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There has been a fair amount of discussion on the evolution of the game. A good percentage of the time it leans towards the negative side of things. I fully understand and respect both sides of the camp because I've been fortunate enough to experience the game in both it's "old" form and "new" form not only as a shooter but also as a match director. It is a bonafide fact that the game has changed. It's never been easier to start the game right now with gear and knowledge that folks 15-25 years ago didn't have. A couple of weeks ago and old shooting buddy and I were laughing and remembering back when we were all just desperately trying to get our guns to work right and for all our bullets to leave the barrels. Some of my best memories revolve around the struggles of figuring the game out. In my area we had a lot of former buckskinnners and mountain man guys, that was hoot and those guys were fun to watch and a lot of them shot original stuff. To them it was an extension of something they liked to do with a very light hearted competitive atmosphere. The seriousness of the game was reserved for "big matches" and far away places like EOT or WR where a midwesterner could only dream about possibly attending someday. A lot of folks first priorities was to make sure they looked right and like they belonged there when it came to their clothing. I still remember a half dozen of us standing around the guy with the first Codymatic any of us had ever seen. Reactions ranged from "why would you want to do that" to "wow thats cool". The rulebook was tiny (literally) and if you were a gamer you carried a Schofield for reloads on the clock and Blackhawks actually were an advantage for the targets we were shooting in the day. Guys and gals still wanted to win, but it was a desire that you really didn't talk about and almost taboo. I remember one noted local shooter that carried both Vaqueros and Blackhawks to every match and would adjust his category according to who pulled into the parking lot that morning. I think that many of the old timers would agree that we had a larger percentage of established "shooters" in the game. Former bullseye shooters, skeet and trap, ICORE, silhouette etc. Then came the massive influx of new shooters. Many whom had never owned a firearms before or if they did it had gotten very limited use. Targets moved in closer, our rule book got bigger to accommodate the "evolution" of the game and the competitiveness and a lot of the stuff we used to do on the clock faded away. It didn't happen overnight. But it did happen. Sometimes I miss those days. But most of the time I'm pretty content with where we are today and that is largely due to my personal enjoyment of the game outside of the shooting. We need to do a better job of being patient with each other. Both camps. You can't ask folks to have reverence for something they NEVER experienced. And you cannot dismiss the "old timers" who miss the way it used to be done. There is a middle ground there. I'm not sure exactly where it is. But I think it would lead to a healthier game for all of us. But it starts with folks having a better understanding of each other. I don't believe there is a wrong or a right way here. We have rules and those are the boundaries that we play within. And in the end the game is still what YOU make of it.

Trusting a stranger is pretty much unheard of in today's world. That's why this group of cowboys is so special. I found something in Classifieds that I couldn't live without, a little pre-1900 specialty. I contacted the seller, Dakota Fox, and put a PO MO in the mail at lunchtime on Friday, and pm'ed him to tell him. I checked the mail box on Monday, and there it is, waiting for me. It made me feel good that a stranger trusted me enough to send his package before my money arrived. "Stranger" might not be the right word, maybe "friend that I haven't met yet". Anyway, I just wanted to tell others about a stand-up cowboy that I encountered, and would ride the trail with any day. Thanks kindly, Dakota Fox.

Or something like this...

Bravo, Deuce! Well said. I stopped shooting CAS for over 10 years. When I came back I was surprised that things had changed the way they did. For a short bit I darn near quit again and then I decided that all the things I didn't like were not outweighed by the things that I did love about the game. I love the people, the comradery and the fun. Anything that I don't care for just doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

It's a Game. Ask the Founders what it is. I've talked to all of them... even those that are no longer with us. They ALL said that "It's a Game". Shooting is part of the game. We have between 1 and 2 million categories, because it is a game. If you want to really have a shooting competition those are certainly available. I just watched a first class IPSC match that was done on our Cowboy range.... Ha! I'd bet that well over 90% of our shooters couldn't even begin to complete in that match. Yes, we do indeed have some talented shooters, but CAS is a far cry from a real and true shooting sport. Shooting is part of this Game. We call it an action game... but there is very little action in the shooting portion of this game. No run and gun allowed, just stand and shoot, then move and shoot again, virtually never at anything that is hard to hit. All of the action in this game must come from everything else, other than the shooting. I by no means want to see this game become just another shooting sport. In some places it has already become little more than a speed lever or slip hammer competition. That's not sour grapes, and if you know me, you also know that I'm not afraid of competition. I think that it's great..... as long as it's part of the game. With out the game it is just another shooting sport, and the Founders sure didn't want that, and neither do I. Snakebite

