3 Gun Divisions
3 Gun has a few main divisions: open, tac ops, tac limited, heavy metal ops, heavy metal limited. The different groups that put on 3 gun competitions have slightly different rules, and that’s what we have outlined below.
IMGA and USPSA are the 2 main 3 gun organizations. IDPA also puts on 3 gun competitions with their own set of rules, but they have a smaller following for their 3 gun competitions.
IMGA/IMA 3 gun – International Multi Gun Association – IMGA 3 Gun Rules
– IMGA is not an “official” association, but these are the rules most of the national matches go by (and what most local matches are loosely based on).
USPSA Multigun – United States Practical Shooting Association – USPSA Multigun Rules
– USPSA is an official association, and is one of the major competition shooting organizations. They’re big on pistol, and have embraced 3 gun / Multi-gun.
Below we have compared the main two in table format:
IMGA and USPSA are the 2 main 3 gun organizations. IDPA also puts on 3 gun competitions with their own set of rules, but they have a smaller following for their 3 gun competitions.
IMGA/IMA 3 gun – International Multi Gun Association – IMGA 3 Gun Rules
– IMGA is not an “official” association, but these are the rules most of the national matches go by (and what most local matches are loosely based on).
USPSA Multigun – United States Practical Shooting Association – USPSA Multigun Rules
– USPSA is an official association, and is one of the major competition shooting organizations. They’re big on pistol, and have embraced 3 gun / Multi-gun.
Below we have compared the main two in table format:
OPEN DIVISION
|
Pistol
IMGA USPSA Rifle IMGA USPSA Shotgun IMGA USPSA |
Caliber
9mm min .355 min Caliber .223 min no min Bore Size 20ga min 20ga min |
Power Factor
not calculated 165 major/ 125 minor Power Factor not calculated 320 major/ 150 minor Shot Size Lead only, #6+ shot not spec’d |
Optics unlimited
any Optics unlimited unlimited Optics allowed allowed |
Magazines
170mm max 171.25mm max Magazines unlimited no max Magazines unlimited unlimited |
Bipods allowed allowed Tube Capacity unlimited 10+1 loaded |
Compensator/ Porting
allowed allowed Compensator/ Porting allowed allowed Compensator/ Porting allowed allowed |
TAC OPS
|
Pistol
IMGA USPSA Rifle IMGA USPSA Shotgun IMGA USPSA |
Caliber
9mm min .400 major, .355 min Caliber .223 min no min Bore Size 20ga min 20ga min |
Power Factor
not calculated 165 major/ 125 minor Power Factor not calculated 320 major/ 150 minor Shot Size Lead only, #6+ shot not spec’d |
Optics
not permitted not permitted Optics 1 electrical or optical maximum of one Optics not permitted not permitted |
Magazines
140mm max double stack, 170mm max single stack 141.25mm max double stack, 171.25mm max single stack Magazines Drum mags not allowed no max Magazines tubular only tubular only |
Bipods not allowed not allowed Tube Capacity not more than 9 rounds total 8+1 loaded |
Compensator/ Porting
not allowed not allowed Compensator/ Porting 1″x3″ limit 1″x3″ limit Compensator/ Porting not allowed not allowed |
TAC LIMITED / TAC IRONS
|
Pistol
IMGA USPSA Rifle IMGA USPSA ShotgunIMGA USPSA |
Caliber
9mm min .400 major, .355 min Caliber .223 min no min Bore Size 20ga min 20ga min |
Power Factor
not calculated 165 major/ 125 minor Power Factor not calculated 320 major/ 150 minor Shot Size Lead only, #6+ shot not spec’d |
Optics
iron sights not permitted Optics not more than one non-magnified one non- magnified Optics not allowed not allowed |
Magazines
140mm max double stack, 170mm max single stack 141.25mm max double stack, 171.25mm max single stack Magazines drum mags not allowed no max Magazines tube only tube only |
Bipods not allowed not allowed Tube Capacity 9 rounds total at start 8+1 loaded start |
