Your 3-Gun Rifle Setup?

So I did a CQB clinic and had a hell of a time doing mag changes with gloves on on the T97, plus the safety was killin' me, so it's time to look at AR options for a combination of 3gun and CQB.. No Norc b/c I might shoot a bit south of the border. So I want a budget AR that I won't have to sink too much money into except for a possible comp (yes it will be a drag for modified prone lol). Narrowed my options down to the CORE15 M4 and the Armalite M15A4. Will be shooting cheap 55gr commercial stuff anyway, so not worried about heavy projectiles. Some things I've noticed about the options..

Armalite
-2 stage trigger, well-reviewed but would it be an issue in action-shooting
-Heavy barrel - good for accuracy, but what about handling?
-Comes with a brake (any good?)

CORE15
-No brake
-Beveled magwell (yes!)
-Read a lot of reviewers complaining about the trigger

My uninformed opinion is that by the time I'm done sinking money into the CORE15, I might as well call Sean and get an STI, which is definitely over budget for me as this rifle will either get sold or cosmolined in a little over half a year. So, my question boils down to whether the Armalite would be a reasonably competitive option or if you guys can offer some other suggestions in that price range. Thanks in advance for any tips you can offer.
 
What is the best option for triggers? I am looking at Geissele. But there are a few choices. The SSA, SSA-E, or the 3gun. What is the differences/ advantages/ disadvantages of each? This is the final part of my 3 gun rifle I woul like to change for now

Right now it is a Bushmaster 16" , stock internals, ambi safety and mag release, magpul moe stock and grip. 12" S&J hardware quad rail, ATRS break, burris tac 30 wth perp mount and a burris fast fire on top.

Remington versamax
Kimber custom II .45
 
i have an SSA-E in one gun, KAC 2 stage in another and the 3g trigger in my factory stag 3g.... the 3 g is the nicest for 3gun, but it is very light, you really have to watch your finger.... the other 2 are about equal with the quality going to the geiselle over the KAC (the kac has a "reported" 2k life span so see how it goes, when its done will be replacing with a geiselle).
 
Maybe someone could help me convert my 20" armalite national match into a 3 gun setup
Problem with my setup is barrel, the stainless match barrel does not wear well in rapid fire.
I have ordered an upper vise and barrel wrench, getting that barrel out swaping for a chrome lined.

I have an acog mounted on carry handle, i will get it off there and slap it on a mount for my flat top.
Will probably put a burris fastfire over my acog, or in front on a 45 angle

Now the barrel lenght and the handguard are to be chosen, i was thinking a 20" chrome lined with a long carbon fiber handguard, would that make any sense? Beginner setup, i just need my barrel out would be a damn shame to burn an NM barrel out in a season. My A2 handguard is free floated too if that could be good enough to start off.
 
Real men don't use wimpy pee shooters...

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MartyK2500 said:
Problem with my setup is barrel, the stainless match barrel does not wear well in rapid fire.
Click to expand...

How many rounds "rapid fire" are you expecting to have to do...?
Plenty of 3-Gunners are using stainless steel barrels...


MartyK2500 said:
Will probably put a burris fastfire over my acog, or in front on a 45 angle
Click to expand...


Before you do anything sight-wise look at rules and decide which division you'll be shooting in... There are division rules as to the number of and type of sighting systems you're allowed


MartyK2500 said:
just need my barrel out would be a damn shame to burn an NM barrel out in a season. My A2 handguard is free floated too if that could be good enough to start off.
Click to expand...

How many matches do you think youre going to shoot in one season....? I seriously doubt you'll burn anything out.
B'sides, in practical terms a 3-gun rifle need not be a "tack-driver".
Free floating is always good.

Just my 2 cents, but... I'd worry less about "set ups" and just go shoot some matches... You could put together the most uber-est rifle, but... If you haven't even shot a match yet.. It means nothing.
 
To be honest, i have a shot 540 rounds out of this AR.
When i bought it the person selling it me told me, and people around me at IPSC pistol practice tell me, that a NM barrel burns out quite easily and are not meant for action shooting.
I was under that impression, if i can use it as is i certainly will. As i love the A2 platform to start off with. If it can survive an IPSC match without too much damage but just wears a bit prematurely, i will run it and replace it when due for something more adapted.
I saw that Wolverines carry a 20'' armalite chrome lined barrel and was going to install this keeping my free float sleeve and A2 furniture, no use have the JP race setup when the driver (so to speak) can't even race the platform properly yet.
This is the setup i currently own


I am still thinking of getting the TA51 base for that Acog to lower it a bit anyways though
 
Rifle barrels are a consumable item.
That barrel will last thousands of rounds before you see any noticeable accuracy degradation.
And when it becomes less accurate than you want it to be, you replace it.

You have a really nice setup.
Use it as is and by the time you truly know what your ideal set up (for you) should be, it may be time to replace the barrel.

Oh, and I don't buy the NM barrel burning out faster than other barrels bit.
But even if it does (which it doesn't) you either burn it out now or burn it out later.
Enjoy it while you have it.
 
Thanks, that piece of advice will certainly help the wallet, i will be able to buy ammo instead of wasting on a barrel for the moment.
Was thinking of getting some 62gr. factory ammo to start off with. This AR shoots a bit off with 55gr. sometimes, and i have had a personnal record of 3/4''@100yds 5 shot grouping will 77gr. Sierra Matchking BTHP with this. The barrel is a 1:8 with a .223 Wylde chamber. Never shot this off sandbags yet, can't wait to try it out.
It is VERY front heavy, the rear weights nothing, all the weights up front.
 
The only thing I am aware of that burns out barrels is ammo with a bimetallic jacket

Stainless barrels are theoretically more accurate....as said above, plenty people use stainless in 3 gun
 
For some reason i was thinking the national match stainless was weaker than let's say a JP stainless, silly me lol
So be it this is now my to be 3 gun rifle, will mount acog lower, and after several hundred rounds of ipsc rifle oractice i will reassess the need for a red dot combined with the acog, will read the rule book too.
 
In IPSC, any optic puts you in open, so you can pretty much do what you want in terms of configuration.
Put a big obnoxious muzzle break on it, and have fun.

If you stick with just iron sights, then any muzzle device needs to fit the size specs of the division.

As for it being front heavy, that is a thick barrel under the hand guards.
Maybe try putting a bit of weight in the butt stock to balance it out.
Sounds counter intuitive, but a heavy balanced gun will feel better than a light lopsided one.
Either that or hit the gym!!!
 
I work construction so handling the weight is not an issue, but handling counterbalanced weight is not ideal.
+1 to add some weight in the stock.
A for muzzle break, will stick to the A2 for now, it was designed for 20" barrels originaly, once again several hundred rounds later reassess the needs vs the wants

Edit: It'S nicely balanced now, filled buttstock with 9mm 147gr. projectiles ;)
 
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I would not add weight - I'd take it out.
Remove the hand guards and the floated NM hand guard sleeve - that is the majority of weight up front.
Replace it with a JP or similar simple float tube and that rifle will balance beautifully.
I'd take that carry handle off and get an ADM mount for the ACOG.
 
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