What kind of gear will I need?
What kind of gear you will need or want will be quite different depending on what your activity entails and your individual preferences. Personal protection and self defense are very different from Multi-Gun shooting competitions and because of this, optimal gear will be quite different for each.
While the following information is useful, it is a general guideline intended to give you a place to start. It is not a complete list of everything you may decide you need or want. After you have an idea it is a good idea to do some personal research and get what you feel will work best for you. Be ready to find out your first choices in some areas may not work out and you may choose to make changes. Example: It is very common for someone to get a few holsters before they find the one they like best.
If you don't understand why the commonly identified kind of gear fits a specific activity, it is recommended that you do some research into that to help you understand why the basic guidelines that follow are the way they are.
The selection list in the next section is available to jump to the areas of your interest or focus. If you are new to firearms, it is suggested that you start by taking a quick look at the common items first then moving on from there.
Common items for all firearms
- Cleaning supplies for your specific firearm(s)
- There are lots of options for cleaning supplies and lots of advice on how to clean your firearm. Make sure to get items that are designed for your firearm and find some instruction on how to use it.
- Storage (cabinet, lock-box, safe, etc.)
- Even if you live alone it is a good idea to secure any firearm that is not directly in your possession. This will help insure that should anyone gain access to your home your firearm remains secure.
- Hearing protection
- Firearms are naturally noisy, very noisy. In order to prevent hearing damage you will always want to wear hearing protection while involved with any kind of shooting activity. Quality electronic hearing protection is especially nice to have.
- Eye protection
- When you go out to practice or do any other shooting activity you will want to wear eye protection.
- Holster
- While not truly needed for a trip to the range or ownership, a good holster a very usful item to own for a variety of reasons. Finding a quality holster that you like may take a few tries, so don't be discouraged if you feel the need to try more than one.
- Extra Magazines
- Not all firearms need magazines. For those that do, they are another very nice to have and highly recommended item. Especially useful for practicing at the range.
- Ammo can
- Both a good location for storing your spare ammunition at home and taking extra ammunition to the range.
- Range bag
- A basic range bag is very useful for keeping your gear together and trips to the range. Bag choice and features will depend highly on preference and the kind of range activities you will participate in, such as competitions.
Personal Protection (outside the home)
- Cell Phone
- Should something happen you will want a way to contact the authorities and report the issue as soon as possible.
- Trauma Kit
- It is a good idea to know how to treat a traumatic injury and have the means to do so. There are several ways to carry emergency medical gear, on your ankle, in a pocket (cargo pants work well for this), in a carry pack, etc.
- Pepper Spray
- Having an option between a harsh word and a gun is a good idea. Pepper spray used properly and at the right time can avoid the need for using a firearm.
- Holster
- If you are going to have a firearm to defend yourself you should carry it properly. A quality holster will not only keep your firearm safe but will provide the most comfortable option for having a firearm on you.
- Defensive Ammunition
- There are several different types of ammunition. The right kind will provide the highest chance to stop an attacker quickly and reduce the risk to others that may be in the area of the attack.
- Flashlight
- Even a small and somewhat low output flashlight can make the difference between seeing a threat before you get attacked and being ambushed. Of course the brighter the better, and flashlights are very handy to have around in darker conditions.
- Knife
- While not typically something that many qualified instructors recommend for actual self defense, they are very useful as a tool, and can be part of a self defense plan if you are well trained.
Home Defense
- Flashlight
- If it is dark when something happens, you will want to be able to see what is happening and who is there. If someone enters your home you best be sure they are a real threat if you choose to act with lethal force. (What if it is a child stopping by unannounced?)
- Trauma Kit
- Being at home, you should consider having a quality and well stocked trauma kit. It should be in a well-known and easy to get at location.
- Rapid Access Safe
- A firearm should still be protected from inappropriate access, but should something critical happen, you will want to be able to get at your firearm quickly. A good rapid access safe can accomplish this.
- Weapon Light
- Always a good option for a home defense firearm, but be sure to train with it so that you don't point your firearm at something that you shouldn't be.
- Knife
- While not typically something that many qualified instructors recommend for actual self defense, they are very useful as a tool, and can be part of a self defense plan if you are well trained.
- Body Armor
- This is a nice to have item, but to be realistic, you are unlikely to be able to get this out and properly on before the need for it happens.
Hunting
- Hunting Information
- Hunting is a very complex topic. As such there is a page dedicated to that topic that will cover information and some gear suggestions.
Competition Shooting (common items)
- Appropriate Apparel
- There are good choices for different kinds of competition needs. Make sure to select the proper, Shirt, Pants, Belt, Jacket, Hat, etc. Example: For a 3 gun, they tend to be more athletic in nature and a common tactical outfit may work, but may not be ideal.
- Weather Considerations (Sunscreen, Hat, Raincoat, etc.)
- Many competitions will be held outside where weather needs to be considered. Sunburn is unpleasant, rain and cold can be miserable. Worse yet, heatstroke/heat-exhaustion, or hypothermia can be downright dangerous.
