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[Griff]

Creeker, I'm convinced that we've shot together, or at least I've visited one of your matches in Southern NV.  I've shot out at El Dorado a couple of times, visited Clark County and I think, shot once with Madd Mike out at Pahrump, (might have only visited).  I still like your philosophy of cowboy action as we've made mention a couple of times.  While my shooting skills have deteriorated due to not shooting often enough to keep, let alone hone the necessary skills, still enjoy all the elements that make up a fun match (where we see eye to eye).  Tex, probably more than once, told a spectator, "... this is a sport where the men ask one another 'do these pants make my butt look big? and the women discuss firearms and loads'!"

 

Even for a striving for 30-second stages shooter... big & close is far more fun than smaller and farther.  To visualize that no target is too big or too close to miss, LSFSC once had a 6'x3' cutout that was placed just the distance so that a 7' falling door cleared it as a pistol dump.  T'was a source of amazement to the folks that had a miss or more on it!

 

 

Edited October 9, 2024 by Griff

[Assassin]

On 10/8/2024 at 10:47 AM, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

The biggest issue that I see with stage writers is the "all or nothing".

 

There seems to be this mindset that "If" there are ANY old school cowboy components - then the match has to be old school in EVERY facet. 

 

Or IF the match is under the so called current cowboy mode - then NO element of playtime should exist.

 

I also detest the TWO - TWO - TWO match design; where the stage writer lacks the ability/ imagination to intermingle flavors and basically writes three two stage matches; two "big, close, fast" - two medium (which is exactly the same as big, close, fast - just with an extra 4 or 5 paces) and two difficult (or challenging to use the code word) with distant targets and ridiculous sequences.

 

The stage writer needs to create stages that combine of the most desired of cowboy ingredients.

 

The "majority" of shooters prefer big, close, fast target arrays - that doesn't mean every stage has to be Bordertown distances; but that when setting steel - bigger is generally superior and better received.

 

The "majority" of shooters prefer simple, easy to follow sequences - that doesn't mean every stage is dumps, but that when determining sequences - logical, linear sequences are better received.

 

The "majority" of shooters prefer their cowboy match to include allusions to playing cowboy - this means simple non shooting elements like carry the money bag, throw the bottle at the bartender, stab the dummy, ring the train bell, flip the card table, light the dynamite, so on and so forth - these elements can be stage start elements to signify ready - they can be on the clock elements AS LONG as they are accessible and equitable to "all" (as many as possible).

 

Now there are those who will say they are they SOLELY for a shooting match and you cannot "force" anyone to whole heartedly participate in cowboy elements; but most of us willingly bought the guns, the clothes and created an "Alias"; we could have easily gravitated toward other shooting sports with a lower cost of entry and minus the "extra elements" - we are apparently open to some level of "pretend and silliness". 

 

As stage writers and shooters; we HAVE to acknowledge that "pretend and silliness" adds time to a stage - if the only goal is to encourage 10 second stages; cowboy elements will detract.

But as long as the "pretend and silliness" is equitable and does not materially change the outcome of the shooting match - the majority of us will participate and have a great time doing so - the VERY FEW shooters that don't wish to participate will eventually find other things to do.

Unfortunately, the "majority" of shooters don't shoot anymore.

 

 

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

1 hour ago, Assassin said:

Unfortunately, the "majority" of shooters don't shoot anymore.

 

 

I'm sorry - I don't get your point.

 

Because of a myriad of reasons - our game has gotten smaller.  So what?

 

Should we throw up our hands and give up because there are fewer of us than yesterday?

Not my style.

 

As Match Directors - we have an obligation to present the best product we can to "whatever" shooters remain.

 

Whether that number climbs or declines is immaterial to the time, thought, consideration and effort put forth.

 

If I succeed or if I fail - I can hold my head up knowing I gave it my best shot.

Whether the "majority" shows up or not.