Introduction to Three Gun and the MGM Ironman

I didn’t think I’d have to write this post, but when I asked my local gun shop “dude-behind-the-counter” if he had any sights that were 3-gun appropriate he went all gold-fishy on me. I have to accept that not everyone is as wired into the shooting sports as I am.

The best way to get excited about Three Gun is to see it done! There are lots of videos online, but I’ve gathered some of my favorites here.

3-Gun is a multi-discipline shooting sport that requires the use of a rifle, pistol, and shotgun to navigate through a number of stages. You’re scored for accuracy and time, and ranked against other competitors.

The MGM Ironman is one of the more unusual events, as it features a number of “non-standard” stages. While a standard 3-Gun stage might have you shooting silhouette targets and steel spinners through simulated doorways and windows, the MGM Ironman includes things like:

* tunnels
* a zip line
* a vehicle stage
* a tower and slide

Here’s an awesome video to give you an idea, starting with the zip-line.

The quote from a previous competitor that really drew me in was: “A standard IDPA stage will usually take you 30 seconds or so. At the MGM Ironman you need to be prepared to run, and shoot, and keep running and shooting for 5 minutes straight.”

That sort of thing sounds excellent to me. The round counts for the MGM are high. There’s a lot of lead-downrange.

Your firearms in 3 gun fall into classes. If you’re using magnified optics, extended magazines, and race holsters: you can expect to be in Open Class. If you’re using stock irons and shooting off-hand, you can expect to be in Limited Class. Different matches and divisions have different ways to break down their classes. It’s important to build your gear to your specific class.

I wanted to keep all my options open, so for the 2014 Ironman I’ll be shooting open class. You can learn more about my progress in the 3-Gun category.

If you’re curious to learn more about the specifics of 3-gun, the web is full of awesome guides. I found reading the FNH 3-gun rulebook helped a lot, and love seeing the news on 3 Gun Nation.

Those three fancy photos at the top aren't me, and aren't taken by me. Left to right they're sources:
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/33302087@N04/
 http://sinistralrifleman.com/2011/04/19/coyote-tactical-3-gun-vest/
 http://www.cabelas.com/category/Gun-Sports-Gun/261156780.uts