Did any of you see the commercials that Dana Delaney will be in a TV series called 'The Code', or some like that. It looked to me like she is serving as a Marine officer (may a JAG). And she is looking better than ever. She and Sharon Stone have long been my favorites. Actually, none of those other starletts were even in the running. YEA..... more Dana. ..........Widder

Well said Deuce! When I look back on my time with SASS, the actual shooting part isn't remembered as fondly as my interactions with my fellow shooters. To me, that is where the fun was! Shooting the breeze with fellow cowboys and cowgirls. Oh sure- shooting was always fun and is what brought us together- but it was the community which kept us together.

I don’t look at the Wire much anymore, but I’m glad I did this morning. I’m the person who years ago coined the phrase “SASS, come for the shootin’, but stay because of the people!” The game has surely changed since I started.......but I continue to have fun. The friendships I’ve made along the way have withstood the test of time and erase any bumps in the SASS shooting road. Thanks Deuce, for being such a great Ambassador for our sport on and off the playing field. While all you said makes sense, game is truly what we make it. See you at EoT!

I started back in the last century - '97 - at the age of 50. Some goofy stuff was done then and after awhile the goofiness diminished. Holding stuff and doing things before saying a starting line is still around. I like both ways and occasionally we still do something goofy. I've slowed down a bunch but can hold my own with the over 70 crowd and even give some of those whipper-snapper seniors fits! I can still run circles around a lot of Cattle Barons! Old Arthur Itis has invaded my wrists and my back gets a little sore after a day of holster wearing. So, it is what it is...you shoot your game and compete as you're able and get out of it what you put in. I write stages and still put up and take down steel. I enjoy shooting with the pards I've known for years and the newcomers who've recently joined and going out for pizza after the match. I'll continue as I am until I just can't any more and hope I can bow out gracefully. JC

Well. Of course not, you can only use them once.

It is being reported that Doolittle's co-pilot, Richard E. Cole, the last surviving Doolittle Raider has passed away. The last goblet will finally be turned. Rest in Honored Peace, Sir.

Just a suggestion after 18 years of reloading commercially and casting all my own bullets used. Be careful on what your doctor says. If they quote CDC stats, know that these stats are for children 12 years of age and under. If you want to know what the adult levels are look for OSHA information for work place blood lead levels. OSHA is not concerned until you get up above 35. After 50 OSHA gets very demanding on what you can and can't do. Around 40 you get advised on what you can do to start lowering the number. Also be careful about looking for some sort of medical drug to remove lead. Most will but some require you to completely remove your self from the lead environment for 3 to 5 years because the drug makes you more susceptible to absorbing lead. My doctor after I asked for a blood lead test turned me in to the Health department and we went around and around until I got OSHA involved and OHSA bacically told the health department they didn't know what they were reading and it referred to children under 12. The letters stop coming and the phone calls stopped from the health department. ============ Wash your hand often. Did not eat, smoke or [put anything in your mouth until your wash. Don't even talk on the phone. I used vibrator tumblers in the shop. They ran 3 hours every day (3 tumblers) I used the Turtle Was Polishing compound which kept the media damp. (not dust) I put my tumbles on a power strip that has a commercial type timer that I set for 3 hours. As I let the shop at the end of the day, I turned the timer on and closed up the shop. After 18 years or reloading, I never had a blood level over 18 and most of the time it was about 12-13. End of day, leave work shoes on back porch. Take off shirt and go directly to the shower. I have my own work towel that NO used but me after being in the shop. This towel wash hand washed in a bucket out in the shop and hung on the fence to dry. (never in the washing mashing) If your kids are under 12 years old, Might want to have them not be in the loading area. Also, more lead is transferred during gun cleaning. Some one above said that the gun cleaning liquid makes the skin more likely to absorb the lead it removes. This is very true. Throw away gloves are a good idea for cleaning. During my years of reloading and casting, I never wore gloves. I did to clean guns.

