Creeker, SASS #43022

Myself, my beautiful wife and my grey beard - cannot stand it long, so I keep it pretty closely trimmed.

Until the LAW is actually struck down and the results codified - I will not be selling handguns to individuals interstate, selling handguns to individuals under under 21 or selling suppressors via 4473 forms. My FFL license is way more important than making a political statement.

Yes, we are competitors and "If" we don't shoot well - we don't have fun. But it was just a monthly match; so you know it wasn't big match jitters or event stress where your focus can get displaced by circumstance. I would suggest you honestly autopsy the match and your mind set to see if there was anything obvious going on that broke your attention - but beyond that; let it go. You ARE an excellent shooter; you did not forget how to shoot or how to prepare for a stage. "If" this distraction persists next match (assuming you don't self sabotage by overthinking this singular event) - then MAYBE would I consider making changes or altering your game plan. But until then - just return to fundamentals (which you have down); break your stage prep and the stage itself into bite size components and don't allow your thoughts to get too far in front of your actions - push back on muscle memory and "think" about every step. When you're at the loading table - each round and each gun is the entirety of your universe. When you're staging - each positioning and placement is the ONLY thing that matters. Mentally we are usually about three steps ahead of where our hands and eyes are - We expect everything will happen as we have practiced and successfully accomplished a thousand times before. And then when something does go wrong; we blame it on losing focus when we were actually just looking in the wrong spot.

33.7 kwh is considered the electrical equivalent to a gallon on gasoline. Home charging costs me about $2.15 per 33.7 kwh. Our battery stores 107 kwh - so a "fill-up" runs about $7.00 This is rated at 325 miles - but realistically is closer to 260 miles - so about 86 miles per gallon equivalent as well. You "generally" don't discharge to zero OR charge to 100% - I try to not go below 10% state of charge or charge past 90% as standard practice so I'm not really spending that amount every time I charge nor am I getting that much potential range. But regardless 86 mpg at $2.15/ gallon makes our decision to go electric seem pretty good right now. Now full disclosure - if we use the electric for a road trip - commercial fast charging (Tesla stations and the like) jump the cost per kwh immensely - not quite on par with gasoline but it closes the gap an awful lot. But unlike gasoline stations - commercial electric stations vary their kwh costs by time of day; if we are traveling and need a charge - I can wait til after 11pm to go to the charging station and save about 40% over the same charge earlier in the day (handy if we arrive at our hotel at a low state of charge). If I have to charge in the middle of the day along the route; I deal with high prices as well.

I will stand wherever I need to, to do my job - even if "my backside" is centered in your photographs - I will stand wherever I need to, to do my job - even if YOU think I'm standing too close to the shooter. My job is to count misses, watch sequences and ensure safe procedures are being followed. And to do so to the best of my abilities - which means I will freely move across the stage as needed or position myself in the optimum placement to best view the stage. You will notice nothing in that description that says that I am, in any manner, obligated to concern myself with the occurrence of photography. Spotters and Timers are imperative to the safe operation of the stage. Claiming that "take a step back and don't block the view" for photos somehow equals "safety" is a ridiculous statement.

Black are pistol ONLY rounds (nickel cases). Red are knockdown rounds (Pistol - 158 grain roundnose). Green are knockdown rounds (Rifle - 147 grain truncated cone). Annual match one time - I managed to drop five ammo boxes off the tailgate - scattered 100's of rounds all over the ground. And while I don't usually bring any nickel cases to an annual - I have done so to use them up in side matches, team events or warm up matches. Having the cases color coded made getting them back into the right boxes and into some semblance of order much easier. Well worth the Sharpies.

Yup. I don't sort brass by brand or brass/ nickel. I load everything up and when I'm putting the loaded rounds into ammo boxes; I will use black sharpie on the case rim to note that is a pistol only round.

Desert Scorpion started shooting CAS at 5 years old. Her very first organized match with the Lone Wolf shooters in Pahrump, Nevada in 2005. She has been my top cheerleader throughout my SASS career and my right hand while I was heading the Eldorado Cowboys. Winning the Spirit of the Game award with her at Castle Gate in Utah. And an awards ceremony at Bordertown. Seems like an awful lot of my best memories from this game have my daughter next to me. Get your children, grandkids, neighbors to come along and make memories - I would not trade anything in the world for the ones we have created.

Yul honored me with one of his fractal burned boxes a few years back. Painted Lady and I have discussed it and determined that whenever it may occur; that box will be the resting spot for my ashes when I pass.

The Rossi 92 is a fine rifle. It is generally NOT competitive on the same level as a tuned Marlin or 1873. But at the right price AND after a trip to Stevez Gunz (Rossi 92 Specialist) - they are very nice guns and a lot of fun to own even if just a range toy, hunting rifle or backup.

The majority has spoken - "most" prefer larger, closer targets. But that simple observation and implementation isn't acceptable to some; they have to create red herrings by claiming because of ONE aspect being preferred - "no challenge" is then allowed, desired or welcome. It is a poor match director who places pistol targets at 20 yards just to create a challenge. But placing those same pistol targets at 3 yards is just as poorly thought out if it is just to create speed. Knowing most prefer closer - the skilled director has to figure out how to have those larger, close targets and still be a fun, interesting and yes, even challenging event. This requires an imagination and a willingness to look at old school aspects and how they might integrate into a modern placement match. This requires looking at options for the shooter interaction with the target array. I always liked giving shooters the "option" to move downrange with pistols OR remain in place and engage from further back - allowing those who felt their skill/ accuracy may outpace another shooters desire to be closer. The use of props, creative starting positions/ requirements, staging or movements. Universal skills usage and simple but interesting sequences. If you provide entertainment for your shooters - silly distances are unneeded - if you bore your shooters; they will believe that distance is the only way to increase difficulty.

Not in a million years

No target smaller than 16x16 Pistol at 3-5 paces (never more than 7) Shotgun at 8 paces (maybe out to 10 if we had a ground cover or splatter issue) Rifle at 10 paces (never more than 15-18) "If" I was using the same targets as downrange pistol targets - then I might set the rifle at 13 paces so we would have a 5-8 pace downrange movement.

They should be easy to see - certainly no risk of a lot of other shooters being at the match blocking the view. 😁

And this, boys and girls, is EXACTLY the way the promotion of a shoot should start. A minimum YEAR in advance - tell folks about the shoot; let us get excited by the event. I never understand when the first mention of a shoot on the wire is three weeks before the event. Tell us where we can find information about the match; your website, Facebook and the Wire. Then start giving us teasers - intrigue us with hints about the match philosophy, the side events, the awards ceremony. Give us OTHER reasons to come to your shoot - what else is around there to explore, discover or enjoy when we are NOT shooting. After the match is written - share some specifics; target sizes, distances, sequences and movement (not necessarily everything mind you, but build anticipation). Tell us about lodging, restaurants; inform us about the evening events on the range (potlucks, poker tournament, movie night, night shoots, trap shoots, musical jam sessions). I wish you guys the best of luck. Now I'm off to see how far it is to Cleburne Texas