Advice on Belt set-up for 3 Gun

[swedge58]

Hello All. Im new to the 3 gun matches and slowly getting my equipment for 3 gun competition. I was wondering what kind of belt set-up you guys use. I am looking for holster type, mag holders, shotshell caddys etc. etc. Is there a brand out there that covers all of my needs? I have the holster that came with my XDM is this something I could use? How many extra mags should you carry for pistol and AR and how many shotgun shells do you guys carry during competition. Any info would be great.

[D.Hayden]

Remember.. you can change your gear every stage if you wanted too.. so you can configure for a stage.. no need to carry too much all the time

I use a wilderness belt, blade tech pouches and DOH holster.

Pistol mags.. almost always 1 extra is enough.. but watch the matches you go to.. I always carry one more than i need.. so minimum 3.

I used cinched mags for the AR, so double 30.. and one extra way in the back.. I never need it

Edited February 29, 2012 by D.Hayden

[Shooter115]

I’m also running an XDM. Starting out I would just get a good instructors belt, run the XD gear holster and dual mag pouch, a mag pouch to hold a single AR mag (or your back pocket) and get a couple shell caddies. You will learn a lot at your first couple matches that will significantly influence what gear you want to move forward with.

After getting a couple local matches under my belt here’s what I ended up with. CR Speed belt, Blade Tech DOH holster, (2) Comp-Tac single mag holders, (1) Blade Tech AR mag holder and (4) 6 round California Competition Works shell caddies. Once you’ve figure out what you want, keep an eye on the classifieds. Guys are often trying new gear and will sell their used.

[2MoreChains]

I pretty much use the same set-up that I use for Limited Div (USPSA pistol div): COM double belt (like the CR Speed but a little better IMO), COM dropped offset holster, two or three 771 mag pouches; but then add a Blade-Tech AR mag pouch at 8 o'clock and two to four CCW 6 rnd shot shell caddies across the front depending on the stage. I swapped out the metal spring clips for Tek-locks on the CCW caddies to make it easier to put them on and off. Sometimes depending on the stage I'll wear an arm band shell holder. My set-up works OK, but not as versatile as the guys using the Safariland ELS system belt and attachments.

[chendersby]

The Safariland ELS belt system is the way to go for 3 gun!

[swedge58]

Gentlemen, thank you for the info. Going to shoot my first match at the end of March.

[HS101]

I have 1 belt set up that I use for limited, L10, production and 3 gun. I keep ot set up exactly the same way, wether it is a pistol match, shotgun match, or a 3 gun match.

I use a double alpha belt, comptac belt holstet, 4 ready tactical mag pouches, a bladetech mag pouch w/ techlock for my AR mag ( i have a ready tactical ar mag pouch available if i need to carry a 2nd mag) and 5 Man Mountain shell caddies. I carry 4 spare 6 round caddies in case there is a high round count stage, and I also have a Load Two belt that holds 28 rounds for shotgun only stages,

My set up has evolved as I finally learned / gained confidence in weak hand reloads. I used to use a work belt from Home Depot that held 4 6 round caddies. It fit arround my waist, and the caddies fit in between my holster and mag pouches and over my main belt. I liked this set up because the 6 round caddies and my tactical tummy made it uncomfortable to bend over. It is not an issue with the 4 round caddies. I adopted my current set up of leaving the belt always the same after attending a class put on by the Noveske shooting Team.

[HOA]

Dont buy anything before your first match. You might not love it. See what the guys who have shot a few matches are using. If you have the money, the ELS system is the way to go. You can add and take off attachments to fit the stage. It's a lot of money, but you only buy it once.