3 gun question

russian hammer · February 13, 2010, 06:57 PM

How many guys are actually running a .45 in 3 gun matches? Always wondered that... Wouldn't know if I could do it, but I sure do see alot of guys able to handle that caliber a heck of alot better than I do

darkgael · February 13, 2010, 07:49 PM

Are you referring to Bullseye Conventional pistol where a 2700 point match is often referred to as a 3 gun match (.22rf, CF, .45)?
Many competitors, maybe even most of them, shoot the .45 in the CF stage as well as in the .45 stage.
I do.

RickB · February 13, 2010, 08:04 PM

In "practical" 3-gun, or multi-gun competition, I suspect the number of .45s will depend on whether the rules give an advantage to capacity, or not. USPSA's Heavy Metal division specifies a bullet of at least .44 caliber, and mag capacity of no more than eight, so you'll probably see nothing but .45s, there. In the other divisions, everyone is shooting the pistols that they use in those same divisions for pistol-only competition. I shoot Limited 10 with a single stack .45, so when I shot Multi-gun Nationals, I used the same gun in Limited division, as I thought it was important to use the gun, and strategies with which I was familiar.

Cosmik de Bris · February 14, 2010, 04:19 PM

Yes, 45s are mostly used in the heavy metal class. A high capacity .40S&W is probably most suitable as the lowest class is standard (no optics) and the 40 shoots major power factor. Tactical is a good class, you are allowed one optic, most people put it on their rifle.

Heavy metal is 45 pistol, pump shotgun, 7.62 or bigger rifle.

Cheers

Zak Smith · February 17, 2010, 02:42 AM

I shot my .45 1911 at the 2003 Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Nationals, and then got an SV in .40, which I shot for a year or two until I got my SV in 9mm, which is really the hot setup for non-USPSA 3-Gun.

-z

lmccrock · February 17, 2010, 06:28 AM

I shoot a Para P14.45 in 3-gun, 16-17 rounds with the Dawson mag extensions, USPSA or not. But in non-USPSA matches, 9mm is the way to go, greater capacity and adequate power for the job.

I reload my 45 ammo, so I can adjust power of my loads to suit the match.

Lee

TINCUP AL · February 24, 2010, 05:24 PM

I use a custom Para P-14 with the dawson basepad extensions that will give me 16 to 17 rounds per mag. I am at a disadvantage against all the guys with the higher capacity and softer recoiling 9mm's and 38 supers but I still enjoy the .45. I would be interested in a 9mm mainly for the money I would save on ammo but the higher round capacity would also be nice.

callme_crazy · February 26, 2010, 04:14 AM

im curious about some of these comps. that are being talked about... I'm new to pistols but i do have a Glock 45 and an xd-40. what else would i need to get started in some thing like a 3 gun comp?

Zak Smith · February 26, 2010, 01:06 PM

Here are some 3-gun links
Intro to 3Gun
http://www.coloradomultigun.com/howto3gun.html

Some old nationals reports
http://demigodllc.com/articles/rocky...in-3-gun-2003/
http://demigodllc.com/articles/rocky...in-3-gun-2004/

**Unclenick** · March 1, 2010, 06:31 PM

Russian Hammer,

Are you referring to USPSA/IMGA/IPSC 3-gun, or CAS 3-gun matches, or Bullseye National Match type 3-gun?

February 13, 2010, 06:57 PM	#1
russian hammer Member Join Date: September 3, 2008 Posts: 27	3 gun question How many guys are actually running a .45 in 3 gun matches? Always wondered that... Wouldn't know if I could do it, but I sure do see alot of guys able to handle that caliber a heck of alot better than I do

February 13, 2010, 07:49 PM	#2
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	3 gun Are you referring to Bullseye Conventional pistol where a 2700 point match is often referred to as a 3 gun match (.22rf, CF, .45)? Many competitors, maybe even most of them, shoot the .45 in the CF stage as well as in the .45 stage. I do. __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

February 17, 2010, 02:42 AM	#5
Zak Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 1999 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Posts: 2,682	I shot my .45 1911 at the 2003 Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Nationals, and then got an SV in .40, which I shot for a year or two until I got my SV in 9mm, which is really the hot setup for non-USPSA 3-Gun. -z __________________ Zak Smith . DEMIGOD LLC . THUNDER BEAST ARMS CORP . COLORADO MULTI-GUN *My PM inbox full? Send e-mail instead.*

February 26, 2010, 01:06 PM	#9
Zak Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 1999 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Posts: 2,682	Here are some 3-gun links Intro to 3Gun http://www.coloradomultigun.com/howto3gun.html Some old nationals reports http://demigodllc.com/articles/rocky...in-3-gun-2003/ http://demigodllc.com/articles/rocky...in-3-gun-2004/ __________________ Zak Smith . DEMIGOD LLC . THUNDER BEAST ARMS CORP . COLORADO MULTI-GUN *My PM inbox full? Send e-mail instead.*

March 1, 2010, 06:31 PM	#10
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,121	Russian Hammer, Are you referring to USPSA/IMGA/IPSC 3-gun, or CAS 3-gun matches, or Bullseye National Match type 3-gun? __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 13, 2010, 08:04 PM	#3
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,521	In "practical" 3-gun, or multi-gun competition, I suspect the number of .45s will depend on whether the rules give an advantage to capacity, or not. USPSA's Heavy Metal division specifies a bullet of at least .44 caliber, and mag capacity of no more than eight, so you'll probably see nothing but .45s, there. In the other divisions, everyone is shooting the pistols that they use in those same divisions for pistol-only competition. I shoot Limited 10 with a single stack .45, so when I shot Multi-gun Nationals, I used the same gun in Limited division, as I thought it was important to use the gun, and strategies with which I was familiar.

February 14, 2010, 04:19 PM	#4
Cosmik de Bris Member Join Date: December 15, 2008 Posts: 65	Yes, 45s are mostly used in the heavy metal class. A high capacity .40S&W is probably most suitable as the lowest class is standard (no optics) and the 40 shoots major power factor. Tactical is a good class, you are allowed one optic, most people put it on their rifle. Heavy metal is 45 pistol, pump shotgun, 7.62 or bigger rifle. Cheers

February 17, 2010, 06:28 AM	#6
lmccrock Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Red Rock. TX Posts: 820	I shoot a Para P14.45 in 3-gun, 16-17 rounds with the Dawson mag extensions, USPSA or not. But in non-USPSA matches, 9mm is the way to go, greater capacity and adequate power for the job. I reload my 45 ammo, so I can adjust power of my loads to suit the match. Lee

February 24, 2010, 05:24 PM	#7
TINCUP AL Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: COLORADO Posts: 109	I use a custom Para P-14 with the dawson basepad extensions that will give me 16 to 17 rounds per mag. I am at a disadvantage against all the guys with the higher capacity and softer recoiling 9mm's and 38 supers but I still enjoy the .45. I would be interested in a 9mm mainly for the money I would save on ammo but the higher round capacity would also be nice.

February 26, 2010, 04:14 AM	#8
callme_crazy Junior Member Join Date: February 26, 2010 Posts: 3	im curious about some of these comps. that are being talked about... I'm new to pistols but i do have a Glock 45 and an xd-40. what else would i need to get started in some thing like a 3 gun comp?