Overlooked Sports , Part 3(or there about)

This week’s installment of Spencer’s Written Opinion is a continuation of the ongoing series of what I consider the most overlooked sports in America. You can read part 1, Practical Pistol Shooting, here and part 2, Shotgun Sports, here.

Let’s play a little game. You purchased (or perhaps built?) a Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR)/Tactical Rifle/Home Defense Rifle, probably one of the two most popular (AR-15 or AK) platforms. Now, being the Red-Blooded, proud American that you are, you obviously didn’t feel the need to justify your purchase with anything more than the standard “It’s my god given right as an American!” or “Because it makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.” In fact, you like this rifle so much, you bought it some companions, a shotgun and a pistol. You’ve practiced at a range, shooting targets from mostly stationary positions, and you’re getting pretty good. But it just isn’t enough. You want to know how good you really are. You want to test your skills in all three guns in one course of fire against the best there is. What do you do?

It sounds like you are looking for a 3 Gun, or Multi-Gun Match, where you can pit your skills against your competition in Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun marksmanship, often all in the same stage of fire. Here’s a video. I had to use some music because otherwise my breathing sounds like I’m suffocating for some reason.

Like in Practical pistol, 3 Gun matches are separated into divisions and classes. Again, you are classified by skill level, and only really compete against people in your same division. I will do my best to quickly explain each division for your knowledge. You should, however, do your own research in order to better understand each division if you are thinking about competing.

Open Division- Like in USPSA/IPSC, the 3 Gun Open Division is limited only by your checking account, line of credit, or any lottery winnings you may have acquired. There are only limitations on the length of your handgun magazines, at 171.25mm and on minimum calibers (9x19mm for handgun, 5.56×39 for rifle, and 20 gauge for shotgun). Other than that, you are allowed to use any type of optics, actions, accessories, including lawfully possessed suppressors. Only the exceedingly wealthy/non-debt averse need apply.

Tactical Division- Probably the most popular division, you are limited to 141.25mm handgun magazines, 9 round shotgun capacity, and only one optical sight on your rifle, and none on your shotgun or pistol. Other items, like compensators, bipods, and flashlights are either restricted in size, or prohibited completely. The minimum calibers remain the same as in Open Division for all three firearms, which makes it easier to transition from this division up to Open. Tactical is probably the most popular because it allows you to compete with easily available equipment, and it allows for magnification on your rifle, which can be a huge help at the extended ranges most matches have you shoot at.

Limited Divison- Basically the same as Tactical, but doesn’t allow for a magnified optic on your rifle. You can use a reflex sight, like a red dot, as long as the sight does not have any magnification. Sometimes referred to as “Tactical Irons” this division is the one I prefer to shoot in, as my MSRs typically receive the iron sights or red dot sight treatment. I think this division offers the greatest amount of challenge, while still being economical to shoot.

Heavy Metal Tactical Division- Besides sounding the most hardcore of the divisions so far, Heavy metal limits you to 10 rounds in your pistol, with a minimum caliber of .40/10mm, 20 rounds in your rifle, with a minimum caliber of .308/7.62x51mm NATO, and 9 Round, 12 Gauge shotguns. You do get one magnified optic. Most often this division is populated by those who think the 5.56×45/.223 round is for sissies, and that 9mm is the worst thing to ever happen to American firearms.

Heavy Metal Limited Division- Despite not sounding quite as “hardcore” as its aforementioned cousin, this division is actually what I consider the most “hardcore” division. Similar to before, but this division is limited to 10 rounds of .44 or larger caliber pistols, 20 rounds of .308/7.62x51mm or larger rifles, and 9 round, pump action, 12 gauge shotguns. No optical sights are allowed, and only the smallest of compensators are allowed on the rifles. This division is usually filled by two groups of people: the ones who love “old school” stuff, or masochists. I once saw a guy shoot this division with a World War 1, bolt action, battle rifle chambered in .303 british, an old Winchester trench shotgun, and a Colt Peacemaker .45. He was really slow, but it was super bad ass.

So you’ve done your research, you decided on a division, and you are ready for your first match. For the sake of simplicity, you decided to go with Tactical Irons, or Limited Division, because it takes the fewest modifications. However, since you have to shoot all three firearms in one stage, what other gear do you need to compete? It sometimes can be a little overwhelming thinking about all the gear together, so I’ll explain what I use, which really keeps it pretty simple. Pretty much just Plug and Play.

I obviously have a belt, and a holster for the handgun, but I also use an additional double magazine pouch for my handgun magazines that rides on my belt. When I shoot just USPSA Pistol matches, I use two of the pouches, but I tend to forgo the second pouch to simplify my equipment. The next piece of equipment is a Haley Strategic Partners (HSP) D3 Chest Rig (sometimes the whole thing is abbreviated HSP D3CR). There are two varieties out there, light (for standard 5.56 NATO or Kalashnikov pattern magazines) and heavy (for .308/7.62×51 pattern magazines). Mine is the “light” variant, and holds 4 rifle magazines and two pistol magazines.  In addition, there are two general purpose Velcro secured pouches on either side that work well for holding a box and a half of shotgun shells, and a collapsible, bungee pouch that apparently was designed for radios or smoke grenades. You’re not going to be using either of those, so I recommend collapsing it and using it for an extra rifle magazine. The chest rig is not super cheap, but I find it to be multi-useful and I wanted it so there.

Obviously, that gear set up is not the only way to go. A lot of guys choose to put everything they can on a belt, and it turns out that you can fit a lot more on your belt than I thought. I choose to use my set up for several reasons. One is that I’m super tacitcool. Another is that this set up is more like something I might actual use. Granted, the chest rig is more likely to be stuffed with pens and paper than rifle magazines, but still. Maybe I should contact Haley Strategic about making some pocket protectors….

Perhaps my favorite part about these sports, besides being a total gun and gear nerd, is that they are right for anybody. It just takes a desire (and some equipment) to get started. You can participate and use it as a bit of extra training, you can use it as a way to test your skills with an existing piece of equipment, you can use it to test a new piece of equipment, you can even use it to justify your most recent gun purchase to whoever asks (although you shouldn’t have to). People of any age or capability can safely enjoy the sport. It really is a great source of fun, and even camaraderie with other people who have the same hobby/ies as you.

So go out, buy that AR15, that pistol, or new shotgun, and give it a try. It’s fun.

Stay safe,

Spencer