SteveT-NV Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I'm making up an Introduction to Multi-Gun competition and equipment for new shooters at our club. I've attached the latest draft to this post as well as posted the text below. If you have any feedback I'd really appreciate it. Thank you, Steve ------- Starting out in Multi-Gun Competition This document is intended to give a general idea of what will be needed for your first MultiGun competition. This list is not intended to be a complete list of all the options for equipment. There are literally dozens of options available. The below recommendations are for the Limited and Tactical divisions. The Open and Heavy Metal divisions will have different recommendations/requirements. The differences can be found in the USPSA Multigun Rulebook found on the USPSA web site. At WNPL everyone shoots in the same division, so don’t worry about divisions yet. Before buying a lot of expensive gear, it’s a good idea to shoot in a couple of matches to give you an idea of what division you would like to shoot in and the different options available. If you’ve never competed with your firearm before, you should consider shooting in a pistol only competition the first time around. The Action Pistol matches at WNPL are designed with the new shooter in mind. The first two things to keep in mind are to be safe and have fun! General items: • Good eye and ear protection. • A good belt - this can be anything from just a good leather belt to a custom competition belt. It should be strong enough to carry all of your magazines and holster. Examples of competition style belts are the CR Speed Belts (http://cpwsa.com/CR_Speed.htm) and the SafariLand belt systems. • Holster – a good holster with good retention is needed for Multi-gun since you will often be moving around during a course of fire. There are many options available. • Range bag/backpack/cart – you will need something to carry around all of your gear. • Read the rule book. The USPSA Multigun rule book can be found at http://www.uspsa.org/rules/2012_Multigun_Rules.pdf • Read this article on Your First Match - http://wnpl.org/FAQ/FirstMatch.pdf • Know the safety rules of the range. See the article above – Your First Match. • Load all of your magazines before you get to the range. This saves a lot of time. Pistol • Almost any semi-automatic pistol can be used. Most competitors use a 9mm though other calibers are also used. • 2-3 high capacity magazines are recommended for multigun. You may need more magazines for pistol only matches. • Holster as noted above • Magazine belt holders Shotgun • Most competitors shoot a semi-automatic 12 gauge though a pump can be used. 20 gauge shotguns are also used by some competitors. • Magazine tube extension – extensions are not mandatory, but make things much easier. • Shell carriers – a simple pouch on your belt can suffice, though you may want to consider some of the shell carriers designed specifically for speed loading. Some options are - http://manmountainengineering.com/, the AP Shell Caddie – (http://www.apcustomusa.com/carrier.html) and there are many others. • The Load 2 and/or TwinS belt systems are also gaining popularity and could also be considered. • Ammo - 7 ½ bird shot can be used for most targets where bird shot is required. Steel bird shot is not allowed as it can damage steel targets and/or ricochet off steel. You should also pick up some Shotgun slugs. The low recoil slugs will work and make it a bit easier on the shoulder. Rifle • AR-15 type rifles are the most common rifles seen in multi-gun. The most common barrel length is ~ 18 in, though almost any length barrel is fine. • Rifle Sight – you will be engaging targets at distances from just a few yards to 300-400 yds in multigun. Keep this in mind when choosing a sight system. Iron sights or a simple red dot system will work just fine, though a low power variable is a more popular choice. • Ammo – just about any ammo will work, the most common being 55 gr FMJ. Make sure that it is not the steel core ammo as this can damage the steel targets. • Magazines – 2-3 30 round magazines will work well. Higher capacity magazines will also work and can minimize mag changes while on course. Make sure that the magazines you choose work well in your gun. • Sight in your rifle and know your hold over/under points from 10 yds to 400 yds. IntrotoMultigun.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busyhawk Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 This is a voluntary sport, meaning there are no paid personal at the match! All shooters need to do their share of resetting targets, helping with score keeping if called upon to do so, and just plain helping! We can't read you mind, if you have questions please just ask. Our sport is full of advice free just for the asking. Safety: . As a new shooter in getting into Multigun/action shooting please be aware this is a cold range, "Do not" handle your firearm unless under the direction of a designated safety officer or within the confines of a designated safety table. If you don't know how or where to uncase a firearm please ask. In this sport it is easier and safer to ask permission than get forgiveness. There is no