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3-gun virgin. Looking for advice
7/6/2011 2:16:04 AM
As A police officer I used to shoot pistol, shotgun, and AR-15, but not really like the scenarios I've seen, so thought I'd get some insight from you experts.
If I was still an active, I could wear my duty Sam Brown, but since I'm retired, and not in the military reserves anymore, they want me to wear something a little more civilian-ish. I have a Ruger P89 9mm DA/SA with high cap mags (pre ban) and a 1911 I need to get used to, with a pancake holster. Shotgun is a Remington 870 that used to be a department shotgun and now has a mag extension on it, and I'm picking up a stock Franklin Armory HSC-15 M4 next Monday.
Just wondering about any advice for what I need while I'm at the gun store picking up my new toy. Shotgun has stock bead sight and HSC-15 I purchased the carry handle with the peep sight. I also have a tactical vest for carrying stuff (basically, it's an OD green fishing vest with a bunch of pockets). I'm also restricted to a 10 round mag on the HSC, but have seen the 10/20 and 10/30 mags out there so I can get more height when proned out (and if I can just find my pre-ban stuff........). Don't know about slings, the new bungie-slings, ammo pouches, etc. So many options out there.
Also, my department required we wear our soft body armor when we qualified. I like the idea of wearing a good armor vest, but don't want to spend over a grand for a top quality soft body armor designed for patrol duties, and I see these vests listed in the gun mags for $350. Anybody have any knowledge of how good or bad these things are? If I get the soft body armor tactical vest them I'm covered both ways, so any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Not looking to be the next world 3-gun champ, just want to go play once a month for fun but don't want to take 2-3 years to find out what is the hot set-up, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, being retired and in this economy, can afford to spend much more for anything, so stuff that is a #1 must have I need to know about, and the stuff that will make things easier, but can wait until Christmas or next years birthday are good to know too.
I'll spend some time looking through the 3-gun section and I'm sure I'll find some more good info, just thought I'd try it this way first to see what you experienced folks thought.
I'm in Kalifornia and will be shooting at the Lincoln, Ca range, so if anybody is from there and can give me info on what may be best suited for this range and their shoots give be a PM and we can chat some more.
If I was still an active, I could wear my duty Sam Brown, but since I'm retired, and not in the military reserves anymore, they want me to wear something a little more civilian-ish. I have a Ruger P89 9mm DA/SA with high cap mags (pre ban) and a 1911 I need to get used to, with a pancake holster. Shotgun is a Remington 870 that used to be a department shotgun and now has a mag extension on it, and I'm picking up a stock Franklin Armory HSC-15 M4 next Monday.
Just wondering about any advice for what I need while I'm at the gun store picking up my new toy. Shotgun has stock bead sight and HSC-15 I purchased the carry handle with the peep sight. I also have a tactical vest for carrying stuff (basically, it's an OD green fishing vest with a bunch of pockets). I'm also restricted to a 10 round mag on the HSC, but have seen the 10/20 and 10/30 mags out there so I can get more height when proned out (and if I can just find my pre-ban stuff........). Don't know about slings, the new bungie-slings, ammo pouches, etc. So many options out there.
Also, my department required we wear our soft body armor when we qualified. I like the idea of wearing a good armor vest, but don't want to spend over a grand for a top quality soft body armor designed for patrol duties, and I see these vests listed in the gun mags for $350. Anybody have any knowledge of how good or bad these things are? If I get the soft body armor tactical vest them I'm covered both ways, so any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Not looking to be the next world 3-gun champ, just want to go play once a month for fun but don't want to take 2-3 years to find out what is the hot set-up, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, being retired and in this economy, can afford to spend much more for anything, so stuff that is a #1 must have I need to know about, and the stuff that will make things easier, but can wait until Christmas or next years birthday are good to know too.
I'll spend some time looking through the 3-gun section and I'm sure I'll find some more good info, just thought I'd try it this way first to see what you experienced folks thought.
I'm in Kalifornia and will be shooting at the Lincoln, Ca range, so if anybody is from there and can give me info on what may be best suited for this range and their shoots give be a PM and we can chat some more.