When I get into discussions on other forums with people who quit SASS because of gun modifications, "mouse fart load", (I hate that term), and "people who are just in it to win". I can't seem to get through to them that there is room in the game for everybody. I play the game with cap n' ball pistols, smoke and soot. That's fun for me. I don't think anybody had more fun than Isom Dart, firing off that 10ga with his heavy Black Powder loads! I enjoy watching the top shooters scorch through a stage, but I don't fool myself into thinking that with any amount of practice, I'll be running with them. Can I become a better shooter? Sure, there's always room for learning and improvement. I always ask folks who complain about the game the way it is now, have you practiced transitions, are you moving as smoothly and quickly as is possible for you between guns. Are they pushing their envelope with a minimum of misses? Do they play out the stage, mentally before shooting it? Do they practice first shot drills? Have they even looked at the free Long Hunter videos on Youtube? Then I find out from those same folks that are complaining that no, they don't practice, their transitions are slow, and they're hobbling around on bad knees, hips, or whatever, and they're not in the running to win anything, anyway. So, why not just play the game however they want, full loads, box stock guns, whatever their druthers. Yes, they say that the game used to be more fun for them. No, they don't want to climb out of bathtubs, run, hop, stumble, across the stage on a stick horse, or shoot from under a wagon anymore. Can we put more "fun" off-the-clock elements back in the game? For sure. As stage-writers, that's up to us to experiment and see what works on a local level, and bring it forward to the bigger matches. But, there is room in this game for any kind and type of shooting. I just don't "get" the root cause for their complaints. But, I will listen respectfully and do what I can to see if I can address their concerns while keeping in tune with what present shooters want and expect.

I've been following the reports of higher than average blood lead levels that have been posted here for the last 15 years. Here's the major ways folks get lead intake when cowboy shooting, roughly in what I estimate to be the worst sources (based upon the number of shooters who have reported on this forum their high blood levels and where and how they shot and cleaned up): * airborne lead at indoor ranges (mostly from primers) - inhaled. This exposure is VERY common, can be VERY heavy, and is the main reason that OSHA has come down hard on public and police indoor shooting ranges, and that we have non-toxic pistol ammunition available. * lead oxides from cases and spent primers dislodged during cleaning - inhaled and possible skin absorption if wet cleaning. Keep dry tumbling out of living areas and non-ventilated spaces. Control dust. Clean the floor. If wet cleaning, dispose of the cleaning solutions (which carry lead) carefully. Wearing a lead-qualified breathing filter helps a lot. MOST hardware-store dust masks are not capable of removing fine lead from your air, however! * airborne lead at outdoor ranges (primers, and shotgun pellets atomizing into "gray clouds" on vertical targets) - inhaled and possible ingestion from fine dust on skin and hair * solvent-carried lead from gun cleaning (both fired primer residue and bore/action of the gun) - skin absorption * poor hygiene during and following shooting - failing to clean hands, face, hair after shooting, cleaning or reloading and before eating - ingestion * casting bullets - low inhalation exposure if properly ventilating the casting area and containing the waste dross from cleaning the lead (which is dusty and easily airborne). Melting lead at normal temperatures (less than 800 F) puts almost untraceable amounts of lead into the air. It's the other operations done while casting that are much more capable of contaminating the operator or clothing. * handling lead bullets while reloading - almost no link to lead uptake Folks who do a lot of ROing often are exposed to much more "range lead" than the shooter who does not work the line. They are right behind 5 or more shooters on every stage - just about where primer residue sprays out of our guns, as well as the exposure they get when running their own guns. Because it is SO hard to find well studied cause-and-effect data for lead uptake in the body, we do have to be a little cautious about all the possible exposure routes. Don't just work on one of the possible exposures and expect that to make a big difference to blood levels. Pay attention to all of them, but there are a lot of us shooting without major problems from lead exposure. So, be cautious but not worried, I would say. Good luck, GJ

Good post! We do need to do a better job of getting along with each other and understanding the two schools of thought on what SASS is and should be. I'm not sure they're reconcilable but I certainly hope they are. The game is definitely what we make of it, and speaking for myself and Shootin Sharyn it's had a profound positive impact on both our lives. We've made a lot of friends, had a lot of fun, and are very grateful for the experiences SASS has provided and will continue to provide.

I'm new to the game, so I don't know how "things used to be." I was under the impression that the game evolved to help many of the aging shooters stay in the game, for example, closer targets with less movement. Or am I missing something? It seems that with all the categories there should be no issue with finding your niche.

I've seen some of the changes myself in my short time playing the game (2003). But ya know what? I was laughing just as hard last Saturday as I was on my FIRST Saturday! And I was doing it with 70 of my best friends.

