CAS Peaked?

Z

ZVP

New member
I have herd members of my Club's CAS Possie talking about CAS peaking allready, and membership is on the wane. I don't know if this is just Idle BS or something more?
I have noticed that there don't seem to be any new faces on our Possie. Maybe it's just a little lull in the action and the warm summer temps just keeping the fair weather shooters away?
I sure hope not because i still have a Rifle and a Shotgun to buy! I also have to pick out a short span of time to costume myself to.
I have been thinking of trying to stay in the 1878 to 1885 era because it's easier to be shooting Black Powder C&B Revolvers. I want to give myself a period correct timeframe to operate within qand not need to buy too many different clothhing to deal with!
It seems like there is so many new things out there that this thing can't be slowing down!
ZVP
 
Economy is bad and there's less disposable capital for recreation purposes. Food comes first.

To keep anything going, you need a constant supply of fresh blood to replace members who disappear. Bring a friend - always.
 
I could see myself getting into it except for all the dress up part... I like the idea of the combat shooting with the old style guns...

Tony
 
I like the idea of the combat shooting with the old style guns...
Click to expand...

It's not exactly combat shooting. The targets are big and close. It's a game of speed. Its a gamers game now with wussy loads and short strokes. Some of their loads are so weak they can almost fire the last shot before the first bullet hits steel or at least it seems that way.
 
With thousands of members, you are going to run into all types.
There are the clotheshorses who are in it for the costuming. Heck, there are conventioneers at the big matches who don't shoot at all, just come for the fancy dress and parties. Even those who shoot the match often have the bare minimum in guns... but in very nice holsters.

There are the speed merchants with light loads, slicked actions, and some odd looking techniques. They are out for the score.

Then there are the Warthogs, who disdain any caliber not starting with a 4 and anything less than full loads.

I fall in the sportsman group. I am there because it is the Single Action SHOOTING Society, after all. But I don't mind dressing the part.
 
I'm not involved in CAS but it's got to be like a lot of other hobbies - reenacting, pre-1840 shooting, etc. - it offeres a lot of different aspects - shooting, gear, garb, etc. I have a feeling that it is a "social" thing as well which is great - rubbing elbows with others of like interest.

That said, the economy has to play a big part as well as has been mentioned. Let's face it folks . . . . things are not better . . . and we won't go there. You can spread a $ just so far . . . .

If membership is dropping off or leveling off . . . it's the same in a lot of other sports/organizations, etc. It all comes down to having the money to play . . . .
 
It's definitely not a cheap hobby. Four guns and accessories.The nearest club is 160 miles round trip for me. Figure in three boxes of 44-40 ammo and at least a box of shotgun shells per match, match fees, lunch somewhere, etc. It adds up.
 
I would love to do it but things have change for the worse rapidly in my house. Wife got laid off from her job after 16 years and the union was worthless. CAS and SASS is something I truely would love to get into but I just don't see it happining. It's not a matter of want.
 
I got into SASS for FUN. The group I shot with weren't there for fun, these guys shot to WIN. I'm shooting .45 Colt and guys are shooting .38's downloaded to where you could WATCH the rounds leave the gun and travel to the target. The Spirit of the game was total B.S..The springs in the guns were so light that the guns sometimes wouldn't fire. Call it sour grapes but the organisation was touted as one thing but in reality is something else entirely. I even wrote the national organisation and the letter back was very condensending, it was what it was and if I didn't like it....I didn't so I shoot for myself now.:D
 
it peaked along time ago, id say about 2001.

really two big issues and a few smaller ones.

first thing is that in order to join i have to spend cash on 2 pistols, a rifle, and a shotgun. i cant afford to spend money soi can shoot rifle and shotgun stages when i dont want to do that.

then you have the clothing requirements, most shooters are just idpa boys who dress up like roy rogers so they can get extra competition time.

they wont allow a rimfire in a main match, so your stuck using a centerfire gun. however most of the approved loads for those centerfire calibers are way underpowered. seriously most of those loads for 45 and 44 caliber revolvers are generating muzzle energy similar to the 1851 navy using a conical bullet. ive seen some stats were 45 sw loads generated the same muzzle energy rougly between 22magnum and 38 short colt.
 