forgiveness for breaking a safety violation...it will not be tolerated by anyone, period. . You must attend a new shooter orientation class before you shoot your first Multigun match. This will only take up to 20 minutes and will keep you out of trouble. At sign in please inform the registration personel that this is your first Multigun match and that you require/request a new shooter orientation. At registration your score sheets will be stamped/identified with a new shooter stamp/ID. That is for your safety and will also inform the RO that you might need help and can render without penalty. Holster – a holster with good retention is needed for Multi-gun since you will often be moving around during a course of fire. There are many options available. ADD...A holster must completely prevent access to, or activation of, the trigger of the handgun while holstered. Just my .02 anyhow... You have a great start. One must remember that a USPSA rule book is great information but not all clubs use this for multigun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveT-NV Posted March 4, 2012 Author Share Posted March 4, 2012 This is a voluntary sport, meaning there are no paid personal at the match! All shooters need to do their share of resetting targets, helping with score keeping if called upon to do so, and just plain helping! We can't read you mind, if you have questions please just ask. Our sport is full of advice free just for the asking. Safety: . As a new shooter in getting into Multigun/action shooting please be aware this is a cold range, "Do not" handle your firearm unless under the direction of a designated safety officer or within the confines of a designated safety table. If you don't know how or where to uncase a firearm please ask. In this sport it is easier and safer to ask permission than get forgiveness. There is no forgiveness for breaking a safety violation...it will not be tolerated by anyone, period. . You must attend a new shooter orientation class before you shoot your first Multigun match. This will only take up to 20 minutes and will keep you out of trouble. At sign in please inform the registration personel that this is your first Multigun match and that you require/request a new shooter orientation. At registration your score sheets will be stamped/identified with a new shooter stamp/ID. That is for your safety and will also inform the RO that you might need help and can render without penalty. Holster – a holster with good retention is needed for Multi-gun since you will often be moving around during a course of fire. There are many options available. ADD...A holster must completely prevent access to, or activation of, the trigger of the handgun while holstered. Just my .02 anyhow... You have a great start. One must remember that a USPSA rule book is great information but not all clubs use this for multigun. Thanks for the input Scott. I wrote this primarily with our club in mind, but adding something about other rule sets is a good point. Thanks, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidwiz Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Make sure to *thoroughly* test *all* of your magazines in *your* gun(s) with the ammo *you* are planning on using. Anything that is not 100%, get rid of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthyBlagga Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Rio Salado Introduction to 3-Gun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmwphoto Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 thanks guys, very useful information. I hope to break into the 3 gun fun by this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveT-NV Posted March 18, 2012 Author Share Posted March 18, 2012 (edited) Thank you all for you replies. Here is my latest version - Steve Starting out in Multi-Gun Competition This document is intended to give a general idea of what will be needed for your first MultiGun competition. This list is not intended to be a complete list of all the options for equipment. There are literally dozens of options available. The below recommendations are for the Limited and Tactical divisions. The Open and Heavy Metal divisions will have different recommendations/requirements. The differences can be found in the USPSA Multigun Rulebook found on the USPSA web site. At WNPL everyone shoots in the same division, so don’t worry about divisions yet. Before buying a lot of expensive gear, it’s a good idea to shoot in a couple of matches to give you an idea of what division you would like to shoot in and the different options available. If you’ve never competed with your firearm before, you should consider shooting in a pistol only competition the first time around. The Action Pistol matches at WNPL are designed with the new shooter in mind. The first two things to keep in mind are to be safe and have fun! Safety • Know and follow the four rules of firearm safety o I will treat every firearm as a loaded one! o I will never point a firearm at anything I am not willing to destroy! o I will be sure of my target and what is behind it before firing! o I will keep my finger off the trigger until my muzzle is pointed downrange! • WNPL Runs a “Cold Range” o Never handle