The three basic firearms for Historic 3 Gun started with the 1911 pistol, a lever action rifle in pistol caliber of .40 or larger and a pump shotgun, either a model 1897 or 1912. This has been expanded significantly to allow greater diversity of historic firearms as listed below.

This sport is divided into six Divisions, based on the firearms used. They are:

Traditional

Modern

Doughboy

Ranger

Audie Murphy

Bootlegger

In the Division section, you will see which firearms are allowed in which Division.

HANDGUNS

1911

MODERN 1911

TRADITIONAL 1911

The emphasis of H3G focuses around the 1911. You may shoot it in the traditional manner, one handed or in modern manner, two handed. If you shoot traditional, you must use a traditional military style 1911 or 1911A1. If you shoot modern, you may use a traditional 1911 but you have more leeway in the features you may have on your 1911 (See rules).

The 1911 in 45 caliber, is the authorized handgun in all Divisions. However, the bootlegger Division allows a wide range of other historic handguns including all centerfire service pistols which were originally manufactured by the end of World War 2, including the 1911 45, P-38, Browning Hi-Power, Luger, Broom Handle Mauser, Colt 1902 hammer pocket model. 1911 38 Super/9mm, 1917 Colt, Smith or Webley with shaved cylinder using 45 ACP with full or half-moon clips.

RIFLES

Lever action pistol caliber rifle

The favored rifle for the Divisions requiring a pistol caliber rifle, is the 1873 although there are lots of other choices including the 1866 and 1892. The favored caliber is 45 Colt but 44-40 and sometimes 38-40 are also used.

The pump action Colt Lightning and clones are also allowed in the Traditional and Modern Divisions.

Lever action rifle caliber rifles

Allowed lever action rifles in a rifle caliber are those originally manufactured by the end of WWI. Also allowed are newer rifles that follow the design of an earlier rifle of the required era. (Marlins and Henrys are allowed.) The model 14/141 pump rifles are allowed.

Bolt action rifle

A mil spec bolt action rifle issued by any country by the end of WWII can be used in the Doughboy Division. Rifles, or replicas, maintaining the original specifications that have been re-chambered to a different caliber (i.e. 7.62×51) are also allowed in this Division.

U.S. M-1 carbine

The U.S. M-1 carbine is used in the Audie Murphy Division.

Other rifles

In the Bootlegger Division, all pump action, lever action and semi-automatic carbines in true pistol centerfire caliber originally manufactured by the end of WW2 are allowed. Wood furniture is required. Winchester 1905 S.L. 1907, if downloaded to 1550 fps or less and the Thompson carbine (SBR) allowed. Allowed includes registered full auto Thompson used in semi mode, the Suomi carbine, the M1 carbine in 9mm, and the Henry Homesteader 9mm, resembling a 1905/07 Winchester are allowed.

SHOTGUNS

Both the model1897 and 1912 pump guns as well as the model 1887 lever guns can be used in every Division as long as they are 12 gauge. Military versions of the 1897 and 1912 shotguns are encouraged.

In the Bootlegger Division, all pump and lever action shotguns with wood furniture are allowed. Any legal barrel length in 12,16 and 20-gauge are allowed. Magazine tube may be extended to the end of barrel. Period-correct external chokes are allowed.