Dapper Dave Posted December 31, 2024 Posted December 31, 2024 (edited) Got the cart, got the clothes, got the hat, got the rifle, shotgun, and now the pistols, got the holsters, (need to borrow a rig for this match, don't have the gun belt yet or shotgun belt, but I'll have that by the Feb match), got the ammo I loaded, and got one match under my belt so I know something of what to expect. This is fun. BTW, after I got of work this morning, (I work Graves), I decided to run down to the range and try out my brand new Uberti/Taylors Ranch Hard 357. Note on the target photo the sun is not up yet. I need to do this more often, nice to shoot when nobody is there! I figured I would need to get the same work done that I had done on my Uberti Birds Head to get it to shoot point of aim, bending the sight over and action work. I was wrong. I hope you don't mind some pictures - I know most people here have been doing this for years, but I never had a full-size SAA clone, just playing with black powder stuff off and on for years until I decided to try this. I figured the size of the steel is CLOSE to the 7 ring on a standard B27 target, Sharp eyes will detect ovals on the first shots - the target was blowing over in the wind, not completely supported by wood, not keyholing. Some tape corrected that. If you look close on the first picture you can see my load data - really light stuff. That last target? That is full house 357 magnums. Pards, I think this is a keeper. Her baptism in fire is Saturday. Thanks for looking sorry to brag it up a bit, BUT...when I miss, I hereby say with this post...it ain't the gun!!! Edited December 31, 2024 by Dapper Dave 11 Quote
Dapper Dave Posted December 31, 2024 Author Posted December 31, 2024 (edited) BTW, yes, I do wear cowboy boots to work. It's an authorized uniform item here in Arizona. Edited December 31, 2024 by Dapper Dave 1 3 Quote
Beartrap SASS#57175 Posted December 31, 2024 Posted December 31, 2024 Wait 'till the BEEEP goes off. 2 4 Quote
Dapper Dave Posted December 31, 2024 Author Posted December 31, 2024 Been there, done that. Shot IDPA waaaay back in the day 1 1 Quote
Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life Posted December 31, 2024 Posted December 31, 2024 Congrats on some good looking gear. Now, are you signed up for EOT? no time like the present to get that trial by fire out of the way. After all you are in the same state. Don't worry about being good enough, compared to the upper echelon of shooters, probably 80% of the rest feel the same way, and that is okay. If you go there is no doubt that you will have a great time. Hoping someday we cross paths on the range. Regards Gateway Kid 7 Quote
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted December 31, 2024 Posted December 31, 2024 Don't forget your cry'n towel 2 Quote
Dapper Dave Posted December 31, 2024 Author Posted December 31, 2024 Well, dagnabbit, I DID forget that! Is pink OK?🤪😁 1 4 Quote
Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 Posted January 1 Posted January 1 Well the hook is fully set! Enjoy the fun, I’ll celebrate my 24th year in February.🤠 Randy 6 1 Quote
Hells Comin Posted January 1 Posted January 1 I was there when you shot your 1st match at Rio and you managed to stay off the bottom - well done. I can't remember how many matches it took before I wasn't finishing last. I'll see you in February and happy New Year. Hells Comin 5 1 Quote
Dapper Dave Posted January 1 Author Posted January 1 8 hours ago, Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life said: Congrats on some good looking gear. Now, are you signed up for EOT? no time like the present to get that trial by fire out of the way. After all you are in the same state. Don't worry about being good enough, compared to the upper echelon of shooters, probably 80% of the rest feel the same way, and that is okay. If you go there is no doubt that you will have a great time. Hoping someday we cross paths on the range. Regards Gateway Kid Thankee kindly, Kid! I'm not worried about winning any fancy prizes or badges, I am just looking to have some good clean safe fun, and tie it in to my two favorite hobbies, shooting and reloading/casting. Where is EOT? I know Gathering of the Posses happens right around the corner from me in Casa Grande. 2 Quote
