Pistol for 3 gun

bassfishindoc · June 1, 2011, 12:25 PM

Hey everyone. I recently made the mistake of participating in a 3 gun competition. I say mistake because I have absolutely love it and it is costing me money

. I have competed in 3 local competitions and have been using my Springfield XD .45 with a 4" barrel for the pistol. While a great pistol, .45 is a bit to much recoil for follow up shots, not to mention it is more expensive to feed. I am in the market for a new pistol in 9mm to use for 3 gun. I really like the XD and was looking at getting another one in 9mm. I want to know what you guys think as I don't know much about pistol competition, I have only competed with rifles and shotguns prior to this. What do I need to look for? Will the XD be acceptable? Do I need a 4" or 5" barrel? What brands make a good competition pistol? I would like to keep the cost under $750. Thanks.

lmccrock · June 2, 2011, 06:17 AM

Glock (17 or 34) and Smith&Wesson (M&P9 or 9L) are options. STI would be best, but out of your price range. Stick to 9mm for 3gun, unless you shoot some other pistol sport (like USPSA) where a bigger caliber might make sense. If you are keeping the XD 45 then another XD would make switching between them easier. Regardless, get magazine extensions, should be +5 in 9mm, and legal for USPSA or most IMGA-based matches.

4 or 5"? For a dedicated competition gun, the extra length helps a little with velocity and sight distance, but trigger and grip feel are more important.

Where did you shoot the match?

kraigwy · June 2, 2011, 07:22 AM

I went to the Beretta 92FS.

ConlawBloganon · June 2, 2011, 08:22 AM

This is just my opinion, but if you're more worried about improving your skills and competency, and less worried about being competitive, wouldn't it make a lot of sense to use your carry or duty weapon for competition?

RickB · June 2, 2011, 10:23 AM

Spend the gun money on handloading equipment, and you can save a bundle on both rifle and pistol ammo.
If major and minor are scored differently, I'd stick with the .45.

DBLAction454 · June 2, 2011, 01:37 PM

Beretta 92FS

HKFan9 · June 2, 2011, 02:48 PM

CZ-75 or SP01

warningshot · June 3, 2011, 02:07 AM

1. New, Sig 226R, stock, ez to get reliable factory 20 rd. mags. 2. NIB, Stock, Glock 17, 3rd gen. Both have high round counts, above guns will still be standard equipmentin 5 years. Many spl. forces teams shoot 92fs very well, many individual members prefer #1 & #2 when given the option.

Don't forget to look around for 2nd job to pay for 3 gun addiction.

Jesse Tischauser · June 12, 2011, 08:44 PM

The Glock 34 is probably the most cost effective readily available best choice for the $ pistol for 3 gun. Aftermarket parts are readily available. Go fast parts are more plentiful than any other platform. I run a G34 for outlaw 3 gun and a G35 for USPSA 3 gun.

Clifford L. Hughes · June 15, 2011, 05:37 PM

Bassfishindoc:

A three gun match, 2,700 points, is shot with three guns. The .22 match and the .45 match require their named calibers. The center fire match allows you some latitude. Usually any center fire pistol caliber is permitted. When I shot for several Marine Corps pistol teams I used two center fire pistols. I had one of my 1911's converted to 38 Special that proved super accurate. I also had a second 1911 set up for soft ball: I shot Remington match .45 acp. I believe that it was 185 gr jacked bullets.

One of my .22's was a High Standard Supermatic trophy with a grip angle of a 1911.

I would suggest that for center fire that you use your 1911 with amminition in the same class as Remington match ammo.

Semmper Fi.

Gunnery Sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired

RickB · June 15, 2011, 11:14 PM

In this case, I think "3-gun" means multi-gun, as in rifle, pistol, and shotgun in the same match.

