End of Trail Side Matches

[Rattlesnake Slim]

Howdy Cowboys, Cowgirls, and Wild Bunchers,

 

In the never-ending pursuit of having even more fun, and as a direct result of your input via the shooter's surveys, we are making some major changes to the EOT side matches in 2025. I can't say more than that for now, as Match Director Red River Wrangler is still putting on the finishing touches. The changes are all being made in an effort to provide you with more and new ways to shoot on Side Match Days.

 

Remember, both registered shooters and conventioneers are able to shoot side matches, including warm-ups (Plainsman, Warm-ups, and Clay Targets have an extra fee). 

 

More information will be announced before August 15th, the date that applications will be live on our website www.endoftrail.org 

 

[Boulder Canyon Bob# 32052L]

Enquiring minds want to know.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Different combinations of guns unusual stuff is always fun.

Speed this, that and the other thing, not so much.

[Rattlesnake Slim]

No goofy stuff, they are legitimate side matches. 

[Frontier Lone Rider]

On 7/27/2024 at 7:15 PM, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

Different combinations of guns unusual stuff is always fun.

Speed this, that and the other thing, not so much.

These days, if speed is in the title, it is not for me.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

I suppose I should be more specific....

 

Among other ideas I have had, or things I have seen, include the following....

Using 3 rifles, over a course of fire, a .22, a Main Match rifle and a rifle caliber repeating rifle.  If needed, add a shotgun to set off the timer.
 

A variant of the above could be done with single shots.

 

I sorta normal 10-10-4 type stage, but in stead, 4-2-5-4.   Four pocket Pistol, 2 Derringer, 5 rifle caliber rifle, 4 shotgun

 

Something to allow for the use of various pre-1900 design guns that normally have a place in our game.  Things like pre-1900 DA revolvers, revolver carbines, and a small handful of other stuff.  Probably can't find away to allow for everything that existed, but creative thinking could allow for some oddball stuff.

A "Foreign stuff" side match.  Things of the era that were found primarily in Europe or other parts of the world.

Something that uses, well, everything from a derringer through main match guns to single shot rifles.   This is one I've read about before, but never seen.   

 

The only thing that should limit side matches is the imagination. 

 

 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

Go try some of that stuff with 500+ shooters and THEN report back how well it worked.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Doing more than 2 or 3 "Special" side matches very well could be logistically problematic at the biggest of matches.   Then again, when I was at EoT a few years ago, there was at times no one in line for some of the ones I wanted to try, or at most less than 5.   Others were very popular and had small crowds.   I guess it all depends on how much "space" you have to try these different things in.   

Let's say the event organizers come up with a dozen really interesting side match ideas.  (What they are is not important for this)  They quickly realize that they just can't pull off all 12 of them for reasons of space, people to run them, or whatever.   Perhaps the "solution" would be to take a poll, here on the Wire, via a method revealed in the Cowboy Chronicle, or something, to see which ideas generate the most interest, and then pick to top 2 or 3 to stage.  

Generally, I have noticed that side match participation seems to have diminished over the years.  I don't know why.   But I have also noticed that 3 or 4 stage "warm up/mini matches" on side match day seem to be growing in popularity.   

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

3 hours ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

The only thing that should limit side matches is the imagination.

and space, time, help...

 

oy...

 

Phantom

PS: What?! No pictures?????

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

7 hours ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

Let's say the event organizers come up with a dozen really interesting side match ideas.  (What they are is not important for this)  They quickly realize that they just can't pull off all 12 of them for reasons of space, people to run them, or whatever. 

 

6 hours ago, Phantom, SASS #54973 said:

and space, time, help...

Gee, I kinda said that...

 

[Cotton Eye Joe]

I've always wanted to see single shot rifles worm their way into, say, one stage per match. Basically replacing the lever gun for a stage, and the rifle targets are out to 30-50 yards. Perhaps 5 rounds of your single shot, then the usual 10 revolver and 4 shotgun at the regular distance. 

 

Alternatively, a standard 10-10-4 stage and then there's a chance to get a time bonus with a farther target using your single shot. There's so many beautiful sharps, highwalls, rolling blocks, trapdoors, etc that would fit in very naturally. 

 

Idk, maybe that's too GAF flavored. I'll quit thinking out loud.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

No harm in thinking, Cotton.   That's where ideas come from. 

[Branchwater Jack SASS #88854]

6 hours ago, Cotton Eye Joe said:

I've always wanted to see single shot rifles worm their way into, say, one stage per match. Basically replacing the lever gun for a stage, and the rifle targets are out to 30-50 yards. Perhaps 5 rounds of your single shot, then the usual 10 revolver and 4 shotgun at the regular distance. 

 

Plainsman side match is offered at EOT: https://endoftrail.org/plainsman-match/

[Cotton Eye Joe]

1 hour ago, Branchwater Jack SASS #88854 said:

 

Plainsman side match is offered at EOT: https://endoftrail.org/plainsman-match/

That's probably my best bet, then. Haven't jumped into black powder or percussion guns yet. 

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

12 hours ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

 

Gee, I kinda said that...

 

Soooo...then you're saying two different thing at the same time???

 

You said: "The only thing that should limit side matches is the imagination." (emphasis added)

 

That's one way to cover yer...butt...I guess 😜

 

and still no photos???

 

Very disappointed.

 

Phantom

[Irish Pat]

I have shot Cody/Dixon at Trailhead Tx. Billy Dixon is single shot and Cody is lever action. Longer range and rifle caliber rifles. Irish ☘️ Pat

[Rustler, SASS #33316]

Howdy Wire,

As Rattlesnake Slim has alluded to there is going to be some changes to this years Side Matches. Red River Wrangler is in hiding and will reveal the new schedule of events shortly.

To make all of this “magic” happen it needs you to help! I will be "hunting" for Volunteers to help run the Side Match’s after EOT registration opens. 😁