Cas City Forum Hall & CAS-L

CAS TOPICS => Shooter's Meeting => Topic started by: Camille Eonich on August 12, 2005, 04:19:44 PM

Title: First Match
Post by: Camille Eonich on August 12, 2005, 04:19:44 PM
Marshal'ette got me thinking about my first match when she posted that she was nervous about getting up and shooting in front of people.

I was real excited about CAS but I was scared to death at the thought of all those people watching me shoot.  I've been shooting all my life and have shot all kinds of guns but Ihad missed out on pump shotguns, lever action rifles and single action revolvers.  We attended two or three matches before we started shooting and several people let us try out their guns.  Even so I only got to shoot a few rounds through them.

Then when we got all of our gear together another cowboy friend took us out to the range and made up a few stages and let us shoot.  That helped a lot!!!!  I was still nervous about shooting in front of all those people though.  I made Stump go over my guns with me again and again to make sure that I was handling them right loading and unloading them.  That helped a lot too.


Well we got to our first match and got to the first stage and my knees were trembling at  the loading table.  I didn't think that I would be able to make it to the line.  Then it was time!  Too late to back out then so I staggered up to the line and got ready, still shaking.

The timer went off and I sooo forgot that there was anybody else there.  I didn't hear anything going on behind me I didn't notice the RO.  I was just concentrating on shooting and doing things right.  I shot my first stage clean.  I was all grins.  I was all grins for the rest of the match, the rest of the day and the rest of the week.  Stump and I stayed up late that night just talking about shooting and the people and what we did right and what we did wrong.  (We still do that after a match)

Shoot, four or five matches later we went to a match that we had never shot before and even though we knew everybody by that time someone told us that we were "shaking like two queers in a weenie factory".  His words not mine!!!!!

I still get nervous before I shoot sometimes.  The first stage is the worse and I have to make myself calm down and take my time on it but I wouldn't give this up for anything.

What happened at your first match?  How'd it go?  Were ya nervous?
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Marshal'ette Halloway on August 12, 2005, 04:51:25 PM
"shaking like two queers in a weenie factory".  (http://www.cascity.com/howard/animations/bigq.gif)
 
(http://www.cascity.com/howard/forum/laughingblond.gif)

Ohhh... I can tell already!!(http://www.cascity.com/howard/animations/73.gif)
This is going to be my favorite thread..(http://www.cascity.com/howard/animations/bravo.gif)

 Everybody..
 (http://www.cascity.com/howard/animations/pray.gif)Please Please Please..tell about your first shooting match.

Wait just a second.. let me get some popcorn and get all settled in..
Ok... I'm ready!
(http://www.cascity.com/howard/animations/102.gif)


Let the stories begin!

Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Doc Bonecutter on August 12, 2005, 04:57:04 PM
I had read all about SASS on the wire, saw it on TV and decided it was for me.  I bought the guns--a couple Rugers, a '73, and a '97 over the winter.

I went to Fleet Farm and bought a long sleeve western shirt for $12.  I had an old hat and some old harness-style boots....I ordered a belt and holsters from a guy I saw on the wire and waited for spring.

April came around and it was time--I had convinced another friend and potential shooter (Doc One Shot) to come with me.  The only problem was--the leather hadn't arrived!  We decided to go anyway.

At Oconomowoc, the cowboys at the Oconomowoc Cattleman's Association welcomed us with open arms.  Big Grit took us under his wing and cowpokes acted as our holsters--they handed us the pistols when it was time to shoot and took them back when they were empty.  One Shot and I had a GREAT time.  And on the way back, we decided that we could do this at our home gun range....

That was 6 years ago---the Liberty Prairie Regulators have been shooting for 5 years now, my 2 youngest kids shoot with me, and we have had a GREAT time the whole while.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Stump Water on August 12, 2005, 05:54:34 PM
I shot my first stage clean.

.... And a cowpoke turned to me and said, "Boy, a lady what can shoot like 'at, when she says 'Jump', you better say 'How high?'"  ::)
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Big John Denny on August 12, 2005, 06:38:34 PM
Went to a shoot of Doc Holiday's Immortals at my local gun club I'm a member of. Didn't come to shoot, just to watch what was going on.

Went back to the next shoot the following month with two of my 45 Colt Vaqueros in tow, a 1894 Marlin Limited Edition in 45 Colt, and a SXS 12 gauge. Like EC, I was nervous on the first stage, which had a complicated shooting pattern. I shot all the targets, but got some of them out of the proper sequence, so I earned my first and only "P".

What made it harder for me was the Marlin only held 8 rounds, which I thought was safe since the SASS information indicated rifle targets should be set for 7 shots. Wrong. The Immortals like rifle targets and all but one stage required 10 shots from the rifle. You guessed it, I loaded on the clock to make those other two shots.

Had a hell of a time though and have enjoyed SASS shooting ever since.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: The Arapaho Kid on August 13, 2005, 01:22:00 AM
In my first match I easily qualified for the bottom of the barrel on the score sheet.  It's been like that ever since!  Can't seem to get higher than the bottom of the barrel....but...I have a lot of fun getting there!  So ask me if I care!

The Bottom of the Barrel Kid
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Arcey on August 13, 2005, 06:31:06 AM
Well now, I'd been shootin' bowlin' pins.  Went 'n watched them cowboys shoot 'n they wuz shootin' big ole targets real close.  Liked that.

Had me a Blackhawk 'n a Rossi '92 way 'fore I knew what CAS was.  Hadn't messed with the 'hawk much, didn't really like it but I could shoot it.  Done a bunch ah plinkin' with the '92, mostly pins left over from the pin matches 'n that at fifty yards.  Heck, that card suit I seen them cowpokes shootin' was gonna be a piece ah cake!

Whut I hadn't done wuz shoot a double barrel shotgun 'n when I stepped up ta shoot my first stage that wuz the first gun.

Now I'd done test fired the thing.  After I got it I took it ta the range ta make sure it worked.  Made me some good dust shootin' inta the berm from fifty yards.  Nuttin' to it.

Sos, ennyways, there I am.  No sweat. I know I ain't gonna win, too new.  I know I can shoot, done shot everything from PPC ta NRA Action Pistol.  Tarnation, I'd shot a pin match the weekend before fer money.  My job 'n a steady paycheck depended on me qualifyin' with my service pistol 'n a pump shotgun loaded with real stuff once a year.  This silly CAS stuff is gonna be EASY!

First stage ever.  I'm in jail.  On the signal, ya reach thru the cell door 'n grab a cleanin' rod.  Use that ta get the keys ta the cell off a hook - slide 'em down the rod 'n grab 'em.  Unlock the cell door, get ta the shotgun - load 'n blast a couple clay pigeons.  In front of ever'body 'n their kid sisters I missed them things bigger'n heck!

Ya do sumthin' like that 'n ya get real humble in a hurry..........................
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Camille Eonich on August 13, 2005, 08:58:36 AM
 ;D

Arcey I remember when we was just watching being confused about how they hit them big ol close targets.  And shotgun targets!  How could you miss a shotgun target that was almost within arms reach.




Very very humbling.


Very humbling. ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Missouri Marshal on August 13, 2005, 09:24:15 AM
I remember my first match, it was at Pungo, I was as green as ya git.  I had been shootin all my life, 22yrs in the military, huntin, target shootin.  Watched a CAS match at Pungo and couldn't figure out how the heck they were missin them targets.  I soon learned that CAS can be very humbling experience when ya think yur good.  Well my first match I showed up wearin a green plaid, pearl snap western shirt, Wranglers, modern cowboy boots.  Had me a pair of Rugers, a Marlin 94c and a SXS.  I was ready.  Yea, right.  First thing I noticed was this scraggy lookin guy with long hair and a beard wearin a hat with an arrow through it.  He was all over the place, seemed like he knew everyone.  He sure looked like he was havin fun.   Me I didn't know anyone.  Well my turn comes around ta shoot.  First match, first stage, nervous as hell.  Sure didn't want ta look like a fool in front of all these strangers.  Get up to the line, Beep, draw ma pistols,  missed a couple but didn't screw up, git ma rifle, Click, lever, click, lever, click, lever, what the heck was goin on, click, lever, click, lever.  Heard someone behind me yellin SAFETY, SAFETY.  God, thought I violatin a safety rule, then the RO says, “take the safety off!”  Managed to eject 5 live rounds before I took the safety off.  Man did I feel stupid.  I didn't have any spare rounds on me to reload.  Must have been 3 people tryin ta hand me more ammo.  Now here I'm thinkin, I screwed up and these folks are jumpin over each other ta help me and this is competition.  I was hooked right then.  Oh, that scraggy lookin pard with the arrow in his hat soon became ma best Pard and Cuzin.  Sure have learned allot from him.  Thanks Pard, I will be eternally grateful.  Ya know who you are.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Arcey on August 13, 2005, 09:49:32 AM
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yanno, I'd been shootin' CAS 'nuff ta know whut the hell I was doin' - BUT - West Point one affernoon.  Half way thru a shoot.  Grab that l'il Marlin 'n 'CLICK'  lever it 'CLICK'.

Justin is runnin' the clock 'n he's yellin' 'SAFETY SAFETY!'

I yell back, 'I got the damned thing pointed downrange!'

'No, ya danged fool!  The rifle's safety!'

'Oh........................... Ok'

Yup.  This game kin keep ya humble........... 'N that safety thingy is long gone now.

Thinkin' I got a hat wit an arrow thru it.  Yup, there it is.  A few feet away sittin' on the stereo.  Used ta have hair down ta my shoulders.  All gone but I got pitchers.  Happy ta have a couple I know callin' me a pard.  That too is humblin' 'n makes life better.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: litl rooster on August 13, 2005, 06:39:20 PM
My first shoot I forgot to load my shot shells in the belt, got to those targets had a pair of them in my belt and most of a full box on top of the cart. Just waiting there for me. I took two missus. Everyone there said to me should have said something they could/would  have handed them to me. ,Tooo Green yet. ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Camille Eonich on August 14, 2005, 09:35:06 AM
I ran out of shotgun shells one time when I forgot to refill my belt after a stage.  That hasn't happened again.


I ran out of shotgun shells one time when I went to a match with a cold that was almost but not quite gone.  There was a stage with a ton of knockdown targets that all had to go down.  You could shoot your rifle and pistols anyway that you wanted.  My .45s were hitting too low on the targets to take them down and I ended up with a bunch left standing.  Yup run my shotgun belt plum dry and about killed myself with a coughing a fit afterwards. 

It was fun though.   ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Arcey on August 14, 2005, 10:05:02 AM
Blue Ridge.  We wuz jokin' 'round (imagine that....) 'n they call me to the loadin' table.  I get my irons out the cart.  Shove my shotshell slide on my belt.  Get ta the table 'n load up.

My turn.  I go ta the line 'n stage up. 

'Shooter ready?' 

'Shooter wuz born ready, hit the beeper.'

BEEP!

Went thru the pistols went thru the rifle.  Grabbed the shotgun, snatched shells 'n the shell slide goes flyin' thru the air like a freakin' frizbee.  Hadn't snapped the thing down.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Micheal Fortune on August 14, 2005, 12:31:14 PM
Ah, my first time, what memories........Shy and awkward moments, soon to be gotten over by the thrill of the moment, a massive rush of color, movement and sound............

I heard once that while you are standing at the firing line, before the buzzer goes off, try and wiggle your toes, if you can't then you are too wound up, relax a bit, wiggle your toes and have at it.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Marshal'ette Halloway on August 14, 2005, 01:16:26 PM
Just want to tell you all to "keep 'em coming".
 I love this thread...
It actually is helping me, and I am sure other greenhorns "get ready", more than you could possibly know.
 
I am one who rely's on my sense of humor for a whole lot of life's issues,
and every new thing that I have learned to do, I have laughed at myself in that process.
I have taught many many people to water ski behind the jet boat,
and I've also shared those laughs and first time learning screw ups with the people I am teaching,
so I know the positive side of what first time stories do.

It really DOES help to know that everyone has, at one time, had to be the 'new kid on the block'.
Can't wait until I have stories of my own to tell.

So, I have fresh ice tea and my popcorn bowl is all filled up again.
I'm ready.(http://www.cascity.com/howard/animations/79.gif)
 
**The Toe Wiggler**
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Marshal Halloway on August 14, 2005, 07:35:35 PM
As most of you know, I kind of started in CAS when I was living in Norway and when I became a SASS member in the early 90's, very few knew about this sport and its existence over there. When I started the caslist and Cas City in 1995, I was still a "CAS loner" in my neck of the woods, but I was ready to learn more. So I started thinking and cooking up some plans in my head about how to get this sport established in Europe and to get an organization up and running.
 
The first years, my CAS activity was limited to being all by myself at the shooting range, trying to copy as much as I could after reading about the sport in gun magazines, from the SASS Handbook and the Chronicle. I even had my own loading and unloading table and  just kept tellin' myself  that one day, I would start competing in this sport. I practiced by myself, talked to myself and was, in my mind, shooting with the best of 'em.

Finally the day came when I was invited by my friends on the caslist and by SASS, to compete at End of Trail '97.
 
Lord, I was excited. I was like a kid at Christmas. Couldn't sleep the night before, and of course, that is all I thought about the whole week before.  I don't think anybody knew that this was, in fact, my very first CAS match. I knew annual events like this was not for beginners, and I was one of the biggest beginners in the pack.  But I was thinking...I had a bit of knowledge from competing in different shooting sports and I was armed with years of experience in firearms safety, so maybe I could get through this without too much embarrassment, 

And I wasn't going to try to  be the  fastest gunslinger east of New York. So with all of these thoughts in my head going a hundred mile an hour.. I decided all I could was load up...let if fly and do my best.
 
I.M. Nobody from BCVC, set me up with 2 Colt SAA, a Winchester 92 and a double barrel shotgun. I had the rest, the outfit and leather. Tioga, Dogface and other BCVC members took good care of me.They didn't question or say anything but I do believe they thought I had a bit more experience than I actually had.
I guess they thought the Marshal of Cas City couldn't be a complete greenhorn. But  a complete beginning greenhorn was exactly what I was.
 
During the briefing of stage 1, I don't think I have ever in my whole life, concentrated so hard.
I paid attention to every detail. I tried to notice every little thing and my hours reading the handbook and everything else about this sport, became very valuable to me. I gave a silent thank you also for all my mental preparations. Cause, I know it made it look like I had been in this situation before.
 
It was time.I was ready....

Nothing so far was feeling unfamiliar and I felt comfortable and in good spirits. To my surprise, when the posse started to line up to the loading table, I was not even nervous, just anxious to get started.
 
At the loading table and with the plugs in my ears, I could both feel and hear my heart was starting to pump a little hard and fast.

It was my turn at the firing line. The reality of the situation suddenly hit me. I could hardly breathe..  my mouth was drier than the Sahara desert...and my dang heart was beating so loud, I was sure everyone could hear it.
 
The timer went off! The world kind of disappeared around me. The posse was gone, the spectators behind the fence weren't there. It was just me, the RO, the course of fire, safety, 170 rule, aiming and firing. And fire away I did !. What a feeling!

It was when I heard the applause of everyone, that I realized I was done. Wow. It felt like I had been shooting for 3-4 minutes (in fact it was only 41 seconds). I had two misses, no procedural and my very first CAS stage in a competition was over.

I was just in my own world for a minute...a bit dazed, I guess you could say. If the RO hadn't tapped me on the shoulder, I guess I would have stood there for an hour wondering if there were more targets to shoot.
 
So I am at the unloading table, and the delayed reaction came swooping down on me. When I opened the loading gate on the first handgun, I shook so much that I didn't even have to push the empties out. They just came spilling out all over the place, my hands were shaking so bad that I could hardly hold the gun.  I bet the poor guy standing there had a hard time not laughing, cause when I looked up at him, his face was all puckered up... I can't remember what I said,  (trying to joke about myself I guess), but my voice shook real bad too. Whatever it was, he couldn't stand it any longer and burst out laughing. We both did and so did the rest of the posse when they heard the story of my "unloading technique".
 
Stage 1 at EOT '97 was the beginning of years of good laughter and fun and friendships.
 
I went back to Norway and convinced a few individuals to help me found Scandinavian Western Shooters and well.... the rest is history.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Camille Eonich on August 14, 2005, 07:40:48 PM
Marshal...that is the BEST first stage, first match story I have ever heard! 