ammunition and your firearm together until directed by an RO. o Pistols are to be unloaded and either in a bag or holstered at all times. o Pistols can be taken out of your bag/case and handled only in a designated Safety Area. o You may practice draws and dry fire in a designated Safety Area. o Absolutely NO AMMUNITION is allowed in a safety area. o Magazines can be loaded in any other location other than a Safety Area. o Rifles and Shotguns must be carried unloaded and the muzzle pointed either directly up or directly down. o When Rifles or Shotguns are set down, the muzzle should be pointed into the Berm. When you pick up your Rifle or Shotgun keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times. o Other ranges may have different safety requirements. Always check the rules of the range you are shooting at. General items: • Good eye and ear protection. • A good belt - this can be anything from just a good leather belt to a custom competition belt. It should be strong enough to carry all of your magazines and holster. Examples of competition style belts are the CR Speed Belts (http://cpwsa.com/CR_Speed.htm) and the SafariLand belt systems. • Holster – a good holster with good retention is needed for Multi-gun since you will often be moving around during a course of fire. There are many options available. Make sure your holster meets the USPSA holster requirements. See the USPSA Handgun Rule Book - http://www.uspsa.org/rules/2010HandgunRulesProof3web.pdf • Range bag/backpack/cart – you will need something to carry around all of your gear. • Read the rule book. The USPSA Multigun rule book can be found at http://www.uspsa.org/rules/2012_Multigun_Rules.pdf • Read the USPSA Safety Manual - http://www.wnpl.org/FAQ/uspsa-getting-started.pdf • Read this article on Your First Match - http://wnpl.org/FAQ/FirstMatch.pdf • Know the safety rules of the range. See the article above – Your First Match. • Other matches may use other Rules, make sure you know the rules of the match you are attending. • WNPL matches are scored using the Time Plus System. See the Multigun Rule Book. Pistol • Almost any semi-automatic pistol can be used. Most competitors use a 9mm though other calibers are also used. • 2-3 high capacity magazines are recommended for multigun. You will need 4-6 magazines for pistol only matches. • Holster as noted above • Magazine belt holders Shotgun • Most competitors shoot a semi-automatic 12 gauge though a pump can be used. 20 gauge shotguns are also used by some competitors. • Magazine tube extension – extensions are not mandatory, but make things much easier. • Shell carriers – a simple pouch on your belt can suffice, though you may want to consider some of the shell carriers designed specifically for speed loading. Some options are - http://manmountainengineering.com/, the AP Shell Caddie – (http://www.apcustomusa.com/carrier.html) and there are many others. • The Load 2 and/or TwinS belt systems are also gaining popularity and could also be considered - http://www.carbonarms.us/TWinS-Shotgun-Loading-Systems • Ammo - 7 ½ bird shot can be used for most targets where bird shot is required. Steel bird shot is not allowed as it can damage steel targets and/or ricochet off steel. You should also pick up some Shotgun slugs. The low recoil slugs will work and make it a bit easier on the shoulder. Rifle • AR-15 (.223/5.56) type rifles are the most common rifles seen in multi-gun. The most common barrel length is ~ 18 in, though almost any length barrel can be used. • Rifle Sight – you will be engaging targets at distances from just a few yards to 300-400 yds in multigun. Keep this in mind when choosing a sight system. Iron sights or a simple red dot system will work just fine, though a low power variable is a more popular choice. • Ammo – just about any ammo will work, the most common being 55 gr FMJ. Make sure that it is not the steel core ammo as this can damage the steel targets. • Magazines – 2-3 30 round magazines will work well. Higher capacity magazines will also work and can minimize mag changes while on course. Make sure that the magazines you choose work well in your gun. • Sight in your rifle and know your hold over/under points from 10 yds to 400 yds. Match Day • Make sure you’ve read and understand the safety rules of the range. See above for links. • DON’T try out new gear the day of the match. • Remember that this is a volunteer sport. EVERYONES help is needed to keep a match running smoothly and efficiently. • Have your magazines loaded and ready to go before the match starts. • Arrive at 8:00 AM to help set up the targets. • Be ready to reset targets, tape targets, help score. • Move as quickly as possibly when resetting and taping targets to keep the Match going. • When you are done shooting, get your magazines ready for the next stage, then be ready to help. • Matches generally last most of the day. Bring water, snacks and a lunch. IntrotoMultigun.pdf Edited March 18, 2012 by SteveT-NV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csiedmond1 Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Awesome thanks, just what I need !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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