Competition Guns
Competition shooting demands more from a firearm than defensive or hunting use—better triggers, tighter tolerances, enhanced ergonomics, and the reliability to run thousands of rounds per season without issue. Whether you’re shooting IPSC or USPSA, 3 Gun, cowboy action, bullseye, or long-range precision, the right competition platform makes a measurable difference in performance and enjoyment. We carry competition-ready pistols, rifles, and shotguns from the brands that dominate the podium, with options for every discipline and budget.
Read our full Competition Guns Buying Guide ↓
IPSC and USPSA Pistols
Production and Carry Optics divisions are the most accessible entry points for new competitors, requiring a stock or lightly modified pistol. The Canik SFx Rival, Sig P320 X5 Legion, and CZ Shadow 2 are among the most competitive Production and CO options. Limited division opens the door to custom 1911 and 2011 platforms from Staccato, SVI, and STI. Open division allows compensators, optics, and high-capacity magazines—the most specialized and equipment-intensive of the IPSC pistol disciplines. Start in Production or CO before investing in Open equipment.
3 Gun Competition
3 Gun requires a pistol, rifle, and shotgun that can be run fast and reliably through dynamic stages. For the rifle, an accurate AR-15 with a quality trigger and reliable magazine feeding is the foundation. For the shotgun, a semi-automatic like the Mossberg 940 Pro or Beretta 1301 Tactical dramatically reduces stage times compared to a pump gun. For the pistol, a full-size or competition-tuned 9mm with a red dot covers most 3 Gun divisions well. Start with equipment you already own and upgrade as you identify specific performance gaps.
Cowboy Action Shooting
Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) and Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) matches require period-correct firearms: single-action revolvers, lever-action rifles, and side-by-side or exposed-hammer shotguns. The most common setup is two single-action revolvers, a lever-action rifle in the same pistol caliber, and a double-barrel or exposed-hammer pump shotgun. .38 Special and .357 Magnum are the most popular CAS calibers due to their mild recoil and wide platform availability. See our Henry and Marlin pages for lever-action options.
Target and Bullseye Shooting
Bullseye and precision target shooting prioritize accuracy above all else—a smooth, consistent trigger pull, excellent sights, and a barrel that delivers tight groups are the essentials. The 1911 platform in .45 ACP is the classic bullseye pistol, with decades of proven competition performance. .22 LR rimfire pistols like the Ruger Mark IV Target are the standard for entry-level and rimfire precision competition, offering low cost per round and minimal recoil for developing technique. A quality trigger job is often the single most impactful modification for bullseye competitors.
Long Range Competition
Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and similar long-range competitions require a chassis-stocked bolt-action rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, .308, or similar cartridge, capable of consistent sub-MOA performance. The Bergara B-14, Ruger Precision Rifle, and Tikka T3x are among the most competitive factory options at accessible price points. A quality first-focal-plane scope with a reliable zero stop, a stable bipod, and consistent match-grade ammunition are the other essential components. See our Bergara page for one of the best value precision rifle options available.
Related Pages
Browse our handguns page for competition pistol options, our rifles page for competition rifles, or our shotguns page for 3 Gun and cowboy action shotgun options. See our 1911 page for bullseye and IPSC Limited division platforms.