Thank you!  People like you...WOW!
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Arcey on August 14, 2005, 09:02:52 PM
Heh, heh.

Yanno, Marshal.  Back in the CAS-L days, I looked it you 'n Hooligan 'n Major E.A. Sterner as ole pros.  The way things turned out, we ain't that far apart in experience.

I had no thoughts of going to EoT.  Don't now.  This thing just looked like pure fun and I wanted to do it.

I was thrilled when the club I was playin' with decided to shoot R.D.'s P.E.C.  Kindah sad that we don't have that to look forward to anymore.  R.D. went above 'n beyond.  I'm grateful to 'im.  That was some kindah fun.

Been an unreal number of laffs since then.  More pards have been made face to face than I could have ever dreamed.

Want ya ta know a lot of that is your doin'.  Somethin' I can never repay.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Marshal Halloway on August 14, 2005, 10:22:00 PM
I was thrilled when the club I was playin' with decided to shoot R.D.'s P.E.C.  Kindah sad that we don't have that to look forward to anymore.  R.D. went above 'n beyond.  I'm grateful to 'im.  That was some kindah fun.

Yep, we had a lot of fun with PEC. I miss many of the guys that rode with us back then. When I have time, I read some of the post from the cas-list and I often wonder where some of the oldtimers went.

Btw, I found some of the graphics from the Pony Express Challenge. Here is one:
(http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/forumimages/peclogo.gif)

Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Four-Eyed Buck on August 14, 2005, 10:54:55 PM
My first one was in '97 also. Had the leather together, a .45Colt Marlin, a borrowed '97. My first pistola was still in lay-away. One of the other pards said come shoot anyway, ya'll kin borrow one of my pistolas. So, down to Tusco I went. That particular day it was pourin down rain, we actually had little creeks runnin' through the shelters behind the line.
 First stage went by in a blur, gee, after that buzzer went off things just happened. Think I missed one, got some instruction on the correct way to shoot Traditional. didn't seem to notice the rain after that! It was rainin' so hard that you could actually see yer lead goin' down range at the longer distance rifle targets.
 In short, I was hooked. Had never shot in a competition before, just plinkin' around and a little hunting. Think I shot more ammo in that first match than I ever did hunting.........Buck 8) ::) ;)
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Arcey on August 15, 2005, 06:32:11 AM
'Preciate ya postin' the old P.E.C. graphic, Marshal.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Marauder on August 15, 2005, 07:53:18 AM
I'd shot at a couple matches at Lone Star Shooting Society but had a year or so between them due to Sunday commitments.  I finally got really hooked and wanted to shoot as often as I could.  So there was a small club in South Dallas that I went to with my one Uberti, one Blackhawk, a Rossi carbine and 20 gauge SxS Stoeger.

I was doing pretty well and having a great time.  Then on about the third stage, I shoot my pistols, then my rifle.  Picked up my shotgun, loaded it up and went Clcik, CLick.  What?  I opened the gun and it was empty!!. 
I quickly looked around wondering, "What happened to those shells??!!!"
Loaded up two more and was starting to close the action when I noticed, where did THOSE two go!

They were way down that barrel.  So I pointed the barrels up and out came four shotgun shells.
So we all stopped and I finally realized that when we were talking, I'd pickup up someone elses Stoeger and it was a 12 gauge. 

They do all look alike!

We had a good laugh about it on the CAS-L.  Didn't realize then that the Marshal hadn't had a chance to compete yet.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Camille Eonich on August 15, 2005, 06:55:48 PM
See Marshal'ette...everybody is nervous on at their first match.  Strap on them guns and get to shootin' with the Marshal!


I said with him....Not at him!!!! ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Tensleep on August 15, 2005, 07:21:32 PM
My first match was in June of '97, put together thing in the middle of a field. Only two folks had ever shot a match, they were trying to get the rest of us hooked.
I showed up with a Colt DA, a Taurus DA, an orginal 92 in 25.20 and a Ithaca model 37 pump.
I missed a lot of targets, took my P's like a man and had a ball.
The weather was hot and there was no shade. Eleven people shot the match, well, we shot 4 of 6 stages that had been planned before heat exhaustion set in. Took me over two hours to rehydrate and get rid of the cramps when I got home.

That was enough to hook me. A friend and I started to build a range on my farm and the rest is history. CAS is my passion.

I have met the best people and had as much fun as I could possibly have shooting with Arcey, Lucky Bill, Dakota and too many more to mention.

The CAS L was our school and we learned from all the pards, thanks Marshal.

To my "daughter" Cammy, thanks for this thread darlin'. Brings back lots of memories.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Marshal'ette Halloway on August 15, 2005, 10:48:20 PM
See Marshal'ette...everybody is nervous on at their first match.  Strap on them guns and get to shootin' with the Marshal!


I said with him....Not at him!!!! ;D

Dang it~
There's always a catch! I suppose that part about NOT shootin' at your husband is in the rule book?
(http://www.cascity.com/howard/animations/15.gif)
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Big John Denny on August 15, 2005, 10:50:39 PM
It sure is. I just penned it in.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Micheal Fortune on August 17, 2005, 12:13:22 AM
It sure is. I just penned it in.
Well BJD, I wish you would of told my first two wifes about that rule................ ;)
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Pukin Dog on August 18, 2005, 07:05:01 PM
Let see, for my first match all I had were a couple of C & B pistols (A Walker and a Dragoon to boot!!), a '73 Win bought used that I had never shot yet and a borrowed shotgun which also of course had never shot.

So I'm shooting Frontiersman (still the toughest class to shoot in my humble opinion, I shoot FCD now) with 2 of the biggest dang pistols you can find and with 2 long guns I'd never shot yet! :)

Funny thing is though, I wasn't nervous at all!  I thought I would be but had told myself that the first rule was to just shoot safely and accurately.  So I wasn't concerned with impressing anybody with my speed or skills.  That seemed to work.  I did well but was in the bottom of the rankings, but man did I have fun.

You'll have a great time too!  Just have fun the first time, and worry about competition later.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: bobby twohorse on August 18, 2005, 08:50:54 PM
Loved reading the stories of everyone's first match, hopefully in a couple of weeks I can give you mine. Yalls stories have made me feel a little better about my up and coming first match, been looking forward to it but a little nerveous. So far I have my outfit and have bought a matched set of Remm. Outlaws in 45 colt, a 92 in 45 colt and a stoger side by side, all I am waiting for is my leather which should be here by the end of the month. Shot rifles most of my life but very little experiance with pistols. I have been to the local shoots a couple of times to watch but have yet to step up to the plate and shoot a match, will let yall know how it comes out."shaking in my Boots" ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Sod Buster on August 18, 2005, 09:03:05 PM
Loved reading the stories of everyone's first match, hopefully in a couple of weeks I can give you mine.

Bobby,
Where are you located?

Good Luck at your first match. 
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Marshal Halloway on August 18, 2005, 10:57:20 PM
.....will let yall know how it comes out."shaking in my Boots" ;D

We are all looking forward to hearing about your first experience. As I say to the first timers being a little embarassed about their first shooting appearance and maybe a few misses:

Well, you had a few misses, but dang, you did it with style.  ;D

Have fun and be safe, that's what counts here.

 
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Lou Graham on August 19, 2005, 06:49:52 AM
Well, lessee... about 5 years ago I knew all the range safety rules and could put a few holes in paper with a 9mm and a bolt action rifle as long as someone that knew what they were doing was with me to help if anything malfunctioned.
It was boring.
I was afraid of shotguns.
I had never been in any kind of competition, just plinking at the gun club.

I joined SASS without Wonnerful Hubby as he didn't think at the time that sort of think was his style.  He helped me pick my guns and gear and showed me how to operate it all.  I practiced for several months, loading, shooting and unloading as instructed in the rule book.

My first stage of my first match is etced in memory for forever.  Snake Eyes Frank was the kind and helpful RO that saw me through my first stage.  Pistols - clean, move, shotgun - clean, climb onto horse and shoot rifle. Panic -- I've never shot sitting! :o   Can I do this?  Jump on horse, pick up rifle, bang- clang, bang-clang.  I CAN do it!  I AM doing it! bang-clang I'm doing it! bang-clang I'm not a bystander, I'm DOING this! bang-clang bang-clang bang-clang Yipee! bang-clang bang-clang Lookit me, I'm doing it! bang-no-clang.  I missed the last shot on the last gun 'cause by then I was shaking quite a lot and grinning from ear to ear.  I was VERY slow, deliberate and careful.  Everybody cheered and clapped.  After all, they had a new lady shooter, kinda rare at that time here.



Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Camille Eonich on August 19, 2005, 08:20:27 AM
Yalls stories have made me feel a little better about my up and coming first match, been looking forward to it but a little nerveous.


YAY!  Then it is serving it's purpose. 


Welcome to the game....you may think that you are hooked now but wait until after you get that first stage past you. :o ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Irish Red O'Toole on August 19, 2005, 12:09:50 PM
Wel about three years ago Christmas, my brother comes over and gives me a HUGE box and a little box as presents.  Inside the little box was his old Blackhawk .45 Colt and in the HUGE one was a compete set of cowboy duds.  Now I had no reason not to shoot.  So we picked a Saturday shoot and he drove out to get me (60 miles out of his way!!) at 6AM.  I was so excited that I was up at 5AM waiting for him.  When we got to the match, I had to borrow everything but a belt.  Well the good pards at the Cajon Cowboys took real good care of me.  I was loaned guns (other than my new Blackhawk) and holsters and off I went.  I hung back and watched the first half dozen or so people shoot then my brother came over and said "load up".  THAT got my knees shaking.  I loaded my borrowed guns so slowly I thought the sun would go down before I was done.  Anyway, I finally got up to shoot.  I had a pretty good idea what to shoot and when.  The timer buzeed in my ear and off I went.  I don't remember thinking about the people behind me or anything.  But when I was done, I looked at the spotters.  They all indicated I shot it clean!  As I was walking past one of the ultra fast guys, I heard him muttering, "new shooter my a$$!!"  That made me walk just a few feet off the ground for the rest of the day.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Russ T Chambers on August 19, 2005, 01:19:21 PM
My first shoot was so long ago I don’t even want to think about dates.  It was at Lake Elsinore in Southern California.  I was living in Oceanside at the time, and had one used SAA.  I read about End of Trail in Guns and Ammo, and thought about going to it (good thing other events intervened, and I didn’t make it), I wasn’t anywhere near prepared for even the low key event it was back then!
A little later I got in contact with Bill and Dorothy Hahn.  They put on a shoot at Elsinore, and by now I had acquired a rifle.  Dorothy was kind enough to load me a shotgun (I got my own Rossi coach gun at the end of the match from a shooter who was going to be more competitive by getting a ’97).
To be honest, I don’t remember the details of my shooting, other than being scared to death of dropping a gun, or making any other stupid safety oops.
I do remember after the first stage, I realized I probably wasn’t the total klutz I thought I was going to be, and really allowed myself to enjoy the people, the shooting and the closeness that a bunch of cowboy shooters exude when they get together.
I still have the shooter’s badge from that shoot, (honestly I didn’t know Bill wanted them back at the time), and I wouldn’t trade it for all fifteen consecutive EOT badges since then.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Camille Eonich on March 29, 2006, 09:43:24 AM
Ok we got a bunch of new members here now.  Let's hear your stories. ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Arcey on March 29, 2006, 09:50:13 AM
Got my first shoot comin' up Saturday.  Can't wait!
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Russ T Chambers on March 29, 2006, 09:52:52 AM
Got my first shoot comin' up Saturday.  Can't wait!
Arcey
Don't ya know ya can go to hell  for lyin' just as quick as ya canfor stealin'.  ::) ;D ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Camille Eonich on March 29, 2006, 10:18:02 AM
Got my first shoot comin' up Saturday.  Can't wait!


Yer a mess! 
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Arcey on March 29, 2006, 10:26:59 AM
Awwwww c'mon, y'all.  It's my first shoot this week........................

..
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Camille Eonich on March 29, 2006, 10:48:57 AM
Awwwww c'mon, y'all.  It's my first shoot this week........................

..


Then I'm going to two first shoots this weekend. One on Saturday that will be the first shoot of the week and one on Sunday that will be the first shoot of next week.   ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Tensleep on March 29, 2006, 10:53:26 AM
Sounds good to me....

Think I'll do the same.  ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Micheal Fortune on March 29, 2006, 11:07:59 AM
Went to one Saturday, that was the last of the off season shoots......

Now this Sunday coming up, is the First shoot of the new season.........does that count??   :)
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: sweettooth on March 29, 2006, 10:15:47 PM
 Howdy first I dont know alot about cas history what is cas L? I have been wondering that since I first started coming to this web site ? o.k my first shoot
  My wife and I were cruizing the hill country on the bike and we happened on a big shoot. Lots of shooters and lots of vendors.
 I talked with several shooters and watched some stages thought this is great dress up like cowboys run around objects and shoot 3 different guns . Whats not to like. Told her someday Im going to do this.
  Well this year I happend on this web site and decied its time order a pistola from the marshal bought a marlin cbc already had a vaquero and went to my first match a gentleman who has become a friend loaned me a shotgun.
  First match of the year Jan something lots of shooters . lots of costumes I loved it
 Loaded my pistols hadnt had a chance to shoot the navy arms yet and buzz great ro helped me through it, move here, now this ,
 shotgun next he said I was in a fog. Got to the shotgun new shotgun mule ears a foot apart it was like try to work a combination lock . They timed me with a calender, scored my pistol misses with a calculator .No rifle misses the corp teaches well.
 But I was hooked . Started hanging out on this board asked a lot of questions got a lot of good answerers, it kept my intrest up as the weather was not great for shooting. Worked on building the corect equipment with your help . I was so embarrased by my times I found a club that had a 2 day practice session. That helped a bunch. Never could get the hang of firing a wheel gun 2 handed my left hand goes to the 1911  position to natuarlly.
  but a pair of 5 1/2 opentops work just fine for double duelest
  Well  in April I will be shooting at that match I watched 2 yrs ago by motorcycle. Im still new but now they wont need a calculator or calender I HOPE .Even if they do the amount of friends I have made just since Jan is amazing .
           Lots of thanks to all the people here.  Your Pal Sweettooth
  P.S. Got my 73 slicked up dont need wraps. cats are safe and sound Mam.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: litl rooster on March 30, 2006, 04:32:15 AM
I'm with Arcey going to shoot my 1st match this week, also.

Can't believe I am still here a year later, Still on my 2nd stage too. ;D ;D ;D I have learned it's not how fast you are.........It is just plain fun and the people are the best.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Tensleep on March 30, 2006, 08:38:41 PM
Sweettooth...........

CAS-L is (because of it's continued life here) the grandfather of Cowboy Action Shooting on the internet.
It was started in 1995 by Marshal Halloway as an email list for cowboy shooters about cowboy shooting.

The Marshal was in Norway  :o and connected with folks interested in cowboy shooting world wide. Think that wasn't strange?  ::)

CAS-L was the way that we (us old farts called Ghostriders now) communicated with each other and learned things like Nevada Sweep and where to get the best deal on leather, guns, lead, parts and such. It also caused many of us to form a bond that lasts til this day. I met one of my very best friends on CAS-L and I am proud to say that friendship continues to this day.

Now as for Marshal Halloway, he is one of the best, and his energies can be seen in what we have today in Cas City.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Missouri Marshal on March 31, 2006, 12:18:38 AM
Got my first shoot comin' up Saturday.  Can't wait!

Well I bet it's your first shoot like this one will be!  I am truly honored that you will be part of it.  Yeeee  Haaawwww!
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Arcey on March 31, 2006, 04:55:16 AM
Yeah it is.

Thankee, sir.  We'll both be honored.  No doubt.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: McMate on March 31, 2006, 01:01:53 PM
So many pards, so much fun.

First match.....can't remember much, but can remember where..............


Lost River......Home of the Dusty Trail Posse.

