So uhh... I'm completely new to the competitive shooting scene. I plan to run what I have for now, but what are some good suggestions that I should keep an eye on?
What do you run?

Have some cash set aside for a 16" KAC SR15... but even with a MAMS, would it be comparable to all these dedicated competition setups? The ones I've seen at the range all seem to be tricked out in carbon fiber with really long barrels.

Shoot what you like, that's pretty much what top shooters do. Optics depend on what class you want to shoot.

My guess is that if Jerry Miculek and I exchanged rifles that we would both place exactly the same as if we shot our own.

It is far more important for you to practice and get a bit of instruction than the type or brand of rifle you choose. Most shooters, not, all need a good trigger. Shoot what you have and work on movement, speed and accuracy. As time goes by you will learn what you like and don't like regarding weight, length, types of hand guards and grips, etc.

Try here.

http://3gn.ar15.com/forums/b/13_3_Gun_Nation.html



 

If you have a decent AR now, then go to a few matches and shoot. There is a lot of stuff to wade through and everyone wants a different set up. Most 3 gunners are not happy with their first set up.

I have shot 3 gun recreationally for about 5 years, about 10 plus matches a year. I have shot all lengths and weights of ARs. After a few years I believe, lighter is better and shorter is better, as long as you have a functional AR. LOL, duh. You can chase the tuning more than you shoot. Start simple and as you learn, you can upgrade. A good medium or heavy 1:8 barrel is the place to start.

Optics are a whole different discussion. I notice the irons and red dot shooters suffer greatly past 200 yards. I tried that the first year. Not fun. I have run a 1-4X Nikon Monarch for 4 years, but I will be going with a 1-6x Vortex this summer. Nothing wrong with 1-4x, but my eyes are getting older.

The point of all that is to impress that it never ends. Chasing the perfect AR will drive you crazy. Set a budget and don't dwell on the perfect set up. Don't go for any fad equipment until you see how you want to shoot.

I'm just starting to get into 3 gun.  I've shot a few local matches and you see everything from stock M4's to full-on competition guns.  I didn't want to build something 3 gun specific per se, so I ended up with a 16" middy with a decent 1/8 SS barrel w/ Wylde chamber, Rainier RAC muzzle brake, 12" DD FF rail, RRA 2 stage trigger, VLTOR A5 buffer & tube, and a Vortex Viper PST 1-4.  It's proven to be a pretty good set-up.  Accurate and soft shooting.  I might eventually go to a 1-6 optic, and maybe a different trigger.  My advice is shoot what you have and go from there.  But a decent barrel, trigger, brake, and optic will help a lot.

I shoot a 12.5" SBR personally.  Typically a 17-18" Rifle gas length is best because you have more reach on long range shots and softer recoil with the rifle gas system.

Stag 3 g

GO to a few matches with what you have. pay attention to what others have and are using. You'll learn as you go. I did.

More than likely whatever you have now will serve you well
until you figure out how serious you want to get into it

and what works for you


Since you are in OK you should check out boomershooter.com

I ran my first season with a PSA CHF 16 mid with YHM 12" quad rail with A2 FH and standard trigger. Used a millet 1-4 DMS for optics. Also ran a single stack 1911, I was never last place. Since replaced with all the comp stuff(18" odin works 3gun barrel, fortis brake and CMC tigger with burris xtr II).  A real brake and a decent trigger are the biggest improvements for  least amount of money and difference is night and day. An extended handguard was a necessity as we do a lot of barrier shooting from strange positions, I went with ALG 15". I think barrel length is a personal preference.

The key areas I believe to get the race upgrades (aside from practicing) are low mass bcg, empty out the buffer, get an adjustable gas block to tune to your light hand loads, carbon fiber free float tube, and a good comp (I love the SJC Titan).

ETA- I like a 2 stage trigger. RRA  NM and you're good for a cheap trigger.

After shooting matches with an EO-Tech, Aimpoint and 1-4x Nightforce, the variable optic has provided the best results.

I use a RRA 16" mid, MI small diameter full float, modified Miculek comp, KAC vertical foregrip for monopod, RRA trigger, Enidine hydraulic buffer,A1 stock... TA31F scope... get a good 69grain load for longer than 200m... know your POI/POA for point blank head shots..... spend most of your time working with reloading the shotgun... you need good handgun skills, and they are harder to attain than long gun... work out how you plan to carry long gun ammo (shotgun)... the load 2/4 is the ticket, unless your club goes prone a lot... suggest a retention holster for the handgun

this is a repost, but pretty good idea of what we shoot down here... we don't have too many 400m ranges like Universal... recent Area 6 multigun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_q1DjWodl4

I run a S&W M&P-10, however like a couple of posters above have said. Run what you are comfortable with first. Then make changes later.

I ran the my 1st 6 matches with the rifle I had. Didn't hold me back. In the 2 years since then I have built a rifle just for the game. I'm gald I waited, because it gave me time to figure out exactly what I wanted.

Start with whatever you have available. My first match was shot with an ak. I did absolutely terrible but had a blast and surprisingly beat out a few people. I've since then moved up to an AR I built with a friend.

hey Jesse are they going to sell those triggers separately?

one of the better shooters at the last club match I went to had one of the new 13.5" Armalite 3-gun rifles.  It was pretty badass, and the guy said he paid $1,250 for it.

Run what you have now.  Check out what other people are using to get max exposure to not just different makes of guns, but how they are setting them up.

I ran a Rock River HBAR when I first started.  Heavy, but it is what I had.  It ran and ran though, but most importantly it got me into the game and able to learn without dumping a bunch of money upfront.


Get shooting first and then spend money later.  

Those triggers look very different.  Are they offering different models?

The flat one looks pretty sweet.