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Run and Gun: Introduction to 3-Gun

Bristlecone Blog: September 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by: Joe Kriz

 

One of the fastest-growing competitive shooting sports, 3-Gun is exactly what it sounds like—using a combination of handgun, rifle and shotgun to engage targets against the clock. Sounds fun, right?

 

At Bristlecone Shooting, Training & Retail Center, we host regular shooting competitions, including bowling pin, USPSA and GSSF matches, but always strive to find ways to challenge and offer our customers new opportunities. Beginning this month, we are excited to announce our new Introduction to 3-Gun course, held at Pawnee Sportmens Center in Briggsdale, CO (located 90 minutes north of Lakewood)!

 

Taught by one of our best, Cindy Coker is a Bristlecone instructor and sponsored 3-Gun shooter with seven years of experience shooting competitively. Sponsored by Troy Industries and others, Cindy competes at matches around the country and has multiple top finishes. We spoke to her about the new course, what students can expect to learn, and beginner run-and-gun tips.

 

Who is Introduction to 3-Gun for?

Introduction to 3-Gun is for anyone with a basic knowledge of all three firearm platforms (handgun, rifle and shotgun), an understanding of firearm safety and looking to get into competitive shooting.

 

What will students learn in the classroom portion of the course?

Students will learn about safety rules for competitive shooting, the main divisions of 3-Gun,  gear needs and set up, ammunition selection, match etiquette and what to expect at their first competition.

 

What will shooters learn out on the range?

Shooters will learn the basics of each firearm platform, including proper grip and stance, drawing from a holster, and loading techniques, as well as how to engage static and moving targets, how to retrieve, abandon and transition between guns, and how to plan for a stage, including movement and reload strategies.

 

What minimum equipment will students need for the course?

Students will need the following equipment and gear:

  • Firearms (preferred caliber):
    • Handgun, semi-auto (9mm/.40 S&W/.45 ACP)
    • Rifle, AR-style (.223/.556)
    • Shotgun, semi-auto or pump-action (12 ga)
  • Magazines, two (2) per firearm (handgun and rifle)
  • Ammunition, no steel core/case (minimum round count):
    • Handgun—200 rounds
    • Rifle—200 rounds (55gr), 50 rounds (65gr or higher)
    • Shotgun—100 rounds (2 3/4”, 1 1/8 oz max, 3 ¼ dram max #9, #6 only), 5 slugs (lead only, low recoil preferred)
  • Competition-style belt (inner/outer system recommended)
  • Magazine pouches, double or two (2) per firearm (handgun and rifle)
  • Shotgun shell caddy (belt or chest rig)
  • Ear and eye protection

 

Why are you passionate about 3-Gun?

The 3-Gun community is full of great people who are extremely giving and supportive, and the sport provides a platform to be able to train with all three types of firearms, under pressure, in a safe environment that you can’t get anywhere else. I am surrounded by so much knowledge every time I compete—I just try to soak up as much as I can every time.

 

What advice would you offer to new 3-Gun shooters?

Hopefully you’ll sign up for Bristlecone’s Introduction to 3-Gun course, but if you can’t, spectate a match in your area and ask questions. Don’t ever think you aren’t ready or that you aren’t good enough—just do it! And don’t spend a lot of money on gear. Get what you can, shoot what you have and ask to borrow. You don’t need to know or have everything for your first match, just get on the range and figure it out from there. Oh, and have fun!

 

To enroll in our next Introduction to 3-Gun course, visit our online training calendar or sign up the next time you stop in to shoot or shop at Bristlecone. We have the guns, ammunition and shooting accessories you need to compete!

 

If you have any questions about the course, 3-Gun or are interested in a private lesson, shoot Cindy an email at ccoker@bristleconeshooting.com.