Thank you Tensleep and Mz. Annie
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Digem Deep on March 31, 2006, 07:09:39 PM
Well it's been a few years since my first match, but here goes. No one around here really knew about CAS and they just put on something they viewed as a cowboy match. The only cowboy gun I had was a Marlin 336 in 30-30. Yep we could shoot them in this match. Borrowed a pistol, and a shotgun. Most round counts were 10 pistol and we only shot 1 pistol so there was a reload on every stage. Started with 6 in the rifle, sometimes loaded more . We shot bowling pins with the rifles at 50 to 75 yards, boy a 30-30 really tears them up. Most pistol targets were 15 to 30 yards away.

I wasn't really nervous at my first match, been shooting competition for years, PPC and NRA Action. Went and had a ball. And I guess what really hooked me, I took second place. Next match got cocky, come in dead last.

I got hooked so bad that I wanted more, and the club that hosted the match only had 3 per year. Couldn't justify buying the guns to be used 3 times a year. Went to my home gun club and started our cowboy matches. The early days was unusual. We used a combination of steel and cardboard targets. Most all targets were KD's. and if they didn't fall they didn't count. Rifle targets often were clay pigeons at 25 yards.

This game has changed. I think for the better. MUCH safer than when we started. More action. And more pards to have fun with and to share the excitement with. But my excitement for the game has not changed.

Dig'em Deep
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: sweettooth on April 01, 2006, 04:50:40 AM
 Thanks for the backround Mr. Tensleep  (mr being a sign of respect} Im sure a lot of us have been wondering
  who the ghost riders were. I agree that Mr. Marshal is tops.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Wildcat Will on April 02, 2006, 07:29:51 PM
My first shoot was 7 years ago.  I had been reading about SASS in the gun mags and thought it would be fun. I was down in SC and found a club in Columbia,  Palmetto Posse.  I called the lady running the thing and asked a couple of questions.  I had a pair of Blackhawks and had bought a pistol rig but did not have a rifle or a shotgun.  I wish I could remember the lady's name but she told me to bring a box of 12 gage shells and gave me the directions.  I had absolutely no plans on shooting.  I was going to watch and see what was what.

Well that was not going to fly with that group.  They asked what I had brought and someone told me I could use his rifle and shotgun.  That fella was Bullwacker.  He still shoots down in SC and I had a chance to shoot with him last year twice.  Once at Pigeon Forge and once again in Roanoke at the VA state shoot.

Anyway I told him that I had never shot a pump before.  He ran me through the motions and asked about a lever rifle.  I had shot one once and felt I could figure it out.  They lead me through the loading table rules and explained the safety issues at the line.  You want to talk about nerves.  Yea they were there.  But just like others have mentioned they all went away when I heard the beep and started shooting.  It is funny that my wife and I still joke about that first stage.  I told her when I got home that I had my back to the targets and had to yell "Its my birthday" and then turn around and start the stage.  I could not tell you anything about how I did.  All I can tell you is I had a grin on my face for week.  The sound of hitting them targets had me.

The people!!!!!   Heck folks helping you and letting you borrow their guns.  I did not have a shotgun for thre more months or a rifle for almost six months.  No problem people let me try theirs and I think it was great.  I figured out what I wanted. 

As for one of my funny experiences early on.  My first annual, was at Givhans Ferry.  I loaded everything up and holstered the pistols.  I was standing there, told the RO I was ready.  Grabbed the rifle and went through the sequence without any trouble.  Reached for my first pistol (I was not shooting gunfighter at that time) and pulled and pulled and nothing happened.  I had my hammer strap on the pistol.  Needless to say that was not my best stage.  But I got a good laugh out of it.  I got reminded, with a grin, by the RO for the rest of the day about them straps. 

This is a great sport, but it is the people like MM, Arcey, Sleep, Bullwacker and (God bless him) VA Wildman who keep me coming back. 
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Coop Trawlaine on April 14, 2006, 06:09:39 PM
OMG, my first shoot.  Shudder at the memory....but had a dang good time.

Now I never did any competition shooting afore, so this was totally new to me.  I got invited to come and that guns and ammo would be supplied to me, I only had one pistola at the time and it was a wall hanger that needed work but looked good in leather.

Anyway, a pair of vaqueros were slipped into my leather and on the first stage, pistol targets, first 5 shoots and I missed three and dang they was so close I almost felt I could reach out and touch them.  That wasn't too bad, but I had a habit with my old wallhanger of practicing fast draw and spinning the iron back into leather.  You guessed it, that is just what I did without even thinking.  My red face contrasted nicely with my black outfit.

Anyway by the fifth stage I was settling down and doing much better, but with the nerves and first time, I didn't finish the next two stages, just too dang tired and was afraid I would shoot myself in the big toe or worse.

I am hooked, I still have mucho problems but I am getting past them, some by improvement other problems by just laughing them off and having fun.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Major E A Sterner on April 29, 2006, 10:07:16 PM
Wow, Great Thread, Lets see, my first match was on March 16 1997. I had been talking to Pards from Cas-L, One, The notorious Catskill Bob, invited me down to his club to shoot.It was a sunny day but the temp never went higher than 28 degrees. I was shooting a Stoeger 20 guage SxS, a Win 94 trapper in .45 colt, a New model Blackhawk in .45 colt and an Old model Blackhawk in.357.
They had their safety meeting and then we went to shooting. I got to shoot first on EVERY stage. I had a great time, met some even better Pards and have been going back ever since. Was I nervous? Ya couldn't tell, because everyone there was shakin from the cold... ;D
Oh, I almost forgot, I went back the next month and they were handing out Coffee mugs whit the top 3 finishes in each catagory. I was shocked to hear my name called out, I came on 3rd place Modern. It's a "Trophy" that I still have and cherish. wish other clubs would do that.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Pinto Being on May 04, 2006, 01:11:06 AM
Wool,

That first match ain't exactly what you would call "clear in my mind."  It was some time back, now.  So, the memory ain't what one would consider sharp, or even in focus, neither one.

But, I do remember walkin' up to the loadin' table and thinkin' that this shootin' game must be just like huntin'.  And I knew how to hunt.

So, I loads up my store-bought .45 LC rounds in my brand new, never-shot-before Vaquero, and in my used ASM Dakota.  Then, I loads up the same rounds in my brand new Rossi Puma.  Then, I sticks about 6 rounds of 12 gauge in my pants pocket under my right holster.  And I proceeds to the line.

Never havin' shot in any type of organized shootin' sport before, the timer had to hit me on the shoulder to tell me to start shootin'.  I didn't hear the beep. I was in my hunter-ZEN mode.  Haw! Haw! Haw!

The shootin' part is pretty fuzzy now, but I remember tryin' to figure out how would be the best way to hold my hogleg with two hands.  Out of the 10 shots with the pistolas, I must have used 4 or 5 different grip techniques. 

I knew that when it came to the rifle, I would really shine.  I knew how to do that!

So, I cocked the rifle and pulled it up real snug to my shoulder.  Then, I saw that knock down rifle target way out there and took steady aim.  Bein' careful not to spook the target and the ones standin' near it, I let out my breath after getttin' a good bead, and slooooooooooowly eased the trigger back.  Bang!  Clang!  YeeeeHaw!  (I remember lookin at the timer and grinnin')  "Heck, this is easy," I thought.  I dropped the rifle to hip level, and racked it again.  Then I proceeded to do the same thing with the remainin' 7 rounds.  I hit ever' one and each shot was absolutely dead center.  Them targets went spinnin' and flyin', never again to roost on that ol' target rack.

The shotgun was a little spookier.  I knew that I had to do it fast.  So, I reached under my holster, into my pants pocket and pried out not one, but TWO shotshells at the same time.  I loaded 'em into my Stevens 2-by-each, one at a time.  And then I had to work a bit at gettin' those 28" barrels up in the air and the action closed up tight.  But, I eventually did.  I pushed the safety off and swung the butt carefully and slowly up to my shoulder, so as not to spook the targets.  I took very careful aim, released my breath, and squeezed the first trigger.  BLAM!  I hit that swingin' target dead in the center of the mass.  No shoulder shot here, it was a head shot for sure.  Heck, that was easy!  It wasn't like I was gonna ruin the "head" or nothin'.  Then, I methodically proceeded to do the same for the next 5 shots.

Turns out, I had 4 pistol misses but shot the rifle and shotgun clean!  YeeeeeeHaaaaaaw!
Oh, I saw the sidelong glances and smothered grins of the other shooters, but I had survived my first stage!  And besides, I didn't know what the Hell they were chucklin' at anyway.  Ignorance is bliss.  Haw! Haw! Haw!  I thought they were grinnin' 'cause of my dead-center accuracy and methodical shootin' style.  Worked for me.

Thanks for stayin' with me all this ways, pards.  There's a point to this. 

Nowadays, whenever I am mentorin' a new shooter and s/he says somethin' like:  "Well, I ain't exactly new to shootin'.  I been huntin' all my life,"  I kind of grin.  Usually my response is somethin' like:  "Wool, if you already know how to shoot, this match ought to be a piece o' cake!  Just listen to me and I'll try and give you a few tips along the way."

There ain't nothin' like your first time...

Ride on!
   

 
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Camille Eonich on May 08, 2006, 01:13:14 PM
Excellent story Pinto!!!    ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Pinto Being on May 09, 2006, 01:25:32 AM
Wool, thank you Miss Eonich, Ma'am.

To my mind, this "First Match" thread is about as slick as a newborn calf.  Been doin' some serious chucklin' readin' ever'ones stories here.  They make for great conversation when we are workin' with brand, spankin' new shooters.  Sort of let's those newbie folks know that this ain't just a game, it's an adventure!

Sure would like to read some more!

Ride on,

Pinto
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Judge Jake McCord on August 12, 2006, 08:28:29 PM
My first shoot, and Sinister Sue McCord's, was just today! Great fun: but too blamed hot! We quit early, due to being overheated, and running out of shotgun shells. But we can't wait for next match!  ;)

Judge Jake McCord
Title: First Match Jitters
Post by: Tony Two Crows on August 17, 2006, 07:54:18 PM
I attended one shoot in March to check it out.  I picked brass and talked to folks about their firearms and why they shoot.  I had a great time just watching and learning.  I was hooked.  I scrambled to get firearms together and built my cart from scratch out of plywood and a hand truck.  Next month I showed up with all my gear ready to give it a go.  I studied the stages and tried to remember all the transitions..I was doing great...'til I started shooting.  The buzzer sounded and I went blank.  I was so nervous I'm surprised I kept all my fingers and toes.  I vaguely remembered what to do and I did get a few things in the wrong order.

I got through the first stage...then the second...finally I had completed my first match and the whole posse started applauding.  I thought a movie star had arrived...it was for me.  They welcomed me into the "cowboy way".  I was a part of a group and it didn't matter how I shoot...just that I'm there.  I'm not the crackest shot in the corral, but I still have a ball doing the best I can every month.  Last week I stopped worrying about the clock and just did the best I can.  I only shoot once a month...and try to get to the range as often as possible...but the score is secondary to the friendship and common bond we share of mutual respect and a love of our rich american heriitage.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Arcey on August 17, 2006, 08:31:08 PM
I always tell new shooters not ta lose their minds when the beep goes off.  Tell ‘em there ain’t a target they can’t hit but they ain’t gonna win, just forget that for now.  Relax, shoot the targets ‘n have fun. They don’t listen.

Had this one ole boy.  He’d been shootin’ K-frame Smiths fer years.  I’d shot the same with ‘im years ‘fore I ever heard ah CAS.  Had ‘im two brand new stainless Vags.  Real pretty.

First stage, first time.  I got the clock.

‘Shooter unnerstan’ the course ah fire?’

‘Uh huh’

‘Shooter ready?’

‘Uh huh’

‘Standby’         BEEP

He pulls one them Rugers.  Gets ‘isownself on target ‘n ‘e stands there ‘n ‘e stands there.  No bang.  Now, his hands are tremblin’.  I look – weren’t hard ta see.

Put my hand on his shoulder, got close ta his ear ‘n said, ‘Bruce, ya gottah cock it.’

If y’all seen that before – sorry…..
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Macon McLeod Osmoke on August 18, 2006, 08:32:32 AM
My first shoot was last Sept.  My cowboy clothes was a pair of wrangler blue jeans, a black bib shirt, knee high moccasins, cowboy hat, two slim jim style holsters, and a $9 brown belt from Walmart for a gun belt.  I showed up with my shot gun and two '58 Remingtons and one '51 colt, plus two boxes of shotgun shells, plenty of powder, round balls, lube, and a couple of boxes of 38sp for a rifle the MD let me borrow.  He pairs me with the posse leader for a gun cart.  I watched a match the week before so that I can see how things flow and what happens, what needs to be done.  Since I am shooting cap and ball, they place me near the end of the shooting list.  After giving stage directions, I go to the unloading table and start charging my cylinders.  My first match so I am nervous and it almost takes me the entire time until I shoot to charge both cylinders.  I go to the loading table now since it is my turn.  Problems now.  I can not get caps on all the nipples.  The nipples got peened on both Remingtons.  The Colt is in the car, but I don't have time now to go get it, and load it.  I can get one gun capped, but the other is useless.   One pard loans me his revolver for the stage.  I shoot first stage.  Had a blast.  Afterwards, I now think it is over for the day because my guns need new nipples.  I miss the second stage, which would have been a blast.  You sit in an outhouse with your guns, say a line, throw the doors open and start shooting.  While I am watching the second stage, the MD comes by.  I tell him what happens, and he tells me the day at over yet.  He pulls out two very nice Colts in 38sp., gives me more ammo for it, and I get to shoot stages 3 through 6.  Fun day had by all, and if I had gotten to shoot the second stage, I would not have come in dead last.  I might have been next to last.  I get home, throw the loaded cylinder I could not get capped into a bucket of water for a while, remove the ball, clean them, and then immediately order Tresso nipples.  I have also ordered several spare cylinders too in the mean time.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Matthew Duncan on September 06, 2006, 10:54:23 AM
First shoot?  That been back in ....

Din't have shotgun loops so I just stuffed the shells between me and the gun belt.  Dribbled shells all the way across the first stage.

Second stage I pointed the gun straight up, cocked it and started squeezing the trigger as I acquired the sights and target.  BOOM!  Hole thru the stage roof and a MD.  This is a single action revolver NOT DOUBLE!  I pickup brass for the rest of the match.

100 years from now nobody will even remember or care.  So shoot safely and have fun.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Adirondack Jack on September 06, 2006, 06:34:06 PM
This thread needs to go in the "keeper" file for any new pard to read before they face the steel the first time.

My first shoot wasn't too dramatic.  Durn crossbolt safety on the chicom SXS engaged when i didn't want it to. (ole Mr Dremel fixed it's wagon that night, never to be a problem again).  Pistols were humbling.  I mean what the heck.  The same BH I had shot a deer through the heart at a paced 85 yards with and I miss a target as big as a top off a 55 gallon drum at 10 yards?  Racked a round or two on the ground outta the marlin when I short stroked it..  Nothing unusual I guess.

Then the second shoot I really felt like things were gonna go a bit calmer.  I'm concentrating on the target order, etc, while watching from the loading table.  I get called to the line, shoot a clean stage, go to the unloading table and a feller is standing there with a rifle that looked a LOT like mine.  Man I felt dumber than a bag o' hammers when I figured out what was goin' on.   I'd shot the stage with HIS rifle and didn't even realize it.

It is a whole bunch of fun, and the NERVES when ya first start can't be imagined.  Now days, yeah, I get a little wound at times, and hardly ever know what's goin on besides lookin at the targets, but none of them "feel like ya might hurl" nerves.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Arcey on September 11, 2006, 09:28:50 AM
I'd shot the stage with HIS rifle and didn't even realize it.

Been awhile back.  When I was switchin' ta The One True Powder.  Wanted ta test my x-perimental shotshells.  Waited 'til there was a break in the action, in a hurry, grabbed the Stoeger off the common rack.  Put a few thru it, handed it off to a pard 'n he put a few thru it.  Go back ta the 'pit area' where the rack was 'n there's 'nother pard in a semi-panic lookin' fer his Stoeger.  I look it the rack 'n there sits my ole beat up Stoeger.  Look it the one I'm totin' 'n it ain't beat up.........  Ut ohhhhhhhhhhh.......

'Uhhhhhh....  John, I got yer shotgun.  Grabbed it by mistake.  Shot a few test loads out it.  Sorry....'

'Oh.  That's ok.  Thanks'  (This boy is real funny 'bout his guns....)

'Ya need ta know, they were Black Powder loads.........'