Dr. Zook Posted January 1 Posted January 1 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Dapper Dave said: Thankee kindly, Kid! I'm not worried about winning any fancy prizes or badges, I am just looking to have some good clean safe fun, and tie it in to my two favorite hobbies, shooting and reloading/casting. Where is EOT? I know Gathering of the Posses happens right around the corner from me in Casa Grande. Ben Avery Range Feb 24- March 2,2025. https://endoftrail.org/ Edited January 1 by Dr. Zook 3 Quote
Nostrum Damus SASS #110702 Posted January 1 Posted January 1 Nice to have someplace to shoot before sunrise!! Our club has landlord/neighbors so we have mandatory quiet time until 8am. 2025 will be a good year for Cowboy Action Shooting, no doubt. 2 Quote
Badlands Bob #61228 Posted January 1 Posted January 1 Welcome to the game. You've got some good equipment. You are on your way. 1 Quote
Dapper Dave Posted January 1 Author Posted January 1 1 hour ago, Nostrum Damus SASS #110702 said: Nice to have someplace to shoot before sunrise!! Our club has landlord/neighbors so we have mandatory quiet time until 8am. 2025 will be a good year for Cowboy Action Shooting, no doubt. It's the same range the The Dusty Bunch holds Gathering of the Posses in late Jan. They open 0700 all year round. I love the place. 1 Quote
Dapper Dave Posted January 5 Author Posted January 5 Ok, so I thought I was ready... Just kidding. It was great fun, again. Yeah, I missed a couple of targets, (how do you MISS so close?!?), and I had at least one procedural...but that's OK, it was an absolute blast, (pun intended), and I can't wait to go again. Lessons learned - don't out run your sights. If your sights can't see the target, neither can you, or as my Academy instructor would intone, "Sight alignment, sight alignment, sight alignment." Second - pay attention to the stage instructions. Only procedural I know of was one where I let myself get distracted right before shooting. Oops. Third - bring enough ammo. Yes, I ran short, after patiently counting ammo into the cart last night. Whoops. But a very kindly gent gave me the 13 rounds I needed to finish. I have already preloaded the cart with more than enough for next month. THAT ain't gonna happen again! Fourth, the one I did not fail on - have fun. There was a lot of neat people, and I had a great time. I didn't win squat, but I'm good with that. Some pics the wife took. Three of the guns I used today had never been in a match, both Uberti pistols and the Stoeger Coach Gun. They all worked a lot better than I did! Yes, if I knew how smarmy I looked in that photo I might have asked her to retake that. @KidRich, that cart worked perfectly! Thank you! And a huge thank you to the Rio Salado Cowboys! Ok, we now return you to your regularly scheduled program in progress. "D 8 1 Quote
Dapper Dave Posted January 5 Author Posted January 5 I should clarify - I don't know how many procedurals I had because my wife's cancer meds were griping her stomach and right after I helped, (sort of), clean up, I had to get her home. I will check the web site later. At the bottom? Who cares - it was fun. What was even better is my wife decided today was a good time to treat me to Texas Roadhouse, too, after she took her meds and got under control. Great match AND steak? Yay!! 7 Quote
Choctaw Jack Posted January 5 Posted January 5 Dave, Who cares where you finish as long as you had fun! I finished in that position for a very long time( I shot with up to 4 category past World Champions in my club. Nothing intimidating there!) One thing I never lost at was having fun. Looks like you're well on your way! Choctaw 2 Quote
Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 Posted January 5 Posted January 5 I normally always have enough ammo in the truck to shoot at least two matches, you never know when you or someone else might have ammo problems. Randy 6 Quote
watab kid Posted January 5 Posted January 5 dave , it looks to me like your well on your way at this point , now just enjoy it , make a lot of great friends and immerse yourself in the joy of shooting cowboy - travel a bit , camp , share a campfire , talk smart and learn new stuff related to this great experience , 3 Quote
Dapper Dave Posted January 5 Author Posted January 5 3 hours ago, Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903 said: I normally always have enough ammo in the truck to shoot at least two matches, you never know when you or someone else might have ammo problems. Randy I know - a pard left because his factory ammo failed multiple times. I wish I'd had enough to give him to get through the match, but I didn't, and he got so irked with the failures in his ammo that he left, and I can't blame him. 1 Quote
