When does one know when to stop?

[Pat Riot]

Something I wanted to mention.

 

In the 80’s I got into “Tactical Combat Shooting”. An unsanctioned shooting competition put on by some guys from LAPD SWAT. I had a ball shooting those matches but somehow LAPD Brass found out and shut these boys down. 
At that same time I also got into Bullseye shooting at an indoor range in Torrance, CA. I did that for a few years. 
I tried Skeet, Trap and Sporting Clays. A man has got to know his limitations, in that regard. 
I tried Silhouette shooting for a short while. I am pretty sure this is what screwed up my wrists. Hot 30-30 from a Thompson Contender pistol is a stupid thing to do. Really Stupid - speaking only for myself. 
After I stopped SASS in ‘05 I got into IDPA matches. I did that for a while.

 

Anyway, I said all that to say that SASS & Cowboy Action Shooting aren’t the only shooting sports / competitions I walked away from. I stopped all the above for various reasons.
 

Stopping a hobby or sport should not be looked on as failure. One should not be embarrassed or feel obliged to fall on a sword over it. People change or grow with time. Their circumstances can change which requires other changes. We are all different human beings. We all have different needs, wants and desires. It’s called “Life”.

 

I still promote SASS to people I meet at gun stores and shooting ranges. I loved my time with SASS & Cowboy Action. I have some truly wonderful memories. Now I am making memories in other things. 
 

Vitam vivere! Vitam ama.

[Cypress Sun]

23 minutes ago, El Chapo said:

 

Maybe there should be a western themed video game?  That said even drawing more 40-60 year old shooters could dramatically expand our numbers.  As to westerns, I need to see a few myself.  I have books about the actual events of the old west but I have not seen too many westerns.  My character is probably more Blazing Saddles than High Plains Drifter.

 

There is a video game, Red Dead Redemption. I've talked to quite a few "newbies" that became interested in CAS due to playing the game. Too bad that SASS didn't attempt to capitalize on the 'Red Dead' mania that followed the release of the game...but they didn't even try.

[Cypress Sun]

7 minutes ago, Pat Riot said:

Something I wanted to mention.

 

In the 80’s I got into “Tactical Combat Shooting”. An unsanctioned shooting competition put on by some guys from LAPD SWAT. I had a ball shooting those matches but somehow LAPD Brass found out and shut these boys down. 
At that same time I also got into Bullseye shooting at an indoor range in Torrance, CA. I did that for a few years. 
I tried Skeet, Trap and Sporting Clays. A man has got to know his limitations, in that regard. 
I tried Silhouette shooting for a short while. I am pretty sure this is what screwed up my wrists. Hot 30-30 from a Thompson Contender pistol is a stupid thing to do. Really Stupid - speaking only for myself. 
After I stopped SASS in ‘05 I got into IDPA matches. I did that for a while.

 

Anyway, I said all that to say that SASS & Cowboy Action Shooting aren’t the only shooting sports / competitions I walked away from. I stopped all the above for various reasons.
 

Stopping a hobby or sport should not be looked on as failure. One should not be embarrassed or feel obliged to fall on a sword over it. People change or grow with time. Their circumstances can change which requires other changes. We are all different human beings. We all have different needs, wants and desires. It’s called “Life”.

 

I still promote SASS to people I meet at gun stores and shooting ranges. I loved my time with SASS & Cowboy Action. I have some truly wonderful memories. Now I am making memories in other things. 
 

Vitam vivere! Vitam ama.

 

Very well stated!

[Father Kit Cool Gun Garth]

My wife and I enjoy doing things together. I'm not the guy who heads off by myself for a hobby. Although I haven't gotten back into shootng with the LC Pistoleros, when I did, Ann was there to cheer me on or help pick up brass, etc.

The heat would be too much for her at times, and to tell you the truth,shooting without her being there was empty.
Our main issues with the format has already been stated.

 

13 hours ago, Cypress Sun said:

I gotta say that I don't miss getting up at 5:00 am, getting ready and leaving at 6:00 am so I can spend the entire day and a tank of gas to shoot for 120 seconds at all...not at all.

 

Too little time shooting for the amount of time you're actually there. 

Will continue my SASS Membership and hope to get back into shooting next year. 

After all, I'll be shooting in the Elder Statesman Category! 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

11 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said:

 

There is a video game, Red Dead Redemption. I've talked to quite a few "newbies" that became interested in CAS due to playing the game. Too bad that SASS didn't attempt to capitalize on the 'Red Dead' mania that followed the release of the game...but they didn't even try.

Actually they did.  The went to the Red Dead festival or convention or whatever they called it down in Tombstone and had a booth there.