The look on his face was priceless...................
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Griff on October 19, 2006, 02:14:00 AM
Wow, so long ago.  Can't remember the exact month, but it was right around Jan 1985, at the old Coto de Coza range.  Showed up with a .45 Colt, a Winchester 94 in .30-30 and a 1919 Riverside Arms SxS 12 ga.  I mean to tell ya, just how can ya get more "cowboy" than that!! ;D  It was either Tex or the Judge, walked up and said, "Pardner, ya cain't shoot that thurdy-thurdy here.  Let me find someone who'll loan ya a pistol caliber long-gun."  It didn't go downhill from there, but there weren't much uphill about it either.  I'd shot all kinds of shooting games, but never encountered the kind of brain fade that occurs right about the time the buzzer sounds in a 3-gun match.  Addiction at first bang-clang!  And for those that haven't had the opportunity to experience the "rocking" horse, it just don't get any better!  Talk about laughing. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Matts BasterSon SASS 74843 on November 14, 2006, 03:40:40 PM
Well, I don't have to struggle to remember mine - it was this last Saturday!

We're new to Moriarty, NM (though I gre up in Albuquerque), and the Mrs. and I are over to the local Wells Fargo to get a safe place for our $$$, and in the course of gettin' the paperwork done, the lady behind the desk asks if we'd be interested in comin' to the local SASS club shoot/match the next day.

We ride our own horses, and dress Western, and I'd seen this on TV, and love to shoot and...the Mrs. is even interested!!! :o

She likes the idea of the period dress, and EVEN WANTS TO SHOOT!!  :o :o <faints>

We got directions...the range is maybe 2 miles away (Founder's Ranch is like 7 miles away, maybe?  ;D), and she told us to be there "about 9".

Next morning, I'm sittin' by the door about 7:30, ready to go! Jeans? check. Felt Cowboy hat? Check. Oldest, most beat up, "I been there" cowboy boots? Check!

I am soooo ready!!!

Well, to say we were early would be to understate some. Others arrived though, all in proper dress, and many "in character" already. Gun carts out, a more thorough range safety brief then I ever saw in 26 years in the military, and then they comenced to sashayin' up to the loading table.

I am facinated. The only SA I'd ever seen was my dad's Ruger Blackhawk. The only lever action rifle, his Winchester 73 (in a rifle caliber...not sure which), and...side by side shotguns??? HUH??? They MAKE those still??  :-\

So I watch a few of the old hands load and shoot - crammin' those bullets into that little feed door, leverin' those smokin' cartridges into the air (and onto their hats!! :D) and I thought...this looks like FUN!!

Well, it was time for us to go. We volunteer at a local horse rescue, and the day was getting on, and we "should" be going...One of the pards says...you ARE going to shoot, aren't you?

GULP! Me? Shoot? Today? But, I'm not ready, and these are strangers, and the sun is in my eyes, and...

"Here. These are my best vaqueros. This gun belt fits. Lets go over to the loading table..."

Next thing I know, I'M stuffing bullets into that little feed door, and I'M learning about "Cowboy Port Arms" and I'm finally looking at the only harware I recognize - a Pump action shotgun!

<Trip back in history time...I was in Navy Law Enforcement for part of my 26 years, and shot perhaps 10,000 round of 9mm 229 Sig, .45 1911, Mossberg 500 pump, and even some M14, M1, AR-15, M-16 and even some M2 .50 cal., and shot pretty well, earning perfect scores with all arms with both hands/sides. NONE of that - other than basic breathing and the notion of what a sight picture ought to look like prepared me for what was coming>

Well, now I'm standing out there at my new found stance of cowboy Port Arms, saying something like, "Put that cow down, you varmit!", and there's a buzzing in my ear, and I bring the rifle up and...what? huh? Where do I put the front sight in the rear sight on this? Here, I guess...lever i na round...ooooh! that was smooth!...what order? Nevada sweep, he said....Hmmmm....point, aim, clickBOOM!...no recoil! That was verra nice...next?....ah! Left to right! Got it!...point clickBOOM!...etc. Out of targets, out of bullets (how nice that they added up that way)....run over to the pistol place, draw, gun up...sights! There is NO BACK SIGHT HERE!!! Just that giant shark fin on the front! Holy c.rap! Targets are huge though, and only 10 yards away...finger on the trigger, cock the hammer...also verra smooth, very nice...mental note...ask who did this work...squeezeBOOM!...another note to self..."hairtrigger"...12345 put that gun back, get the other one, lather, rinse repeat 12345 and done, in the holster, start to move...run to staging table...shell in, receiver forward, gun up, can't miss at this range...BOOM! Ah! 12ga.!..eject...next in, up BOOM!...old home week....eject, shoot, eject shoot...

DONE? Already? Really?  :'(

Shot clean, but the timer had time to have an early lunch, read the Tombstone Times, floss, and clip his toe nails.

BUT WHAT FUN!!!

And then the bride got talked into givin' it a go by the banker lady, and she did, and she loved it, and now we have the winter to do our homework, try some different guns and loads, and get ready for the spring!!!

I can't say enough good things about the wonderful and generous people we met, the Safety-First attitude, the "this is supposed to be fun. If it ain't fun, yer doin' it wrong" approach. Awesome.

We can't wait!

 ;D ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Camille Eonich on November 14, 2006, 05:20:34 PM
 :D


Great stories!  Matts sounds as though you are HOOKED!!  ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Matts BasterSon SASS 74843 on November 15, 2006, 11:45:13 AM
Camille, I think I may have a terminal case!  ;D


:D


Great stories!  Matts sounds as though you are HOOKED!!  ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Scarlet Angel on November 15, 2006, 03:47:57 PM
Psst..Matts mounted shooters use .45's  ;) and lots of ladies do it too.

I heard about mounted shooting through a friend of my gma. Found the closest club, went to check it out.
The nicest people you could meet. One of the fella's handed me the reins to his horse and loaned me his guns & rig....I was hooked in about 5 minutes. Sent my husband an email (he was deployed at the time) "I have found something to keep me occupied while you're away"  Ordered my first cowboy gun the next week.

My first mounted match was with borrowed guns and holsters as I didn't have mine yet. I was so nervous, how can someone remember the course..along with wondering just how long my horse was going to tolorate the nonscense...can't remember how well I shot but I am still going back.

I had been doing mounted shooting for a couple of years, had seen CAS and thought that might be fun too.

Last year my husband and I took a trip to VA. I had been corresponding with one of the shooters I met here in CAS city and told him we were coming that way I'd like to come and watch a match. Took Tensleep all of about a day of emailing me back and forth and I seem to recall the last email was "just bring your leather."

We had a great time...only thing I didn't borrow was the belt and holsters. I had never shot a pump shotgun before (shotgun yes, I been shootin since I was a kid). Here I am on the course so nervous one of the other fellas had helped me load the guns. I picked up the shotgun and looked at it for a moment, had to turn to one of them and ask him how to load it. I've been around them..know the principle of the entire thing, but my mind drew a complete  ???  LOL...oh well we had a great time. 

My husband finally is on rotation where he is working normal hours. Last weekend was our 2nd CAS shoot (non mounted as he doesn't do that)  I was really slow too but oh well can only go up from there and we are having alot of fun.




Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Matts BasterSon SASS 74843 on November 16, 2006, 09:46:32 AM
Well SA,

All I can say is we're thinking about it. We've got four horses, two are adult and two babies. We ride the grown ups, and one, our Morgan mare, is a former Amish road horse, and she doesn't spook at much, but hasn't been exposed to gunfire, to our knowledge.

Adding the horses to the equation will probably be the last thing we do, after we're sure the bride's going to stick with it.  :)
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Texas Trail Boss on November 25, 2006, 08:42:07 AM
The plain & simple truth is, I ain't been to my first match yet.  Oh, I went to several & thought I was ready but... I backed out at the last minute.  Don't get me wrong, I been shootin' for many years & since I started into this CAS stuff... I have been out to the range more times than I can count & have shot probably a thousand rounds of ammo or better.  I guess I just don't do well in crowds & never wanted to be embarrassed.  Did I spell that word right?  ::)

Anywho, I have been told by several that I am "one Hell of a shot" but, I just can't find it in me to perform in front of a crowd.  I hope I can get over that real soon cuz I know all the fun I'm missing & I'm afraid in time if I don't go to a match soon... I just may lose interest & quit the game.  :'(
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Matts BasterSon SASS 74843 on November 25, 2006, 09:06:09 AM
Trail Boss,

I hear ya. I haven't shot a match yet, just a "get together" club shoot ,and I didn't even show up planning to shoot. got invited to though, and had no excuse not to. Just like you, the 18 or so people watching were right at the front of my mind. Some how, some way, once that buzzer went off, all I could see was the targets, and I know I had the thought that the best way to cure my own worry about being embarrassed (I'm not sure if that's how you spell it, either) was to not miss, or at least, not miss many. So I went very slow and just tried to remember what i knew about shooting in general, and it worked out fine. O' course, they could have timed me with an hour glass...

Maybe you could go to the range with just a couple of pards, who know and respect your ability to shoot, and just do it with them. Next time, maybe one or two others you don't know so well in addition. Do that 'til you're comfortable, then maybe a regular club type shoot. you get my point though: try building up to it slow - like.

I hope you don't quit. I'd hate to see a pard goin't out through the saloon doors as I'm a comin' in!  :)
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Texas Trail Boss on November 25, 2006, 09:15:54 AM
Matts,

I sure do appreciate the encouragement there pard.  Yep, I need to get out there soon & just go for it.  It's all about the fun anyway so, I need to just pick up my boot straps & get involved.  Who knows, I could be the next world champ?  ::)

Nah!  Better get away from that kind of thinking.  :D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Coop Trawlaine on November 25, 2006, 09:31:42 AM
Let me tell ya, there is only one way to handle that problem.  Just go out there and git it done.  Even if they is poeple ya don't know yer still among pards and let the lead fly.

Let me share this one, it is the truth by the way, I have been shooting with CAS for two years now and just a couple of months back I had this situation happen.  Shotgun on this particular stage was pretty simple 4 knockdowns, kd's must go down.  Flattened 1, 2 and 4 reloaded to hit three and as I went to close the sxs I watched my two shells just fly out of the chamber and hit the ground, then I reached for two more on my belt and bumped my hand coming up and dropped those two on the ground.  Well by this time I was laughing so hard I couldn't hit a 20'x20' wall from three feet.  I blew my whole stage by using up all my shells in my shotgun belt just for one kd target.  Funniest thing I done so far in this game.  Next time I gots ta remember don't start laughing at myself until after I hit all the targets.... :D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Grapevine Jimmy on January 02, 2007, 10:25:34 AM
Well, I did it! December 30 at the Carolina Cattlemen’s Shooting and Social Society was my first match. Man what a great time!

I went to my first match at Flatwoods (Hubert, NC) in September and got bitten by the bug. Went to Carolina Cattlemen’s Shooting & Social Society (Creedmore, NC) in October and became sure that I wanted into the CAS community. I started acquiring guns and paraphernalia. I had a Winchester ’94 in .38/.357, a Stevens 5100 double barrel and a Vaquero in .45. I decided I wanted to shoot .38 special so I sold and bought until I now have two old model Vaqueros in .38/.357, the ’94 and a Norinco 1897. I got a couple of books about the old west (with many pictures) from a used book store. I decided B Western was how I wanted to start. Between ebay and Santa and the wardrobe looks pretty good.

Got to the range early Saturday, signed up, confessed to my first time and met some really nice folks while waiting for the Safety Briefing and Posse assignments. The Posse leader said he would put me ahead of him and in the middle so I get to see what was going on. Things were going good. My turn came at the loading and I got everything loaded without problem. Then, “Next shooter up”, I got through the stage, picked up my long guns and walked to the unloading table… I did not think I was going to get the unloading gate opened on the first pistol. My hands were shaking. I had been fine all the way through the stage, but I guess the nerves hit at the end.

Things calmed down after that and I got into the routine of the event. I missed more than I thought I should or could with the pistols. The Winchester did great. I’ve got to work on loading the ’97. I’m looking forward to The Old Hickory Regulators (Rocky Mount, NC) this weekend.

If you’re on the fence, come on over, the grass is real green and sweet. But, I must warn you, it can be addictive!

Thanks to Wicked Wanda, Royal Barnes, Wireman and many others who have helped me so far.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: litl rooster on January 03, 2007, 06:15:24 PM
Texas and Matts, ditto what Coop said................................You won't regret it, I am starting my 3rd season and still get the jitters, They seem to float off with that first burst of Smoke on stage one ;D  Just go out there and have fun and shoot safe, if I'm there you won't have to worry about coming in last. ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Arcey on January 03, 2007, 06:56:08 PM
Hell, Rooster.  Startin’ my tenth year ‘n yer already almost iz quick as I am…….

Read o’er this thread.  Glossed o’er it ennyways.  Boys, new shooters.  Don’t let this thing frighten ya off.  Folks gonna know yer new.  Ain’t none of ‘em gonna expect anything from ya ‘cept shootin’ safely.  They don’t wanna get shot.  Spoils their day if they do.  It hurts.

If yer goin’ out with an idea ya gottah win yer first time ya might as well stay home.  Ya ain’t gonna.  Save yerself some disappointment.

Most of the ladies ‘n gents at the shoots are older, like me.  Most of those ain’t never been involved in any kind of firearms competition until they started CAS.  Damned near ALL of ‘em have had embarrassin’ moments when they were new.  Folks had a chuckle o’er it ‘n now they’re havin’ good natured chuckles o’er sumbody else makin’ the same boo boos they did.  Ain’t no thing.

Hell, it weren’t that long ago I had a great run with the pistols ‘n rifle ‘n I was so happy with it I was headin’ fer the unloadin’ table when the RO reminded me I had the shotgun left to shoot.

Ain’t nobody got anythin’ ta prove in this game if they don’t wanna.  Just go out ‘n play.

Best I can remember I’ve shot with seven different clubs.  There’s always gonna be an a$$hole sumwhere.  Ignore ‘em (yer pard at an unnamed club notwithstandin’, Rooster.  Hope ta meet the gentleman next summer, I don’t shoot there much.  I wanna play).  99% percent ain’t no different than anyone else.  They got lives away from the range ‘n they got their own problems at home.  That’s why they’re shootin’.  Ta get away awhile ‘n be ‘round folks of like mind.  Have a l’il fun.  Join ‘em.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Tensleep on January 03, 2007, 07:00:52 PM
Well said Bro, well said!!
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Coop Trawlaine on January 04, 2007, 10:50:10 AM
Arcey, you said the best of any of us.   
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: sharps54 on April 21, 2007, 05:34:01 PM
I just shot my first match a KC's Corral and had a great time. I made some mistakes but I learned from them. I don't think any where safety related, they were things like getting the Nevada Sweep right. I didn't have any issues with the buzzer or shooting in front of folks but that is because I have shot other shooting sports before. Everyone was very friendly, I am hooked. This is closer to a social event with shooting then a shooting match with socializing, and I like that.

If you are looking to have a good time, meet some good people, and do some shooting with cowboy guns then get out to a match!
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Griff on April 22, 2007, 12:37:01 AM
Trail Boss & Matts,
Arcey said it real well.  I'll just throw in a "fer instance":  There was once this fellar what loved shootin' his BP cap & ball revolvers.  This was like 19 years ago exactly, less a month! (EOT was held in April there @ Coto de Caza).  Anyhow, this fellar was shooting an 1851 Colt Navy.   During the reloading of his cylinders he was interrupted by his son, a feisty 9+ year old.   'Caused a slight hitch in this here fellars loading sequence.

On to his next stage.  It seems that you were locked in a cell, facing up range, the shooter had to grab some keys, "unlock" the cell door and step outside.  Leanin' agin' the wall of the cell was yer rifle loaded with some 8 or 9 or 10 shots.  After putting the rifle down, you picked up your revolver and engaged 5 knockdown targets the size of small houses.  Or at least they looked that large.  After engagin' the knockdowns, the shooters moved to a hay bale and fetched up a shotgun and engaged another 4 targets.

Anyway, knowing the the knockdowns didn't go down I this unnamed competitor turned to the RO to ask whether all the pistol targets were misses, or just hit too low.  Much to his consternation, the RO, Spotters, Scorer and all the shooters and spectators were laughing hysterically!  The RO, who deserves hangin' for the following line, said, "I don't know where your balls are, but them little bitty Wonder Wads ain't got enough mass to take down them targets!  You know your alias is now "No Balls ....."!