7/6/2011 1:16:13 PM
A chest rig would slow you down IMO as would the sling, and a vest is all but unnecessary. I think if I was ever at a match where I felt I needed a bulletproof vest, I wouldn't even bother making it passed the first stage and would pack up and head home. Main thing to purchase is a good belt and the right mag holders. I personally like the CR Speed belts and bought mag holders made by someone on glocktalk under the screen name "tactical kydex" here is a direct link to what he sells
http://glocktalk.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=8993&title=kydex-magazine-holders-for-pistol-mags-and-rifle-mags&cat=8
http://glocktalk.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=8993&title=kydex-magazine-holders-for-pistol-mags-and-rifle-mags&cat=8
7/6/2011 1:23:10 PM
I can't help you much with the CA related issues and am by no means an expert, but as a recently newcomer to this sport, I can offer some advice:
Don't go out and buy a bunch of weapons and equipment before your first match. You will see what works and does not work. The only caveat to that is to make sure your kit will carry at least 2x extra pistol magazines (more if single stack), and you have something to carry shotshells. You may also need 4 or more extra rifle magazines due to your 10 round limit during some stages.
Practice reloading, especially shotgun. Shell caddies or a sidesaddle would make it easier, if you have them. Fishing loose shells out of a dump pouch is slow, but not an issue if you are not worried about being competitive.
Pattern your shotgun with the shot you will use. Figure out slug POI <50m. You may have to knock down steel with shot and hit targets with the slugs.
Spend time zeroing your new carbine. I like 50 or 75m zeroes, but your preference may vary. Whatever you do, understand where to hold at different distances after you acheive your zero. AR15 sights are high above the bore and you would be surprised how many shooters have trouble hitting small targets at <25m because they forget to adjust their hold or do not know it.
It is easy to get wrapped up and start dropping coin on new weapons and gear.
That being said, the 'hot set up' for most shooters is a reinforced belt with two or more pistol mag carriers, one or more rifle mag carries, two or more shotshell caddies. Semiauto shotguns and rifle length ARs seem to be most common/competitive from an equipment standpoint.
Don't go out and buy a bunch of weapons and equipment before your first match. You will see what works and does not work. The only caveat to that is to make sure your kit will carry at least 2x extra pistol magazines (more if single stack), and you have something to carry shotshells. You may also need 4 or more extra rifle magazines due to your 10 round limit during some stages.
Practice reloading, especially shotgun. Shell caddies or a sidesaddle would make it easier, if you have them. Fishing loose shells out of a dump pouch is slow, but not an issue if you are not worried about being competitive.
Pattern your shotgun with the shot you will use. Figure out slug POI <50m. You may have to knock down steel with shot and hit targets with the slugs.
Spend time zeroing your new carbine. I like 50 or 75m zeroes, but your preference may vary. Whatever you do, understand where to hold at different distances after you acheive your zero. AR15 sights are high above the bore and you would be surprised how many shooters have trouble hitting small targets at <25m because they forget to adjust their hold or do not know it.
It is easy to get wrapped up and start dropping coin on new weapons and gear.
That being said, the 'hot set up' for most shooters is a reinforced belt with two or more pistol mag carriers, one or more rifle mag carries, two or more shotshell caddies. Semiauto shotguns and rifle length ARs seem to be most common/competitive from an equipment standpoint.
7/6/2011 1:53:05 PM
Originally Posted By HIPCHIP:
As A police officer I used to shoot pistol, shotgun, and AR-15, but not really like the scenarios I've seen, so thought I'd get some insight from you experts.
If I was still an active, I could wear my duty Sam Brown, but since I'm retired, and not in the military reserves anymore, they want me to wear something a little more civilian-ish. I have a Ruger P89 9mm DA/SA with high cap mags (pre ban) and a 1911 I need to get used to, with a pancake holster. Shotgun is a Remington 870 that used to be a department shotgun and now has a mag extension on it, and I'm picking up a stock Franklin Armory HSC-15 M4 next Monday.
Just wondering about any advice for what I need while I'm at the gun store picking up my new toy. Shotgun has stock bead sight and HSC-15 I purchased the carry handle with the peep sight. I also have a tactical vest for carrying stuff (basically, it's an OD green fishing vest with a bunch of pockets). I'm also restricted to a 10 round mag on the HSC, but have seen the 10/20 and 10/30 mags out there so I can get more height when proned out (and if I can just find my pre-ban stuff........). Don't know about slings, the new bungie-slings, ammo pouches, etc. So many options out there.
