No matter how much you enjoy shooting your guns, there will come a time when hitting paper targets alone at the range will lose its luster. If you are looking to bring some purpose and excitement back into your training, 3-gun competition might be for you. Hitting targets from interesting situations with different guns and for time can be a great rush, and a fun way to improve your competence with your firearms.

3-gun competitions are traditionally run on a unique course that is designed to put the shooter into positions they might be shooting from during a real-life situation. Targets will be set up at varying ranges from a few feet, to a couple hundred yards away. These targets could be paper, steel, or clay, and they are meant to be engaged with different firearms. The shooter will use a pistol, rifle, and a shotgun to engage these targets. Both shooting skills, speed, and gun manipulation will all come into play as not only is the event timed, but there are penalties for missed targets and competitors will be transitioning between firearms and reloading during the course of fire.

Competition courses are designed by range masters with the goal of presenting a unique challenge to the competitors that they may not have seen before. The changing courses help to level the playing field too, which in contrast to other games such as trap shooting, the day of the competition may be the first time any of the competitors have seen the course.

When competing in 3-gun, shooters will generally shoot in one of three divisions where equipment upgrades will remain relatively similar. While there are dozens of sub-divisions, the three most common that you will find in nearly any competition are as follows.

Factory division tests competitors with near stock firearms. No magnified optics are authorized on any of the guns, magazine limitations are in place, and many shooters will be competitive with firearms right off the rack. Internal modifications to the guns are allowed, so you will see some upgrades like trigger jobs or enhanced bolt carriers. 15 round maximum magazines for pistols and 8 round maximum for shotguns.

The sides of some glasses leave a lot of space to allow for debris to get through. If you are shooting at a range, you are likely to have shooters to your left and right. Wrap-around lenses will protect you from their debris and potentially catastrophic failures.

Unlimited division allows just about anything you want attached to your firearms. Pistols can now sport red dots and extra-large magazines. Rifles can use more than one optic, lights, lasers, drum magazines; whatever you think will give you an edge. Shotguns can also sport optics and there is no limit on magazine types or capacity. If any one of your guns does not fit in the previous divisions, you will end up here.

Depending on your chapter you might find other divisions such as Tactical, Heavy Metal, PCC, or even Rimfire, but don’t get too caught up in them. These are the basics.

Finding a local 3-gun chapter is easier than you might think. A simple web search will go far, and websites like AR15.com even have lists of chapters by state to help you find your way. Asking around at your local gun shops and ranges will go a long way as well. Most people who are involved in the sport are very welcoming to new-comers and you will be quickly shepherded to the next match if you start meeting other competitors.

Most matches have online registration, and once you are hooked up with a local chapter you will often find links through your chapter’s website. Other useful sites include NSSF and 3 Gun Nation.

Remember when I said that 3-gun courses were usually unique. That is mostly true, unless you want to determine classification. If you want to earn your classification as a Marksman, High Marksman, Expert, Semi-Pro, or Professional you can compile your times on some standardized courses. If you are just starting out, don’t worry too much about this and just have fun.

3-gun competitions are a fun way to enhance your shooting skills in a competitive atmosphere. The growing sport is a great way to rejuvenate yourself when considering your next range day as it helps to create specific goals and skills that you want to improve upon. If you are looking for something different at the range, and a greater sense of community, you should definitely check out your next local 3-gun match.