Handgun Holster, Shot Shell Caddy, Clip Holder, and Belt?

[Medicius]

I'm wondering if someone can provide me with the names of some good accessory gear. I've seen Concealed gear, but I'm not looking for that. I want some inexpensive or good gear that I can use for 3-Gun. Not sure what I want to spend, as I'm not sure what things cost. I have some ideas of what I'd like and I'm listing that below. I'm wondering if someone can provide other ideas or even accessory names or links to where I should look for gear similar to what I think I need.

Holster
- Per the MN3Gun site, I need a holster that can keep a handgun in place during rigorous movement. I saw a thigh holster a month or so ago, but I don't remember where. Any thoughts on good ones to use with my CZ P07?

Caddies
- I've seen shell caddies everywhere online. 4, 6, or 8 caddies. Not sure what I need, but I think I'm looking for something with quick accessibility that will fit on whatever belt I use. I'd prefer to avoid the velcro base. Any thoughts on what Caddies will work?

Belt and Clip Holder
- Not sure what I need here. Maybe even a belt that would work in conjunction with the shotshell caddies and a holster? Maybe I need to find a belt first but then I'd be worried about finding compatible accessories.


Any thoughts from someone who's done rigorous activity while carrying clips, handguns, and reloads?

Thanks,

Medicius

[solidgun]

I made this here and reading some of this might give you an idea:
http://3gn.ar15.com/forums/t_13_10/473_ ... list_.html

Holster - contact Safariland and find out which model fits. I just tried looking through the CZ75 models and not getting anywhere, but their site has poor search function.
I wouldn't get thigh rig unless you are going to use it for something else. When you are running, it isn't the most comfortable attachment to have. But that is just personal choice. If I tie it down right, I can minimize its movement, but it still gets in the way of running for me.

Caddies - get the 4 if you can grab all 4 shells (depends on the size of your hand), get the 6 if you plan on getting 3 and 3.
There are other options like this if your dexterity isn't the best:
http://3gunnation.com/products/taccom_d ... ll_holders

Other information as listed on my link above.

[rugersol]

If ya don't have a belt, I'd get one of these ... https://www.unholstered.com/cr-speed-super-hi-torque-range-belt.html

If ya don't have a holster, I'd get one of these ... https://www.unholstered.com/blade-tech-doh-holster-w-tek-lok.html (IIRC, the "DOH" is easily removed, leaving you with an otherwise IDPA-legal holster )

If ya don't have mag-pouches (in 9mm, ya'd probly wanna shoot "Production" ... 10rd+1 ... so I'd get at least 4 pouches ... otherwise, ya can start with only 2 pouches, and jest shoot "Limited Minor"), I'd get these ... http://www.midwayusa.com/product/548286/

I'd think the Bladetech'd be plenty good ... but if ya really want some retention, the Blackhawk Serpa's not horrible!

Here's the caddies ... https://www.unholstered.com/12-gauge-speed-stripper.html or http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2394267180/

I shot a shotgun match a couple years ago, and a couple guys had breast-plate caddies ... them looked really slick!

Here's the AR-15 mag-pouch ... might want one 'er two of them ... https://www.unholstered.com/blade-tech-ar-15-m16-pouches.html or http://www.midwayusa.com/product/564371/

I ain't tried the new Magpul PMAG coupler ... but I plan on gettin' a couple ... http://www.midwayusa.com/product/361560/

This has come in handy fer me ... http://www.midwayusa.com/product/240166/ ... YMMV!

... as has, this ... http://www.midwayusa.com/product/668092/

... and this ... http://www.midwayusa.com/product/410025/ (they make 'em fer other models, too!)

Ain't tried one of these, yet ... http://www.midwayusa.com/product/337917/

Ya should also try to attend an upcoming match ... ask around ... see who's got what! ... most're more than happy to tell ya all 'bout it!

[shooter115]

I would suggest trying to get by on as little as possible until you go to your first match. You will learn more there than you ever will asking the question on the net. You'll find most 3-gunners friendly folks and many would be happy to loan a little gear out to help you get through your first match. That said here's a list of what I use and what I would recommend for a guy just starting out.

Caution!!! 3-Gun shooting is extremely addictive. Once you start you will most likely die broke....... But it's a hell of a lot of fun!!

