Very interesting thread. I have a thought:
The other night, something went "bump" outside and I didn't grab my 9mm, I grabbed my SAA clone. After the fact I asked myself why. The response was, "this will be close and its a moonless night, so dark. Grab what you can shoot by instinct"
Turns out it was just a coyote after a rabbit I guess. Both were gone by the time I was out.
But I think that also says a lot about our sport. I have shot many other disciplines. In those it is more "science". I have found that SASS is more "art" than "science". More so, in other disciplines it seems there is a **** measuring contest. I have not ever seen that at SASS. In fact, its rare to not encounter someone who will mentor you. When that environment exists, you are them empowered to mentor others.
I am rambling, but anyways: when something goes bump in the night and you grab your SAA clone rather than your 9mm race gun.