June 2, 2011, 07:22 AM	#3
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I went to the Beretta 92FS. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

June 2, 2011, 08:22 AM	#4
ConlawBloganon Member Join Date: May 28, 2011 Posts: 47	This is just my opinion, but if you're more worried about improving your skills and competency, and less worried about being competitive, wouldn't it make a lot of sense to use your carry or duty weapon for competition? __________________ http://www.conlaw-bloganon.blogspot.com

June 2, 2011, 01:37 PM	#6
DBLAction454 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 394	Beretta 92FS __________________ "If you show up to a fair fight, you're not prepared" -Unidentified Marine Sniper Instructor "The philosophy of gun control: Teenagers are roaring through town at 90MPH, where the speed limit is 25. Your solution is to lower the speed limit to 20." - Sam Cohen

June 12, 2011, 08:44 PM	#9
Jesse Tischauser Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2009 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 209	The Glock 34 is probably the most cost effective readily available best choice for the $ pistol for 3 gun. Aftermarket parts are readily available. Go fast parts are more plentiful than any other platform. I run a G34 for outlaw 3 gun and a G35 for USPSA 3 gun. __________________ My Forum: www.BoomerShooter.com, My Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/jessetischauser Accurate Iron 2011 \| Accurate Iron Benelli M2 \| Stag Arms Model 3G \| Accurate Iron Glock 34 \| Accurate Iron Glock 35 \| Red Neck Tactical Nova \| Stag Arms Model 3

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June 1, 2011, 12:25 PM	#1
bassfishindoc Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2010 Posts: 166	Pistol for 3 gun Hey everyone. I recently made the mistake of participating in a 3 gun competition. I say mistake because I have absolutely love it and it is costing me money . I have competed in 3 local competitions and have been using my Springfield XD .45 with a 4" barrel for the pistol. While a great pistol, .45 is a bit to much recoil for follow up shots, not to mention it is more expensive to feed. I am in the market for a new pistol in 9mm to use for 3 gun. I really like the XD and was looking at getting another one in 9mm. I want to know what you guys think as I don't know much about pistol competition, I have only competed with rifles and shotguns prior to this. What do I need to look for? Will the XD be acceptable? Do I need a 4" or 5" barrel? What brands make a good competition pistol? I would like to keep the cost under $750. Thanks. __________________ 2LT United States Army NRA Life Member GOA Life Member East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine

June 2, 2011, 06:17 AM	#2
lmccrock Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Red Rock. TX Posts: 820	Glock (17 or 34) and Smith&Wesson (M&P9 or 9L) are options. STI would be best, but out of your price range. Stick to 9mm for 3gun, unless you shoot some other pistol sport (like USPSA) where a bigger caliber might make sense. If you are keeping the XD 45 then another XD would make switching between them easier. Regardless, get magazine extensions, should be +5 in 9mm, and legal for USPSA or most IMGA-based matches. 4 or 5"? For a dedicated competition gun, the extra length helps a little with velocity and sight distance, but trigger and grip feel are more important. Where did you shoot the match?

June 2, 2011, 10:23 AM	#5
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,517	Spend the gun money on handloading equipment, and you can save a bundle on both rifle and pistol ammo. If major and minor are scored differently, I'd stick with the .45.

June 2, 2011, 02:48 PM	#7
HKFan9 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Posts: 3,057	CZ-75 or SP01

June 3, 2011, 02:07 AM	#8
warningshot Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2009 Posts: 995	1. New, Sig 226R, stock, ez to get reliable factory 20 rd. mags. 2. NIB, Stock, Glock 17, 3rd gen. Both have high round counts, above guns will still be *standard equipment*in 5 years. Many spl. forces teams shoot 92fs very well, many individual members prefer #1 & #2 when given the option. Don't forget to look around for 2nd job to pay for 3 gun addiction.

June 15, 2011, 05:37 PM	#10
Clifford L. Hughes Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2011 Location: Southern Californis Posts: 795	Bassfishindoc: A three gun match, 2,700 points, is shot with three guns. The .22 match and the .45 match require their named calibers. The center fire match allows you some latitude. Usually any center fire pistol caliber is permitted. When I shot for several Marine Corps pistol teams I used two center fire pistols. I had one of my 1911's converted to 38 Special that proved super accurate. I also had a second 1911 set up for soft ball: I shot Remington match .45 acp. I believe that it was 185 gr jacked bullets. One of my .22's was a High Standard Supermatic trophy with a grip angle of a 1911. I would suggest that for center fire that you use your 1911 with amminition in the same class as Remington match ammo. Semmper Fi. Gunnery Sergeant Clifford L. Hughes USMC Retired

June 15, 2011, 11:14 PM	#11
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,517	In this case, I think "3-gun" means multi-gun, as in rifle, pistol, and shotgun in the same match.