Shawn Nelson - Action Gunner

OA 2311 Compact Pro Elite: First Look from SHOT Show 2026

Shawn Nelson January 22, 2026

OA Defense just announced the OA 2311 Compact Pro Elite at SHOT Show 2026. They took the full-size Pro Elite and built a compact version with the same all-metal grip treatment. You can also get it with a ported or standard barrel. This one caught my attention because it’s a feature-rich match pistol in a compact package you can actually compete with. It should run well in Carry Optics or Actual Carry Pistol divisions, and

Best Hearing Protection for The Tactical Games: What Competitors Use

Shawn Nelson January 18, 2026

Hearing protection questions flood TTG Facebook groups constantly. After years as a competitor, lane judge, and media producer at Tactical Games events, I’ve watched what gear actually survives sandbag carries, axle bar work, and full weekends of shooting. Here’s what competitors really use and why TTG demands are different from other shooting sports.

Real Avid Master Gun Vise Review

Shawn Nelson January 10, 2026

A hands-on review of the Real Avid Master Gun Vise after years of use for gunsmithing, AR builds, optic mounting, and even household projects. What works, what doesn’t, and who should skip it.

The Complete 3-Gun Travel Match Checklist: A Competitor’s Packing Guide

Shawn Nelson November 25, 2025

Local 3-gun matches are forgiving when you forget something—you’re surrounded by squadmates who can help, and the stakes are low. Travel matches are a different story. Forget something critical at the Texas 3-Gun Championship and you might be hunting down a sporting goods store instead of walking stages. This checklist breaks down exactly what to pack, how to prioritize your gear, and the hard-won lessons that keep experienced competitors from scrambling at major matches.

The Best Dry Fire Training Systems of 2025

Shawn Nelson July 12, 2023

Your competition gun, a shot timer, and honest self-assessment will always be the foundation. Here’s how the gear stacks up when you’re ready to add to your toolkit. Let’s get something straight before we dive in: you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on fancy electronics to get better at shooting. The world’s best competitive shooters built their skills with an unloaded gun, a timer, and scaled targets taped to a wall. That hasn’t

Gear Breakdown for The Tactical Games: Insights from Elite Competitor Austin Alward

Shawn Nelson February 6, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvRZIDJfrEg For competitors looking to break into The Tactical Games, understanding the gear used by elite-level athletes is a huge advantage. The Tactical Games combines fitness challenges and shooting proficiency, creating unique demands on gear that isn’t just high-performance but also highly adaptable. In this article, we’ll dissect the setup used by seasoned competitor Austin Aylward, who regularly takes the podium in the Elite Division, to help new athletes get a grasp of what gear is

The Best Plate Carrier build-out for The Tactical Games

Shawn Nelson January 24, 2023

The Best Plate Carrier Build-Out For The Tactical Games: A Guide for Competitors Choosing the best plate carrier for The Tactical Games is crucial for competitors seeking to optimize their performance. This guide will walk you through top plate carrier options, plate selections, and key considerations to help you build the ideal setup for The Tactical Games. Oh, and spoiler alert, it’s not very “Tactical”. Understanding Plate Carrier Requirements for The Tactical Games Before diving

The Ultimate Rifle for The Tactical Games

Shawn Nelson November 3, 2022

When it comes to choosing the ideal rifle for The Tactical Games, competitive shooters often find themselves on a journey of continuous improvement. As a member of Team JP, I’ve experienced firsthand the evolution of my rifle setup for this demanding sport. In this article, we’ll explore the process of creating the perfect rifle for The Tactical Games, from initial setups to the final, optimized configuration. The Quest for the Perfect Rifle for The Tactical

2022 Jeff Kirkwold Memorial 3 Gun Benefit Match

Shawn Nelson August 24, 2022

Howard Leight Impact Sport Electronic Earmuffs Reviewed

Shawn Nelson March 4, 2016

As a 3gunner, or participant of any action shooting sports, hearing protection is important. Equally important is the ability to effectively and clearly hear commands from the Range Officer. I’ve tried other brands of “cheap” electronic hearing protection but had been left unimpressed by both build quality and actual function of the electronics. That opinion changed greatly when I gave the Howard Leight Impact Sport earmuffs a chance. The Specs: Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 22

Author: Shawn Nelson