[Choice Ammunition]

Don't use it in the rifle. Pistol only.

 

I have used the Cowboy ammo in .357, .38, .45 acp and .45 LC. Had good experience with most except the 45LC. I WOULD NOT recommend using the 45lc in any rifle. I experienced 3 squibs in one match between two rifles (two in a 66 and one in a Marlin). The customer service was good in replacing the ammo but never followed up after that. When I tried the new ammo provided I had a couple that I ran thru the rifle that sounded like a squib but were not, that's when I stopped using any of their ammo for rifle. Since then I have encountered a few other people who have experienced similar issues using it in the rifle.  On a good note, the .45 acp ran flawless in two of my 1911's. 

 

[So... What now?]

If it is about membership wouldn't it be wise to find out the demographics of the people who are joining SASS now? Find out where new members are coming from and focus most of  the attention on that instead of fishing for people who most likely will not join. If it's the 50 and older crowd with disposal income then figure out how to target them. 

You can market SASS as a sport that is fun first and focus on the people, friendships and after shooting socializing.  If you are going to try and attract a younger crowd you better put back some of the action into Cowboy Action Shooting. 

I would also not encourage any more categories. We are a sport that has distinctly different shooting styles and we should have World Champions in each (Cowboy/Cowgirl, Duelist, Gunfighter etc) and ditch the overall champion.  At the same time it would be up to the local club to work new shooters thru using gear they have with the expectation that they are working towards getting everything. 

 

[“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”]

1 hour ago, smokedawg SASS#60968 said:

I will disagree about cost.  If I swing  by my LGS everyday or every other day for a couple of weeks I know I can get a glock for $400 or less.  An AR for between $400 and $500.( Right now my LGS has complete upper and lowers that can be paired up for around $425 and new PSA AR for under $500.  Add in an 870 for $200 or less and you can shoot 3 gun.  Not the best set up but you can shoot.  CAS will run a good bit more.

And you can get a Rossi for around $500 and pistols for $470 each and a Stoger coach gun. Not much more than the bargain basement 3 gun set up you listed. Plus a lot of people selling used stuff. The point was, if you want to do it you will find a way. Plenty of broke people who can't do stuff but they can drop $200 for dinner and bar hopping, $1000 on the iPhone ver 975 etc etc.... Hell, if a new guy shows up, most of the time people are throwing guns at them so they can shoot.

[“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”]

I'll be your Huckleberry ha ha, I saw the same post on FB, and tend to agree a bit. To use a concept from another Cowboy shooter, if there is no degree of accuracy it's not a sport. Coming from 3 gun and IDPA  you do get points for being accurate on the target, there are scoring areas. Cowboy Action looses credibility when people see videos of fast shooters but the targets are so close it is on the edge of ridiculous. Like yourself I am a new shooter and all the clubs and events that I have shot at so far do not have targets that close. I don't think I would have pursued the sport if they were. I do think there has to be a middle ground between high action and stand and deliver, especially for our older shooters.

One thing I believe is a cop out is when people say it's to expensive to start. A beginner set up is no more expensive than a set up for 3 gun, high power shooting or any other hobby. If you want to do it you will find a way.

Of course these our my opinions, and opinions are like as....... 

[Enforcing the rules]

Range saftey is everybodys concern. That being said, the quickest way to loose the fun factor for yourself and everyone around you is to be "that guy". Local matches have some discretion usually built in so people of varying degrees of experience and abilities can come out, shoot and have fun...safely. This should not be the case for more formal events where rules should be expected to be applied in more detail. Is it really your place to tell the 80 year old shooter that his bellybutton is not located one inch below his chest? And does it really make that much of a difference? Sure there are some things that bother everyone, just don't go down the road where you are more concerned about what everyone else is doing that you forget to have FUN.

[Chronicle print editions reduced to twice a year in 2020]

Just wondering if it would be cheaper to go to a paper type publication (like a newspaper) instead of a glossy magazine. You could do a Annual Glossy Magazine once a year and then a few newspaper editions thru out the year or just all newspaper editions. Newspaper ones could be set up to look like old western newspapers. Could also do online versions worked in also. As a relatively new member I look forward to the CC, it is put together well but I understand the cost and time issues involved. Another option (please don't kill the messenger) would be to open up the ads to non Cowboy Action companies. If any of you get the VFW magazine you know what I am talking about.  I don't mind passing over ads for hearing aids and "blue pills" if it gets me a cool magazine to read.