3 gun pistol useage?

[mrming]

Have 3 semi auto's, frustrated with having so many calibers. Presently I've got....

sig 220
sig 226 (40 s&w)
SA XD-9


I double tap the best with the XD-9, and when im paying attention im around 80% on cowboy steel targets at 15 yards. Distance accuracy is best with the 220, and 226 is middle of the road. I'm frustrated because I'm not able to double tap quickly at 20 yards, or consistantly hit a 3" steel circle except with the 220.


What sort of distances and styles of shooting should I expect with a pistol in 3-gun ? I am trying to start over following the old axiom 'Beware the man who owns only one gun. He probably knows how to use it.'

 

[Zak Smith]

My 3Gun experience comprises about 4 local matches in Denver and the Rocky Mtn 3Gun match in Raton (Aug 2003).

Compared to IPSC, the average pistol marksmanship requirements seem less in 3Gun. I've seen 4" square plates at 10 yards, and 8"-10" plates at 20 yards. In one stage, we had a 14" square "bonus" plate at about 40 yards which was no penalty if you missed. Head shots (A/B zone) at 10 yards are reasonable to expect.

Here are a couple more points to consider:

1. If the 3Gun matches you're shooting use Major/Minor scoring, then you should definitely shoot a .40 or .45. Being scored "minor" as your XD9 would be is a big disadvantage. (Some matches use a different type of scoring called "IMGA" which does not distinguish major vs. minor. The rest use IPSC-type scoring in which major/minor does matter.)

2. Having more magazine capacity is better. Since 3Gun matches generally do not have a "Limited-10" type class for pistol (unless they're doing "He-Man" class), you'll be at a competitive disadvantage with only 8 rounds (the P220). You can "get by" with 10 rounds, but you still have more mag changes. Also, longer sight radius is generally better. You don't see many compact pistols being shot in 3Gun. The most common is a 5" 1911 design.

To give you an idea, the canonical pistol in "Limited" and "Modified"/"Tactical" class is a wide-body double-stack 1911 shooting .40SW, such as a SVI/STI/Para, which holds about 20 rounds of .40.

hope this helps

Zak

PS. I also suggest reading Brian Enos' book "Practical Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals." If you read this, think about it, and apply it, you will improve dramatically.

 

[MoNsTeR]

I'm frustrated because I'm not able to double tap quickly at 20 yards

I don't know anyone who can! Even Open shooters don't rip off rounds at that kind of distance.

 

[Correia]

Zak covered it pretty well. But I would just like to add bring what ever you personally feel the most comfortable with. But after that anything that is easy to shoot well and high capacity is always a bonus. If the match doesn't have a major/minor for pistol (like my local match) the XD is probably the way to go.

And Monster is correct. Double tapping at 20 yards is really really pushing it. Personally I don't believe in the double tap at anything greater than a few yards. After that I find the front sight for every shot.

I use a wide body 1911. 14+1 in .45.