[Rip Snorter]

"For everything there is a season..."  I was quite active until I retired, then things got busy.  Moved away from the state / clubs where I was involved in several shooting sports.  Lots of work on the new property, and the closest SASS club was an hour and change away.  I did become active in the local gun club for several years, then had a couple of health issues.  Got serious enough about making a return to SASS that I bought a new CZ hammer gun and a couple of new wardrobe bits & pieces.  Then realized that while I wasn't paying attention I had gotten old and harder of hearing, and likely less patient.  I really wasn't that interested in starting over and committing time with a bunch of strangers who I wasn't even going to be able to talk to while shooting was going on because of the need to save remaining hearing.  Yes, the game and the rules have changed, but what seems to be a common thread, we have changed.

 

[Michigan Slim]

When it turned into work, I stopped. I got too involved and burned out. I'm being polite here btw. 

I still shoot some but I'd rather be at the cabin or on the boat. 

[Warden Callaway]

A couple of winter's ago I came down with what I thought was the flu. I didn't have any fever or other symptoms other than congestion.  I tried to tough it out but over a couple of months it only got worse.  Finely went to the emergency room. Quickly ended up in the hospital.  Spent a couple of days and nights in torture. Every 30 minutes some shot or pill or blood pulled.  X-rays, scans, and everything else they could think of.  Upshot,  there is nothing they could do. Drugged me up to the point I have no energy or stamina. 

 

I shot 2 matches in 2023. I could shoot a stage but then had to set down to recover. After the match I was totally exhausted. I didn't  shoot any this year. We have multiple guns and tons of ammo, etc. But Sawmill Mary won't let go of anything.  Her arthritis is awful bad that she quit shooting a couple of years back.

 

Just got a SASS renewal notice. I'll likely not renew. 

[Tell Sackett SASS 18436]

Wow, and I thought it was just ME!

I actually asked my wife recently “is it time to give up shooting”?

One thing for sure-I’m definitely getting out of the primer “business”!! It’s definitely turned everything into work, not fun! 
Once my inventory is gone and we can go back to shooting just for fun-then we’ll see. We stopped shooting in summer years ago! Couldn’t handle the heat! Weather issues while vending and train wrecks while shooting also have taken the fun out of it. 
So I’ll se how it goes next year before making a decision….

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

there is a chance , I might start again , BUT , right now , I am working with the grandson on 10 mtr, air pistol 

 

 that I have not shot in 50 years , 

 

  CB 

[Blackwater 53393]

I’ve managed four total stages this year.  I have been relegated to sitting in a chair or on a stool for the most part for the last two years and my strength and stamina are currently in the toilet!

 

As soon as I can get this last stem cell graft and the recovery completed, I will be working on my conditioning and getting my footwear corrected.

 

I ain’t ready to hang it up yet and I have other projects that I want to finish as well!

 

I doubt that I’ll ever quit completely unless or until I can’t get to the range and get to my feet.

[Henry T Harrison]

I retired from competitive shooting when between arthritis and medication I know longer felt safe shooting in matches. I am doing some single shot black powder shooting mostly by myself 

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

On 8/31/2024 at 1:17 PM, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

If it ain't fun no more, then stop.

Pretty simple.....

I did just that almost ten years ago when it stopped being fun.  Matches became "shoot ten stages as fast as possible, pack up and go home."    No fun stages any more, no camaraderie after the matches, no really interesting costumes.  It wasn't all that way but became more so with every match.  I still enjoy my friends, both those only on this site and the ones I have met (and still meet) in person.

 

The Saloon is still one of the most interesting, informative, and enjoyable sites on the web, and I'll stay on it as long as they'll let me or until I simply fade away as so many have done before me.

[Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381]

Y'all have touched on all of my reasons but one, petty politics.

[Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129]

The main detraction from SASS events is "Wild Bunch" when WB came into being, most clubs cut way back on putting on interesting and Fun "Cowboy Sidematches".  For me Cowboy events are what I come for!!! including Cowboy Long Range single shot, both pistol Caliber and Rifle Caliber, Long range Lever, both Pistol Caliber and rifle Caliber...  Stake cutting, team shoots and Speed Rifle, Pistol, Pocket pistol, Shotgun And deringer...

WB has cut into my enjoyment of Cowboy Matches Super Big Time...

 

Jabez Cowboy

[Dilli GaHoot Galoot]

12 hours ago, Rip Snorter said:

while I wasn't paying attention I had gotten old and harder of hearing, and likely less patient

 

Sneaks up on you, don't it? 

[Rip Snorter]

1 minute ago, Dilli GaHoot Galoot said:

 

Sneaks up on you, don't it? 

For sure!

[Gorgo]

if its not funny anymore, its time to stop.

[watab kid]

i think we all know when that day comes - its just weather we listen to that inner voice that is saying it , im getting close i think , a few more years and ill jave to evaluate each as it passes by , i hope there are some kids starting out to take my p[lace , o wantthis to ;ove on sp others can enjoy shooting as i did - so much of my childhood shooting is long gone ....a lot has changed since the 50s