Black powder ammo used in BP categories must comply with the minimum "smoke factor" regs. The power factor/minimum velocity regs do not apply to shotgun ammunition. REF: SHB p.26 SHB p.27

We shoot the sport of “Cowboy Action Shooting”. Nothing represents the essence of our sport more than “Classic Cowboy” (B-Western notwithstanding). To me, the “Cowboy” in this sport is that Civil war vet who, after the war went west to find a new life with his only possessions on his back or in his saddlebags and found work dragging trail on the Goodnight-Loving Trail and then later on the Chisholm Trail. He is the ranch hand that “Rode for the brand” for the cattle baron who had a big ranch and a good herd. Classic Cowboy is an homage to those hard men who led a hardscrabble life on the back of a horse for twenty five dollars a month and found. You could say that Classic Cowboy is a way for those few short hours on weekends to live vicariously, the lives of those characters in the novels of Luke Short, Max Brand, Louis L’Amour, and others. In shooting “Classic Cowboy” we respect the notion of some of the above reasons and choose a more difficult path in our game by wearing those heavy pair of chaps, putting on those Lindholm spurs, finding your Grandfather’s pocket watch and putting it in your vest, wearing the suspenders, wild rag, and getting the big knife. Then we’ll shoot the big bore because a real cowboy wouldn’t be caught in public with a .38. And because we love a challenge, we’ll do it one handed to boot. Just to see if we can keep up with you. We’ll do it in the summertime; we’ll do it in the wintertime, because that’s what they did. But after shooting “Classic Cowboy” for a number of years, I probably found that the best reward, was not only the afore mentioned points, but it is the camaraderie and respect that develops over time with fellow shooters of the “Classic Cowboy” category.

What a game!

TFJ, from your comments I’d say that you’re a pretty standup pard with priorities where they should be. You recognize that this is a sport or hobby and there are far more important things that come before it. I hope that someday your situation will allow you to attend a multi day match or two and experience it for yourself.

ADDED: This, obviously, is a Facebook find. About three quarters of all the cool stuff I post here is stuff I come across in Facebook. Yes, there are things I don't like about FB, but the benefits far outweigh the bits I don't like.

My Dad’s side of the family is from Canton, China (not Canton, Ohio) so since I started SASS shortly after he passed away & my real name is Chris, I became Canton Chris to honor him.

Hey, If the Virginian can wear the same shirt for 6 years, you can wear the same one for 3 days.

Buckaroo Bubba hinted at it in his point #3: raffle tickets. Big matches give away prizes. Some are from purchased tickets, some are shooter's prizes. In 2000 I won a charcoal blue .357 1873 carbine, which is my main match rifle today. Not that you go to matches EXPECTING to win, but hey somebody's gonna get those prizes! As for myself, I've shot very few "big" matches, but have been to a lot of them when I was on Cimarron's road crew. I used to say that I'd rather be there not shooting than not be there. It was always great to see folks that are from other parts of Texas or the USA that I would only see at the large events. Finances were one reason for not going to shoot matches that required travelling and hotels, but that is going to change. I'm at retirement age now, and while I do have care-giving responsibilites now that limit travel, I do plan to do more as time allows. That's what I was saving for before, so I'd better spend it while I still have my health!

Never shoot a stage that has "Stop, Drop, and Roll" as part of the instructions.

The last time I was involved in anything I thought of as "face time" took place in the back of my 1957 DeSoto station wagon about 1965.

I rarely see a need for me to add to posts that I agree with and already have a bunch of agreeing posts... What would be the point? I enjoy offering contrary positions. How else do we learn if we don't expose ourselves you these opposing arguments? So it's not that I think I right and you're wrong. It's more like you might be wrong and here's why. Regarding this topic of purposely looking to make one's SG rounds as loud as possible, I do take a strong position against it. It serves no purpose other than fulfilling the shooters need to be loud at the detriment of others. Phantom

As a TO; I am there to safely assist the shooter thru the stage (their age is immaterial). If a shooter was having difficulty supporting their firearm or clearing a prop - I would certainly and ALWAYS assist. I have done this for juniors, seniors and all ages in between when a physical condition (strength, endurance or medical) causes a difficulty in safely completing the stage. Equipment difficulties are EXACTLY the same. I have broken open SxS shotguns with sticky firing pins when the shooter was unable. I have reached over and pushed the bolt closed and the carrier up on 97 shotguns when shooters short stroke them and lock up the action. I have advanced cylinders with high primers and pushed cylinder pins back in. The shooter who has equipment challenges to the extent they need the assistance of the TO has already had a bad match; no chance they are winning, but at least they get to finish. There is absolutely ZERO reason for the TO to stand there doing nothing and make the day even worse. Shooters age is immaterial. Match level is immaterial. Choosing to do the right thing is almost always the right choice.

