Creeker, SASS #43022

@Idaho Gunslinger Thank you - wasn't sure anyone actually reads all the stupidity I post. I do believe we are in the entertainment business - but I don't "necessarily" believe we are in the Buffet business. What do I mean? If you round up the family and truck them over to the local casino buffet, Golden Corral or Old Country buffets - it is on the premise that everybody gets what they want. But let's face it - Buffets are compromises and NEVER anyones FIRST choice. To "allow" every shooter to begin every stage in position of choice, with gun of choice, engage from either end on every target array - "to me" is a Buffet shoot; an inoffensive compromise that serves everyone but pleases few. So to avoid the Buffet match - I made a conscious decision to look at EVERY stage, EVERY match from the viewpoint of a lefty, of a righty, of a SxS shooter, of a 97 shooter - from the perspective of a black powder shooter, a tall person and a short person - from a gunfighters ideal, from a supported or duelist. And then I had to decide - can I do this action, this movement, this sequence equitably between all the different equipment, styles, propellants, ages, body types here? Can I do it safely and will it be fun? Notice I say equitably - I hate the word "fair" because the world is inherently unfair. Some are blessed with longer legs - some with better reflexes and some with better cognitive recall. The only "fair" stage would one with no movement between positions to eliminate the advantage of faster runners. The only "fair" stage would start your time upon the first shot fired to eliminate those able to better react to the beep. The only "fair" stage would be one with 10 round dumps to eliminate need for recall and memory. But we would tire of this quickly. So on some stages - there were always decisions made that might compromise a certain shooting style choice, equipment choice or hand dominance - but I did so because I felt the stage was more "entertaining" with certain conditions placed upon it. But if I compromised one way on a given stage - I would attempt a suitable recompense on another. Admittedly I wrote SOME "Buffet" stages - but mostly I attempted to write interesting, entertaining stages that sometimes moved shooters left to right and sometimes right to left - I placed more value in equitable stages within the whole of the match than making every stage equitable within itself. My preferred stages often involved "zig zag" movements that combined left to right with right to left and/ or included downrange movements. Or shotgun intensive hallway stages that required firing from windows/ doorways on both sides - alternatingly advantaging and disadvantaging the shooter depending upon which shoulder you fire from. But a steady state of three lateral position stages with pistol, rifle, shotgun - begin with sg or pistol - engage targets from either direction... It may be somewhat "fair" but if I am forced to choose between fair and entertaining? I believe the word Match Director means I was entrusted to direct my shooters actions; guide their match in a given way that provides for a cohesive match. More of a fine dining experience where you experience a meal by courses served than a free for all buffet where you serve yourself. They will both feed you - but they are not the same. I had only three tenets as a Match Director. It has to be safe. It has to be entertaining/ fun. If it's not safe or fun - FIX IT. @Blackwater 53393 I too am a lefty and have had your same conversations with many a match director. But as only approx. 10% of the population is left handed - I don't expect equal accomodation. (and since us leftys grew up in a right handed world - a number of us are going to be better versed in the rightys world than they in ours).

I am not a machinist in any way, shape or form - but I have often wondered "why" with modern cad/ cam machines that no one has taken the Winchester model 62 22 LR design and put it into the Xerox machine to "upsize" it to a 38 special platform. Obviously there would be some slight design changes to accommodate centerfire and not everything would require a % for % upsizing - but we know the 62 design works. If I had the know how and equipment - I would try.

My Mom is a wise, strong woman. My Dad was a wise, strong man. I was and am very lucky to have had the parents that I did.

Howdy Widder, My "feeling" is that a pistol target would remain a pistol target for the duration of the stage. I acknowledge that the Texas Star is a "different" kind of pistol target - but it remains a pistol target.

I forgot about another one. Almost every interaction you have contains within it the possibility of a positive outcome or a poor outcome. And YOU are the only common denominator in every one of these interactions. So If you are continually experiencing poor outcomes - perhaps you need to look at what you contribute.