Also, my department required we wear our soft body armor when we qualified. I like the idea of wearing a good armor vest, but don't want to spend over a grand for a top quality soft body armor designed for patrol duties, and I see these vests listed in the gun mags for $350. Anybody have any knowledge of how good or bad these things are? If I get the soft body armor tactical vest them I'm covered both ways, so any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Not looking to be the next world 3-gun champ, just want to go play once a month for fun but don't want to take 2-3 years to find out what is the hot set-up, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, being retired and in this economy, can afford to spend much more for anything, so stuff that is a #1 must have I need to know about, and the stuff that will make things easier, but can wait until Christmas or next years birthday are good to know too.
I'll spend some time looking through the 3-gun section and I'm sure I'll find some more good info, just thought I'd try it this way first to see what you experienced folks thought.
I'm in Kalifornia and will be shooting at the Lincoln, Ca range, so if anybody is from there and can give me info on what may be best suited for this range and their shoots give be a PM and we can chat some more.
As A police officer I used to shoot pistol, shotgun, and AR-15, but not really like the scenarios I've seen, so thought I'd get some insight from you experts.
If I was still an active, I could wear my duty Sam Brown, but since I'm retired, and not in the military reserves anymore, they want me to wear something a little more civilian-ish. I have a Ruger P89 9mm DA/SA with high cap mags (pre ban) and a 1911 I need to get used to, with a pancake holster. Shotgun is a Remington 870 that used to be a department shotgun and now has a mag extension on it, and I'm picking up a stock Franklin Armory HSC-15 M4 next Monday.
Just wondering about any advice for what I need while I'm at the gun store picking up my new toy. Shotgun has stock bead sight and HSC-15 I purchased the carry handle with the peep sight. I also have a tactical vest for carrying stuff (basically, it's an OD green fishing vest with a bunch of pockets). I'm also restricted to a 10 round mag on the HSC, but have seen the 10/20 and 10/30 mags out there so I can get more height when proned out (and if I can just find my pre-ban stuff........). Don't know about slings, the new bungie-slings, ammo pouches, etc. So many options out there.
Also, my department required we wear our soft body armor when we qualified. I like the idea of wearing a good armor vest, but don't want to spend over a grand for a top quality soft body armor designed for patrol duties, and I see these vests listed in the gun mags for $350. Anybody have any knowledge of how good or bad these things are? If I get the soft body armor tactical vest them I'm covered both ways, so any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Not looking to be the next world 3-gun champ, just want to go play once a month for fun but don't want to take 2-3 years to find out what is the hot set-up, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, being retired and in this economy, can afford to spend much more for anything, so stuff that is a #1 must have I need to know about, and the stuff that will make things easier, but can wait until Christmas or next years birthday are good to know too.
I'll spend some time looking through the 3-gun section and I'm sure I'll find some more good info, just thought I'd try it this way first to see what you experienced folks thought.
I'm in Kalifornia and will be shooting at the Lincoln, Ca range, so if anybody is from there and can give me info on what may be best suited for this range and their shoots give be a PM and we can chat some more.
Shameless plug.
I wrote the first and only book, that answers all of your 3 Gun questions.
The cost of the book will save you the many times $$$$ the Equipment buying trial and error.
7/6/2011 8:51:29 PM
Well that was a good plug because I just bought the book. 
7/6/2011 10:18:49 PM
Originally Posted By Virus51:
Well that was a good plug because I just bought the book.
Well that was a good plug because I just bought the book.
Well thank you,, if you have any other question you know how to find me!
7/7/2011 1:56:12 PM
Way over thinking it. Show up in something comfortable with a sturdy belt, guns, mags, mag holsters/pouches, and be ready to have some fun.
7/11/2011 6:41:05 AM
Originally Posted By morrisammo_1:
Well thank you,, if you have any other question you know how to find me!
Originally Posted By Virus51:
Well that was a good plug because I just bought the book.
Well that was a good plug because I just bought the book.
Well thank you,, if you have any other question you know how to find me!
As soon as you put it in i-Books or Kindle format, I'll buy the book. I spend to much time on airplanes to carry a lot of hard copy books.
Don
7/11/2011 8:43:23 AM
http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000418184
If the e-book format will work,
it is available.
If the e-book format will work,
it is available.
7/11/2011 10:09:58 PM
Originally Posted By morrisammo_1:
Shameless plug.
I wrote the first and only book, that answers all of your 3 Gun questions.
The cost of the book will save you the many times $$$$ the Equipment buying trial and error.
