Last weekend, we hit the range for something a little different: a full-blown 3-gun match—and it hit back. Hard.

This style of competition involves shooting rifle, pistol, and shotgun in a single, fast-paced stage. It’s not just about pulling the trigger fast—it’s about moving smart, managing transitions, and keeping your head in the game while the clock is ticking and the heat is blazing.

As Jon put it:

“There’s quite a bit going on… multiple guns, reloads in between movement, and lots of targets you have to shoot with different firearms. What I really liked about it is—it gets the brain working.”

Let’s walk through the lessons, the hiccups, and the insights that came from running the stage again and again. If you're training for 3-gun—or just looking to sharpen your weapon handling—this breakdown is for you.

The Setup: 3-Gun Stage Breakdown

The stage started with 10 clays on the ground to be hit from a barricade using a shotgun. From there, the shooter reloaded on the move to hit steel and clays from the next position before dumping the shotgun.

Then came the rifle:

• 3 paper targets

• 2 steel

And finally, a pistol finish:

• 3 paper

• 2 white steel

• 2 orange knockdowns

Everything had to be clean, quick, and accurate.

First Run: Shaking Off the Rust

First Run: Watch

“I haven’t done 3-gun in about a year,” Josh admitted before his first rep.
And it showed.

His shotgun reloads were slow and clunky. Shells fumbled. Clay targets missed.

“I'm really bad at my shotgun reloads. You could probably see me fumbling and dropping shells. I missed a couple targets up front, too.”

But that’s exactly the point of practice: not to be perfect, but to expose where the work is needed. His rifle and pistol work was cleaner, but the takeaway was obvious—the shotgun was the weak link.

Second & Third Runs: Adjust and Re-Test

Second & Third Runs: Watch

With the plan tweaked to reload before running dry, the third run was supposed to be smoother. Unfortunately, it didn’t go according to plan.

“I went for the wrong shell caddy... added time. My time was slower than my last run, but everything was neutralized. Went decent enough.”

And on the next go:

“Not very good. Actually longer than the last time.”

That honesty is what made this range session valuable—every shot gave feedback, every error was fuel.

Hit Breakdown: The Little Things Matter

Shot Placement Breakdown: Watch

After each run, hits were inspected. Zones like Alpha, Charlie, and Delta were scored to see how well shots landed.

Jon summed it up well:

“We got two Alphas, a Charlie… a Delta over here. Swung a little wide on those steel targets.”

Understanding where those shots land—and why—is key to shaving time off and building better habits.

Final Thoughts: Why 3-Gun is Worth It

Is it worth it?: Watch

There’s a reason shooters keep coming back to the 3-gun format. It’s humbling, intense, and deeply rewarding. It forces you to think, move, shoot, and solve—all while managing three different weapon systems.

“It’s just so different from your typical two-gun or USPSA pistol match… If you're able to check out a 3-gun, definitely do it.”

No matter where you're starting from, putting in the reps matters.

“That’s where all this training comes in—getting out here, doing this stuff. That’s where you get better.”