Diary of a New CAS Shooter Part 1

[DB Leath]

Howdy Folks,
 
  I thought this might be a good idea. I am just getting started and was thinking some might enjoy hearing how a newbie is gettin along.

January 11, 2003 - I go to watch my first match. Its colder than heck and I am thinking why am I driving 1 hour to watch people shoot. But I drag myself out of bed and get down the road.  I get to the range and I am thinking ok Cliff, I knew people would be dressed up but....... I feel a little out of place for about 3/10ths of a second. People are comming up to me asking me if I was new. Making sure I am introduced to the people in charge. Gettin me lined up with some folks to watch and learn.
 What a great time. Ok now what, I have a shot gun that will work. G Grandpas 1897, 30" barrel and all. Ok I need pistols and lever gun. What to do I am a young working class guy, how do I tell my lovely wife ...honey I am takin up a new hobbie and I need a couple of grand to buy some new guns...  yeah right.  So what do I do. I start trading and selling off non CAS suff to get what I need.  I am moving along ok but you folks know how long that process can take.  I manage to pick up a 92' clone face to face here in Texas. Ok now I need leather....Pecos Clyde to the rescue...Thanks Pecos for trusting someone enough to send leather to see if it fits.. Ok handguns are coming but not here yet. What now. I am able to borrow some from a guy thats helping me along..thats a relief.
   Ok now to the good part.. the night before my first match and I cant sleep.....I am not sure if this happened to anyone else or not . I get to the range and get setup. I meet some folks that were going to let me borrow a rifle and ammo in order to shoot.  Since I have my rifle I dont need one but he insist I take it and try it out at least...so being the gracious person I am.. I comply.  
  First stage..my knees are shaking,its cold too, and my mouth is dry, and I am terrified.  I wont go into the details of my shoot but suffice to say I got no procedural penalities and shot a safe match. I finished in the bottom 10 but I can live with that for now...I had an absolute blast. I cant wait until all of my guns get here and I can shoot again.
  Now where did I put that large primer tube for my Dilion. If anyone finds it let me know.....
  Ill post some more on my progress as  I get along

If you are ever in the Dallas/Fortworth area and want to shoot give us a shout. We would love to  have ya...
  E-mail and I ll give you directions...
DB Leath

[Greybeard]

If all goes as planned I should be going to my first CAS match on March 1 or I guess that will be the correct date won't it Holiday?

By then I should have the leather from Big Ed, the revolvers from EMF and have time to figure out what loads I'll be shooting and have them ready. Gonna hafta empty some brass between now and then to load them ligher as I don't think I have enough empties and most of what I have loaded is too hot for CAS use.

I'll use my Stoger Upland 28 ga. SXS at that first match and decide from there what to do about a legal shotgun for the job. May try to trade for a different rifle before then but if not will have to see how well my old Marlin 336 in .44 mag will do.

Clothes will just have to be what I have now that will look OK as I sure can't afford to go buying up anything special rat now.

Will let ya'll know my impressions afterward.

GB

[TimW]

Great thread Caleath...
 I'm also a newbie to this sport and enjoy reading all I can about CAS. Been roundin up all the necessities...Got the lever guns,one pistol and bought an ole LeFever to cut down into a coach gun.  After cleanin it up it was too purty to chop so went out lookin again.. Findin out I can get a new Bakail double cheaper than most old Stevens and such..and I won't feel guilty about cuttin the barrels down. Found another site the gives good instructions on slickin up the Rusky. Like you guys..I have been tradin off the dust collectors for Cowboy guns.  Sorry Graybeard,but I'm a Ruger fan and like the long barrels...using 6 1/2" Blackhawks in 357. The rifle is a Rossi 92 in 44-40 so won't get the ammo confused.. These cold winter nites have been spent loadin shells to find loads they like.
  The closest match is about an hour away, so will have to get down next month and watch and learn.

[Cheyenne Ranger]

Tim W
When you go to watch, take your guns.  And shoot.  You can learn as you go and that's way too long a drive to just watch.  
I had my USPSA shooting buddy come to watch on Saturday, last, and he shot the entire match.  And  he and his Mrs. were just going to watch.  She even begin asking where THEY could get the necessary guns for this!
My Mrs. met us for lunch and is beginning to warm to the idea too.
So plan to shoot.  It's way too much fun just to watch.