Time to Sign Up: Breaking Into 3-Gun

By Garrett Boop

Make the Commitment

Now that you understand the appropriate safety measures and precautions, you’re ready to shoot your first match. The next hurdle is simply finding a match to shoot. Depending on your area, this might be tricky.

There are numerous forums for finding matches near you. One of these is Practiscore, which allows you to search an interactive map for matches in your area. The Brian Enos Forum is another great resource for finding match listings.

Reaching out to competitive shooters or groups on social media can link you into matches as well. Another avenue is your local gun shop or sportsmen’s clubs. One or both might offer online calendars for shooting matches. After a few local matches, the more experienced shooters will happily tell you of other locations to shoot matches near your area.

After you’ve found a match to shoot, the next step is registration, which comes in different forms for different matches. Some matches are “pay at the door” while some offer online registration. Some require advanced payment with a check, and some matches require an invitation to shoot.

Price will also vary. In my experience, a lot of local matches will have a $20-$50 registration fee while major matches can cost anywhere from $100-$300 or more.

Here’s a good place to mention that many local matches will discount registration if you help to set up beforehand. Naturally, helping with setup will score you some bonus points with the Match Director. (This is a volunteer sport, remember) But, it will also give you a look at the stages beforehand. This is also a great time to ask questions since the conditions during setup is usually more relaxed than during a match.

Do Your Homework

Once you understand the method of registering for your match and cost, get yourself on the list and follow the required procedures. This might include meeting with the Match Director (MD) or a Range Officer (RO) ahead of time for a safety check. Now is the time to learn everything you can about the match to get prepared.

The published round count is extremely important so you know how much ammo to bring. Note that sometimes Match Directors will list the round count as the “exact” number of rounds to shoot the match, assuming no misses. I cannot remember shooting a match without a miss, so I almost always double the listed round count.

As they told me in my introduction to 3-Gun class, “Ammo doesn’t eat anything and takes up little space. It is always better to take some home than run out.”

The next hurdle is understanding the rules—written and unwritten—of the club and match you are attending. If you aren’t able to find a rule book online, the Match Director can forward you a copy.

Spend the time reading the rules to verify the equipment requirements and equipment rules ahead of time. Oftentimes, the Match Director will cover this information in the initial safety check or the “shooter’s meeting” on match day. That might be too late, and it’s always better to be prepared than scrambling to borrow equipment.

If you are unsure about anything, don’t be afraid to ask.

I’ve had shooters ask if they can stay with me for the duration of the match. I’ve also had match directors link me or one of my fellow shooters up with a new shooter for the day. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn from how other shooters conduct themselves.

Lastly, be helpful. Always, always, help to paste and reset targets during the match. Remember that shooting is optional but pasting and resetting targets is not, even if you’re new.

I’m sure this all seems like a lot, but always remember that everyone had a first match. You’ll look back some day, like all of us, and wonder, “What was the big deal anyway?”

Once you’re in the right place with everything you need, and you know you’re being safe, focus on why you’re there. Make sure you’re having fun. We are all in the shooting sports because we love it. A couple people do it for a living, but the rest of us just love the adrenaline, the noise and the people.

So again, this the year you make it happen. There are local matches across the U.S. every week. It’s time to sign up.

I am looking forward to seeing you on the range.

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Garrett Boop is an educator and active hunter from Pennsylvania. Along with the other members of the Keystone Armory Shooting Team, he's also an active 3-Gunner and adrenaline junkie.