The Complete 3-Gun Packing List

3-Gun is the most logistically demanding discipline in practical shooting. You're bringing three firearms, three types of ammunition, multiple support gear systems, and weather contingencies all to the same range. First-timers consistently forget at least three important items. Long-time competitors learn the hard way and carry checklists.

This is a complete, opinionated 3-Gun packing list. Use it as your starting point. Print it, modify it for your gear, and check off each item the night before you leave.

Pistol kit

• Pistol— division-legal, sighted in, recently cleaned.
• Holster— matched to your pistol, division-legal positioning.
• Magazines— minimum 5, ideally 6+. Test all of them at home before the match.
• Magazine pouches— on your belt, adjusted for your draw stroke. 3-Gun rules typically allow more pouches than USPSA.
• Pistol ammunition— round count from the match book + 30%. Never come up short.
• Backup red dot battery if you run an optic on your pistol. Check the date on the spare too.
• Spare iron sights or backup dot for divisions that allow swap if your primary fails.

Rifle kit

• Rifle— division-legal, zeroed at your normal distance (typically 50 or 100 yards).
• Magazines— minimum 4, ideally 6+. Make sure they all drop-free with rounds in them. Old or damaged mags cause failures at the worst time.
• Magazine pouches on your belt or chest rig per division rules.
• Rifle ammunition— match book count + 30%. For big 3-Gun matches that's often 300-500 rounds.
• Sling— required by some matches for stage transitions. Check the match book.
• Optic batteries for your red dot, magnifier, or LPVO. Spares.
• Allen wrench set in your range bag for mount adjustments.
• Cleaning rod in case you have a stuck case or mid-stage malfunction. Most stages stop the clock for mechanical issues but not all.

Shotgun kit

• Shotgun— division-legal, recently cleaned (especially the gas system if it's a gas gun).
• Birdshot— usually #7 or #8 shot, low recoil if you have the choice. Match book count + 50% (shotgun consumption is hard to predict).
• Slugs— brand-matched to what you've tested. Don't bring untested slugs to a major.
• Buckshot if any stages call for it. Usually 00 buck.
• Caddies / belt loaders— the things that hold your shells on your belt for fast loading. You probably need 4-8 of them.
• Sidesaddle if you use one.
• Spare choke tubes— usually IC for slugs, modified for buck, full for slugs at distance. Bring the choke wrench.
• Slug pouch on your belt for fast slug access mid-stage.

Belt and rig

• Inner belt— a stiff competition belt.
• Outer belt with all attached pouches.
• All pouches positioned for the most common stage type— if your home club runs lots of pistol stages, position pistol mags for fast access; if you're at a heavy multigun match, balance accordingly.

Range bag essentials

• Hearing protection— electronic muffs (so you can hear the RO) plus foam plugs as backup.
• Eye protection— clear and tinted lenses for changing light. ANSI Z87+ rated.
• Hat with a brim (TSA-rated unnecessary, just functional). Keeps brass out of your face and the sun out of your eyes.
• Sunscreen SPF 50+— reapply during the match.
• Bug spray— especially in the Midwest and Southeast in summer.
• Water bottles— multiple. Or a hydration bladder. 3-Gun is sweaty work.
• Snacks— protein-heavy, not sugary. Jerky, nuts, protein bars. Skip the M&Ms.
• Multitool— Leatherman, Gerber, or equivalent. With pliers.
• Allen wrench set— sized for your gun's mount screws.
• Lubricant— small bottle of CLP or your preferred oil. Range guns need touch-ups.
• Cleaning patches and rod— for mid-match attention.
• Towel— for sweat and unexpected rain.
• Cash— for food trucks, raffle tickets, on-site vendors. $40-100.
• USPSA membership card (or appropriate org card) and ID.
• Match book printed in case you have no signal at the range.
• Phone + charger or battery pack— long days drain batteries.

Weather contingency gear

3-Gun matches happen rain or shine. Plan for both.

• Light rain jacket— one that doesn't bind your draw or shouldering. GoreTex or similar is worth it.
• Rain cover for your range bag— or a waterproof bag.
• Extra socks— wet feet end matches early.
• Light sweater or vest for cold mornings even at summer matches.
• Sunglasses separate from your shooting glasses (so you can be off the line and still shaded).
• Cooling towelif you're shooting in serious heat (Talladega, Reveille Peak Ranch in July, etc.).

Footwear

3-Gun is the most physical of the practical shooting disciplines. You're running, kneeling, going prone, getting up, moving between positions. Footwear matters.

• Trail runners or low-cut hikers— aggressive tread, lightweight.
• Avoid running shoes— the soles aren't built for the lateral movement and uneven terrain.
• Avoid hiking boots— too heavy and stiff for the agility a 3-Gun stage requires.
• Break them in before match day.

Items first-timers always forget

• Extra ammunition. Match book counts are minimums. Bring 30-50% more.
• Backup batteries for every electronic component on your gear.
• Lip balm with SPF. Outdoor matches in dry conditions destroy lips.
• Anti-chafe for long days of belt-wearing (Body Glide or similar). Sounds silly until day three.
• Folding chair for downtime between stages. Especially valuable at matches with long bay-to-bay walks.
• Cooler in the car with extra water and electrolyte drinks.
• USPSA card / org membership card. People forget this constantly.
• Small notebook + pen for stage notes.

The night-before pack

Pack two days before you leave. Use the checklist. Lay everything out on the floor and visually check it against the list. Items in the wrong bag (hearing protection in your gun bag instead of your range bag) cause confusion at the match.

Suggested bag organization for 3-Gun:

• Hard case 1: Pistol + magazines + holster
• Hard case 2: Rifle + magazines + sling
• Hard case 3 (or soft case for shotgun):Shotgun + caddies + chokes + spare parts
• Range bag: Hearing/eye protection, hat, sunscreen, water, snacks, multitool, lube, cleaning, cards
• Belt bag: Belt, mag pouches, holster, spare parts kit
• Cooler: Water, sports drinks, light snacks for the drive

Match-morning checklist

Before you leave the hotel:

• Coffee and real breakfast in
• All three guns loaded into the car
• All ammunition loaded (in factory boxes / appropriate cases)
• Range bag in the car
• Belt and pouches
• Phone charged
• Match book pulled up on your phone or printed
• Squad assignment confirmed
• Address of range pre-set in GPS (most ranges have spotty service)

Pro tips from experienced 3-Gunners

• Color-code your magazines. Marker dots on rifle mags and shotgun caddies so you can spot which is which from across the bay.
• Pre-position pouches on your belt.Don't rearrange between stages — you'll forget where things are mid-stage.
• Carry an extra holster. Holsters fail. A $30 spare in the car has saved many shooters.
• Bring your zero target— the actual target you used to zero your rifle. If something goes wrong and you need to confirm zero on-site, you have a known reference.
• Have a friend test your gear list. Read it aloud while they check off items. Solo packing misses things.

The bottom line

3-Gun rewards preparation. The match itself is hard enough without showing up missing critical gear. Use this list, modify it for your specific setup, and check it twice. The goal isn't just to bring everything — it's to arrive at the range with everything organized and accessible so you can focus on the shooting.

After your first major, you'll add your own items to this list. Everybody's setup is slightly different. The process of identifying and refining your gear is part of getting better at the sport.

Now go shoot fast.