Doc Shapiro

I'm sure quite a bit longer than my 1911 10 round mags

Only you can make the decision. My wife likes the Bisley grips. I can't come to terms with them. Same way I can't shoot a Glock, but a 1911 fits my hands like a glove. Ergonomics is critical. If the Bisley grip frame isn't right for you, it's not right. Nothing will change that. If that's the case, either replace the grip frames, easily done, or trade 'em off and get Vaqueros (can you even find them right now?). Ultimately, nothing any of us say will matter. This is up to how the guns fit your hands. Doc

Just crank it up to 78!

I check at the loading table. Brass (not nickel) that aren't split go into my rifle. The others go into the pistol. Toss split cases at the unloading table. A few always seem to get through after cleaning, so I catch them when I load up the guns before a stage. Big matches get new brass that I've "once fired".

Not from yew, but other exotic woods. You might as well cut some planks of 1 1/2 inches thick and set 'em to dry, preferably under cover. Give it about 5 years. Then make the grips. Otherwise they're going to split or warp as the wood dries. Wood isn't stable. It changes moisture content with humidity and the season. But it needs to dry out before turning into grips.

Gotta be honest, plaques and trophies aren't interesting to me. I've got piles of the things and they take up space. Small badges for suspenders are good, they don't take up much space and are easy to display. I love the whiskey posted above, that's fabulous! I think I'll steal that idea. Might use it.

Yup, again.

My vision has been progressively getting worse as I get older. It started with reading glasses. Then bifocals. Then it got worse. I'm sure many of you are familiar with this phenomenon. By worse, I mean that out of my left eye, it was like looking through a really grubby window. Yep, a cataract. Doc said it was likely caused by one of the knocks I had on my head. Had one on the left side that caused some damage to my brain, though I'm sure many of you already thought I was brain damaged. Yesterday another Doc fixed my left eye. Apparently really bright and focus

I shoot steel challenge with my Vaquero's. And in PPC with my '73. Go for it.

I remember that stage. I've even used that idea a time or two.

All it takes for this to get off the ground is someone with an entrepreneurial mindset, who is fully invested in a vision and willing to put in the time and energy it will take. There will be a lot of failures along the way too. But you probably know all that. It's just like a startup.

Understood. I'll drop it.

The big Steel Challenge matches also offer up a significant prize table. Even our local matches give out cash prizes. Big difference right there.

I know I voiced my opinion, but right now, we're all voicing opinions. There are no facts to back any of the opinions up. To @OK Dirty Dan: Go to some USPSA and IPDA matches and start talking to folks about why they aren't interested in Cowboy. Do the same when gun shows happen again. Gather some actual evidence. Only then can some sort of plan be formulated to address it.

Creeker, why don't you put together a team, see if you can get some donations/sponsorship, venue, and get it going? Then you'll find out if there is interest in such a thing. Probably will need to do a stand alone match to start with. Just an off the wall thought. Doc

I really don't think the issue is cost. I think that's the excuse that's used, but not the root cause. When I started, our income was really low. Bought used, slowly, saved. If there's a desire to play, folks will find a way. Frankly, I think it's the stages. I know this may not be popular. But really think about it. Why do so many go to IDPA or IPSC? Movement, challenging stages, lots of reactive targets. The shooting part is exciting and fun. SASS rules just don't allow setting up matches like this. As a result, the stages really are very similar. Along the lines of

I believe the basic premise of this is how Western 3 Gun came about. This is an interesting idea, that bears some thought. I'm withholding my opinion for now. Preferring to absorb the discussion. Doc

The answer is a resounding NO. What they ALL have in common is many many many hours of practice, both dry fire and live fire. Smart, targeted practice aimed at making their worst skills into their best skills.

As always, it depends on your budget. I have hats from a few different makers. My favorite in the "Crappy" line from D Bar J. Very high quality hats that are essentially "2nds". And, for what you get, a very reasonable price. https://www.dbarjhats.com/ I have 2 D Bar J hats, and they get the most use. Doc

On the contrary. We had cats for about 17 years. My allergy got worse, and I never got to like them.

I hate cats. And I'm allergic.

Germs

It likely would have been felt of some sort. Driftwood may have more specifics.

I would suggest rather that TT is a marathon and RP is a collection of individual sprints with the scores being nothing more than the order of finish.

Townhouses? Really? That's so sad. It was a really interesting range.