taz
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 36
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SASS
Apr 26, 2014 14:39:08 GMT -5
Post by taz on Apr 26, 2014 14:39:08 GMT -5
Whats happened to SASS? I last shot it 6 years ago the targets have grown and are closer ,the loads are lighter and the people seem all about winning? I was thinking about shooting it again but have some doubts Seems less friendly.
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SASS
Apr 26, 2014 16:35:58 GMT -5
Post by schmidty on Apr 26, 2014 16:35:58 GMT -5
Dunno the specifics on that one. But you did just give me an idea. SASS doesn't "own" cowboy action shooting. There's no reason that a group of like-minded folks can't get together and set up their own targets in whatever manner they please....even make up their own rules. If it becomes too rule bound, and too political...then I'd suggest getting a group together and having your own events...by cutting SASS out of the picture, you can do it however you want.
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paulg
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,420
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SASS
Apr 26, 2014 18:45:08 GMT -5
Post by paulg on Apr 26, 2014 18:45:08 GMT -5
SASS is also applying for a non profit status. I say good luck with that while this administration is ruling. As for the shooting itself the targets are close and big but I've seen many a missed shot. Its like any other three gun comps. Matches are won and lost in reloads (shotgun) and weapon transition. I love watching the holy black shooters, ain't so easy to hit those targets when everything in front of you is blocked by smoke! And ohh the smell!!! I've encountered nothing but friendly folks at our local matches. As far as winning goes most of the shooters are there for shooting and fun and the winners in our club will come early and stay late to help other shooters up their game. Heck I've watched some of the best shooters in the country pick up brass and targets so new shooters can have more fun!
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taz
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 36
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SASS
Apr 26, 2014 19:55:17 GMT -5
Post by taz on Apr 26, 2014 19:55:17 GMT -5
I guess I will attend a local shoot and try it again Thanks for the reply
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SASS
Apr 26, 2014 21:45:25 GMT -5
Post by wickerbill on Apr 26, 2014 21:45:25 GMT -5
Dunno the specifics on that one. But you did just give me an idea. SASS doesn't "own" cowboy action shooting. There's no reason that a group of like-minded folks can't get together and set up their own targets in whatever manner they please....even make up their own rules. If it becomes too rule bound, and too political...then I'd suggest getting a group together and having your own events...by cutting SASS out of the picture, you can do it however you want. That's exactly what our group did, and we sure do have fun. Bill
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SASS
Apr 27, 2014 9:35:12 GMT -5
Post by jayhawker on Apr 27, 2014 9:35:12 GMT -5
Targets may be bigger and closer, and less movement, but the average shooter is older and less skilled. Still lots of fun.
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paulg
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,420
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SASS
Apr 27, 2014 12:21:23 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by paulg on Apr 27, 2014 12:21:23 GMT -5
Targets may be bigger and closer, and less movement, but the average shooter is older and less skilled. Still lots of fun. If that's what you think then you haven't been to a full blown sanctioned match. I watched Radical Rod burn a clean stage in just over 13 seconds. 10 rounds from two single action revolvers, 10 rounds from a lever gun and 4 rounds from an 1887 with a reload after the first two shots! Say what you want but that is haulin you know what! Oh and he's in his 30's. Lots of young guns at our matches. Edit: I read your post wrong jayhawker, I apologize. I agree with you about the average shooter in SASS. Again, I apologize.
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SASS
Apr 27, 2014 22:28:06 GMT -5
Post by jayhawker on Apr 27, 2014 22:28:06 GMT -5
No problem paulg. I have shot in a few major shoots, such as first IL State. Many younger shooters, and skill level of those wanting to win is far above what it used to be. The great China Camp would be left in the dust today. But most shooters are old and slow, like big and close targets.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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SASS
Apr 27, 2014 23:22:50 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2014 23:22:50 GMT -5
I began with SASS (Single Action Spending Society) in 1993, as we setup the Alaska 49'ers, north of Anchorage at the local shooting range. We used some of SASS Rules at the time, but also interjected some of our own ways for slinging lead n' enjoying the day and friendships shared.
Example of one event that would not qualify in today's SASS Rules: large wooden wire spool with green table cloth. Two poker hands on the table, with 6 cards in your hand! Shooter stood at the table, one sixgun setting on table. On a wooden lath across from you on the other side of the table, about 7 ft away, was stapled a 9" paper plate. When the timer said, "You're a cheat!" You picked up your sixgun with your strong hand and point shot 1 shot at the paper plate. Even if you hit the paper plate (the bad guys head), he still got off a shot and hit you in your strong shoulder! Now you had to transfer your sixgun to your weak hand, turn slightly to the left (about 35 degrees) and shoot another paper plate on a lath with your weak hand, 12 feet away, but could use sights. Then turn to the right of the first paper plate (about 35 degrees) and shoot two paper plates on laths, about 18 feet away. Then turn back to the area behind the first paper plate and shoot a metal gong (25 feet away)to stop the clock. If you hit the gong that was fine. If you missed the gong you were penalized points. Interesting how safe that first paper plate was, when being shot at while point shooting. A fun event/scenario.
