E-Friends, NCOWS Pards & Pardettes, All,
Just for the sake of discussion...
Many fine points and observations always appear in topics like this, at times we tend to only remember the most recent issues and reflect on them as to how they might relate to the present commentary, others delve into the steamy past and dusty archives to dredge out some old tome on this or that and how it is the absolutely, positively, one and only, definitive answer, more or less, because it was seen someplace, somewhere by somebody else and they told me about last year. This is human nature.
Shooting and enjoying old style and original firearms is the basic reason we are here, Revolvers, Rifles, Buffalo Guns, Shotguns, Pocket Pistols and Derringers are fun to shoot in a safe and historical environment, one which all of our NCOWS events trys to provide the attendee and participant, this is a given. Organizational rules and regs offer a set of guidelines for those clubs/Posses that seek to associate, pattern, align and emulate what the NCOWS concept offers, that is also a given.
An earlier comment (I might add that 'it' is one that has dogged the org for many years) was made that the new Shooter 'needed' 2 Revolvers and another one of this or that just to be in NCOWS, if I understand the Newbie's comment. Sad to say, but he is suffering from a high degree of the NFF/Newbie Frustration Factor wherein he was 'told' by such and such "...that all he needed was in his gun case.", or "...that stainless steel Ruger will be fine...", and my personal favorite, "...the guy at the local gun shop sez everything I have is OK for NCOWS." Most of those 'advisors' have little or no clues about CAS or what is needed in NCOWS, SASS, WASA or CMSA let alone NSSA or any of the other myriad of historical/semi-historically oriented Shooting Sports, the expertise they have comes via catalogues, magazines and something they watched last Sunday morning on the Oudoor Channel. We must agree that they are in the business of selling guns and ammo, maybe they do participate in our hobby, but probably not. They may join as a member to get the mag or buy an ad in THE SHOOTIST but we'll rarely or never see them on the range as it is strictly business with them, this is a given. How we as an org will educate and enlighten these businessfolk, as well as prospective new members, should be a large part of an overall organizational marketing plan, one that will hopefully see fruition in the next year.
For many Newbies arriving at their first event with a Ruger and a '94 we all hope that they will be welcomed and provded with any extra ammo and firearms needed to make that event one to be remembered. Having seen this happen myself at many NCOWS Shoots, it always makes me smile and proud to be associated with such kind folks as those that will lend a Revolver or Rifle or whatever and all the ammo needed to complete the event to a total stranger, one that has a burning desire to participate, much like us at our first Shoot. At the end of the day they shake hands and part friends with a smile, and almost always, a wave-off of the hand when an offer to repay for the cost of shells is offered. This is a given.
NCOWS is in the midst of a Teenage growth spurt, we are a body that has new things happening to us while we are still trying to get used to the old rules that Mom & Dad set down when we were young. New friends, new foods, new this, new that, etc., etc., etc. This new growth is giving us a chance to bring in Newbie Shooters such as Cyrille who voices strong and justifiable concerns. For those that don't recall, we have 'O.T.'s 3 Levels of Authenticity', all are posted in the 'Download' section available on the org website at:
www.ncows.orgAs you'll see when you visit the '3 Levels', the first is laid out and designed to offer folks an easy entry into the fold. O/.T. put a lot of thought and effort into this All the info has been published in THE SHOOTIST, discussed on various forums and now adhered to in detail by many as THE methodolgy to follow in this type of endeavor. I encourage Cyrille and others starting out to take a look and see how it may be of help. In addition, the same concept and logic follows through with individual Posse Shoots, not all require 2 Revolvers, etc., many utilize the 'Working Cowboy' concept of a Revolver and a Rifle only, some events such as the 'KVC 2 Gun Shoot' require only 2 guns of your choice, Rifle/Shotgun, Revolver/Rifle, etc. It is not set in stone that every event be a 'cookie-cutter' copy of the previous Shoot, in fact, all NCOWS Posses are encouraged to develop enticing, intriguiging and challenging events that will keep the Shooter coming back again and again as long as they follow the basic portents set out in the By Laws and all obvious Range rules, this is a given.
LCR has some very positive comments and they have generated some good replies. As Irish Dave, our new Marshal stated, "Consisitency is very important...NCOWS is working to improve that consistency within the organization." These things all take time, but look at how far the org has come and grown in the past few years, the growth in the next few will be as positive and encouraging. For those that fret about a 'competitive Nationals', perhaps that is part of the overall org change and not in the cards anymore. Perhaps it will move towards Regional Nationals taking the fore and providing those that have the 'need for CAS speed' to compete against others of that ilk while those that have the desire to relive the past can do so at the same time in a far more relaxed yet NCOWS-oriented situation. All are feasible and doable under the existing format.
As many others have said, NCOWS is a big umbrella and there is plenty of room for all under it. If you are a Shooter in an area where there is no current NCOWS Posse and have enough other interested parties that want to shoot CAS, go for it! It only takes 3 to form a Posse, jump on it! If you feel there is only a window of opportunity for new Shooters with Rugers and '94s in your area, grab the brass ring and start a Posse, put on your own situation-specific event under the overall guidelines and develop it into one of O.T.'s 3 Levels, everybody starts somepace, you'll never look back! If you strongly feel that there is a 'need' for an NCOWS Champion, THE absolutely, one and only, Top Gun of all the Shooters that carry an NCOWS card, something for all the NCOWS members that want to shoot as fast as they can and 'win', then come up with a plan within all the guidelines, develop it, propose it to the Congress and go for it! It may not be a hit this year but 2 years down the road just what the org is ready for.
Remember Pards & Pardettes, we are a member-driven org, if YOU want it, YOU need to do it!
Best regards and good shooting!
'Ol Gabe
NCOWS #925