If your family lives in the Virginia area and you're looking for something to do next weekend, the 2016 3-Gun Nation Championship and Shooting Sports Expo is an exciting way to spend the weekend. What is 3-Gun? Simply put, it's a sport in which competitors use three different firearms—a modern sporting rifle, a pistol and a shotgun. Participants compete in matches with various “stages” or scenarios in which they must engage targets using one gun or multiple guns in a specific sequence. Next weekend's event is special for a number of reasons: First, you can come to observe or even shoot as an amateur—no invitation or 3-Gun Nation membership required. Second, there's more than just competition: There will be off-road vehicle showcases, a vendor row, live-fire demonstrations, product testing and more, so your whole family will be entertained. Held at Virginia International Raceway from Oct. 7 to 9, the event features several levels of competition from amateur and semi-pro to professional shooters. The three days of action includes the Nationals Championship, Pro Series Championship, inaugural 3-Gun Nation Shotgun Nationals.
Throughout the weekend, competitors will test their skills on VIR’s NRA-approved traditional ranges, shoot-house and natural terrain areas for courses of fire. VIR boasts a wide array of shooting facilities, including seven ranges varying from 50 to 1,000 yards and a Tactical Training Complex encompassing a simulated urban environment, live fire shoot-house and classroom. Everyday shooters of any skill level can enjoy hands-on training and even challenge family, friends or business associates to official skeet competitions on National Skeet Shooting Association-approved courses throughout the year.
New to 3-Gun? No sweat! 3-Gun Nation is introducing its inaugural 3-Gun Nation Shotgun Nationals, presented by Nordic Components. It's open to the public; entry is $75 and the event features $5,000 in cash prizes. The six-stage shotgun “side match” will be held over the course of the weekend. For more info on competing, visit 3gunnation.com/event_details?id=29570.
Prefer to root on some of the top shooters in the country? The headlining 3-Gun Nation Nationals, presented by Freedom Munitions, will feature 250 sharpshooters competing in all equipment divisions and level classifications over two days. There's also Pro Series Championship finals, called the “NRA Sports’ 3-Gun Nation,” presented by Lucas Oil. Participants will take aim in the semifinals Friday night and those who advance to the final eight will square off Saturday in one of the most exciting events in all of practical shooting—the 3-Gun Nation Shoot-Off. The 3-Gun Nation Shoot-Off is a man-versus-man tournament that will crown the overall Pro Series champion and winner of the coveted $50,000 cash prize sponsored by NRA Sports.
Fans can purchase tickets for the 3-Gun Nation Championship and Shooting Sports Expo weekend at the VIR gate for just $10 daily. Children 16 and under are admitted free of charge with a paying adult, and parking is also free. Active military are admitted free of charge and veterans receive a 50 percent discount with valid military ID. For more information, visit www.virnow.com or www.3gunnation.com.
Image from 3-Gun Nation's Facebook page.