I've been running my Blade-Tech Stingray DOH holster for about a year, it's been good and I haven't had any trouble. Then after seeing someone get DQ'd at the Midwest Championships for having a loaded gun come out of the exact same holster I started to re-think my set-up. Ended up taking a Blackhawk Serpa and combining it with the Blade-Tech DOH mount. So far I really like it and having something with positive retention helps ease the mind. Especially with a very rigorous match like the Blue Ridge Mountain match coming up. So to start I guess I would recommend the Serpa, it's probably not the greatest holster in the world, but for $30-40 it's pretty dang good. The Blade-Tech WRS is really nice, but runs about $100. Draw speed in 3-gun isn't near is important as it is in some of the other pistol games since more often than not you'll be drawing on the move. I wouldn’t suggest a thigh holster and you won’t see very many experienced 3-gunners running them either.

On the subject of caddies. It takes a lot of practice to get proficient at weak-hand loading off typical caddies. If you really want to cut the learning curve and be loading your shotgun like a boss with minimal practice. I would suggest the Duaload system from Taccom. For standard caddies the AP Customs are really nice and the CCW caddies are more affordable. Let your budget decide.

Belt. Starting out I would just get an affordable “Instructors” belt. You can get one from Uncle Mike’s for less than $20, the Wilderness belts are a step up from there. If you carry you should already have one anyways. The next step up is to go with a 2-piece belt set up such as the CR Speed, this is what I run. If you really want to spend money the Safariland ELS system is the top dog. But it requires special attachments for all your gear. To get it all set up you can expect to drop a couple hundo.

For AR mag pouches most guys including myself run a Blade-Tech.

For pistol mags I actually just switched back to the double mag holder that came with one of my XDm’s. I had been running the ones from Comp-Tac, but was never really very fond of them. If you didn’t pull the mag out perfectly straight (lets just say you were changing a mag on the run) the things would bind up somehow. On a few occasions I pulled so hard the whole pouch came off the belt. Back to the drawing board.

Couple other suggestions for you. A Pmag with a Nordic Components 18rd extension and aslo Nordic for all your shotgun accessories.

So what are you planning on shooting for your rifle and Shotgun?

[Medicius]

Thanks Fellas, I really appreciate the feedback. Lots of stuff to investigate (...and buy)!

To answer the last question - firearms - this is what I'm thinking:

Handgun
- CZ P07, or P09 (full-size) when it comes out

Shotgun
- Franchi Affinity or CZ 712 ALS
- Still reviewing these. A friend has an M2 and an SBE II that I can try, and for some reason I'm drawn to Benelli (shot the Super Nova pump and have held the Nova and liked both). Though a guy over on the BS site said he's going to be selling a few M1 models with mag and trigger upgrades already installed for a few hundred more than I'd pay for the Affinity. That being said, I'm leaning more towards an inexpensive entry into 3-Gun before buying my long-term gear. With regard to the 712, I've read a couple of really long forum posts concerning how easy it is to upgrade them. Mainly using Nordic's site. So it's a viable contender in my mind.

Carbine
- Following the direction of Patrick Kelley's Blog, I'm going to start out with a DPMS Oracle or Sportical. My goal is to figure our what I like vs. don't like and hope that an off-set iron sight setup is in my future - with aftermarket handrail, and drop-in trigger, etc.

Any thoughts? One point of concern. If I would have known that CZ clips were hard to come by, I may have went with my second option for a handgun (XDm). But I really like the feel of the P07 in my hand.


Medicius

[Shawski]

Element arms in Becker has all the stuff you'll need. Plus you can check it out in person. And btw, running the offset irons puts you in open class.

[deadarrow]

California Competition Works... 6 shell speed strip.... Brownells has them... Blade-Tec for your holster and mag holders..both pistol and rifle. You can tighten the holster up and your gun will not fall out while running.....yes beware..... 3 gun is adictive and the most fun I have ever had with a gun....

[shooter115]

Element arms in Becker has all the stuff you'll need. Plus you can check it out in person. And btw, running the offset irons puts you in open class.

Plus one on Element Arms.

And BTW Offset iron's do NOT put you in open class. Running two optics (meaning a variable scope and a red dot) put's you in open. Personally I don't care for them though.

Tough to beat an M2. If you can borrow one set up for 3-gun by all means do it. If you want to get in on the cheap to try it out another great option is to look for a used Nova with a 24-26" VR barrel (can usualy find them for $200, buy the +6 or +7 Nordic extension and call it good, you don't need anything else.

Nothing wrong with starting out with a basic carbine. If you decide to get more serious down the road you can always just change out the complete upper or swap out parts.

