What shot Guns For 3 Gun Match?

[sk330lc]

 Do you guys have Pics of the set ups you use for 3 Gun Matches?      What the best gun for the Money?   

[simplicity]

I started doing 3 guns 1 year and a half ago, I originally bought a 870 express tactical with the ghost ring sights, after three barrels and two new sets of sights from the factory I still couldn't get it to shoot where I aimed the sights. I still had to use kentucky windage even at the 15 yard targets so I don't recommend that model. I traded it in and bought a FN SLP Mark 1 which Iam very pleased with. Another thing to consider as far as the gun is what class you plan on competing in, the three classes are heavy metal which only allows the use of a pump , tactical allows semi's or pump and open well if you don't have something clip fed your on the down side already. Honestly i think if your fast with your pump you should have no problem running with autos, and you don't have to spend nearly the money on a reliable pump as you would on a truly reliable auto. As of right now the mosting shotgun is the fn slp mark 1 in three guns. But the main thing is reliability and what you can handle well and fits you best.

[sk330lc]

I have an Old 870 Wingmaster with a 18.5" ( I think ) IC Slug Barrel.   I've used this gun to hunt deer the biggest Part of my Life.  Will shoot 4" to 5"  groups At 100 Yards with cheap  Remington Slugs and open sights.  Could I buy an Mag extention for it and use it?  Is 7 shots the Noramal Cap. for Pump guns?   

[mcwoodduck]

Don't Laugh.
I was using a Winchester 1897 solid frame riot model.
I then bought a 870 with a pistol grip for two reasons.
1) the Win is too fast and I dump out ammo too fast.  But it loads quickly and with the huge loading / Ejection port you can get a round in it quickly.
2) I wanted a pistol grip so I can move and reload. or get a slug on the shelf if needed. while still shooting at the other target or trasitioning to the next target that needs a slug.
I thought i wanted an auto but then too I dump off ammo quickly and sometimes send two rounds to one target I have hit it has just not reacted as fast as either the semi auto or the Win Pump.

[sk330lc]

I would not laugh at a Model 97.  They are the Best Pump Gun Ever Made.   I have several and Love them all!   Your Right about Being able to reload and shoot fast with them.   I wish someone still made them to the same specs as Winchester did.. The remakes I've seen, seem Cheap for some reason.

[mcwoodduck]

Then start out with the 97, go to a couple shoots and see how you do, see if there is anything you want more than the 97.
If you want an auto, or other pump that you can hang different things on then look at the 1100 or the 870 as they are leggos for grown up and no matter what you want you can build it in to.
The beneli guns are great and some day I think I want an M2 but can't bring my self to spend the $1,200+ tax, title and break in.
My friend has one and we went to the sporting clay range and they gave us greif about it.  I pulled out a BPS up land and said.
Mine has 22" barrel with screw in choke, his has 22" barrel with screw in choke, both have standard stocks.
We figured that Benelli said 75 rounds for break in and sporting clays is 100 rounds and right at 75 rounds the gun stopped having trouble and for the last 25 the gun went flawless.
go have fun at the range with what you have and figure out what you need or want from shooting matches.

[simplicity]

when I first got my MARK 1 I had to put about a 100 rounds as well through it before it would cycle the light el'cheapo walmart stuff ( which makes for a really cheap way to run drills) I almost went with the Bennelli M4 but at $1600 and only holds 4 shots and was another $200 for the tube extesion replacement to hold 8 I couldn't see that being any wheres reasonable and the M1,2,3's were all 1200 or better and I found my FN down in kittery trading post up here in maine. It was a special order that no one ever came and picked up ( thank you who ever you are I really like this shotgun) Like MCWOODUCK said go take what you got and compete in a couple and that way you can see what you like and what works for you. As i stated before the first two I competed in  I took second in both of them  and that was done with a pump and I scored the highest in the shotgun stage beating out the three auto's that placed behind me. I have two more coming up in july and august here in maine. I'm looking forward to competeing with the FN (got it two months ago and haven't been in a competition with it yet) I hope my drill at the range pay off.

[sk330lc]

Then start out with the 97, go to a couple shoots and see how you do, see if there is anything you want more than the 97.

I would but a 97 with a 30" Barrel Is a little un-handy in close quarters.    Wish I could find a Riot Model. I would Use it and be proud doing so. 
 I think my old Rattail forend 870 Wingmaster will have to do.  Do the 2 shot extensions work well? 

[mcwoodduck]

Old 870 Yes.
New 870 you need to check the mag tube for the internal locking points that screw things up.  You need to remove them or change out the mag tube.
I would save your $ on the added rounds and go shoot.  Other guys there will be more than happy to let you try thier guns and see what you want.

[simplicity]

Alot of the msaller 3 gun matches that are put on by small gun clubs 9 times out of ten will set up the shotgun courses so at most you'll only be able to put in 5 at the most at one time or have it so having a extented tube won't give a advantage. Mainly ( this is in my area figure it's probly so in others as well) cause most of the guys in the club don't have one and they want to kinda set in the "3 gun bug" so to speak. Like what was said before go shoot one with what you have then you can decide for yourself what you think will be the best setup. Also if you wanna put a two round extention on your 870 (which I would have had on there already just because that's me) by all means let competing in 3 guns set the final nails in the coffin in doing so.

[mcwoodduck]

+1
The club I belonged to had you load for the lowest common denomiator.
So Rifle was based on 8 rounds (Garand) so everyone with an AR that was pre - CA ban could not load 30 rds into a mag and blaze away while the post ban guys are limited to 10 rounds and have 3 mag changes.
We had a couple of guys that showed up with garands, 1911 A1's and either 97 trench guns or M12 riots to shoot the match.  Almost made me want to get a 1911 to join them.  We have had guys show up like the wild bunch with lever cowboy guns.
Shotgun 5 rounds - most pumps or auto BB guns with the plug removed could hold 5
Handgun 6 rounds - to keep it fair for revolver shooters and compact 1911 guys. 
There was one kid named Able and he shot a S&W M15 with reloads that I think would rival Jerry Michlick and Ale was not using full moon clips but HKs speed loaders.
As we have said.  Getting out there and having fun is more of the point than winning.  If you show up with out a shotgun but a new box of AA's most guys will let you borrow or try thier gun.  Show up with a mixed box of reloads and they will decline.  Same thing you would do if someone asked if they could shoot try your 97 at trap.
All ranges have:
The Mayor- the guy that walks around and talks to every one.  (Me)  Will let you borrow or use what ever you need to shoot in the match as long at I do not need it.
the Know it all- The guy the knows it all- been there done that, with an opinion about your gear vs his and will be willing to let you see how much better his stuff is than yours.
McDuck.