Here is a video of me shooting at the competition

Once again, it is amazing how easy it is to miss at even close ranges under a competion format. I know for me a lot of this was nerves having only done this one other time. But even some of the good shooters miss occasionally- which gives me hope! On this attached video, I actually miss three targets. (If you watch you will see me shake my head in frustration at one point after my third miss).
The format on this stage was to shoot 10 rounds from the rifle, alternating targets. Then put the rifle down and shoot 5 shots each from both revolvers, again alternating targets. Then load the empty shotgun and knock the 4 targets down. With a double barrel shotgun, that means load both barrels, shoot two targets, unload the spent shells and reload new shells, and shoot the other two targets.
Hope you enjoy this! :)
Oh, and coming soon, a tribute posting that is going to be very sentamental and quite a bit sappy. It will have nothing to do with SASS or any goofy stuff. But the 20th rememberence of my mom's passing is coming up and I will be posting a tribute to her in time to honor her passing in a few weeks...
Talk soon! MM

More CAS action!

Yesterday I competed in my second CAS (Cowboy Action Shooting) event...It was a boatload of fun! (Or maybe a "Stagecoach of fun" is more appropriate...?) My results were horrible, but I still had a great time. I sped up over my first time, but I missed some targets- even at close range! In fact, one of the things I like about thi shooting is that it demonstrates how inneffective I am at shooting when under pressure. I have been shooting for a while and think that I know what I am doing. And while I hope that I never have to use force to protect myself or my family, I calmly think to myself that it wouldn't be a problem to shoot effectively under pressure. But it is AMAZING how bad I start to shoot when the timer buzzes and the pressure of competition comes and the adrenaline starts to flow!

Anyway, we had a great time. My wife Brenda went and took the pictures. One picture is really cool- you can see the ejected brass from the rifle from the previous shot still in the air while I am taking my next shot. And I am one of the slow shooters! LOL

My son Daniel went too, and spent the day collecting brass (the spent brass cases that fall from the guns. Many of us reload the used brass so it is very valuable). At the end of the shoot the "posse" (the shooting group) that my son was picking up brass for took a collection to give to my son and he actually made a few bucks! Great job Daniel! My boy is working! Wahoo! :)

Oh! I got my new "Cowboy pants" and suspenders...how do they look?

Well, thanks for reading and we will talk soon!

MM

Why "Mesilla"...?

For those of you who do not live in the Southwest or spent any time in New Mexico (or aren't up on your Cowboy history), I wanted to explain why the name "Mesilla Marksman". I do not claim to be an expert on history, but as my interest in the Southwest and New Mexico grew over the last 6 years, I discovered that the town of Mesilla New Mexico has a lot of history. From Billy the Kid being sentenced to be hung in 1881 at the local courthouse, to the nearby Fort Selden, where Douglas MacArthur spent some formative years as a young boy, there is a lot of history in this area. While I was a Sales representative for my company I used to drive all over the "Land of Enchantment" and this was one area I always enjoyed. The people were always nice and friendly, and the food was great! (If you are in the area you MUST eat at La Posta restaurant! I would recommend the sour cream green chili encheladas!) So when it came time to create an "alias" for SASS/CAS, I decided on this name to pay homage to a place with a rich cowboy history, and since my name is Mark and a "marksman" is a good shot, it all kind of fit! So, now you know a little bit more about why I chose the name that I did and you might have learned a little history! Talk soon!

First SASS event!

Well, I finally did it! I finally "bit the bullet" and joined SASS and then joined the local group here in the Phoenix area (ACSA - Arizona Cowboy Shooter's Association). My son and I went to the local club shoot on Saturday and I played cowboy with some very nice people! What a great time!!! The people were fantastic and very helpful, and the day flew by- despite me being very nervous! Why was I nervous?! I'm not so sure...I have been shooting for a while and know how to handle a firearm. But I guess the thought of having ALL those people see me miss a target was humbling. But hey, I am probably one who can use a little serving of humble pie now and then! :)

Anyway, I thought I would post this and put it up for any and all to see.

See you soon!