I haven't heard of anyone topping that for stupidity, er, entertainin', so I'd not worry one bit about 1st match jitters.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Johnny McCrae on May 12, 2007, 04:44:23 PM
Shot my first match today. Was I nervous? Yup!!!! Just like a teenager on his first date.

One of my biggest fears was not holstering my pistols properly and dropping them. I got over that and was able to settle down. I was pleased that  my weapons did not malfunction. I must admit that it is one thing to shoot leisurely at paper targets and another to shoot at steel targets on a competitive basis.

I was very impressed with the great emphasis on safety and gun handling.

Many thanks to Huckleberry and the Bristol Plains Pistoleros for all of their help and for making a first time shooter feel comfortable. I'm really looking forward to my next match.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Pappy Myles on May 24, 2007, 07:38:22 PM
OK  here goes, my 1st match.

Before I get into all the stuff I did WRONG on my 1st let me give you some of my shooting history and exactly why I got into SASS.

I come from a long time as a competitive shooter.  Started back in high school when JROTC was still a good thing and we were allowed to have an armory at school and a shooting range.  I remember well the remmington 513T match masters.  When I went to college, I carried my shooting to the college team.  We graduated to the anshutz.  What a piece of hardware.   After I graduated and went into the Marines, I shot both rifle ( M-16 and M-14) and pistol (the ol reliable 1911A1) competitively.  After a short lived carrer in the Marines (thank's Beriut '83) I retained my shooting skills with an older 1911 I had purchased and an M-1 grand from the DCM ( back when you could get one for less than a hundred dollars).  I truly enjoyed the shoulder to shoulder competition.  Something went wrong with the shooting sports somewhere around 1992 to 94.  Maybe it was even farther than that but its when I took notice.  It became no longer fun.  It became an ordeal for absolute accuracy where nothing else mattered but the win, place or show.  It no longer was a game of fun competition, but a serious event involving very expensive "techno" guns.  The guy that came up to have fun, enjoy some comradship with his fellow shooters, and exhibit some of his marksmanship skills with the firearm he had was a think of the past.  I know, I found myself caught up in it too.  I spent thousands of dollars on the latest greatest custom noise maker that I forgot all about the important thing.  Enjoyment.  It got way too competitive that the average guy that had good marksmanship skills and was a good shot with his M-1, or M-1A, or springfield, or AR-15 (out of the box) didnt stand a chance against the super built star wars rifles.  Not only that, folks at the range quit talking to each other and quit helping out each other for fear of giving away their "trade secrets".  Not only that, but if you showed up without one of those fancy dancy shooting irons, you got laugh at with remarks like how do you expect to be competitive with that.  It was just not fun anymore.

So I got into IPSC and found similar attitudes and expenses.  I went to IDPA.  That was fun and to more what I was looking for.

I got into CAS quite by accident.  Guess you could call me a big kid at heart.  I found at a pawn shop several years ago an older Ruger Vequero in 45 Colt for a penance.  I purchased it and took it to the range.  IT was heavy, it took about 40 pounds of pull on the hammer to cock it and about half that to squeeze the trigger.  It kicked like a muel with full charge loads.  And it shot way low and to the left.  I loved IT!     Fortunately for me there was a guy at the range sighting in his arms and asked me if I would be interested in CAS.  He explained it to me and I was excited like a kid with a new toy.  He also recommended to me a good gunsmith that could tune the ruger for me.  At the time, All I could afford was to get the pistol sighted in.

Well  about a year later, I finally collected my firearms, costume, handle and showed up.  I purchased another vequero, bought leather of the internet, had me a winchester 94 (trapper AE) and a stoger dbl 20 gage. 

My 1st match, here I show up with just about full charge loads ( near the high end of the rules on velocity both rifle and pistol) 45Colt 255 grain lyman cast RNFP.  My costume was a hodge podge of my mountain man stuff I used with my boy scouts combined with some of my renaissance festible stuff.   What a sight!.     I got lost at the range, forgot what posse I was in, and had to have the instructions repeated to me about 4 times.  here I am with this el chepo leather rig with cross draw holster (got called on the angle several times - the judges took pity on me being my first.)  As I pull my pistols and start to shoot - BOOM! from the full charges.  Did you knoe that some of the older Ruger vequeros back strap are so square that they actually will cut and shave your thumb if you hold it just right.  OK  I empty the second pistol and start moving before I holster it. WRONG.  I get to my winchester 94 AE with an 18" barrel.  (I forgot to tell you, I pick it up at a sporting goods going out of business sale.  I didnt realize that until I got to the loading table, I could only get 9 rounds of 45 Colt in the tube......)  So I fired the 9 rounds, and had to reload one from my pocket.  Put the rifle down, went over to pick up the shotgun, dropped a shell on the ground, fumbled around, got 2 rounds off, missed one, fumbled around with the breach, removed the stuck casing, and got the next two off.     Oh, I won the green horn award too.  It was all in good fun.   And the best thing I can say is that everyone came over to me to offer condolense and encouragement.  A lot related to me their challenges on their 1st match.  Also, a couple of the club officers and a couple of the great shooters informed me they were having a clinic for new shooters in about 6 weeks and I was invited.   hmmmmm   was I really that bad?   anyway, I showed up and got a lot of great and free advice and help.

Where to go from there, I took both Rugers in to my gunsmith for a true tune up job, trigger jobs, springs.  As an experiment, I bought a box of 45 scholfield and found they work perfectly in both the rugers and the winchester.  I can get 10 of them in the tube and they function.  I straighten out the cross draw holster and had the chamber of the stoger polished.   My next matches were a lot better.

Now that I guess you could say I have graduated from green horn, over the last couple of years I have noticed CAS going the way of what I experienced in formal match shooting.   Most of the clubs (and secernio's) are catering to speed and the light load.  Though I have lighten my loads up myself, they still crono at 750 to 800 fps with a lee 200 grain bullet.  Still pretty stout but a lot less than the 255 at 1000 fps.   Now, am I one for a power factor to be incorporated in the rules,   eh   no.  keep the for IPSC.   But I would certainly like to see swinging targets and knock down targets come back.  And pistol targets greater than 30 feet.     Keep it fun guys and gals, thats whats its all about.  When the enjoyment of the masses shrinks to the enjoyment of the few, we'll certainly see a lot more hang up their guns
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Four Eyed Floyd on December 11, 2007, 08:11:14 PM
My first match was to say the least amateur procedural errors lost of misses jams. Out of 48 I came out #48, but you know what I had a blast and a half. The next shoot I came in out of 39 #38. If I live long enough I may get into the single digits. Really doesn't matter it is fun and that is what it should be about. Everyone starts somewhere and getting better makes it even more fun.  ;D ;D ;D
Great Fun, Great People, Great guns what more could you ask for! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :) :) :) :) :) :) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Matthew Duncan on December 20, 2007, 02:23:53 PM
Younger life I was a LEO.

About 10 years ago, Son and I drove thru a snow storm to watch the Cutter’s Raiders at Paradise Pass.

After the match Midnite Desperado let the boy fire a pistol.  Son’s eyes were as big as saucers.

On the way home we deicide this was something we could enjoy together.  What caliber?  45 I was told!

Well 3 or 4 years later between us we had 2 pistols, ’66 rifle (all in 45 Colt) and 311 Stevens SxS.

Off we head to Paradise Pass.  Stage 1 went alright if’n you don’t count the 12 gauge rounds that I’d dribbled all over the stage (didn’t have pockets so I stuffed them behind the home made holster belt).

Stage two I went into automatic mode.  Pull the pistol, cock and bring sights unto target as I gently squeeze the trigger.  Now this is how I was trained as a LEO with a DOUBLE ACTION revolver.  Doesn’t work with a single action.  I put a bullet hole thru the stage roof.

Well I was upset with myself and wasn’t sure what to do.  So I finished the stage, unloaded and put my guns away.  I decided I was finished for the day. 

Match Director came up to me with a look on his face that he had a very unpleasant task to perform.  I was MD.  No problem on my end.  Even the Son told me not to do that again!

So I picked up brass for the rest of the match.

Before we attended another match we got good leather; clip on belt shell holders for the SxS.  And I practiced to break the habit of cocking, squeezing before gun is pointed down range.

For a while when I paid my entry fee, I included an extra $1 for roof repair.  This would help me remember NO MORE HOLES IN STAGE ROOFS!

They never did fix that roof......
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Dick Dastardly on January 03, 2008, 09:20:29 AM
It was at Oconomowoc.  More about learnin' than about worryin'.  Came my turn and I pulled both sixguns and had at it.  Holstered 'em and picked up my rifle.  Rifle didn't like Lyman 429421 Keith boolits none.  Stovepiped, jammed, had to shoot one at a time.  Shotgun wouldn't stay open.  I was slower than a glacier.  Scared, nervous, worried, probly not.  I was too dumb to know any better.  Pair A Dice, a great RO and a great Pard, helped me quietly to make sure I didn't sweep myself by getting one gun out in front of the other too far.  Thanks Dice, I never forgot that kindness.

But. . . . I had FUN!

Only a year or so later did a pard tell me I was supposed to have a year's experience under my belt before I shot Gunfighter. :-[  "Oh well", I answered, "Whut do I do with the other hand?".  So, I've never shot nuthin' but Gunfighter.  Always did it with Holy Black cuz I wanted to.

I kept comin' back, cuz it's fun.

DD-DLoS
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Sgt. Eli on January 20, 2008, 11:39:47 AM
I  was always interested in the old west and had always had some type of cowboy gun when I read about CAS. That sounded really fun. Well I found there was a club about 90 miles away, that's not too bad so I started loking for a Rossi hammer gun. I bought one when they first came out because hammer guns are just cool, but had traded it off at some point. I scoured the countryside, every gunshop and gunshow around and couldn't find one. Meanwhile I got involved in paintball, and tournaments and CAS went on the back burner for a year or so. Then I'm in the gunshop in a neighboring town and there's aflier for a CAS club match...and it's less than 40 miles from the house. I went over and watched, then it took me a couple of months to get the gear, 2 Ruger Vaqueros, a Rossi 92 SRC, and a Norinco hammer gun, for clothes I purchased a Rough Riders uniform from the movie....I was set. Went to my first match, they walked me thru it and like most I ended up missing targets that were impossible to miss. Had a great time, didn't come in last,  and could hardly wait for the next month. After the second match one of the guys said "Hey, you need to go with us next Saturday we're shooting at another club." uhhhh ok. Fell in with that bunch and before I knew it we were shooting 3 matches a month, Nason Illinois, Effingham Illinois, and Boaz Kentucky....then 4 matches a month. I have shot 4 matches a monthe for the past 7 years now.

Last year me and my pards camped at Hooten for the Kentucky State Match and I brought a video of when we all started way back then....what a hoot. Loadin' shotgun shells in a sxs one at a time.. ;D We shot a stage called Speedy Gonzales...10~10~6 on very large dump targets....back then if you shot it anywhere under 30 seconds that was amazing....now our guys shoot it in 14-18 seconds....Best I can do is around 21 but I shoot duelist and use a hammered SxS.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: No Buk Chuck on February 05, 2008, 06:53:44 PM
My first match. Whoow I was all nerves. I'm not alot better at a big match now. That first stage is the one. My son and I had probbally loaded about as stiff as we could. But ya know it was such a rush when I walked over to the unloading table. Whoow I was hooked for sure. And it still is but after a few years its the people you meet and getting to see the ones youv'e met that makes this sport so fun!
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Texean on February 29, 2008, 09:40:46 AM
well i am going to my first match this weekend. i am going to be a spectator. i am going to watch the pungo posse, hopefully i can meet some people and enjoy myself. i have been in love with the cowboy era since a small child and finally have the means to get into it slowly  ;) i hope to get the nerve up to shoot some day. after reading yalls first experience i dont feel so worried about mine lol. i would like to thank you all for sharing your stories it is a immence help for a prospective new shooter such as mysellf. once again Thanks All
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: RugerBob on June 29, 2008, 05:40:37 AM
 Well, I went to my 1st match yesterday. I was really nervous. Only knew 2 people there and had not even seen a match before. I had my share of misses and dings, but I had a great time. I was so nrevous on my 1st scenerio that when I was going for my 1st shotgun target that I somehow managed to pull both triggers at the same time. What a bang that was!!!!!!!!.  By the 3rd scenerio I was pertty comfortable. For being in my early 40s I felt like a kid again in a good way. The wife and I had a great time and are looking forward to the next match.,  Bob
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: JP Riley on July 15, 2008, 08:49:36 PM
Well now, it started when I took my lovely wife to the shooting range to teach her some gun safety and let her do some plinking with the 10/22. (She has since claimed it as her own)

Next bay over there was a bunch of people all dressed up looking like they was doing a cowboy movie or something! We watched them for a while and I started thinking that I could do this, after all I shot IPSC for several years, and was looking to get back into the shooting game.

time occurs..... I show up to my 1st match at the local club, raise my hand when they ask who is a new shooter (tried real hard to make sure it didn't shake much) and they set me up with an ole timer to watch over me.

Now I admit that I was feeling pretty darn confident, after all I was an ex-IPSC shooter and knew all about speed and accuracy. (Side note: you would think that after 50+ years I would learn that humble pie buttered with crow is not a tasty dish!)

Well I stepped up to the plate, zeroed my laser sharp focus down range on those vermin, and told the man with the timer to "let'er rip" (Side note: Muscle memory is a funny mistress, even after several years of not shooting a 1911 style pistol, someone forgot to tell my hands!) Well I jerked that hogleg outa' the leather slid my thumb down the left side to clear the safety and squeezed the trigger, and squeezed the trigger, I said go bang ya' hunk of steel!! ???

The stage RO whisper in my ear "ya' gotta' cock it first" and from there it all went down hill :-\

By stage 3 I started to ring some steel and even though I was running low on ammo and shot shells, I figured I had just enough to finish the match if I took the extra time to point the hardware in the right direction. (somebody said something about a front sight!)

I had so much fun my 1st match, laughing and crying and swearing and shaking and laughing and meeting great people that I just finished my 1st year as a cowboy shooter. Yep I still have some of that competitive edge from the dark years, but I temper it with the fun and good people I hang with at the matches.

Of all the shooting sports I have tried,this by far and above is the absolute best, best fun, best guns, best people, best hobby ;D

JP Riley

Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Cpt_Invictus on October 28, 2008, 12:34:50 PM
Oh no!! there has got to be more than this!!  I read every single thread and I am loven it!  My first match is a long way off but this information is helpen me like nothen you can believe.  More sotries folks!  you guys tell good ones!
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: RattlesnakeJack on December 20, 2008, 02:46:43 PM
Do keep us posted, Willie!

Your obvious enthusiasm is a wonderful reminder to all of us of our own excitement over getting into this great sport! 

 ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: HISEASCOWBOY on December 22, 2008, 01:49:42 AM
My first match was a disaster  ::).  I had only one pistol so that's how I shot the match.  Thank God the local club had a class for it so I thought I'd have a chance to be competitive in my first match.  That was my first mistake "thinking"  ;D,  There was one stage that was shotgun only with 12 rounds to me fired.  I'd been practicing with my Mule-Eared double so while I knew I wouldn't be blazing fast I was shocked to hear my time of over 120 seconds  :o .  Then there was one stage when just as the buzzer went off sweat from under my hat poured into my eyes and onto the back of my glasses.  I blinked and shook my head as I was drawing my gun and touched the trigger before I should've sending a round into the pavement and some lead splatter into the never region of the ROCowford regulators working the timer on that stage.  Thank God he was only bruised a little according to him(I"ll take his word).  This was in Jacksonville FL and the match was with the Cowford Regulators on a hot summer day.  I was lucky that they let me come back after that.  I've gone on to shoot some clean matches and become the TG for the club I currently shoot at.  Oh yeah I'm a lot safer to shoot around now a days.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Willie Dixon on December 28, 2008, 05:04:59 PM
Well,
today is December the 28th, 2008.  And my range report is as follows:
I didn't go.

why?  Don't worry I'm not having a change of heart, actually the exact opposite.

