I'm blaming the lack of a win on the guns! I ain't real sure, them stainLESS guns just might not be missLESS! I had 2 misses on the day, never more than 1 per stage, so at least I wasn't stringing misses together! Both with the little carbine, (I'm used to a 24" octagon rifle). Maybe a more scientific study is needed!
The Vaqueros felt HUGE compared to my Colts. Neither had been modified overly much, triggers were crisp and went off when I yanked on 'em. And what can I say about the Rossi '92... t'were loant from the fellow that authored up one of the best guides to DIY slickin' of the Rossi '92.
Regardless, if you like cowboy action shootin', DHI is a club you wanna shoot with. There are a some real wizards at Gunfighter & Duelist... impressive to watch. A struggle to keep up spotting for them!
Hot... did I mention the heat? But not to worry, it wad a WET heat! Think evaporative cooling. For July and August, I'd recommend sunglasses! Nobody warned me... when I walked down to the range, I screamed, "MY EYES, MY EYES!" Shorts & hawaiian shirts mean white, hairy legs! But, like they said, 90º and up, + heat index, means a real threat for heat exhaustion... Fun, fun bunch! I look forward to my next visit, you will too. I only had one person try to 'splain "cowboy shootin'" to me! One of the things this club does that's a little different, is that they set up a "side stage" where you can shoot yer guns before the actual matches to get them "1st stage jitters" under control.
Whether you've been cowboy shootin' for a while, or this would be your first trip, I have one piece of advice that I sure wish more folks would cotton to. DON'T BE BASHFUL! Everyone of those folks started out as brand new shooters to the game. Some (maybe most) didn't know a soul, and some will remember very vividly their first match. Whether they muddled their way thru it, or someone took them under their wing and helped them get thru that first match. And most folks will tell ya that if they didn't, they sure wished someone had taken them under their wing to help them out. (I musta looked like I needed extra special help, as I remember both of the folks that made sure I understond what was going on and gave me hints and helps that first match)! And if you've been doin' it awhile, you never know who you just might be friends in common with!
If you're still comtemplating going out to a match, don't do as an fellar I never had the opportunity to meet did. He called just about the time I moved to TX, and said he wanted to cowboy shoot, but didn't have all his gear. At the time that was one 6-gun, one rifle and shotgun. But, he said he didn't have period correct clothing either. For four years he'd call and tell me he was waiting for this or that, and would be out soon. I didn't hear from him for a while and called him. His widow answered the phone. We chatted for about an hour about cowboy shootin' and what it meant to her husband to have it to look forward to. What bothered me was that he had the guns, jeans, boots and even a shirt or two... but they weren't styled in the old west fashion... but they were legal to wear. She told me he'd only been sick about 6 months, and biggest regret was not coming out after we first talked... but he was proud, and didn't want to stand out as a "newbie". I KNOW I tried to dissuade him of that notion, but apparently not well enough. So, please, if you're thinkin' it, DO IT! We never know when our Lord will call us home. I don't doubt that he'd want to have some good honest, wholesome fun in the meantime.