If you have old classic guns, you probably know there are some parts that break, wear out or get lost. Some are impossible to get factory new replacement parts. Any used parts are often worn out or misidentified and are expensive. I have more than several early Marlin 1894 that needed parts that are just not available. Fortunately, Wisner's makes parts for many old guns. They are not cheap but invaluable. These three main springs, three ejectors and one extractor didn't leave enough change from $200 to buy a candy bar. But I've been robbing Peter to pay Paul to keep guns going. This collection of parts will make it possible to have all of them in running condition. Wisner's is behind the times on internet marketing. They don't really have an online store. You about have to call them to place an order. But you get someone that knows their business and will get your parts out to you. http://www.wisnersinc.com/part-catelog/

https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com/Ammunition/Shotgun-Shells/Target-Loads FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS $100 OR MORE! And Rogers Service is Excellent

By the way, it is a very powerful cleaner so you don't use much at all. That gallon will last us for years.

Kids have thinner and more permeable skin than adults. My doctor said my kids were definitely absorbing the dust through their hands although most places say that you can't. Unfortunately, the kids are the ones that are asked to pick up brass and set up targets. I have gloves for them to use when doing that. We also use a product called "gloves in a bottle" when shooting. My doctor tested it and said that it does help prevent absorption. We have also become better at keeping our shooting clothes separated and wash them with a special lead removal soap. We found that it previously wasn't all coming out in the wash. Which caused lead to get into their other clothes and even bedding.

We’re glad you’re back too, PR and having you on our posse at The Cowboys made it even better.

I really appreciate your posts Snakebite. Although we don't always enjoy the same aspects of the game, I for one would not enjoy pouring a shot on the clock, I think we do enjoy enough similar aspects to enjoy shooting together. Hopefully we'll meet one day and I can hear some stories of the good ole days over a few drinks.

Me too! Those were the days, before politicians raped the Second Ammendment.

Yul and Blast, you nailed it! I stopped by Double D’s last night with both of my Vaqueros. After showing him the problem which he confirmed, he pulled out the cylinders of both guns, looked at the three digits etched on each cylinder by the factory (I didn’t know about that), and found I had accidentally switched the cylinders the last time I cleaned them. Problem solved! Thank you everyone! All your suggestions were a good learning experience for me. Long live SASS!

An adventure into cardiac extremes for sure!

I read the editorials, both of them, and the letters. One comment that keeps coming up is that CAS is a game. I agree it is a game. So are football, baseball, basketball, on and on. What do games have in common, well they have winners and losers for one thing. They have rules to establish a level playing field. They are based on a player or team’s skill set in some area, whether it be the ability to hit a ball, catch a pass, shoot a gun, run fast, lift heavy weights, whatever. What most successful games don’t have or at least try to minimize is the element of chance, or characteristics that don’t capture the central aspect of the ‘game’. Chess games don’t have an arm wrestling component, baseball games don’t include a spelling bee, football games don’t include a hand of poker. So what is the central element of CAS? Is it playing poker? Throwing a tomahawk? Looking cowboy? Shooting cowboy guns? Some of the letters contradict the very idea that it is a game, they portray it as if it were just kids playing make believe. Sure make believe is part of it, but is it the central part? Some are just sour grapes, ‘he shoots really fast so that can’t be fun.’ If it’s a game there are going to be winners and losers. People (gamers) are going to work to win (within the rules). That’s the nature of games. This is the only game I know where some contestants disparage others for practicing, thinking strategically, refining their equipment. Is Tom Brady a gamer? Was Michael Jordan? The Iron Cowboy practices basketball every day in hopes of making the HS team. When he shoots a three his toes are almost on the line, is he a gamer? Should he back up several feet to make it harder? When did you last hear a football coach at any level calling his opponent names because he worked harder, trained better, came up with a new better play. I think some who want to handicap top shooters, add non shooting elements on the clock, or introduce chance deliberately, don’t want a ‘game’ at all, they want to dress up, shoot some guns and go home. Fine, then why even bother with a timer? If the competitive aspect, and all that goes with it, bothers you, fine, we all have our druthers, but drop the refrain of ‘it’s a game’ because it makes no sense at all. BTW, I’m not throwing stones either, just giving the view from my saddle.

Having just returned from the Crap Shoot and two carts to get finished and club trophies to build, I’m a little strapped for time this spring but look forward to next year.

