Why Compete?
Competitive shooting does more for your skills than any amount of static range practice. Competition introduces stress, time pressure, movement, problem-solving, and peer comparison that expose weaknesses you didn’t know you had. Competitors improve faster than recreational shooters because competition provides honest, objective feedback that you can’t get any other way. Beyond skill development, competitive shooting builds a community of like-minded enthusiasts who push each other to improve.
3-Gun: The Ultimate Test of Versatility
Three-gun competition requires proficiency with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, all in a single match. Stages mix close-range shotgun targets, mid-range pistol engagements, and longer-range rifle shots in dynamic courses of fire that test transitions between weapons, physical fitness, and strategic planning.
A competitive 3-gun AR-15 typically features a lightweight build with a compensator, red dot or LPVO optic, and extended controls for fast manipulation. The beauty of 3-gun is that it tests practical shooting skills across multiple platforms, making it arguably the most well-rounded test of shooting ability. G2 Precision rifles configured for 3-gun provide the accuracy and reliability that competitive shooters demand.
USPSA and IDPA: Practical Pistol and PCC
The United States Practical Shooting Association and International Defensive Pistol Association offer handgun-focused competitions with different philosophies. USPSA emphasizes speed and points, rewarding aggressive shooting and movement. IDPA incorporates more defensive-oriented scenarios with concealment requirements and tactical considerations.
Both organizations now include Pistol Caliber Carbine divisions, where AR-15 style rifles chambered in 9mm compete. PCC divisions have exploded in popularity because they combine the fun of rifle shooting with pistol competition formats and often reuse existing pistol magazines and ammunition.
Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and National Rifle League (NRL)
For shooters who love long-range accuracy, PRS and NRL competitions test precision shooting skills from 100 to 1,200 yards using practical positions, time constraints, and wind-reading ability. Shooters engage steel targets of varying sizes from positions like barricades, rooftops, and unconventional supports.
These competitions have driven enormous innovation in rifle, optic, and ammunition design. The gear and techniques developed for PRS and NRL competition have filtered down to benefit all precision rifle shooters. A competitive PRS rifle typically runs a heavy barrel, quality trigger, and high-magnification scope, often on a chassis system that provides adjustable ergonomics.
NRL22: Accessible Precision
National Rifle League 22 brings precision rifle competition to the .22 LR platform, making entry into competitive precision shooting dramatically more accessible. The match formats mirror full-bore PRS but at shorter distances with .22 LR rifles. Ammunition costs are a fraction of centerfire, and the reduced noise and recoil make NRL22 welcoming for new shooters. Many serious PRS competitors use NRL22 as a training tool because the fundamental skills of position shooting, wind reading, and mental management transfer directly.
Getting Started in Competition
The best way to start competing is to simply show up. Every major competitive discipline welcomes new shooters, and experienced competitors are overwhelmingly helpful and encouraging to beginners. Most matches allow you to compete with whatever equipment you already own. Start with a local club match, explain that you’re new, and you’ll be guided through the process. The skills you develop through competition will make you a dramatically better shooter, and the community you join will enrich your shooting life in ways you don’t expect. Bring your G2 Precision rifle and discover what you and your rifle are truly capable of.
