So today I shot my first 3-gun match and wanted to share some info that I think (hope) would be useful for other shooters who are interested in 3-gun but don't have experience with competitive shooting.
These things just happen to be things that I wish someone else had said to me before I showed up.
First, chill on the gear. But if you're gonna invest some money up front (or borrow something) make it a good shotgun. From what I saw today the belts, holsters, handguns and rifles didn't make a huge difference for 80% of the competiors. What DID make a huge difference for some people were shotguns. Pumps were dramatically behind sem-autos and pumps holding 2-4 shells were dramatically behind everyone. While a fast weak hand load is awesome it appeared to me that a good semi-auto shotgun with a good extension tube really made a big difference for folks.
Secondly, invest most of your time into properly and safely handling your firearms. Most folks getting into 3-gun probably have already invested time into shooting (while maybe a different type of shooting) but have never practiced manipulating their firearms in the manner that you will in a 3-gun match. Some of the rules are pretty particular, starting setups having unique requirements, gun abandonment, etc. These are the things that most people who've been around firearms don't really pratice in quick motions while paying particular attention to some specific 3-gun rules. If you've got limited time to prepare, spend it handing, loading, abandoning and unloading your guns. Looking back, I wish I would have done more of this.
Thirdly, learn the rules and practice them. This one in particular is of pretty significant consequence for me today. I had previously read online that moving your left hand across your body and placing it on your right side waist while holstering / reholstering was effective for some people. So that's what I practiced and practiced and practiced. As a result it became muscle memory for me. However, I practiced something that would result in my disqualification for me. While the rule was mentioned to me that you cannot sweep your handgun in front of your other hand while rehosltering my muscle memory won out today and I was DQ for the infraction. Prior to the start of my stage I loaded and rehosltered my handgun and sweep it past my left hand (which was on my waist). BAM! Muscle memory won and I was left to reset stages, cheer on my squad and rehash the mistake in my head.
Fourthly, ask a ton of questions and find someone to train you if you can. This is something I did right. As I watched shooters I spoke with the ones that did well and ask them why they approached the stages the way they did and why they made the choices they did. This turned out to be well-worth my time spent at the range today. Most everyone was extremely helpful and willing to teach me as much as I was willing. In particular, a few guys sporting JP Rifles gear were great. Big hats off to them.
Fifthy, just get out and try. Will you mess up? Maybe. Will you win? Probably not. But today I learned more than ever that the best teacher is experience. I passed on other matches trying to get the courage up to sign-up. I didn't learn anything from those two matches. But today, I learned a lot and will be better equipped for the next one. So if you've been hesitating; go for it.