I think we need to be very sensitive to new shooters not having the financial ability that some of the veteran (or retired, or both) shooters to go to shoots. We have a new couple at our club that love to shoot. They are young, love the sport, and one is a teacher and one is a social worker still going to school for his Masters. He wants to work with disadvantaged kids and is taking debt and spending time to do it. They are working to get what they need for two shooters. I'm happy we can get them out to a match once a month with all they have on their plate. I hope they can start travelling to other clubs soon.. Making the sport as affordable as possible will help them out. I feel guns are the first thing to spend money on. Get to something comfortable as quick as you can. So long as they are good guns, you can always trade them in for something else with a minimum loss of value for something that feels, or is better. I suggest doing the guns first, then worry (not to much) about clothing. Boots, jeans and a long sleeved shirt are all you need for any age based competition. If you go to a multi-day competition two sets will do if you rotate. A cowboy hat is good to keep hot brass from going down your back. My first one cost me $10 from a thrift shop. Costuming is fun and I won a contest where the object was to reuse and recycle clothing. Most of my early wardrobe came from Salvation Army and Goodwill and that contest was right in my wheelhouse. The next next best costume contest winners, for me, were people that made, from scratch, their own costumes that reflected working people and families from our era of the west. For me, winning a costume contest because you spent the most money does not compare to those that make it from scratch. Costumes are fun, but shooting is the sport.

another advantage on not owning a cell phone

This thread mad me waste 20 minutes looking at Dana Delany pics. Okay not really a waste. But I was supposed to be cleaning guns.

Hey Turkey Flat's Jack!! I guess it's all relative on how you want to see the value. Couple things I noticed and value when attending the State Match: 1) The level of competition. I may shoot in the Top 5ish at our local matches but going to the State Match, you quickly realize that you are not as good as you may think or how much work you need to do in a competition sense. You see how good those guys are! That's a good thing. It pushes you to do better, if that's what you are looking to do. 2) The atmosphere. The first state match we went to I was on Stone Creek Drifter's posse with Multiple National and World Champions, and a SASS Hall of Famer (Lassiter). Little bit of Star Struck. But the greatest folks in the World! 3) When you start breaking down the costs you can see where the money goes. For example, Ohio State, $125 Entry. You get Steak Dinner Friday Night, Side Matches Friday, Main Match Saturday and Sunday, Nice Banquet with Dinner Saturday Night. Very Nice Awards, Nice name badges, Shooter Gift, Tickets to go into the Raffles at the banquet, etc. 4) You support SASS and the host club. You get to be a part of keeping our State Match (or whatever match) successful. 5) The friends you make are priceless. I have met many folks I previously only knew from the Wire or Facebook. 6) It gives you a break from the every day life. Look at the monthly matches you attend, the feeling it gives you. Now multiply that by 3 (days)... 7) **Adding this too.. I get to spend time with my Dad... that alone is Priceless for me** Ultimately, it's like everything else, the way you see the Value is in your own eyes. Yes, the costs can add up but is it worth it to you? If you want, most big matches have camping available, which saves the hotel costs. I don't camp, I like staying at hotels, Air conditioning, showers, etc. (Plus I get to write off the hotels and such being I am Vendor most times). If you don't feel you want to spend the money for a State or above match. Support the annual matches, we are lucky to have Tusco, Sandusky, and OVV relatively close that have annual matches. Value wise you probably get more from certain annual matches. Clothing.. I take like 4 sets of clothes for multiple day matches. Friday Side Match Day (for most), Saturday Shoot, Saturday Banquet, Sunday shoot. Granted I don't go to the extent you do with clothing. Hope that helps.. Turkey Jack!! Bubba

Heiress to a plumbing fortune, courtesy of her grandfather, who invented the Delaney flushing valve - that thing that every man who ever uses a urinal sees on the wall in front of him. It's nice to be financially secure from a young age. https://www.delanyproducts.com/manualflushvalves.html LL

She's hot. One of the reasons I used to love China Beach. JHC

OK, you fellas convinced me. I've shot 45's the entire time I've been in SASS, primarily in GF category. I use traditional leather gear for my 1858 Remmies and shoot a hammered double all the time now. I have all of the required clothing and arms, so this year, I'm officially switching to Classic Cowboy to see what it's all about. Gonna be a ltiile warm wearin' all that stuff in the Texas heat this summer, but hey - maybe I'll lose a couple of pounds....