Compensator/ Porting
not allowed not allowed Compensator/ Porting 1″x3″ limit 1″x3″ limit Compensator/ Porting not allowed not allowed |
HEAVY METAL SCOPE
|
Pistol
IMGA USPSA Rifle IMGA USPSA Shotgun IMGA USPSA |
Caliber
.44 min .400 min Caliber .30 min .308/7.62×51 Bore Size 12ga min 12ga min |
Power Factor
165 165 Power Factor 320 320 Shot Size Lead only, #6+ shot not spec’d |
Optics
iron only iron only Optics 1 electrical or optical Max one Optics not allowed not allowed |
Magazines
10 round max. 140mm max dbl stack, 170mm max single stack 10+1 Magazines 20 round limit 20+1 loaded start Magazines tubular only tubular only |
Bipods not allowed not allowed Tube Capacity 9 rounds total start 8+1 loaded start |
Compensator/ Porting
not allowed not allowed Compensator/ Porting 1″x3″ limit 1″x3″ limit Compensator/ Porting not allowed not allowed |
HEAVY METAL LIMITED
|
Pistol
IMGA USPSA Rifle IMGA USPSA Shotgun IMGA USPSA |
Caliber
.44 min .45 acp Caliber .30 min .308/ 7.62×51 Bore Size 12ga PUMP 12ga PUMP |
Power Factor
165 165 Power Factor 320 320 Shot Size Lead only, #6+ shot not spec’d |
Optics
not permitted not permitted Optics not more than 1 non-magnified iron sights Optics not allowed not allowed |
Magazines
10 round max. 140mm max dbl stack, 170mm max single stack 10+1 Magazines 20 round limit 20+1 loaded start Magazines tubular only tubular only |
Bipods not allowed not allowed Tube Capacity 9 rounds start 8+1 loaded start |
Compensator/ Porting
no allowed not allowed Compensator/ Porting not allowed not allowed Compensator/ Porting not allowed not allowed |
IDPA 3 Gun / Multi Gun – International Pistol Defense Association – http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPA_DMG_rules_07062010.pdf
IDPA is big on pistols. If you already shoot IDPA, this is a good option. If you don’t shoot IDPA, then the IDPA 3 Gun is not the one I would start with. That being said, our local IDPA made up their own rules based loosly on IMGA/ USPSA classes, with a different set of scoring rules.
Non-legal Rifle modifications – all classes: no bipods, no lasers, no extended or over-sized mag wells, and no compensators more than one inch.
Non-legal Shotgun modifications – all classes: no bipods, no lasers, no speed-loaders or detachable box magazines, and no compensators.
Classes:
Stock Service Gun (SSG): Rifle: 5.56×45 (.223) or larger, iron sights only. Shotgun: Pump only in 12 or 20 gauge, iron sights only; 5+1 Capacity. Pistol: Any IDPA SSP legal pistol or revolver using IDPA legal capacity.
Enhanced Service Gun (ESG): Rifle: 5.56×45 (.223) or larger, iron sights or single optic, inline magnifier legal. Shotgun: Pump or semi-auto only in 12 or 20 gauge, iron sights only; 5+1 Capacity. Pistol: Any IDPA legal pistol or revolver using IDPA legal capacity.
Stock Pistol Caliber Carbine (SPCC): Rifle: 9×19 or larger pistol caliber (including .30 carbine) with iron sights only. Shotgun: Pump only in 12 or 20 gauge, iron sights only; 5+1 Capacity. Pistol: Any IDPA SSP legal pistol or revolver using IDPA legal capacity.
Enhanced Pistol Caliber Carbine (EPCC): Rifle: 9×19 or larger pistol caliber (including .30 carbine) with iron or single optic sights, inline magnifier is legal. Shotgun: Pump or semi-auto only in 12 or 20 gauge, iron sights only; 5+1 Capacity. Pistol: Any IDPA legal pistol or revolver using IDPA legal capacity.
Lastly, there is an international 3 gun group, which doesn't govern any competitions in the US: World IPSC 3 gun – International Practical Shooting Association. I have not looked into their rules, so I did not include any information on them.
If you’re serious about 3 gun, pick one of the divisions above, and build your guns to fit both IMGA and USPSA
Find a Local 3 Gun Competition in Your Area