[shooter115]

California Competition Works... 6 shell speed strip.... Brownells has them... Blade-Tec for your holster and mag holders..both pistol and rifle. You can tighten the holster up and your gun will not fall out while running.....yes beware..... 3 gun is adictive and the most fun I have ever had with a gun....

Running alone will not make the gun come out of a Blade-Tech Stingray. Running around an obstacle with a rifle and top of the stock catches on the sights of your pistol in an upward motion will send it flying. Witnessed it first hand with a squad mate on the first stage of a major match. Felt bad for the guy at first, paid a healthy entry fee and drove to MO from somewhere on the east coast only to be done for the match in 10 seconds. Unfortunately he followed that up with a very poor showing of sportsmanship, so I no longer felt too bad for him.

Ever since then on any significant movement I've been keeping one hand on my pistol just to make sure it stays put. Hence the move to the Serpa, I just don't want to worry about it. Plus the next major match I'm going to has a lot of movement, climbing and crawling obstacles and you have to run with slung weapons. Definitely needed something with positive retention. Nothing wrong with the Stingray, lots of good shooters use them, at least for 3-gun I'll never go back. For pistol only matches where the first thing you do is draw I'll still use the Blade-Tech.

[Medicius]

If I went with the Nova (pump), would I impact the fun of 3-Gun by limiting myself in comparison to other participants using a semi-auto? Sadly, the M2 is used only for hunting. The M1's for sale have the trigger and mag upgrades.

In terms of Element Arms, you mean for accessory gear? I wish I would have known about them when I first started looking. That's right up by my wife's family cabin.

Thanks,

Medicius

[deadarrow]

Pump shotgun along with a non magnified optic or just iron sights on your rifle will keep you from having to compete with the auto loaders. I have seen pumps beat autos because of a faster reload. So anything works.

[shooter115]

Pump shotgun along with a non magnified optic or just iron sights on your rifle will keep you from having to compete with the auto loaders. I have seen pumps beat autos because of a faster reload. So anything works.

Actually the only class that doesn't allow auto shotguns is Heavy Metal. Then you would need a .308 rifle and .45 handgun. Pumps like the Nova can be easier to load though because the lifter stays up when your loading.

@Medicius. You mention an M1 for sale. It's almost the exact same as an M2. If you can get it for a good price go for it.

The difference in split times between a pump and an auto aren't going to make a big difference in you times just starting out. If you go with a pump you can get in the game for cheap. After a while if you decide you really like it you can always buy an auto and keep your uber reliable pump as a back-up in case your auto goes down.

[Medicius]

Ok, that makes sense. This will definitely save me some money at the start. Plus, if I ever take up hunting the Nova should be good once the Nordic extension (future) is removed. I appreciate the advice and feedback. That will just leave the starter carbine and accessory gear.

Medicius

[Medicius]

Does this sound like a good deal?

A store near me has a used Nova (donated by the shop to Ducks Unlimited and then exchanged by the winning bidder - they're stating less than 10 shots fired) and a DPMS Oracle in stock. They're willing to give me a discount on the Oracle (to bring me closer to Bud's price) and give it to me for $675. The Nova is listed at $329, but I'm going to ask if they'll take less because I will also purchase 223 ammo and 2 cases. My end goal is to hopefully get out of there for just over $1000 cash.

Otherwise, in the Semi-Auto arena they have a Stoeger 2000 for $379 or a Mossberg 930 (not the JM) for $500-ish. I never reviewed the Stoeger 2k, just the 3k version and I haven't reviewed upgrades for the Stoeger either. I never looked at anything from Mossberg outside of the JM version of the 930.

Thanks again,

Medicius

[sgruenhagen44]

If I went with the Nova (pump), would I impact the fun of 3-Gun by limiting myself in comparison to other participants using a semi-auto? Sadly, the M2 is used only for hunting. The M1's for sale have the trigger and mag upgrades.

In terms of Element Arms, you mean for accessory gear? I wish I would have known about them when I first started looking. That's right up by my wife's family cabin.

Thanks,

Medicius

I'm by no means an experienced 3 gun shooter but have shot 3 matches. In my experience, it helps to practice reloading versus having a quick shooting shotgun. You will soon learn that reloading your shotgun is what will hurt you the most. Plus, at the last match I attended in holman wisconsin, there were so many malfuntioning autos. I have never been a fan of autoloading shotguns in general. This is coming from the perspective of a pheasanthunter though. The most popular gun you will see on the course is the 870, plenty of aftermarket accessories for that and its cheap. There are some guys out there who make them pumps seem like an auto.