Practical Pistol Show 24 - 3 Gun is Dumb

Published on March 28, 2015
Duration: 30:46

This episode of the Practical Pistol Show features Ben Stoeger and Chris Shano discussing the sport of 3 Gun. They analyze an article comparing 3 Gun to CrossFit, touching on its high entry cost, the camaraderie among competitors, and the variability of match rules and stage designs across different regions and organizations. The conversation delves into what constitutes a 'good' and 'fun' stage design, emphasizing elements like diverse shooting challenges, viable strategic options, and avoiding overly punitive or frustrating setups. They also discuss practice methodologies, with Ben advocating for scenario-based practice and Chris preferring a more fun-oriented approach with varied drills.

Quick Summary

A good stage design in competitive shooting offers diverse challenges, multiple viable strategic options, and poses a mental problem for the shooter to solve. It should test technical skills without being overly punitive or frustrating, allowing for different approaches to be competitive. Conversely, stages that are overly reliant on inducing penalties or lack strategic depth are generally considered 'bad'.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction and Guest Chris Shano
  2. 01:01Article: 3 Gun is the CrossFit of Shooting Sports
  3. 02:11Chris Shano's Perspective on 3 Gun
  4. 03:02Regional Differences in 3 Gun Matches
  5. 04:04Critique of 3 Gun Nation and Rule Sets
  6. 05:31The State of Multi-gun Rules
  7. 07:09Simplicity of Scoring in 3 Gun
  8. 08:53Is 3 Gun Scoring 'Dumbed Down'?
  9. 09:57What Gets Chris Shano Excited About 3 Gun?
  10. 10:30Defining 'Goofy Stuff' in 3 Gun
  11. 11:15Is 3 Gun Educational or Humorous?
  12. 12:40What Makes a Good Stage Design?
  13. 14:04Ben Stoeger on Good Stage Design Principles
  14. 15:58Examples of Bad Stage Design
  15. 18:02Match Balance and Stage Diversity
  16. 18:36Hidden Targets and Memory Stages
  17. 20:15Final Thoughts on Stage Design
  18. 22:18What Makes a Good 3 Gun Stage?
  19. 23:02Enhanced Penalties and Distant Targets
  20. 24:34Impractical Stage Demands
  21. 25:27Practice Evolution in USPSA
  22. 26:44Chris Shano's Practice Approach
  23. 29:58Where to Find Chris Shano Online
  24. 30:32Where to Find Ben Stoeger

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main criticisms of 3 Gun competition?

Criticisms of 3 Gun often center on its high cost of entry, requiring multiple firearms and extensive gear. Some also view formats like 3 Gun Nation as 'dumbed-down' for television, lacking the technical depth of other shooting sports. The variability in rules and stage design across different matches can also be a point of contention.

What makes a stage design 'good' in competitive shooting?

A good stage design offers diverse shooting challenges, presents multiple viable strategic options for the shooter, and poses a mental problem to solve. It should test technical shooting skills without being overly punitive or frustrating, allowing for different approaches to be competitive.

How does practice change as a shooter progresses in disciplines like USPSA?

As shooters advance, practice typically shifts from basic skill drills like drawing, shooting, and reloading to more complex, scenario-based practice. This involves stringing together multiple skills and focusing on problem-solving within a stage context, rather than just isolated fundamental actions.

What are common examples of 'bad' stage designs in 3 Gun?

Bad stage designs often involve setups that are overly punitive, such as placing no-shoots behind critical targets or making distant targets have excessively high penalties for misses. Stages that are repetitive, lack strategic options, or are designed solely to frustrate shooters are also considered poor.

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