I'm saddened by not going, but I deliberately chose not to because I have no extra funds, I have no guns, I have no way to commit.  I feel that I have to earn into this great group, and I don't want to make any empty promises about joining SASS and NCOWS without having the solid ability of doing so. 
Right now, thanks to the economy my businesses have tanked practically, I'm still in school so it's hard to work for someone else around here... don't get me started on that.  And I just don't want to shake and give my word I'll be back to my second match with a SASS # when I can't even afford the cost of membership, let alone the ammo, the powder, the guns, the costume, the range fees.
So I'm an armchair gunman, and I'm proud to say I now have 5 3" binders full of resources for different aspects of this sport and my persona.  I just don't have the means to actually get there...yet.  Tomorrow is another Monday, and an interview at 2pm.  After that, maybe I can officially kick myself in the butt for not going today.  But my word is my bond, I've been raised that way because way back when illiteracy was rampant, a handshake was better than a signature.  I can't give that handshake yet.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Ten Wolves Fiveshooter on December 28, 2008, 05:56:14 PM
Howdy Willie  ;D

        Listen Pard we've all been there, at least most of us, not too many of us were born into money, so please don't feel bad, and I appreciate your honesty, just remember this is a COWBOY bunch of pards, which is a WHOLE lot different than the norm. I got started slow too, it takes time to put all this together not to mention money, but if you want to do it bad enough you will, just make up you mind to do it and that it's going to take time, So I guess what I'm saying is WE'LL KEEP A LIGHT ON FOR YA PARD.. ;) :D join in when you can , or just come and watch, course if you do some pard just might stick a gun in your hand and say go to it, either way it will be here for you when you're ready. ;)


                                                      tEN wOLVES  ;) :D ;D


                           
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Willie Dixon on December 28, 2008, 07:20:28 PM
Thanks Ten Wolves,

I'm here, just not quite at the range yet.  Hopefully by the January match I'll have the means to be able to go.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Old Top on December 28, 2008, 07:30:54 PM
Willie Dixion,

Do not let not having the proper equipment stop you.  Go out to a shoot, have enough money to pay the match fee, and a little extra to offer to help defray the expense of ammo, you will probably be told no thanks but it does not hurt to ask. Curly Cole and I go to each match with extra guns, ammo and leather, we are alway looking to get people interested in our sport.  This is the only sport that I have ever been in that if something breaks or does not work you have six to ten people offering you their guns or extras to shoot if your are not working.  We normally shoot Silver Queen or the Cowboys and you are more then welcom to join us.  A good way for someone starting out is to shoot differert pistols and rifles to keep from making costly mistakes when getting their own equipment.  I am in this sport due to many people helping me out and this is the way that I can repay the kindness.  So do not let not haveing the equipment stop you throw on a set of cowboy boots, or hikeing boots a long sleeve shirt and blue jeans and you are almost there just need a hat.  Hope to see you soon.

Old Top
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: L.G. on December 29, 2008, 09:39:43 AM
Our club host a couple of .22 Cowboy matches every year, real cheap shooting, and makes it easy for people to get a handle on the sport.  We are planning on doing an open .22 Charity match for 2009 so that anybody can show up with any kind of .22 pistol or rifle, a good way to get new blood into the sport.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Nevada Mark on March 14, 2009, 04:22:23 PM
If all goes well next week I will have a good story to tell -- It will be my first match -- I suppose closing your eyes and pulling the trigger is out of the question  :o

Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Russ McCrae on April 07, 2009, 02:26:03 PM
Oh lord y'all want to hear about THAT?? :o

Happened like it was yesterday (Well, it was Saturday 4/4/09 be exact ;D)

I got a buddy thru kayak fishing (YES, us Texas Gulf Coast Cowboy's legs see the sun every now and then) that him and his wife wanted me and some others to come try it out. I told him I'd come watch but I was already hooked, just being a broke college kid there's only so much fun money to go around and CAS was a "Someday after college thing" I wanted to do.

So after helping a friend run hog dogs that morning I go over the range they hold it at and fit right in. Apparently hog blood, cow manure (You trip and fall in all kinds of stuff in a pasture chasing hogs) patched wranglers and plam leaf blend well at these events ;D. Jeff came over and said to just soak it in and I was, seeing what everyone was shooting and how the stage they were on was shot. He comes back and starts trying to find the pistols he brought for me (huh??) to shoot and doesn't know what we're (alot of "we" going on from this point on ;D) going to do about gun leather for me to use. I tell him don't worry about it I'm having a ball just watching when another guy comes up and says he's got a complete rig, his son and son's GF couldn't make it. I tried to tell them not to go thru all that trouble but they insisted and after taking the belt I was wearing (I carried a .22mag rough rider just like that all morning) and putting some holsters on it I was good to go.

Long Story short after doing ok on the first stage (hit all the rifle and shotgun, missed a few pistol ::)) I shot a few more stages and had a ball like I knew I would. SOOO I'm waiting on Uncle Sam to send me my refund so I can start looking at pistols, working on my marlin 1894 truck gun I carry at work (it's been around the block some), got to get back to the folks home and get my first dove gun (A org. 1897 12ga. ;D ;D) and get ready for next month to have some more fun all over again ;D ;D ;D

All in All I knew going in that this was going to be to much fun and for once I was right, and got to hang out with some new folks to boot. Not a bad way to spend Saturday afternoon. ;D 8) ;D 8)

Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Annie Dote on June 12, 2009, 07:49:52 AM
My first match... lets see that was just 3 months ago so it should be real easy to remember.  My husband and i went and watched a few before jumping in.  He had his first the beginning of April and mine was the end of April.  Man was I nervous.  At the loading table my hands were shaking so bad I wasn't sure I could get the rifle loaded.  The guy at the table just kept saying take a deep breath and relax.  That helped .... a little.  First stage required 7 shootgun... i had room for 6 on my belt... now what to do...  So I tied my empties bag onto my belt and loaded it full.  You see I hate shotguns and was sure I would miss most of the 7 targets.  But I figured I would give it a try anyway.  My turn came and the RO was so super nice he put me right at ease.  Didn't have a clean stage but I did manage to get all the shotgun targets without a bit of trouble.  The trouble came when my husband wanted his TTN hammered coach gun back..  I offered to let him borrow it.  I now love my shotgun and wouldn't trade it for anything. He had to go find another one.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Long Branch Louie on December 01, 2009, 07:32:08 PM
Ain't shot my first match yet. I've been to two, the last being the state match in Salisbury.  I got a rifle ordered from Cody and as soon as it gits here, I'm ready. It has took a little while, it's a mite expensive getting started and I can't spend the kid's lunch money. I've met a lot of nice folks, everybody has offered to help and loan me things and I'll probably need them the first few times. I expect to be very nervous and I've been shooting my whole life, but not in front of people. I just hope they bring a sundial 'cause I ain't sure a clock goes far enough......
Title: First Match
Post by: delmar on December 05, 2009, 12:54:36 PM
I attended a match for the first time today. I didn't compete, but I did get to a chance to go through one of the stages
"off the clock". Thanks Matthew Duncan for the invite, the instructions, and the loan of your firearms! I called my wife
 on the way home and told her that I had a great time, and I have to buy a lot more guns!
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: TomBullweed on April 10, 2010, 10:16:05 PM
I had shot IPSC, DCM, trap and bullseye matches for several years before my first cowboy match.  I did not attend a match to see what it was like; I simply went to a gun show and bought a used guns and went to see and do at a local monthly match.

Stumpwater and Camille Enoch introduced themselves and said that they would be glad to help me as a first-timer.  The first stage had a Texas star and a itsy-bitsy rifle target for a bonus.  I shot the stage clean, under 30 seconds and got the bonus mostly because they made sure I understood what was about to happen when the buzzer went off.

It took two more years for me to shoot another match as well as I did that day because I overthought everything little detail and kept switching gear.  But I have never forgotten how a new shooter was welcomed that day.  I am a middle of the pack shooter, but I make an effort to welcome every new shooter and especially every person who shows up to the match to see what CAS is all about because of the difference it made for me.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: PABLO DEL NORTE on April 22, 2010, 11:48:12 AM
 8)  IMA HOPIN' TO SHOOT MY FIRST MATCH THIS WEEK-END. I LACK ONE PISTOLA BUT I'M TOLD NOT TO WORRY
'BOUT THAT :)  I AIN'T GONNA WORRY 'BOUT NUTTIN' BUT HITTIN' AS MANY TARGETS AS POSSIBLE.
JUS' HOPE I DON'T GET TOO NERVOUS ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE :-[  ::)

I JUST WANT TO LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO DRAG MY WIFE & LITTLE ONE IN TOO ;D ;D

Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Russ McCrae on April 28, 2010, 06:24:03 PM
TTT and how'd it go PABLO DEL NORTE????
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Adirondack Jack on April 29, 2010, 11:11:14 AM
I had shot IPSC, DCM, trap and bullseye matches for several years before my first cowboy match.  I did not attend a match to see what it was like; I simply went to a gun show and bought a used guns and went to see and do at a local monthly match.

Stumpwater and Camille Enoch introduced themselves and said that they would be glad to help me as a first-timer.  The first stage had a Texas star and a itsy-bitsy rifle target for a bonus.  I shot the stage clean, under 30 seconds and got the bonus mostly because they made sure I understood what was about to happen when the buzzer went off.

It took two more years for me to shoot another match as well as I did that day because I overthought everything little detail and kept switching gear.  But I have never forgotten how a new shooter was welcomed that day.  I am a middle of the pack shooter, but I make an effort to welcome every new shooter and especially every person who shows up to the match to see what CAS is all about because of the difference it made for me.

Now that right there is the essence of CAS.  From Texas to Maine, Florida to Alaska, ya run into folks who will go out of their way to teach you their best tricks.......
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Griff on April 29, 2010, 06:53:22 PM
Now that right there is the essence of CAS.  From California to Maine, Florida to Alaska, ya run into folks who will go out of their way to teach you their best tricks.......
Aye.  Fixed that for ya!  ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Deadeye Dan on April 29, 2010, 08:49:55 PM
First match this weekend...in around 36 hours actually.  Absolutely can't wait!!!

Will post after it's ended to share my experiences as a total greenhorn with the group
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Deadeye Dan on May 05, 2010, 06:35:44 PM
So last match is long over and I'm hooked!

2 clean stages, no penalties other than misses (which was the main goal to be honest).  Slow as all get out, but fairly accurate and SAFE!  Will be going for another match weekend after this, and have bought my own double barrel from the club smith.  This greenhorn in hooked and expect to see him around...maybe even at end of trail this year!
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Dr. Bob on May 06, 2010, 01:56:19 AM
Welcome to CAS City!  We're all pretty much addicted!  ::)  ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Ragged Earl on September 22, 2010, 07:32:46 PM
My In-Laws all shoot(mother in law is Sweet P Instigator), so I've been playing with the guns during the holidays for several years now and I've even been to 1 shoot just to watch. Actually it was a shoot planned specifically for my wife's grandparent's to renew their vows afterward.

I drove the 5 hours up to their house on Saturday to pick up a Winchester 92 and a Stoeger 20 ga SxS so that I could get started. Turns out their local club was having a monthly shoot, so they loaded me up with everything I needed and we headed to Granbury on Sunday.
I shot my 1st and 5th stages clean, best time was 28 seconds. I'm hooked.

My Vaqueros should get here on Friday and my Dillon 550 sometime next week.

Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Dances With Coyotes on March 18, 2011, 06:27:54 PM
Tomorrow is gonna be my first match as a shooter. Ya'll wish me luck and I'll be happy if I dont shoot myself in the foot.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Johnny McCrae on March 19, 2011, 05:03:29 AM
Howdy Dances with Coyotes,

Here's wishing you the very best of luck on your first match. Take your time, enjoy yourself and you will do just fine.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Dances With Coyotes on March 21, 2011, 12:14:07 PM
Well, I did alright. Out of 20 shooters I finished last, but that was to be expected. I did place 2nd in my category (Duelist, of course there was only 2 of us) My rifle was messing up with my loads. Sometimes a live round would get ejected along with the fired case which was costing me miss penalties. I think it may be a OAL issue. Rossi 92 .38/.357 using .38 cases, 158grRNFP and 3.0 gr Trailboss. Gonna order me some 147gr TC that are supposed to have a longer OAL than a 158, also might try the shim trick I've read about. I have a spring kit on order and when it comes in I'll work on that Rossi. I did shoot 2 stages clean so I was pretty proud of that. I just took my time and wasn't trying to break any records. Was mostly concerned with not accidentaly sweeping anybody and keeping my finger out of the trigger until I was pointing downrange or dropping a gun. When that buzzer rang I didn't give any thought to all the people standing behind me watching. Everybody was real nice and encourageing. Afterwards we had beans and cornbread provided by a member. Was worried I'd have a hard time remembering the stage scenarios order but after a minute or two I got it down. Piece of cake.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Deadfoot on April 14, 2011, 08:24:54 PM
My first match was last Saturday.  My nephew has a club near him that shoots CAS and he decided to rope me in as his shooting "pard". While I've been shooting since I was 12 ('bout 40 years... yikes) I had no single-action, lever gun, or even a cowboy hat.  Somehow managed to collect in a few months time most of what I needed in hardware and clothes, made a holster, paid my SASS dues and went out to play, hoping I'd like it. My nephew ought to be a salesman, convincing me to invest about $1000 in it before I'd had a chance to even try it, and I was still shy one pistol.  Luckily the club allows for one-pistol shooters.  Gotta say, it was an absolute hoot! The nephew and I had a fantastic time.  The folks in the Salt Port Vigilance Committee are a terrific group, very welcoming and helpful to new folks. I can't wait until next month to get out there again ;D
Deadfoot
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Thomas O'Hawk on April 30, 2011, 06:27:36 PM
Well, I know I got a lot of comfort out of reading your experiences out of this thread so I thought I would add my own to the ages.  

I had my first shoot this weekend with my home town gang.  On the plus side, I have read so many posts, and watched so many CAS videos that I just knew that I was going to go out and just amaze all the other shooters with my prowess and skills…..yeah right.  After all I had been practicing and was pretty handy with a revolver if I do say so myself.  How hard could this be?
Unfortunately I drew a low number for shooter order (number 3) and was so smart that I turned them down when they offered to let me drop a bit lower.  Surely I could get the notion of a stage by watching the two shooters before me…..more on this later.

I went to the loading table and while I wouldn’t say I was shaking, I must say I was having trouble getting those big rounds to load into that tiny loading gate on my “92”.  Ultimately I got ‘er done and slid over to the end of the loading table.  I looked up and the guy shooting before me was almost done.  How could this be?!?  I had missed both the other shooters while trying to load my own firearms.  Oh well, I used to shoot USPSA so how hard could this be (with a bit more doubt this time)?

I got to the stage and thought I knew what I was doing.  I was prompted for my line, but couldn’t remember it for the life of me (nor did I for any of the following stages either).  Revolvers first, smooth action, fast shots (again I had been practicing) a lot of clangs, but then came the transition…   I realized at this moment that I had not been practicing this part of the game, so it was a bit clunky.  I got on the rifle and immediately lost the order of targets and got a procedural.  I also learned that you can’t miss fast enough to help your time.  The shotgun was my port in a storm and never failed me.  It helps to see if the plates are down or not.  

Next thing I know the stage is over and I mosey over to the unloading table with a big stupid grin on my face.  I go through the motions without incident and realize I have nothing to put the spent brass in.  I need both hands for the long guns but I have these 20 .45 cases grinning up at me.  Luckily I am a smart guy.  I realize in my outfit I don’t have any accessible pockets, but I am wearing a bib shirt.  So I ever so smartly unbutton the bib top and drop this double handful of brass in there.  Unfortunately what I didn’t know was that the bottom of the bib is only held closed by a couple of buttons so I found out (and you already probably knew) that the cases fell straight on through to the ground at my feet.  I muttered something as I crawled around picking them up and glanced up at the guy manning the unloading table and with great appreciation realized he was barely winning the battle to not burst out laughing.  I stood back up only to have the cases that had not yet escaped my shirt to pick now to fall out.  My unloading officer kept his composure (barely) and politely let me know that I still had some falling…..   After re-picking up my cases, I sat there for what seemed like minutes staring at this unsolvable problem on the bench, when the officer suggested I use my hat….hmmmm.   This worked marvelously though I think I will come up with a bag before the next shoot.