Originally Posted By HIPCHIP:
As A police officer I used to shoot pistol, shotgun, and AR-15, but not really like the scenarios I've seen, so thought I'd get some insight from you experts.
If I was still an active, I could wear my duty Sam Brown, but since I'm retired, and not in the military reserves anymore, they want me to wear something a little more civilian-ish. I have a Ruger P89 9mm DA/SA with high cap mags (pre ban) and a 1911 I need to get used to, with a pancake holster. Shotgun is a Remington 870 that used to be a department shotgun and now has a mag extension on it, and I'm picking up a stock Franklin Armory HSC-15 M4 next Monday.
Just wondering about any advice for what I need while I'm at the gun store picking up my new toy. Shotgun has stock bead sight and HSC-15 I purchased the carry handle with the peep sight. I also have a tactical vest for carrying stuff (basically, it's an OD green fishing vest with a bunch of pockets). I'm also restricted to a 10 round mag on the HSC, but have seen the 10/20 and 10/30 mags out there so I can get more height when proned out (and if I can just find my pre-ban stuff........). Don't know about slings, the new bungie-slings, ammo pouches, etc. So many options out there.
Also, my department required we wear our soft body armor when we qualified. I like the idea of wearing a good armor vest, but don't want to spend over a grand for a top quality soft body armor designed for patrol duties, and I see these vests listed in the gun mags for $350. Anybody have any knowledge of how good or bad these things are? If I get the soft body armor tactical vest them I'm covered both ways, so any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Not looking to be the next world 3-gun champ, just want to go play once a month for fun but don't want to take 2-3 years to find out what is the hot set-up, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, being retired and in this economy, can afford to spend much more for anything, so stuff that is a #1 must have I need to know about, and the stuff that will make things easier, but can wait until Christmas or next years birthday are good to know too.
I'll spend some time looking through the 3-gun section and I'm sure I'll find some more good info, just thought I'd try it this way first to see what you experienced folks thought.
I'm in Kalifornia and will be shooting at the Lincoln, Ca range, so if anybody is from there and can give me info on what may be best suited for this range and their shoots give be a PM and we can chat some more.
As A police officer I used to shoot pistol, shotgun, and AR-15, but not really like the scenarios I've seen, so thought I'd get some insight from you experts.
If I was still an active, I could wear my duty Sam Brown, but since I'm retired, and not in the military reserves anymore, they want me to wear something a little more civilian-ish. I have a Ruger P89 9mm DA/SA with high cap mags (pre ban) and a 1911 I need to get used to, with a pancake holster. Shotgun is a Remington 870 that used to be a department shotgun and now has a mag extension on it, and I'm picking up a stock Franklin Armory HSC-15 M4 next Monday.
Just wondering about any advice for what I need while I'm at the gun store picking up my new toy. Shotgun has stock bead sight and HSC-15 I purchased the carry handle with the peep sight. I also have a tactical vest for carrying stuff (basically, it's an OD green fishing vest with a bunch of pockets). I'm also restricted to a 10 round mag on the HSC, but have seen the 10/20 and 10/30 mags out there so I can get more height when proned out (and if I can just find my pre-ban stuff........). Don't know about slings, the new bungie-slings, ammo pouches, etc. So many options out there.
Also, my department required we wear our soft body armor when we qualified. I like the idea of wearing a good armor vest, but don't want to spend over a grand for a top quality soft body armor designed for patrol duties, and I see these vests listed in the gun mags for $350. Anybody have any knowledge of how good or bad these things are? If I get the soft body armor tactical vest them I'm covered both ways, so any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Not looking to be the next world 3-gun champ, just want to go play once a month for fun but don't want to take 2-3 years to find out what is the hot set-up, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, being retired and in this economy, can afford to spend much more for anything, so stuff that is a #1 must have I need to know about, and the stuff that will make things easier, but can wait until Christmas or next years birthday are good to know too.
I'll spend some time looking through the 3-gun section and I'm sure I'll find some more good info, just thought I'd try it this way first to see what you experienced folks thought.
I'm in Kalifornia and will be shooting at the Lincoln, Ca range, so if anybody is from there and can give me info on what may be best suited for this range and their shoots give be a PM and we can chat some more.
Shameless plug.
I wrote the first and only book, that answers all of your 3 Gun questions.
The cost of the book will save you the many times $$$$ the Equipment buying trial and error.
I agree with virus, good plug; I bought the book too. Via Amazon kindle no less.
Thanks sarn't. Well done.
