3Gun 180 Rule Question

[M4Fundi]

In a 3Gun match when you transition from rifle to pistol and you sling rifle beside/behind you how do you achieve this without breaking the 180 rule?

[rob_s]

Couple of things...

First, USPSA 3-gun shoots typically provide a little table for you to place the first gun on before you go to the second, so slinging isn't usually an issue. That's if they incorporate two guns into one stage at all, as many seem to just have one stage pistol, one rifle, one shotgun, with no overlap.

With that out of the way, if you are shooting in a match which includes active transitions, I wouldn't sling up behind your body anyway. I've always been taught to drop the rifle in front of me or, at most, to the support side. I personally think putting the gun behind you is a bad idea for a lot of reasons, and it would get you sent home from my matches.

We sling up in front, muzzle down, and the shooter is expected to maintain situational, and muzzle, awareness and keep control of the gun even though it's not in their hands.

[ToddG]

Given the abject fear of loaded weapons most popular action shooting sports seem to have, it's safe to say you will not be doing any kind of transition that would require you to have a loaded long gun on your person, slung, while shooting a pistol. As rob_s said, if a COF calls for multiple guns, they will provide a "safe" area in which you can put down the long gun, bolt back, muzzle down range, before continuing.

If you're shooting something more "tactical" and less organized than USPSA 3-Gun, of course, all bets are off. All you can do is ask the match officials what they want you to do.

[rubberneck]

In a 3Gun match when you transition from rifle to pistol and you sling rifle beside/behind you how do you achieve this without breaking the 180 rule?

Every three gun match I have attended has either had a table or a carpet lined barrel tilted to 45 degrees to put your rifle in when you hit the transition point.

[rubberneck]

Given the abject fear of loaded weapons most popular action shooting sports seem to have....

I don't think it is fear that drives that rather the realization that in todays society one mistake could quite easily get the range closed for good. Some toolbag launches a round over the berm and it hits someones car, house or god forbid another person and it is game set and match.

[rob_s]

We do true transitions, but if you go to unload and show clear at the end of the stage and a round flies out, you're DQ'd.

[M4Fundi]

Thanks......I have my first 3Gun in 2 weeks and was brushing up on things and trying out different sling setups and it occurred to me that I typically put the rifle on SAFE and then move the rifle (when using 2point) to the support side behind mags pouches...this places muzzle aiming toward ground but definitely at 20 degree (or more angle depending on body crouch etc.) to the REAR...which makes me uncomfortable when I am behind someone doing the same who is even a Pro, but that I do not know....so I figured I had better find out what the rule/protocols are and train accordingly.

It sounds like slings are unnecessary for "most" 3Gun?

Thanks

[rubberneck]

It sounds like slings are unnecessary for "most" 3Gun?

Thanks

For most formal matches they are. There is one match down in North Carolina that requires you to carry everything you need for the match on your person at the same time. Ammo, water and firearms. If it isn't on you you get DQ'd. That is the extreme end of the spectrum, but I have heard it is a total blast and quite funny when out of shape guys show up with 80 pounds of kit and get smoked a half hour into the match.

[M4Fundi]

Full transitions was what I was expecting, but I realize that "Big Boy Rules" are probably not appropriate where you can't properly vet level of training.

[rob_s]

Full transitions was what I was expecting, but I realize that "Big Boy Rules" are probably not appropriate where you can't properly vet level of training.

I know it's not what you're asking but...

This is exactly why we have a "New Shooter Orientation and Qualification". Essentially, we're making everyone come out and sit through an orientation and fire off a few rounds in a qualification, and 90% of the reason we do it happens in aabout 5 minutes of the 4 hours, when we have them do a transition to pistol. We do it dry first, and then we do it hot.

When we first started out we were open to the public, and the problem we had was guys buying their AR on Saturday at the gun show and then showing up at the match on Tuesday with no idea how to use the thing, let alone safely manipulate the gun and most of these types had never even heard of a transition. Now, they get to review the Qual online before the event, research whatever they don't already know, and then come out and run through it. I think the simple fact that there is a Qual scares off the majority of the know-nothings and bad-attitudes.

We're up to over 100 qualified shooters plus close to 50 qualified Rifle Safety Officers, so we have a pool that's plenty big for us to draw from.