Dred Bob Posted January 6 Posted January 6 Definitely go to EoT. Me and a buddy made it last year and it was only our 3rd SASS match ever plus we shot Wild Bunch for the first time. Figured while we were there might as well go for broke. We didn't set any records but had a fantastic time and met a lot of great people. I still work and it was a real challenge to drive across the country, spend a week and drive back. I can't make it every year but I'll definitely be back. I strongly recommend going and it sounds like you're local so you don't have the travel and accommodation challenge. One of my best vacations ever. I did have some equipment issues but between me and my buddy we were able to share and make it through both events. You won't regret it even if you're not sure if you're ready. 3 Quote
Dapper Dave Posted January 6 Author Posted January 6 (edited) It looks like I won't be available for that one, $250 is too much right now. I did check out the Gathering of the Posses annual match and even the fee for that is $95. A little stiff while I am paying for plumbing repair, a couch, and new leather from Mernickle. But I do appreciate the suggestion! It does sound like a grand time, indeed. Maybe next year when things are a little more even keeled. Edited January 6 by Dapper Dave Clarification Quote
Hells Comin Posted January 6 Posted January 6 DD acsa is shooting this Saturday at Ben Avery 9am. This is one of the best run matches anywhere in the country ! We will be shooting 2 or 3 of stages from the permanent buildings used at EOT, so a little taste of EOT without the expense. Hells Comin 3 Quote
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted January 6 Posted January 6 If any of the big matches are close enough, go even if you don't shoot, just to check it out including the vendors. When it was Winter Range before EOT in Phoenix they had a big swap meet in the big tent for a few hours, if they still do that it is a good place to look for bargains. 2 Quote
Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L Posted January 6 Posted January 6 DD you can attend as a visitor from 8-5 Monday through Saturday. The admision is free with parking $10 per car and they have a shuttle that runs from the parking to the event and back. You can take the RO classes without being a registered shooter per a recent post on the wire. If you want to participate in any of the after hours events or side matches you can register as a Conventioneer for $65. Here is a link to thier website with more info. https://endoftrail.org/ 3 Quote
Griff Posted January 6 Posted January 6 Dave, 2025 will mark my 40th year participating in cowboy action matches. I normally have to drive 2 hours each way to attend matches... and each costs me about several days to a week off work to attend a one day monthly. I don't get attend every month, often miss several months in a row. But... when I get to go... they're every bit as much fun now as they were when I was 35. 3 Quote
Eyesa Horg Posted January 6 Posted January 6 1 hour ago, Griff said: Dave, 2025 will mark my 40th year participating in cowboy action matches. I normally have to drive 2 hours each way to attend matches... and each costs me about several days to a week off work to attend a one day monthly. I don't get attend every month, often miss several months in a row. But... when I get to go... they're every bit as much fun now as they were when I was 35. Dang Griff, it takes you several days to drive 2 hours each way? Yikes, stay in the right lane! Just bustin ya!! 3 Quote
Dapper Dave Posted January 7 Author Posted January 7 Welp, the wife said we should go up and check it out, so we will drop by to visit. Does anyone shoot at the 3 Points range, Tucson Rifle Club? I worked there a LONG time ago and there was a 7 bay cowboy range. 2 Quote
Dr. Zook Posted January 7 Posted January 7 'dress up' all Dapper Dave and stay for Dinner on Sat night ---$70-4-two. Going to try and talk the missus into dressing up and going, I want to observe a lot during the week, but my shift rotation really messes up E.O.T. weekend festivities... 2 Quote
Kid Rich Posted January 7 Posted January 7 I shot at the Tucson club several years ago. It no longer has a Cowboy range. Pima had one up until 2 years ago and that got discontinued. Those folks now shoot at Tombstone. I am sending you a PM. kR Quote
watab kid Posted January 8 Posted January 8 hope this was a helpful exchange , seems to me your well on your way dave , good luck and if your up this way look me up , 1 Quote
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