Growth of a Club

This last fall I had the privilege to shoot in the last circuit shoot of the year in Texas at the DFW Gunslingers' range. The Quicks, Brad, Pixie and Papa, sure have done well setting up their club and their range. I have recently noted that the DFW Gunslingers have started using a no x format which appears similar to the Arizona Bracket shoot.

All of the clubs in Arizona at their club matches shoot the Arizona Bracket shoot.  What the format is, is that you shoot no x as many rounds as the time will allow and then break the shooters into equal brackets based on x s and time out from a CFDA time out report. You then do a 1 x magnificent shoot off.  There are many advantages to this format.  All shooters remain in the contest to the end of the day.  All shooters gain experience of a magnificent shoot off.  All shoot together so the ladies get more competition by shooting with the men.  Even our tenderfoots are included. Last year we had one event won by Javelina Hunter, a tenderfoot shooting off the table, defeating Rodeo for the event win.  Powder Keg has always given credit to the Arizona Bracket Shoot for his National Championship.  You need to learn to compete with those shooters hitting 80%.

New clubs, try this format you will like it.  The River City Gunslingers of Omaha need to give it a try. We did one last spring when I helped with their first organized shoot.  They have a timer setup that displays the shot count behind the targets so they are really set up for it.  They need to get a little competition into their club practice shoots.

There will be two major jackpot shoots here in Arizona this spring shooting the Arizona Bracket Shoot, Winter Range, which is a big money shoot, and Tombstone.  If you have never experienced Winter Range you should come.  Nearly a 1,000 total shooters, shooting SASS, CFDA, and Mounted Shooting.  Many vendors, February 18 to 23 with Jackpot shoot being 23rd, two ranges, 6 brackets.  Tombstone is the weekend after Texas, March 23rd, and is held in one of the best venues there is. If nothing else it is worth seeing those AZ gals plying the streets of Tombstone between Big Nose Kate's and the Crystal Palace. They will be either drowning their sorrows or celebrating their dominance on the range with Fireball.  Don't know what that is but I am sure one of them will teach me this year, the Fireball that is.  Last year I was too embarrassed to stay, that California gal having sent me to Boothill in 3rd.

Getting back to the subject, the DFW Gunslingers ought to also give Arizona Five a try.  It is the best five shot option. (See my March 7, 2018, post on Fastdraw.blogspot.com.) We shoot it exclusively on Shady Mtn but don't keep score. (I don't think the proprietor can take the stress of losing those marbles.)  In Arizona Five you shoot five shots and the shooter with the most winning hits wins,  If score is 0-0 both get a lose, if score is 1-1 both get a lose, if the score is 2-2 both get a win.  Arizona Five sorts better than Nevada Five or Montana Five and takes 25% less time.  Less time means more rounds. More rounds means a better sort.  From what I see and hear the shooters at DFW need a format like Arizona Five. It puts pressure on you to hit and to hit right a way. The Quick (double meaning intended) need to learn that their quickness will not carry the day if they can't get on the target right away. Javelina Hunter does not give you any second chances.

Anyway, the DFW Gunslingers have a great range and a great club. They seem to be getting a little swagger professing to be the fastest club in Texas. Just remember a little swagger is okay until you trip on your spurs.

"Quick don't matter much, if you don't hit that which you are trying to be quick about."   Virgil Cole