The next few stages got better, but the real turning point came when a mentor came and told me that I was “shooting faster than my brain”.  True enough.  In my quest to get those blazing times, I was forcing shots before my noggin could work out the right order.  I guess it is hard to pick which fork in the road to take when you are on a run-away wagon.  I slowed down from that point on and the rest of the stages worked out really nice.  I started getting clean runs and my times were not as bad as I would have thought.   I am not going to be in the top rankings for this match but you would be hard pressed to find someone that had more fun than I did.
The whole posse was a great bunch and I couldn’t have asked for more understanding people.  I am very much looking forward to next month’s match.

In case there are any others about to undertake their first match, I want to throw out a few things.

1.    Don’t be in the low numbers for shooter order!  They will understand and let you move down if you ask.
2.   Don’t outshoot your ability to think.   Shoot the first stage slow, and the second stage slower….you really won’t but you will be amazed how this frame of mind and smoothness works for you.
3.   Take a bag to the unloading table!!  Nuff said about that.
4.   Enjoy yourself!!  Everyone was nervous their first time.
5.   A great stage does not require a great time of fire.
6.   Allow time to work a 5 button fly with holsters and belt on when you go to the outhouse.  This was something I never practiced at home either…..heheh.

Yeee Haw!
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: wildman1 on May 02, 2011, 06:49:04 AM
Well put, my wife just got her guns an is gonna try CAS, Ah'm gonna make sure she reads your post before she tries her first shoot. Thanks.  :) WM
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Holden A. Grudge on May 02, 2011, 05:57:23 PM
I still end up making several trips to the cart from the unloading table.  Sure I got a nifty little bag, right there on my cart where I left it before heading to the loading table. HA  :D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Thomas O'Hawk on June 24, 2011, 10:45:34 AM
It occurs to me now that may be why I see all those cartridge pouches on all the shooters gunbelts.  It makes a great place to stash a bag!

Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Popa Kapoff on July 29, 2011, 11:34:09 AM
Shot my first match and came in first in my catagory and it been down hill since then. That match did use shotgun. So I need shotgun pratice.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Thomas O'Hawk on August 01, 2011, 11:46:06 AM
Woo Hoo!  Very nice.  Yeah, I have to agree that there is no good substitute for practice.

I see you have an 1875 Remmy picture in your post.  I shot my last match with a pair of '75s and am well pleased.  I am still getting used to the action and front heavy weight distribution, but I think it will be a good match (and I love the way they look).
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: maarty on August 06, 2011, 08:58:31 PM
First match????

Ohhhhhhhhhhh no.

Actually it went pretty well, probably because I was so nervous and knew it so paid real close attention to everything, slow times but safe and no procedurals. I actually ended up coming second at the wrong end.
Got two boys here who both shot that day as well and they both did pretty well too.

Because of the stupid laws here you can't own a pistol till you've been a member of a pistol club for six months and attended 12 club events, you also can't use a holster till you've passed a test so the first match was actually about our third visit. First time we shot rifle and shotgun only, second time we shot rifle and shotgun in the morning and pistols in the afternoon, third time was loaned pistols, had my own 92 Rossi in .44-40 and an old belgian sxs that I'd picked up the week before.
That second visit was great fun, rifle went well, so did the borrowed pistols but the sxs was a shocker. First time I tried to fire it the front barrel wouldn't fire, pulled the back barrel and both went off, after that no matter what trigger you touched both barrels went off... one of the guys took it home with him and it turned out someone had made new hammers for it at some point and hadn't hardened them so the sears had worn off... he sent it off to another guy who's a fulltime gunsmith who made new hammers and firing pins, hardened them, polished the chambers and gave it a good once over. I got it back and was told how much work he'd done, having minor heart failure at the thought of how much it was going to cost only to be told he's a cowboy shooter too and only charges other cowboys for materials and hardening cause he gets that done somewhere else... total cost was $50.

All three of us are totally hooked and we've talked my 18 year old step son into having a go too, he's hooked as well now.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Thomas O'Hawk on August 08, 2011, 06:44:39 PM
Ima guessin that was quite the surprise when both barrels let go... :o

Its always good to hear of some others that are hopelessly hooked on this.

I know I take it for granted the ease that I can buy a firearm.  I had a buddy in Canada that related a similar tail of gun club membership and a long wait to get a handgun (not to mention a large fee).  Kudos for hanging in there through the process. 
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: maarty on August 09, 2011, 02:00:45 AM
Ima guessin that was quite the surprise when both barrels let go... :o

Its always good to hear of some others that are hopelessly hooked on this.

I know I take it for granted the ease that I can buy a firearm.  I had a buddy in Canada that related a similar tail of gun club membership and a long wait to get a handgun (not to mention a large fee).  Kudos for hanging in there through the process. 

Heavy weight pistol safe: $400+
Licence fees, pistol nz fees, club fees: $430+
Pair of 2nd hand Uberti cattleman: $800+
6 months wait and on going security checks by police: PITA


Being able to play cowboys with real guns: PRICELESS
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Griff on August 28, 2011, 10:02:26 PM
Heavy weight pistol safe: $400+
Licence fees, pistol nz fees, club fees: $430+
Pair of 2nd hand Uberti cattleman: $800+
6 months wait and on going security checks by police: PITA
Being able to play cowboys with real guns: PRICELESS
Mind me asking where you're shootin'?  I'm thinkin' of moving back to NZ and sorta dread the whole process...
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: maarty on August 30, 2011, 05:11:06 AM
Mind me asking where you're shootin'?  I'm thinkin' of moving back to NZ and sorta dread the whole process...

I'm shooting outside Palmerston North at the RR&GC.
My mistake was paying more fees than I needed to because I signed the boys up too when I could have let them shoot on my membership, never mind we live and learn.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Grapeshot on October 06, 2011, 09:39:24 AM
My First COwboy Action match was the 1984 End of Trail Match at Coto de Casa.  I had first read about this game in January of 1984 while stationed at Fort Carson, CO.  I made up my mind to attend and called SASS to find out the particulars of the game and what kind of ammo to bring.  When I got there it was very laid back and I enjoyed myself very much.  It took thirteen more years for me to get back into CAS but I'm glad I did.  OH by the way.  Bob Mundun was out there that year and he sure impressed my with his shooting skills.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Capt. Jack McQuesten on January 14, 2012, 06:28:53 PM
I have been a SASS member for several years and today I finally joined the Lincoln County Regulators here in NM and shot my first match. First off, I have never met a friendlier and more helpful bunch of folks! Out of the blue, one of the guys just up and gave me a nice leather wrap for lever of my rifle.  I am not sure where I placed as yet, but it was nowhere near the top, that's for sure.....A couple of the shooters were FAST and I mean FAST! There was one shooter that emptied his 73 lever action so fast that I think he had 10 empty casings in the air at one time....Did I mention these guys were FAST???

There were lots of beautiful guns being used. Most were shooting .45LC's, several were shooting .38 specials (The uber fast guys) and then me shooting .44 specials out of my .44 magnums. One guy was shooting a Kirst converted Uberti 1858 New Army with an 8" barrel in .45LC. His other revolver was a Uberti copy of an 1860 Colt Open Top also in .45LC. Out of the bunch, there was one guy shooting all .45LC black powder loads. It took a bit for the range to clear after his run..... ;D

I learned that I need to tune up my shooting irons. My brand new Rossi 92 in .44 magnum failed miserably right out of the gate. I had shot one time before to get it sighted in and had no problems at all. However in the rifle stage of my first match, I had several failures to extract. It definitely needs the Steve's Gunz tune up kit with a new extractor/ejector spring. Lucky for me, I had brought along my Winchester 94 in .44 magnum as a back up. The 94 did fine, but I had two occasions where I threw a live round out as I worked the action. This is apparently a common problem with the 94 action being too long for the pistol length cartridge.

My shotgun is an old 12 gauge double barrel Rossi "Overland Coach Gun" that I have had for many years. I think I need to have the chambers polished out a bit as the empties were sticking in them after firing. I did have one stage where I had some misfires, but a second strike set them off. I think that was due to cheap shotgun ammo (USA ammo from Big 5)..... Having to cock the hammers was time consuming compared to the hammerless double barrel shotguns. The shooters with the Norinco pump action 97's did not seem to have any advantage as they were limited to two rounds at a time....After the first two rounds, all of them utilized the "Combat load" technique of throwing the round into the open action, so effectively they were shooting a pump action single shot. One shooter had a reproduction 1887 lever action shotgun and he seemed to smoke pretty much everyone with it....  

Both of my old Ruger Vaqueros worked great and I am very happy with them. I am running a 7-1/2" in a crossdraw rig and a 4-5/8" in my strong side rig. I never missed with my 7-1/2", but I did have a couple of misses with my 4-5/8". The longer barrels seem to just reach right out and tag those targets pretty easily. I have Bisley Vaquero with a 7-1/2" barrel that I had made up a couple years ago. I may end up using that instead of my 4-5/8" in future matches....

All in all, I had a great day and I am looking forward to my next shoot........ ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: El Jefe on January 17, 2012, 05:36:36 PM
Shot my first match with the Thunder River Renegades in Magnolia, Texas this weekend. Many thanks to John Ross (aka Johnny Morris) for the loan of his daughter’s Marlin carbine!

How the Heck Did I Get Here?
I’ve been searching high and low for a cowboy shooting gun belt that would help me transition from IDPA shooting to cowboy action shooting, with very little luck. Last week I was trawling the Internet, searching through dozens of site and happened upon simple web page from JM Leather in Alvin, Texas right down the road from Sugar Land. I try to buy in Texas if at all possible and the leatherwork displayed on this site was top notch, so I thought, “what the heck?” and sent Johnny Morris an email.

I had an idea in my head for a gun belt with three double shotshell loops on the left, just forward of my left holster (exactly where my spare magazines would be in IDPA) and five single cartridge loops on the right, just forward of my right holster. I really hate the thought of wearing a gun belt and separate shotshell belt and just wanted something simple, clean and light-weight. Johnny’s All-In-One Belt was the closest thing I’d seen but I wanted the buckle facing forward.

After a few emails back & forth, I asked Johnny if we could get together to discuss the project and he suggested I come and shoot this weekend with the Thunder River Renegades in Magnolia. Talk about “customer service”. Not only had I found someone local that did high-quality leatherwork, I’d also found someone to shoot with. Johnny even loaned me his daughter’s Marlin since my Rossi 92 is still being worked on. I don’t remember anything like this ever happening in IDPA.

A Case of Nerves
There’s nothing quote as nerve racking as your first time out in a new shooting sport. You walk up to that line. I remember vividly the first time I shot IDPA and darn near dropped my magazine on the first reload. The buzzer goes off and all those months of dry-fire & live practice got right out the window. Adrenaline kicks in and your once nimble fingers feel like you’re wearing a catcher’s mitt. You silently pray “Oh Lord, Don’t Let Me Drop This Gun”.

My first experience in cowboy action shooting was somewhat similar but with a really big difference, the people! The folks at the Thunder River Renegades couldn’t have been nicer or more helpful. Johnny hooked me up with Rawhide (in cowboy shooting, you are your alias) who ran me through the basics and checked me out on range safety, course etiquette and sweep definitions (we’ll cover these in detail later). He had me load each firearm (rifle, pistols & shotgun) and let me get my first taste of shooting steel plates. This type of immediate feedback sure beats trying to see a hit on an 8″ perforated circle in IDPA, let me tell you!

Once the stage began I waited my turn at the loading table and tried not to let the butterflies in my stomach carry me off. What’s to worry about? It’s just two pistols (single-action), a lever-action rifle I’d borrowed and a coach gun that I’d slicked up myself. The Timer said “Next Shooter” and I thought to myself, “Oh Lord, What Have I Gone and Done?”.  I stepped up to the platform, staged my rifle and shotgun and waited for the Timer to say “Shooter Ready”.

The buzzer sounded and I grabbed my rifle, brought it to my shoulder, levered a round into the chamber and squeezed off my first shot in cowboy action shooting. A clean miss! The Posse Marshal calls out “High” as I send another shot over the second steel target. I adjust my aim almost 8″ lover and am finally rewarded with that most beautiful sound in cowboy shooting, “Clang”. I continue shooting each target: “Clang”, “Clang”, “Clang” until the rifle is empty. I set it down and move quickly to the pistol targets, drawing my left revolver as I move towards the second position. “Clang”, “clang”, “clang”, “clang”, “Miss”. I draw my right revolver and cleanly sweep the same group of targets. I move toward the third position while holstering my revolver with my right hand and grab two shotshells in left hand.

I grab the shotgun just as I’ve practiced and load two shotshells, bring it to my shoulder and fire off my right barrel. I hear the “Clang” and the Timer says “Down” (shotgun targets have to “fall”, not just get hit). I quickly let go with my left barrel and hear that beautiful “clang” once again. I break open the coach gun, dump the spent shells just as I’ve practiced and grab another two from my belt. That’s when my nerves kick into high gear! I bring the two new shotshells toward the open barrels and miss both openings. After what seems an eternity, I load the two shotshells and open fire on the last two targets. “Clang”, “Clang”, Done!

I grab my rifle & coach gun and walk to the uploading table with a big grin on my face and a sense of wonder. What took these seven paragraphs to write happened in less than forty seconds of “real time”. The next four stages went just as fast and I shot one of them “clean” and with a decent time.

Some Great Shooting
Cowboy action shooting events bring out the best in people and bring out the best shooters. This young lady, “Hey You” is a Ladies Traditional Texas State and Southwest Regional Champion. Watching her run that lever-action rifle with nary a miss was a joy to witness. Like all the folks I’ve met in this shooting sport, this young lady was enthusiastic, polite and friendly to everyone in the match. Unlike some other shooting sports, folks that come to a cowboy match seem to leave their ego’s at home. I’ve honestly never met such a warm and friendly group of folks before.

My thanks to Johnny, Rawhide, Miss Ellie and all the rest of the Thunder River Renegades for making this a weekend to remember. See you next month!
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Camille Eonich on January 27, 2012, 11:10:05 AM
Love the stories!
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: John Smith on January 29, 2012, 08:40:05 PM
These are great stories, I just want all you new shooters to know, I've been shooting SASS for 15 yrs, and you can't possibly do anything that embarases you or causes a "P", "SDQ" or "MDQ" that I haven't already done.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Tall Dark Slim on January 30, 2012, 05:27:15 PM
Today I went to my first official match. It was just a fun match with the cowboy crowd and man it was cool. There were guns coming at me from every angle with a here try this and here try that...I learned from a great friend how to do it right with the single action as some months ago I had showed him how to run a double action. The rifle is not something I am afraid of anymore or wanting to avoid by shooting four pistols. Let me tell you what a pain in the rear that is to load, carry, and stage. I've got to do the four holsters next time I try that. I've got a lightning lined up later on this week and life is great. I couldn't believe how fast I was with the rifle at first try. I can slam fire the rifle really well, but the shotgun was extremely weak. I had the 97 tilted the wrong way at first and it jammed the first empty in the port. I started off with a Savage 311D and it was a nightmare trying to hit tiny shotgun targets with the full choke up close. I found out that the schofield is incredibly fast on pistol targets, faster than either vaquero I own....something's wrong with that one, give me time. The bisley is a great stand in for a rifle and pretty darn accurate on a plate rack. I learned some very cool techniques on operating the rifles and shotguns. Apparently I was strong with the pistols once I committed to cocking with the off thumb. The fastest guy there apparently saw some promise in my shooting as he told me I'd soon be joining him at the top of the score sheet. I'm fairly certain he's just a nice guy. I've got a lot of work to do with the slow gun. After the match I got to try an 1887 and it was pretty cool also. There are way too many equipment choices in this 3 gun match. Hehe awesome! This beats AR's, Benellis, and 1911's single and double stack. I'll keep them for a rainy day. Some day I'll get an awesome shotgun to match my other stuff, but that's down the road.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Tornado on March 10, 2012, 08:36:00 PM
Well I shot my first match today and it was a blast(pun intended  ::) )  It was at the inaguaral Andersonville GA Providence Spring Rangers, so there were plenty of other newbies.  I was a little nervous at first, but that disaperared after a couple rounds.  I had two pistols and an old single shot 20ga and I was lent a 1894 Marlin.  I talked my brother into going and I got him hooked and probably my Dad too.  Now I am saving for a lever gun and then upgrade to a two holer shotgun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0plyg0OpqtY&list=UUKAJALyTuFJhRlMLOGM4r4Q&index=2&feature=plcp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0plyg0OpqtY&list=UUKAJALyTuFJhRlMLOGM4r4Q&index=2&feature=plcp)
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: HogDoc Olliday on March 26, 2012, 08:07:55 AM
My wife (Pistol Puddin') and I shot our first CAS match together on Saturday (3/24). We had a blast. I have been a member of SASS for over a year, but never got around to shooting a match. We shot out of Cherokee Cowboys in Gainesville, GA. We were both nervous and excited! We signed up as Greenhorns and lo and behold, I took 2nd place and Puddin' took 3rd place in that division. Geez, were weren't even trying to do such. (Probably only 3 of us in that division, LOL). We were just trying to have fun and be safe. I think we will continue to have fun and be safe. We also loved meeting all the wonderful people. We have made many new friends and we have found an activity we both love and can do together. We are looking forward to many more shoots together with our new friends. You know..."The couple who shoots together, stays together!"
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: MUD MARINE on October 09, 2012, 04:28:44 PM
Having been shooting revolvers and pistols since I was 5 and bullseye since 12, my nervousness was simply because of that thrill competition always brings, the desire to shoot well !   :-)

I firmly believe that anyone not even a little nervous before a match of any kind probably won't do well!
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Six Gun Saint on March 05, 2013, 09:02:44 PM
Right, so.  Had my first OFFICIAL match Saturday, with the Old North State Posse.