I don't believe CAS has peaked. The economy is definitely slowing things down; but the sport is still growing. New shooters are coming on board all the time, and not all of them are retired old farts with lots of money. One of the 4 clubs I belong to had 20% of the shooters at a recent match under the age of 18. Yes, it can be expensive to get started; but it can be done one a shoestring as well by buying used from auction sites or other CAS shooters looking to upgrade.

Clothing requirement is not onerous, a long sleeve western shirt, levis, and a pair of boots are all that's required; although a cowboy hat will keep hot brass off your neck and shade you in teh sun.

Ammo requirements are lead bullets in pistol caliber at under 1000 fps in the revolver and under 1400 fps in the rifle. Shotgun is limited to #6 shot and smaller. Minimum power factor for pistol ammo is 60 and minimum velocity is 400 fps. We're shooting at steel targets so hot fast loads are detrimental not only to the targets; but to observers & competitors when splash back occurs.

I'll agree that not all CAS clubs are welcoming and friendly, and not all shooters are willing to help a noob. You unfortunately found one of those Rodent22. The Missouri clubs I belong to are friendly, helpful, and are as fun loving as they are competitive.

CAS isn't for everyone - It obviously isn't for you Newton24; but, if you like to play cowboy, shoot single action pistols, lever action rifles, and shotguns, then come try it out.

BTW, my weapons of choice are 1861 Navies or Cartridge conversion '51 Navies with real BP; 1866 Winchester Carbine in 44-40 with Pinnacle or real BP; hammered double in 12 ga (soon will have a 10 ga as well) shooting real BP.
 
I, too, have heard comments that the dress up part has become burdensome and is very discouraging to new members. The cost is also a huge factor.
I shoot with reenactors for pre-1830 using traditional muzzle loaders. I can attest to the cost of starting this avocation. Our participation is dropping. My club only requires full period dress-up two weekends a year. The rest of the time we shoot wearing anything we want. CAS might consider a move in that direction.
 
Fingers - you put it well for someone who isn't involved in CAS (me) - as I said, the economy has a lot to do with whether a person can get involved or not. You also put it well when you say it isn't for everyone. I think the concept is interesting but for those who don't want to be involved, or can't afford to be involved, you can have just as much fun with an "informal" shoot whether it be with just another shooter or several.

The comment was made that the poster had gotten in to it for FUN - I can relate to that. I shot NSSA for a number of years, primarily for the full size artillery live fire competition. I dropped out after a few years as it was no longer "FUN" - for me, some took it way too serious. But, that was "me" - if others like it, that's fine and I'm happy fore 'em.

I've been involved with a number of organizations over the years and it seems like after a while, they all get "political" and there are "internal power struggles" - just my observation. I guess my point is this - if you can't afford to get involved in an organization, you can still have lots of fun - informal shoots are great. I used to shoot with a rather "informal" round ball club - we shot once a month - we came up with different targets and matches each time and everyone brought a "prize" to throw in the pot so everyone went home with something - sometimes food, sometimes a hand-made BP related trinket. There was a lot of good natured "ribbing" and lots of laughter as well as "help" if you were having a problem. My point - there are lots of things we each would like to get involved with but due to circumstances, we can't. Don't feel bad about it - there's too many other "FUN" activities out there that don't cost a lot to do.
 
Our state match was down ~40% this year with only 73 shooters, compared to 119 last year, but I don't think it's lack of interest so much as lack of $$$.

A big part of CAS is the clothing, and how "burdensome" or "discouraging" can it be to wear jeans, long sleeved western shirt, and boots? We look to represent and preserve the genre of the old west, and shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops just don't do it.

Then there are those who don't mind the clothes, but, "Why can't I use my Benelli Nova instead?" "Why can't I use my 686 instead?" "Why can't I use .22's?" "Why can't I run with the basketball?" Because all games have rules is why. :)
 
I could see myself getting into it except for all the dress up part...
Click to expand...

It still seems to me that CAS is more about the dress up than the shooting.
Click to expand...

I'm shooting .45 Colt and guys are shooting .38's downloaded to where you could WATCH the rounds leave the gun and travel to the target.
Click to expand...

These comments really hit the nail on the head in my opinion. I see guys dressing up like they're some big bad outlaw from the old west, then shooting turtle fart loads in order to win the prize. It just takes all the fun out of it for others. Too many gamers. It's like some kind of weird World of Warcraft for adults who own guns and always have to win, win, win at all costs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top