 3" or 5x 3.5", trim your magazine spring such that it is compressed by 10" when there are no rounds in it. That means take the cap off, spring should stick out past the end cap by 10". This gets you the best balance of ease of loading and reliable function.
 
adamg said:
Speaking of mag tube springs, here's some guidelines I go by. On a Canada-legal tube 12ga shotgun magazine holding 5x 3" or 5x 3.5", trim your magazine spring such that it is compressed by 10" when there are no rounds in it. That means take the cap off, spring should stick out past the end cap by 10". This gets you the best balance of ease of loading and reliable function.
Click to expand...

I prefer the method of trimming a spring a bit at a time, reassemble, function test, trim, reassemble, function test, repeating as necessary. Might be good to have a new full length spring as a spare on hand when attempting this as well, jic.
 
Hmm my stock spring on my SXP only stuck out about 9" and I cut off about 5" (took off an inch at a time). So it only sticks out 4" and seems plenty strong. It was definitely too stiff before. Maybe the spring is stiffer or already compressed (I'm not the first owner of the gun). Or maybe I cut off too much. :) Better get to the range and try it out. :D

I see there's only one match scheduled for the rest of the season here so I guess I will have lots of time to practice.

Minimum number of pistol mags?
 
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^Nordic Components recommended....14"?....I want to say 16"...past the tube; I think it depends on the spring, and probably shouldn't be a general rule.

Let's see, a tip for 3gun. Oh, how about angling the corners on the butt pad of your shotgun to mount it quicker. Takes 30 seconds with a sanding block, keeps the butt from getting caught on your clothes.
 
There is no cut and dry rule on magazine spring length.

Pumps don't need as much spring pressure to remain reliable.
Semis, they need more.

Playing with the reliability/"ease of loading" balancing point is a recipe for failure at the worst possible time.
A fresh spring will work until it takes a set and then it will slowly start to cause problems with the last round or two in your magazine.

Leave it long and work on your reloading technique.
Or, swap in a new short spring before every major match.

Magazine springs should be considered wear items and swapped out with some frequency.
How often depends on how active you are and how much use your spring gets.
 
bluesclues said:
Todays TIP:

This is for new to 3 gun people.

Do not be concerned with what division your guns put you in.

Your firearms will dictate what division you shoot in; however, do not let your current (or planned purchases) stop you from competing because of the division that it will put you in. In most club matches, it doesn't really matter anyway.

Most firearms enthusiasts will purchase firearms based on the characteristics that interest them.

Maybe your shotgun has a ported barrel or a detachable box magazine.
Maybe your pistol has a red dot sight or a compensator on it.
Maybe your rifle has a bi-pod on it.

These features will put you in OPEN division, but who cares. Come out and run these guns. You shouldn't expect to win your first time (or season) out anyways. Learn and have fun!

On the flip side of the coin, maybe you shoot iron sights only on your rifle. Do not feel that you need to rush out and buy and optic before you compete. Come out and try it first.

Lastly, shotgun excuses:

I hear these all the time:

I only have a duck/goose gun.
I only have a "security model", no choke, 18'' barreled shotgun.
I only have a box magazine fed shotgun.

Bring your shotgun and try it out. Not everyone is out there to win the "world championship of 3 gun". Most come out to have fun and for the camaraderie.
After a few matches or a season, you will decide what works for you and if you need or want to change it up.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I've been doing 3Gun for a couple of years now, but only 3-4 matches per year, so not a lot really. The things I keep in my head are: Be safe, don't break the 180deg. rule, and HAVE FUN. I know I'll never be super competitive and don't try to be. I go to each match hoping to have a good day at the range and maybe learn something from the other guys I'm shooting with (not against). IMO, that's what 3Gun is all about, having fun at the range.
 
My spring is so long that I always fight with it to get it back into the tube. Maybe I should trim it a bit. It also messes up my plug if it doesn't go in a certain way and only allows me to load 5 2.75"
 
cereal83 said:
My spring is so long that I always fight with it to get it back into the tube. Maybe I should trim it a bit. It also messes up my plug if it doesn't go in a certain way and only allows me to load 5 2.75"
Click to expand...

Going to have to use some judgement as to what it too long.
What length extension tube do you have on your gun?
And what shotgun are you using?

grimreefer said:
Ordered the Invictus 2.8 carrier. :)
Click to expand...

Select shooting supplies has a full selection of Invictus gear.
 
pauls said:
Going to have to use some judgement as to what it too long.
What length extension tube do you have on your gun?
And what shotgun are you using?
Click to expand...

I have a SJ +3 with a Stoeger Mk3 shotgun. Everytime I go to put it back in, I fight and usually atleast once does it go flying out and I have to start from scratch. I think I will trim a little by little as suggested and see how it works out. Replacement springs are a 3 minute drive away for me so what could go wrong? lol
 
smelly pete said:
^Nordic Components recommended....14"?....I want to say 16"...past the tube; I think it depends on the spring, and probably shouldn't be a general rule.

Let's see, a tip for 3gun. Oh, how about angling the corners on the butt pad of your shotgun to mount it quicker. Takes 30 seconds with a sanding block, keeps the butt from getting caught on your clothes.
Click to expand...

NC recommends 16" past the end of the tube as a starter, with a minimum of 12".

My TIP: When you are not shooting or helping to reset targets, watch each shooter and learn from their good (and bad) habits. Of all of the hobbies I have ever tried, the shooting crowd has been the most accepting and willing the help a newbie. Once you have tried 3 Gun, you will be hooked!
 
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cereal83 said:
I have a SJ +3 with a Stoeger Mk3 shotgun. Everytime I go to put it back in, I fight and usually atleast once does it go flying out and I have to start from scratch. I think I will trim a little by little as suggested and see how it works out. Replacement springs are a 3 minute drive away for me so what could go wrong? lol
Click to expand...

FYI... Here's a thread on shotgun mag limiters, in case you want to try a different method. I am going to try the one described by Beer Baron on my M3K:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1448572-Semi-auto-Magazine-Extension-Limiters
 
TIP:

If you are considering the Stoeger M3000 as a dedicated 3 gun shotgun, consider the following:

There is a regular "hunting model" that comes with a 28" barrel and the regular controls.
There is also a 3 gun model, called the M3K that has a shorter barrel (24") and extended/enlarged controls.

The M3K is a great value because it has most of the features that you will probably want to swap out on the regular M3000.

I have the regular M3000 and it has worked flawlessly so far under hard use.
But, it has a 28" barrel and no one and I mean no gunsmith that is listed on the interwebs that I could find (including TacOrd) can shorten the barrel and re-thread for chokes.

and, there is a 2 month waiting list for the M3K barrel right now....
 
Mr.Sparkle said:
FYI... Here's a thread on shotgun mag limiters, in case you want to try a different method. I am going to try the one described by Beer Baron on my M3K:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1448572-Semi-auto-Magazine-Extension-Limiters
Click to expand...


Thanks, I will look more into this. Seems like a great idea.

bluesclues said:
there is a 2 month waiting list for the M3K barrel right now....
Click to expand...

Really? RCSD and Al Flaherty's has them in stock from my quick checking. If not, I would be willing to sell mine for $1200 :)
 
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