Our pistol sequences are first 5 shots/ 2nd 5 shots. And even if pistols are split by position or another firearm. Shooter ALWAYS has the OPTION to continue the shot count with their pistol of choice. IF the shooter does not intend to reload or "complete" the string - the shooter may accept their "misses" anywhere in the sequence. Continuing in order offers the OPTION to EITHER reload OR accept the misses at the end of the 2nd 5 round string. Skipping to the 2nd five pistol rounds means the shooter is accepting the "misses" at the end of the 1st 5 round string. (reloading and going back to the end of the 1st 5 round string is likely inviting a "P" depending upon stage written options). Remember - only GUNFIGHTERS are forbidden from holstering after beginning a pistol string. All others are free to shoot 2 out of one - holster. Shoot 1 out the other - holster. Back and forth until complete. So picking up the sequence with a differing pistol after X number of rounds is no issue.

You have to look at the instructions. AND You have to look at the results. With 1st five pistol rounds - sweep the 5 pistol targets. Shooter did that - no issues. With 2nd five pistol rounds - engage the Texas Star. Shooter shot at the 5 static pistol targets again. IF the shooter "missed" all five of these shots (missed meaning NO pistol target was struck; it's immaterial where they might be aiming) - No Call. (since the stage writer is giving the option to correct Texas Star pistol misses with shotgun - pistol misses on the Star obviously are not counted) IF the shooter struck "any" of these static pistol targets; (they are still pistol targets - striking any assigned firearm target with the assigned firearm out of order is a "P") Assign Procedural. Shooter has the OPTION to engage any Texas Star plates with shotgun. So at the END of the stage - assess 1 miss per Texas Star plate that remains. I am reading this as shooter didn't knock off any Texas Star plates with their pistol - I have no idea if they cleaned it up with shotgun after. So IF they neglected to clean up with shotgun AND missed every round out of the 2nd five pistol. 5 Misses. IF they neglected to clean up with shotgun AND struck any static target with their 2nd five pistol. 1 Procedural. 5 Misses. IF they DID clean up the Star with shotgun but struck a static target with their 2nd 5 pistol. 1 Procedural No Misses. IF they DID clean up the Star with shotgun AND did NOT STRIKE a single static target with their 2nd five pistol. Clean Shooter. Next...

My Mom taught me many things (and fortunately is still around to continue imparting wisdom). Stand up for what you believe is right - even if it's not popular. Life is too short to carry around hate and anger without reason. If you are forced to fight - fight to win. If the choice is between eating steak while staying home or eating bologna while on an adventure. Eat bologna. The only thing you get to keep are memories. And If you're making payments on something; a car, a home, whatever - you will always be unhappy on payment day. Make sure you pick something that you will love every other day.

I carry about a dozen on me; but for three different businesses. But I generally have a few hundred of each in a box in my car. When you hand out "all" of them from your person - you reload from the car.

Thank you. There is also a small but dedicated contingent on the Wire that eschew nuance for absolutes; simply so they may create a strawman that they can then claim insulted them. If someone wants a wall hanger souvenir with their SASS number on it - buy one. If someone wants to participate in a competition game with non competitive equipment - feel free. (I would encourage all gunfighters to grab a Big Boy asap) But as I have always considered myself an advocate for shooters and I have always lobbied for shooters to have access to and knowledge of their best options - I will not stand silently by and listen to erroneous claims that certain choices (assuming you "go slow" and "deliberately") are just as valid as other choices. I reject the premise that because of subjective reasons; (USA made, warranty or community support) option A is just as suitable as option B within the context of a timed speed event. You can eat ice cream with a fork if you want to - but telling someone that a fork is equitable to a spoon for that purpose is ignorant.

I could not care any less about anyone elses reason for playing the game. Speed, accuracy, honoring history, playing dressup or being a social buterfly. Makes exactly zero difference to me. Those are SUBJECTIVE, PERSONAL choices - there is no right or wrong reason for anyones decision. BUT our game is based upon scoring that utilizes a TIMER. OBJECTIVELY - use of equipment that allows for the lowest time elapsed is the better choice. Promoting OBJECTIVELY sub standard equipment for use within a timed game without FULLY explaining why "lesser" equipment might be chosen is a dis-service. Just like my Hyundai at a drag strip analogy - Yes, you can use it to drive down a quarter mile of track; but it is not a racecar. Conflating somethings ABILITY to perform a task with its SUITABILITY to the task is silliness at an extreme. You CAN wear Glad trash bags as evening attire - I prefer a tailored suit. You CAN have heart surgery performed in a dark alley with a Buck knife and Mad Dog for anesthesia - I'd choose a hospital. You CAN drag race a Hyundai... You CAN use a Henry Big Boy for CAS... I wouldn't.

