Where in the world...
Do you guys get your gear?
Headed to my first 3 gun July 3 and I don't want to go buy $500 worth of stuff for my first shoot but would like a good belt to hang some shotshell holders and my xd holster and mag pouch on. I do CCW so I have a good 1.5" gun belt but I was scoping out some of those war belts and more specialized belts in the pic thread and was wondering where a guy finds them and what a decent price is?
I roll my own Kydex to save cash - search for "Homemade shell holders" or something to that extent - in this forum.
It looks like crap but it works as well as the stuff that looks great.
I don't mind buying a couple shell holders...I just don't want/need a gear cart and 15 speed loaders, holsters, and mag pouches.
Wouldn't mind spending a few bucks on a purpose built belt though.
Originally Posted By norton1090:
I don't mind buying a couple shell holders...I just don't want/need a gear cart and 15 speed loaders, holsters, and mag pouches.
Wouldn't mind spending a few bucks on a purpose built belt though.
Check out a used Eberlestock or Alice Pack in place of a cart.
do you do any competive shooting now? if so, what belt are you using? otherwise, you will need a belt, holster, a mag carrier for your pistol, that will hold two mags, at least, a mag carrier for an AR mag, or you could use your back pocket or a cargo pocket. California comp shotgun holders work well, you will need two or three, or you could use some sort of dump pouch attached to your belt and reach in for you shotgun shells, but it will be slow and you will be frustrated and not very competive. So how much of this 3 gunning you planning to do, one match or like most of us it will be one match and you are hooked, so it might be worth while to spend what you need on something that will last and serve your needs. 3 gunning is a blast, you'll be hooked.
Don't get a "war belt". If you're going to get a new belt, buy a competition belt. I use a Double Alpha, but CR Speed and Safariland make nice ones too.
Check
www.shootersconnection.com. They carry a couple different types. They are stiff enough to keep your gear where it belongs.
Use your current set up. After the match add items.
Show up and shoot your local match first. Then you'll have an idea of what kind of gear you will need. You can get some of the gear at gun stores, police supply, mil-surp stores. Some of it, like the shell caddies, are pretty much online only at Midway, Brownells, Dillon, 3-gun gear websites, etc.
At my matches, 1 30 round AR mag is plenty for the whole match! (Granted, those are usually 200 yard shots.) But, you will need booku amounts of pistol and shotgun. Some matches run higher rifle counts, and less shotgun. Just depends on where you're shooting.
Most of the time, you don't need a sling. But, I keep a SAW sling in my bag, cause occasionally you will hit a match that actually lets you do weapon transitions! They're rare, but they're out there.
Check the rules as well. Most matches are 'outlaw', they have their own rules. But some follow USPSA or DPMS rule sets. Then, you have to worry about mag pouch placement, the type of optics on your various guns, how many shells in your shotgun, etc.
Also, you will really want to get used to how YOU run matches. I bought a tac vest initially. I have dumped that (too heavy, too bulky) and now use a small mini-Chest rig from 5.11. I also have a non-USPSA approved Uncle Mike's duty belt I got for $2 at an outlet store. Lots of guys just run their Double Alpha USPSA belts with the shell caddies and rifle pouches added on.
Originally Posted By BPR:
Don't get a "war belt". If you're going to get a new belt, buy a competition belt. I use a Double Alpha, but CR Speed and Safariland make nice ones too.
Check
www.shootersconnection.com. They carry a couple different types. They are stiff enough to keep your gear where it belongs.
+1
As far as keeping all your gear together. Eberlestock (as mentioned earlier) is a all in one option. I have a backpack for ammo, mags, ears, multitool, sunscreen, food, lots of water, etc. I also have a midway 2 gun drag bag that I put all my guns in. They go on sale about every other month so just look for it when it is around $60.
Thanks for the help guys.
I am going to take the advice of run my current leather gun belt and might splurge on some shot shell carriers.
I have two xd mag pouches so I can hold four on the belt and one in the gun which should be enough for the upcoming match, and while not the fastest I can hold AR mags in my carpenter pants pockets and what not.
Might splurge on some shot shell holders as my trap bag won't do much good holding shells when I get to running and what not.
When I am good and hooked like a street whore on crack then I will get into what I need/want to make it work for me.
+1 for Shooters connection. I got a Blade Tech for my M&P9 pro and my CR speed belt from them. Good folks with fast shipping.
I make all my mag holders from kydex and save the cash for other stuff.
for shell caddies, the Choates are ok to start. $18 at MidwayUSA.
With all that said, my first match, i showed up with some molle pouches, shot shell bag and a fobus paddle holster. So, don't spend a ton of money for the first match.