- Hearing protection
- Some forms of competition have different conditions that may benefit from specialized hearing protection. This includes everything from classic style with electronics to advanced in ear electronic options.
- Eye protection
- Similar to ear protection, there are different options for eye protection that can make competition more comfortable.
- Shot Timer
- A personal Shot Timer is not for use in a match, but is very useful as you prepare for a match. Practicing with a shot timer, duplicating the competition format, will help prepare you for an actual competition.
- Snacks and Drinks
- Many competitions will last quite a while, having something to eat and drink can make the experience go much smoother. In more intense competitions (multi-gun) it can be a good idea to have electrolyte sports drinks.
- Firearm maintenance tools or toolkit
- You don't have to be a gunsmith to take good care of your firearm, but it is still a good idea to learn how to do basic maintenance past just cleaning your firearm. Should you need to replace a broken extractor in your AR-15 or drive out a stuck shell in your pistol.
- Gun oil
- In a pinch, even a dirty firearm will often operate if properly oiled. Of course a clean firearm properly oiled, will work even better.
- Competition Specific Ammunition
- Match quality ammunition that is tested with the firearm is a very good option to improve your results. Though it does tend to also cost extra to aquire.
Marksmanship (Traditional, Precision, Long Range, Pistol, etc.)
- Marksmanship Capable Firearm
- Marksmanship style competitions can involve a precision rifle (Bolt Gun/Gas Gun) or a precision shooting pistol, or other options, depending on the specific competition.
- Ballistic Solver
- When allowed in a competition, this is a very handy item for helping identify the details needed for very long shots.
- D.O.P.E. (data pad and pen)
- A pen and notepad to write data/information, especially if it includes D.O.P.E. (Details On Previous Engagements) will be very useful for long range shooting competitions.
- Binoculars/Rangefinders/Attachments
- Long range shooting benefits highly from having these items. When allowed by the competition, knowing your target and the range it is at is very useful information.
- Shooting Bags/Bipod
- Not all Marksmanship style competitions allow bags or bipods, but when allowed they are very nice to have.
- Pack to Carry Gear Throughout the Match
- Some competitions required you to pack all your gear on you during the match (rucksack style), having a good backpack for this can be a lifesaver (figuratively of course).
- Sling
- Not all Marksmanship style competitions allow slings, but they are common for many different types of precision rifle competitions.
Practical or Action Shooting (Multi-Gun)
- Firearm(s) for the specific competition
- With several different types of action shooting, the firearms required can be quite different. Understand the specific competition to know what you need to have.
- Belt
- Most action shooting sports will require a quality belt. Regardless of if it is used to holster your pistol or for ammunition or other items used during the match, a quality belt is worth having.
- Holster and/or Sling
- A good holster that is reliable and quick to draw from is essential for action shooting with a pistol. In like manner, a quality sling, when appropriate for the competition can make the difference between success and failure.
- Extra Magazines (or other reloading option... speed loader)
- Reloading, especially in a hurry is a VERY common task in an Action Shooting competition. Of course, magazine pouches for your belt will also be needed for this to be as efficient as possible.
- A way to carry gear and supplies
- Sure a good range bag will accomplish this, but sometimes (and some people) would like a better option. Many people choose to acquire or build a cart to carry their gear.
- Shotgun items
- Multi-Gun (or 3-Gun) will have courses of fire specifically for shotgun. There are a lot of gear options for this, see the Shotgun section here for some information.
- Additional items
- There are many other items that may be of interest, dump pouches, chest rigs, shooting gloves, specialty shooting safety glasses (amber, rose, etc.), and many more. As you do your research and start participating in competitions you will find what works for you.
Shotgun
- Competition Specific Shotgun
- Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, and Tactical Shotgun competitions each have different requirements and there are different kinds of shotguns that are required or ideal for each.
- Shell Carrier(s)
- There are lots of options, shell belt, shell vest, chest rig, twin load or quad load caddy. Each has uses and benefits for different competitions and situations. Pick the one that works for your competition type and needs.
- Chokes and Choke Wrench
- Being able to setup your shotgun with the correct choke for the stage you are on is a very useful activity.
- Match Saver or Stage Saver
- Especially useful for 3-Gun and tactical shotgun stages. Used when you slip up and need a shell in a hurry.
- Sling
- Most types of shotgun competitions don't require a sling, but it may be appropriate or even required for tactical shotgun matches.
Other Kinds of Matches
If you are interested in a competition type that is not listed here, just do your research and find out what kind of gear is best and what other competitors recommend.
As noted, this is just a quick look at the kinds of gear that is commonly known for some of the types of shooting sports that are out there. If you are planning to compete, you will need to decide what, if anything, in this list is of interest. You will also likely find additional items not listed that others highly recommend.
As always, should you choose to get some of the suggested gear, there are good items and/or brands and not-so-good ones. Do yourself wise and make sure to try as best as you can to find items that work and are in your budget... some items may not be cheap.