The important things first:

IT WAS AMAZING.  I loved it, I can't wait for the April Match!

Anyway, so I went back in February to the match they had then, just to see what was what, get a feel for the stuff what'd be being used, all that good stuff.  Got to shoot a couple of stage type things (not the actual stages, was at the end of all things-since I didn't even have my own leather at the time), got to see the difference between Colt/Clones and Rugers (I'm a Colt/Clone man, for the record), and try out a couple of different rifles (the 1873 is BEYOND AMAZING, ended up getting a steal on a '92 Rifle though, so went with that-more on that later).  So, the guys were great, the game is beyond great, and I decided to gear up.

And gear up I did, boy HOWDY I tell ya what-got a Matched Pair of Uberti Cattlemen in .45 Colt, a Stoeger Coach Gun Supreme in 12 ga, and a Rossi R92 in .44 Mag/Special...  All for $1200. 

My leather (well, most of it-I STILL don't have a shotgun belt/slide yet) arrived the day before the match.

Anyway, day of, I've got the jitters, on account of I've seen the times a lot of them fellas put up-we're talking QUICK.  Right, sorry...  Anyway, I end up on Posse 1, I think it was (we started on the first berm anyway, so yeah), and I'm second from last on the list.  That's good, as I was am new to the whole thing.  They paired me up with a fella what goes by Layden, showed me the ropes right proper, even let my borrow his shotgun belt when he wasn't on the line.

Moving right along-first stage comes up, and uh, yeah...  I uh...  Including the misses from my pistols (OK, I had no idea there was such a difference between handload recoil and factory recoil-I was shooting Remington 250 Gr FACTORY loads-the ones in the yellow and green box-those things KICK LIKE A MULE), the miss from my rifle throwing out a round, and the time it took to clear the multiple stovepipes my rifle gave me (see?  I told you I'd come back to that!), I wrapped up with 101.77.  Not great.  Not great at ALL. 

The NEXT round was even worse-somewhere along the line, still not sure if it was loading my rifle (very sharp edges 'round the loading gate), or from hammer bite, but I ended up bleeding all over my vest (OK, OK, a major splotch between the buttons, and some near the pocket I was carrying extra shells in, on account of I figured I may miss SOMETHING), my rifle, and well, pretty much everything else.  Wasn't even a bad cut-just a little ol' triangle jobbie on my thumb.  Even missed a shotgun target and had to do a FOURTH reload on it (6 shotgun targets).  110.86.  Also had a round thrown out, AND started off with 9 instead of 10, since I only had 18 rounds of .44 Special with me (I was in such a hurry to get out the door, and had taken a pain pill the night before [bad back, shoulders, yadda yadda], I forgot nearly my ENTIRE box of ammo-only had what was on my gun belt, on account of I'd stuffed it with .44 for pictures that never got taken)!  So several misses on that stage...

ON TO THE NEXT BERM, I'm out of ammo for my rifle, but Layden lets me use his 1873 for the remainder of the day (again, when he wasn't using it himself!), and suddenly my times start dropping quite a bit.  Stage 3 had some misses (them darn factory loads, having never shot ANYTHING that powerful from a handgun...  Yeah, threw me off a bit), but I shaved more'n 40 seconds off my previous time.  Clocked in at 67.72

Stage 4, I had two misses with the pistol, and a procedural (double tap Nevada Sweeps, I only hit the first target ONCE and then moved on), so I ended it with 57.58-IF I'd been shooting straight, and REMEMBERED the proper order, I'd have ended up with my fastest time of the day.  Shoulda, woulda, coulda, but didn't.  Still, more'n 10 seconds faster'n my PREVIOUS time.  As y'all can see, the trend for the day was, I was getting faster.

Unfortunately, that went to my head a goodly bit.  Was shooting so well on the rifle, Hubris caught up with me, and for the first time with a levergun, I had not ONE miss, but two.  That's never happened before.  So there was 10 extra seconds right there.  ON THE POSITIVE side, Layden hooked me up with some handloads for my .45, and for the rest of the day, I didn't have a miss with my pistols!  Final time was 53.53.  So again, getting faster.

FINAL stage...

38.28.

CLEAN.

Everyone clapped, cheered, or hooted/hollered.  It was one of the most amazing feelings.  Sure, I was shooting against all of these people, and yet when it all came together for me, we were all on the same team.  Ya don't see that in other sports!

After it was all said and done, I helped 'em break down the stages, pack 'em and headed back up to the clubhouse for the awards, and was stopped by a fella who's name I cannot (to my everlasting shame) remember, who up and gave me a made BY HIM leather brass pouch!

I get back to the clubhouse, and have reserved myself to dead last, dead last, and DEAD LAST (Match, Category, and Clean).

And what should happen, but I placed THIRD in my Category!  Sure, it was a technicality, as there were only three of us shooting Cowboy, but STILL!  So I ended up with a Poker Chip to toss in my brass pouch until I get home.  I also came in 40th out of 42!

Needless to say, I WILL be back!

And one day sometime either this fall or next spring, I'll have myself an 1873 Uberti Rifle.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Camille Eonich on March 13, 2013, 08:33:24 AM
ONSP was the first place that we shot too and a '92 was my first "all mine" CAS rifle.  I really tried to make it work but Red kept loaning me one of his 73's and the '92 just couldn't compete.

If the picture in your profile is you how in the world did Layden's shotgun belt fit you?   :o ;)
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Six Gun Saint on March 13, 2013, 04:21:09 PM
ONSP was the first place that we shot too and a '92 was my first "all mine" CAS rifle.  I really tried to make it work but Red kept loaning me one of his 73's and the '92 just couldn't compete.

If the picture in your profile is you how in the world did Layden's shotgun belt fit you?   :o ;)

The '92's got NOTHING on the '73, and come probably next spring (would have been this fall, but I want a truck more than I want another rifle), I'll have one.  I mean, I've got the kinks worked out of the '92 at this point, but she ain't no speed gun.  It'll be around a second and a half for each shot, which's slow as hell, sure, but beats the hell out of getting a jam, having to clear it, and BAM!  There went ten seconds.  Or a five second miss...  Can't outrun a miss!

Yeah, the picture is me (albeit a couple of years old-I don't have the hair now, that's about the only difference)-and it fit me like a glove. ;)  I was HOPING I'd be able to snag me my own by the next meet, but probably not.  As is, I'm not even sure I'll make the April meet.

Life comes at'cha FAST.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Billy Bristol on August 06, 2013, 08:42:00 AM
Shot my first match Sunday at Congress Of Rough Riders. Out of 26 I came in 15th so didn't do as bad as I thought. My first stage was a disaster with several misses and a P. But as I slowed down a bit I did better. Guess I was so nervous the first stage I just went too fast. But had alot of fun.
Will be going to another match on 17th.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Stu Kettle on August 06, 2013, 09:42:22 AM
Congratulations Billy & welcome to the club. Middle of the pack at yer first shoot is nothing o sneeze at.  Also, as you proved yet again on that first stage, the more you hurry the longer it takes.   Glad it was fun for you, now remember to keep at it.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: MarshalMiller on November 11, 2013, 11:10:54 PM
Well, after a couple of years of reading about it and saying some day.... My first match was last month.  I won't say where I placed other than to say surprisingly it wasn't dead last.

Most of it went by in a blur, but the one part that stands out was the first stage with shotgun.

I had a fairly new Stoeger, I think I had put about 6 rounds through it prior to the match just to make sure it worked.  I had forgotten how stiff it was, and a couple of times actually had to use my knee to open it.  Worst part was I couldn't seem to hit anything with it.  I put 6 rounds through it before seeing that first target fall.  Oddly enough after the second shot I was telling myself you're shooting high, bring it down.  But my muscles weren't getting the message.

All in all, I had a blast, and will be doing the second match this Sunday.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Stirrup Trouble on December 22, 2013, 08:37:03 PM
My first match was just this past summer. Years ago I was a part of a small re-enactment group, but membership was falling away due to some internal politics and a refusal to try any new skits, so people were getting bored, and the group finally broke up. Anyway, I had always loved the cowboy guns and was still shooting competitions, just not the cowboy shooting, and I missed it. I was interested, but stayed pretty busy and never took them time. One day last summer I finished up some volunteer work at the range and the cowboys were still shooting, so I wandered down there just to watch. I was in street clothes, and everyone seemed to have a great time. Before I knew it, they told me not to worry about my dress and slapped leather on me and handed me guns and told me to just give a stage to try. I was as nervous as a cat, but I had a blast and was hooked.

I worked on gathering the rest of the gear that I needed. I was still short leather and one pistol, but went back the next month and they fixed me up, and I shot my first official match. I was very nervous, but was pretty happy that I shot 3 stages clean, but I was firmly in last place with an average stage time of 76 seconds. Nowhere to go but up.

The next month I went back and only shot one stage clean, but I cut my average stage time to 62 seconds, and second to last is better than last. :)

Anyway, I know I am as slow as molasses in January, but I can honestly say that I have never had more fun that I have shooting cowboy matches. I have never been at a shooting sport that most people were interested in making sure everyone has fun, and although everyone likes a win, you see more interested in fun than intense attitudes
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: jimbobborg on February 04, 2014, 10:11:03 PM
I shot my first CAS match tonight.  I had been corresponding via email with the president of the Virginia City Marshals, and I decided Saturday I was just going to shoot the match as I hate being a bystander  ;)  When I got there about 20 minutes before the start of the match, I spoke with the match director about shooting the match.  After talking about it some and my mentioning that I had spoken with the president of the group, he gave me the go ahead.  I showed him my gear and my ammo, so we were good to go.  The match director announced that I was a new shooter, so everyone had their eyes on me.  This was more about safety than anything else, which was fine with me.  Also, since I wasn't officially an SASS member, I didn't have an alias, so I made up one on the spot, which is probably already taken in the official roster but it worked for this match.

Now this is an indoor shoot, so no big complicated stages like I'm used to with 3-Gun.  I used my two EMF Hartfords, my IAS 87 shotgun, and my Win 94 AE in .45 Colt. Now this wasn't my first rodeo, so the basic range commands were already ingrained in me, but the dialogue prior to shooting the stage was different.  Also, loading the rifle and pistols at the loading table was not something I was used to, but I adapted well enough.  On the first stage, I used rifle, shotgun, then pistol.  Unlike everyone else's rifles, mine has the crossbolt safety, and when I laid the rifle down on the table, the saddle ring kept engaging the safety, so when the buzzer went off, I had to pick up the gun, rack a round in, find the safety and push it, then start shooting.  10 rounds down range, no misses, on to the shotgun.  Loaded two up like I practiced, but I hadn't practiced reloading, so that slowed me down some.  Four shots, on to the pistol section.  I had set my revolvers up one on the strong side, one cross draw.  I pulled the strong side, hit five, reholstered, did the dance and pulled the cross draw, five more, and the stage is done.  I had shot the stage clean, so I was happy with that.  I picked up my two long guns and went to the unloading table.  This is also where things are slightly different versus 3-gun.  In 3-gun, you drop the mags and pull the action open prior to finally holstering your empty pistol and putting your long gun away.  With CAS, the guns go to the unloading table and you show clear on the two long guns, then empty your handguns and show clear.  Once the firearms are clear, the long guns go back to the rack and the revolvers are in their respective holsters.  After getting the SOPs down for CAS, I waited on the next stage. 

We had a total of four stages, I used up 80 rounds of centerfire and 8 shotgun shells. I shot the match clean, and I didn't need any extra shots to do it, so I'm pretty happy.  The brass is going into the tumbler tonight, and the guns are going back into the safes.  I should be back next month, barring problems at work.  I'm going to pick up a different rifle, since the crossbolt safety on the 94 is annoying and it's an excuse to pick up another gun  ;D

Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Angel_Eyes on February 05, 2014, 03:21:04 AM
1996, my first ever match and the first time I ever shot all my 'cowboy gun's together.

Mattersey Canyon (disused sand quarry) in Nottinghamshire, UK, and what could be described as a 'National' comp.

Shooting 'Duelist', I came a very surprised 2nd place and was hooked!

Then came 'Dunblane' and would-be PM Tony Blair wanting to be elected and away went our cartridge revolvers, to be melted down for scrap! (Brand new, first model Vaquero in .45Colt, and a used Super Blackhawk in .44mag.)

Now  we compete with B/P revolvers and only old age and ineptitude are gonna stop me now!

( Who is the match marshall in shooters heaven?,,,,book me a place pard!)
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Blackey Cole on August 08, 2014, 03:09:47 PM
My first sass match, that's a story.  My goal was not to shoot anything but the targets.  I had misses and procedurals iirc.  That wasn't the story the story was the weather.  It was February in NM.  I started off cold, then about half way through the first stage it started raining.  By the second it was sleeting after the second stage about half the shooter me and another new shooter included packed it up because we were soaked and freezing.  I had a oil cloth duster plus another coat on my hat was soaked thur, I was wearing leather work gloves that were so wet they tore like toilet  paper when i took them off.  I don't remember much other than I met my goals, and the weather.  But I was there the next month and been shooting since when I was able to.  I've turned in to a fair weather shooter in the last few years.  Early on I was proud to have been one of the few who shot all 12 stages of winter range the year they through out four of the stages on the last day.  I hurt enough as it is not to need to add to it by being cold and or wet.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Bittertrigger on August 17, 2014, 02:45:19 PM
My first match was Apr 27 2014 just to show how new I am at this
It all started when my cousin sold me a repair of Schofield pistols in 44-40
Then I found a 66 yellow boy in 44-40 and a old SXS had a rig for my pistols made
a friend made a gun cart for me found the Texas Ten Horns in Leonard TX
I cannot tell you much these Ladies and Gents made me feel
I have never shoot anything like this just bullseye with the Provost Guard in the Shrine
I was scared to death but they made feel right at home told me how to shoot the stage
When that first round went off i forgot all about all the eyes on my back and being scared and shot a clean stage  :D
Man am I hooked
I now have a set of Remington's 1875 army 51/5 barrels in 44-40 and a 73 in 44-40 to shoot BP
And have replaced the Schofields with a pair of Ruger Birds Head pistols in 45 acp
And now working on a 1876 in 50-95 for our Cody Dixon class man did I get hooked  ;D
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Blackey Cole on August 17, 2014, 11:09:24 PM
Welcome to CAS.  It only get worst from here.  There's always new guns, leather, and clothes to get.  It's one of the only places where straight men talk clothes and women talk guns.  If your wanting to part with the scholdfields contact me.
Title: Re: First Match
Post by: Bittertrigger on August 18, 2014, 07:19:29 AM
I can't do that those babies are too pretty to part with and besides they have consecutive serial numbers
As a matter fact so does the two Remington  ;D
And I will be using them from time time
I don't know how I got that lucky twice ;D