Larsen, you and I have shot with a lot of the same people and while I agree that no one wants a slow, jamming firearm - there are MANY that view the focus on speed as a negative. Many that advocate for "wider swings" between targets to negate short strokes. Many that advocate for smaller and more distant targets to require slower, more deliberate shooting. And many that liken efforts to slick, tune and speed our equipment to being unethical, gamey or cheating. These are the folks that will say that "if" the game was set to their standard; that a long deliberate lever stroke would not be an issue. These are the same folks that are incapable or unwilling to push past their self imposed ability limit and would love to impose the same limitations upon others. While you and I may not understand this mentality; It is not rubbish - you have shot with many of these folks that freely express their feelings in this way - just not with the exact qoute you reference.

I took my brand new 4cyl Hyundai SUV to the local drag strip just to see for myself. And I found that if you stomp it to the floor - the engine will rev, the transmission will shift and it will roll under its own power from the staging tree all the way to the finish line. It will run. Of course - you will lose this race to the finish line to every EV, every V8, every V6, every motorcycle and some determined bicyclists. But why does that matter? When buying a drag racing vehicle - you also have to consider that they are pretty, get good gas mileage and Hyundai of Henderson once sponsored the jerseys for a little league baseball team. I feel less people should speak ill of them. Yes, remaining quiet and "pretending" something is suitable and appropriate for a task is always the best way. Support them. I'm sure everyone here would love to hear the stories of all the money you spend at restaurants and stores that provide nothing of interest to you. How you send donations to political candidates that don't support your desires. And try to help them build a better vehicle more suited for our game! So saith... The game of drag racing has been around longer than Hyundai has existed. If they were interested in building a vehicle suitable - they have had time. So... As the game of Cowboy Action has been around longer than Henry Repeating Arms has existed. If they were interested in providing a suitable product - they have had plenty of time.

Because even within SASS there is a component of non competitors that believe that "just being there" is an accomplishment. That the focus within our timed, speed event should be on things OTHER than time and speed. That a list of admirable positives; American made, warranty response and support for kids is somehow sufficient justification for recommending a tool unsuitable for purpose. I plan to be on the clock for 15 to 25 seconds; within that time span - I don't care about anything beyond having the BEST possible tool I can afford for the task I am attempting. If and when Henry decides to build a product that is appropriate (competitive) for our timed, speed event; I WILL gladly consider their products (because of the made in the USA, warranty, community support, etc.). But the product has to be right first - if the product is unsuitable; then the other items don't mean a thing to me.

Same prompt with minor tweaking... Well now, partner, if you're lookin' to quicken your draw and shoot like a true gunslinger with them .38 Special Old Model Vaqueros, you've come to the right cowboy! Let me tell ya, speed in cowboy action shootin' ain't just about how fast you can pull that iron from your holster. It's a combination of skill, practice, and a whole lotta grit. First off, them Blackhawk and Bisley hammers on them Vaqueros can make a real difference in how fast you can cock that hammer and fire. Some folks swear by the Bisley style for a smoother action, while others prefer the traditional Blackhawk. It's all about findin' what works best for you and practicin' with it. Speaking of practice, ain't no substitute for puttin' in the time at the range. Work on your drawin' technique, aim, and trigger control until it's as natural as breathin'. Smooth is fast, they say, so focus on bein' smooth and accurate above all else. Now, your leather rig can also play a part in how quick you can get that gun out and on target. Make sure your holster fits your Vaqueros just right and allows for a clean, quick draw. And don't forget about your stance – a solid, balanced stance can help you control the recoil and get back on target faster for follow-up shots. So there you have it, partner. To get faster as a duelist shooter in cowboy action shootin', it's all about findin' the right gear, puttin' in the practice, and honin' your skills until you're as fast as greased lightning. Now go on and show 'em what you're made of out there on the range!