GSSF Match Series Results

Final Series Results – Bristlecone

1/9, 2/9 and 3/9 matches

CLASS A

1 – David Wood

2 – Michael Johnson

3 – Scott Starks

 

CLASS B

1 – John Branan

2 – Scott Schumer

3 – Robert Andrew

 

CLASS C

1 – Howard Dejong

2 – Tom Barber

3 – John Boettcher

 

Unlimited – Chris George

 

1st Place Lady – Lori Taylor

1st Place Junior – N/A

1st Place Senior – Michael Johnson

1st Pocket GLOCK – Mark Michini

 

250/500 CLUB

Mark Michini – 250

Bruce Harrelson – 250

 

Pistol Winner – Scott Seab

 

Detailed scores:

 

Pocket

    1st 2nd 3rd final      
MARK MICHINI POCKET 250 250 228 250      
Bruce Harrelson Pocket   250 246 248      
DUANE THOMPSON POCKET 238 248 246 247      
Tracy Thompson Pocket   150 210 180      

Stock

        1st 2nd 3rd final
DAVID WOOD STOCK 34   494 496 498 497
MICHAEL JOHNSON STOCK 19   494 485 494 494
SCOTT STARKS STOCK 34   476 489 494 491.5
CHRIS RANDALL STOCK 17   486   496 491
Aaron Kubicek STOCK 17     489 492 490.5
BILL SPINUZZI STOCK 17   485 453 484 484.5
WILLIAM EITH STOCK 19   471 464 485 478
JOHN BRANAN STOCK 34   477 478 460 477.5
SCOTT SCHUMER STOCK 34   466 464 489 477.5
ROBERT ANDREW STOCK 17   462 466 487 476.5
SCOTT SCHUMER Stock 21     464 488 476
DAN ATOR STOCK 19   407 472 472 472
Lori Taylor STOCK 34     477 459 468
DAVID BEERS STOCK 34   473 458 455 465.5
Howard Dejong Stock 34     456 462 459
TOM BARBER STOCK 17   446 461 419 453.5
JOHN BOETCHER STOCK 40   420 445 454 449.5
Tracy Thompson Stock 17L     418 469 443.5
ISAAC SMITH STOCK 27   435 442 444 443
DAN KUBICEK STOCK 17   352 414 459 436.5
JIM BAILEY STOCK 19   436 368 424 430
GREG DEWITT STOCK 34   358 411   384.5
JEFFERY BAIR STOCK 17   484 465 441 264.5

 

Unlimited

      1st 2nd 3rd Final
Chris George UNL 17   494 490 492
JEFFERY BAIR UNL 34 487 491 475 489
ISAAC SMITH UNL 22 439 478 487 482.5
SCOTT SEAB UNL 22 475 489 422 482
TAYLOR GILLMOR UNL 34 490 473   481.5
MICHAEL JOHNSON UNL 22 392 468 479 473.5
DAVIN MCDILL Unl 17   460 459 459.5
Will Tettemer UNL 26   438 454 446

Bristlecone Offers GSSF League Matches

Those who enjoy shooting GLOCK pistols and want to shoot them in competition can now find the best of both worlds as part of the indoor shooting range competitions at Bristlecone Shooting, Training, and Retail Center.  These matches are great for those new to competitive shooting, as all of the courses of fire are completed in the booth; nothing is done down-range.

Bristlecone is excited to introduce GLOCK Sports Shooting Foundation, GSSF League Match competitions at the facility.  A GSSF League Match is a series of three matches conducted over a three-month period. Participants must be current GSSF members and compete in two of the three matches to qualify for plaques and prizes. If you are not currently a member, you may join online at this website: http://gssfonline.com/registration.cfm, or upon registration at a GSSF League Match at Bristlecone.

 An annual GSSF membership costs only $35 for new members and $25 for renewing members and allows you to compete in any GSSF match. Bristlecone charges $20 to participate with 1 gun and $30 to participate with 2 guns. 

How GSSF Competitions and Scoring Work 

Competitors may shoot any GLOCK pistol. The Lewis Prize Allocation system is used to distribute awards as equitably as possible. Each separate pistol used during the match will be a separate entry. Your two best scores of each entry during the series will be totaled and averaged at the end of the three-match series. If a shooter competes in only two matches, his/her scores for each entry are totaled and divided by two. If a shooter competes in all three matches, his/her best two scores for each entry are totaled and divided by two. The result is one final score for each entry, which is then listed in the overall order in which he/she finished. The overall list is then divided into thirds, with the top one-third considered “A Class,” the second one-third is “B Class,” and the final one-third is “C Class.” Plaques are awarded to the top competitor of each class. Unlimited Class is available for non-stock GLOCK pistols.

To learn more visit Bristlecone Shooting, Training, and Retail Center online or call 303-985-0989 to register.