Back then we kept track of our scoring and times...then at the end of the shoot tossed our score cards in a shoebox and went home. We did not offer prizes or awards into the events, unlike is done today at most shoots, at least regional and national shoots. We were there for the enjoyment of slinging lead and visiting with one another first most, not there for the competition juice. Back then the term 'Gamer' wasn't used, whereas it's a common term having been used for many years now. I've been around several of the SASS events around the west, since coming to the lower-48 years ago, but have only shot in a few. I've no doubts most folks attending the SASS events are there for the enjoyment and having a nice time, but like was mentioned at the top of this Posting, times have changed with how the events are run these days. Yes, the SASS crowd has older shooters (they were younger 15-20 years ago!) and bigger n' closer targets are more 'convenient' for them.
SASS Rules are fine, not saying otherwise, it's their organization and therefore their rules. Small groups have the option of using various safe scenarios that fall outside of the SASS Rules, and/or, can follow the SASS Rules to stay within their guidelines. I'm sure I'm not telling anyone in here something new!
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SASS
Apr 28, 2014 9:41:59 GMT -5
Post by magnumwheelman on Apr 28, 2014 9:41:59 GMT -5
the local club here is all about bigger & closer... ( BTW I still don't shoot "clean" more than 1/2 the time ) so it's still a challenge...
thing that bothers me, is often there are loads with no powder charge, that others shoot ( I'm sure that is accidental ) & on most cowboy guns doing the big & close thing, the bullet still strikes the plate to score... the part that bothers me, is that's just unacceptably sloppy loading techniques, as the same couple shooters have it happen "often"... would hate to see someone bulge a barrel or worse...
I recently switched from 49er to Classic cowboy... I don't even worry about the other shooters, I keep my scores, & put them on a spread sheet, so I try to beat my last time's scores, & continually improve... had MRS. all set up last year, for her 1st season, but we couldn't get primers, so we didn't shoot at all last year... if I would have known Trailboss was going to be so ugly to get, I'd have bought more last year... I have enough cartridges to shoot all summer, but will not shoot up all my ammo, until I can get more powder...
BTW... I have my own range, & just did up a set of AR-500 plates to use this summer at home... a PACT shooting timer is on my "to buy list" then we can have friends over & shoot our own matches, for practice
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SASS
Apr 28, 2014 10:18:12 GMT -5
Post by contender on Apr 28, 2014 10:18:12 GMT -5
I too have shot SASS a bit. And, I agree that most clubs the average shooter is an older guy, who cares less about "winning" as he does about enjoying himself. Yet, the gamers, the younger crowd, the bigger & closer targets, and the equipment race have all been part of the evolution of SASS. An unfortunate side effect of a popular activity. You get out of it what you make of it. I used to shoot a local regular match a lot, as well as USPSA. I found it took all day at a SASS match, vs, 1/2 a day at USPSA. I wasn't as worn out after a USPSA match as I was after a SASS match. Lots of wasted time by folks there. Now, I wasn't in a hurry, it was just my personal observation. But I finally gave up on the local SASS crowd after a few things. One, SASS was real big into charities & holding matches to help others. That is excellent. My local club had a regular shooter who had an accident, & they chose to donate all funds at a match to help him & his family. Excellent. My wife & I had been discussing how nice it would be if a local shooting club would hold an annual fund raising match to help a local charity. A win-win for all. Help those in need & give shooters a positive amount of press to offset the anti's. We had found a local charity that helped local families who had children with autism. We approached the SASS club prez with an idea to run a charity match for the group. He was all for it & very happy to jump right in. We headed home & didn't get more than 1/2 hour down the road when he called. All apologetic & such. It seems the "board" had been very adamant about NOT doing such an event. Totally against it. Even to the point of being very rude in some of their comments. Well, we chose to go a different route & we now have an annual charity match (USPSA style,) to support a local Autism charity. Max Michele and the AMU helped us with our first one & we've had support from many top world shooters in the USPSA community. I harbor no ill feelings towards them at all. In fact, by doing it myself, I have personally seen the positive effect we've had. But, due to this & other things, I haven't shot SASS much since.
SASS has had some growing pains, and as such suffered some ill effects. But, by far, there are still excellent SASS clubs & many wonderful people who love the sport.
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SASS
Jul 9, 2014 16:04:52 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by beebop91 on Jul 9, 2014 16:04:52 GMT -5
Whats happened to SASS? I last shot it 6 years ago the targets have grown and are closer ,the loads are lighter and the people seem all about winning? I was thinking about shooting it again but have some doubts Seems less friendly. I shoot at my club I see more people shooting 38 special, would like them to go for a more traditional caliber class. Not that cowboy loads are that much more in 44/40 and 45 but you aught to see the guys shooting 38 special it's like shooting a 22. I shoot 45,44/40 and 44 colt and had some of the other members telling me to forget the larger calibers if you want to finish higher in the matches. I have only shoot 3 matches so far but have a blast doing so.
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