July 2026
Multi-gun, aka 3-gun, sits squarely in the middle of the action-shooting spectrum. It's more dynamic than USPSA—bigger stages, longer target distances, three guns instead of one, and a looser approach to stage design that often works in natural terrain. Run n gun is the true outlaw end: sprawling courses, stretched-out distances, gear that lives on your body instead of in your truck, and anything goes—mid-stage fitness challenges, mind games, and improvised props stacked on top of the shooting.
I got into multi-gun because I had a hunch it would be good training for RNG. It’s got comparable stage design and there’s a 2-gun division that lets me replicate RNG even closer. It’s basically the gun without the run. Since I don’t have the land to run and gun at the same time, I’m thinking that a monthly match plus my weekly running routine will be a solid combo to stay fit for RNG. But unlike run n gun, you can’t walk around with a hot pistol. I almost got DQd for that. Here’s what else I learned:
3-Gun Fun – 54 rounds in 24 seconds
Lesson 1: The cheapest way to ‘practice like you play’
RnG matches can be rare and far between. You wait months for one, then drive hours to get to it. 3-gun happens regularly, at the same local range, which means actual reps — the kind you can build on instead of a once-a-quarter fire drill. Here’s the part that surprised me: the match fee is less than you’d pay for range time at the same facility. And instead of a flat lane, you’re shooting professionally designed, dynamic stages with props and reactive targets — easily 50k worth of infrastructure you’d never build yourself. Add in a squad of people better than you, immediate feedback, and a community that wants you to get better, and it’s hard to find a better return on a range fee.
Lesson 2: Shoot the stage smart, not hard
How to shoot a Texas Star
Clear the easy stuff first. Don’t burn time and ammo on the hard targets before you’ve banked the guaranteed points.
If you’ve never shot a spinner, save it for the end when possible. On a Texas star, start at the top and work down — it introduces less spin than starting low. When it does spin, don't chase the plates around – pick one spot and let them come to you. For spinners specifically, run heavier grain ammo and aim toward the ends of the plates.
Shoot quick follow up shots – if you shoot the same plate when it’s already swinging toward you, you’re killing the momentum you need.
Lesson 3: The rules aren’t 1:1
At run n gun, walking around with a mag in and a round chambered is standard. This match, a jumpy competitor started chirping me and called the director over to get me DQ'd for it. The director let it slide with grace for the new guy, let me fix it, and I finished the match. I learned to operate conservatively until I know the local norms. Turns out they can differ more than expected.
I also learned one reason that they avoid hot pistols is in case you go prone – that could result in pointing a loaded gun at the people behind you. Hadn’t thought of that. Another safety tip I got: if you keep your off-hand on your chest while running between targets, you can maintain mobility while ensuring you don’t move your hand in front of your muzzle.
Lesson 4: Gear priority
Gloves. Tearing down stages at the end of the day without them is splinter city, and probably tetanus. Your belt, with pouches, is the single most important piece of gear besides your guns. In 2-gun, I’ve survived with one rifle mag pouch, and 2 pistol mag pouches. The stages that require you to start with the gun unloaded effectively reduce your mag storage capacity because one doesn’t start in the gun. You could also come across a pistol heavy stage that eats more than 2 mags. All that to say, a 3rd pouch would be clutch and I’ll probably get one. 27rd Glock mags are within the length requirement, and that’s what I’m running.
Some links here are affiliate links — if you buy through one, we get a cut at no extra cost to you. We'd recommend the same gear either way.
Mechanix Wear M-Pact Tactical Glove
Esstac Enhanced Shooter's Belt
McDavid Hex Knee Pads
Staccato 2011 P 9mm
You do not need a chest rig. Your truck holds the ammo and gear you’ll need in future stages.
Solid shoes and kneepads. You’re getting in and out of positions on varied/rocky ground
A sun hoodie.
Mags.
Bags to keep ammo and gear organized in the trunk. Efficient and satisfying.
FINALLY
A lesson learned on ammo: fancy 77grain ammo doesn’t guarantee you easy long range shots. I was humbled. Time to stop messing around and learn.
Multi-gun won't replace run n gun, but it's the best training I've found for it, and I don't have to wait five months to shoot it. I'll be there next month.
