GAF,,,,,,,,,,,,I wish

Marshal Deadwood · July 06, 2011, 08:52:02 AM

I wish that here in the east........southwest Virginia........or nearby......there was a group of you GAF folks. I LOVE reading about what you do,,,and only wish I was closer and could participate frequently. Myself, I love the 'Indian Wars' history mostly.

Good luck and God's speed,

MD

Drydock · July 06, 2011, 09:27:16 AM

Start something! Like out west, there are several GAF folks about. Contact each other, if only to talk guns, history, storys. Plan a get together. Nothing elaborate, a meet and greet to start.

Talk to your local SASS/NCOWs club about shooting your GAF guns, maybe do a demonstration. Maybe you're the only one shooting GAF, (how many SASS classes have one or two shooters?) but other folks see it, and want to talk about the old gun they've got sitting in their cabinet. Show up early, help set targets, and hey, could you put a few way back at the berm for YOUR rifle?

Have fun with it. Fix your bayonet. Find the guy with a Schofield who never gets to do reloads, the Spencer shooter wanting to show off his Blakeslee. Shoot the whole match Staff Officer, with a Webley.

We're our own little unique niche. we're . . . different . . . Be proud of it!

Delmonico · July 06, 2011, 10:20:14 AM

Like anything it's either get involved or sit on the side and whine about it.

Pitspitr · July 06, 2011, 11:28:34 AM

Often times guys see you shooting something different and want to try it too. As Drydock said put on a display before or after. I'll bet you're asked to do it again.
Here in Central Nebraska I was about the only one remotely interested in the GAF until I ask a friend to help me set up a match. Now he's one of the most dedicated members the GAF has and our club has become primarily a GAF club that is SASS friendly instead of a SASS club that is GAF friendly.

TwoWalks Baldridge · July 06, 2011, 12:30:03 PM

Quote from: Delmonico on July 06, 2011, 10:20:14 AM
Like anything it's either get involved or sit on the side and whine about it.

Excuse me sir, but I believe "whine" might be a bit strong.

There are actually some of us that have not been too or seen a GAF shooter. We are new too this whole agenda of CAS or SASS and for that reason are not comfortable or knowledgeable enough to accomplish some of these things.

What I enjoy doing, can afford to do and am willing on a very limited income to do are not always conducive to intelligent thought or ability. You are asking a blind man to lead you down the road a few hundred miles with a couple dozen turns when he has never been there.

I do own a couple revolvers but no shotgun cartridge rifle. I do own a Black powder smoke pole and a couple of 1860 colts. I have a couple friends that are in the same ownership category except for the rifle. We get together and shoot GAF postal match targets and enjoy what we do. We do not shoot the Milspec caliber rules for rifle, we make do. None of this changes the thought that we wish there was an NCOWS and GAF group near us, so we could learn from them.

Marshal Deadwood · July 06, 2011, 05:02:09 PM

WELL said, Two Walks,,,well said indeed.

The situation here is ......we have two SASS groups, but not as much historic endeavors as some of us might like. However, as of late, our range has extend to have a longer range,,,,,,,and hopefully we can start shooting some of the Sharps, trapdoors and other arms besides just SASS guns. Maybe eventually, if there is enough interest in the historic aspect, it might become less a 'gamer' thing and possibly morph into something towards the GAF style doin's. Not that one is the better over the other, but the history of it is what some love most. Room for all, hopefully.

It will take pointing out strengths and not pointing out the weak areas. Negativity never built anything, it only try's to tear down.

MD

Niederlander · July 06, 2011, 05:21:38 PM

Deadwood,
I hope you can get something started. Drydock's suggestion about getting together is excellent, and I think a lot of us are willing to provide advice, if wanted or needed. I've been doing a lot of work on reactive targets and would be happy to share any knowledge I've managed to aquire with you. With that longer range you've got now, start shooting the military rifles as soon as you can, even if it's a demonstration or a side match. I'll bet you'd be surprised how many cowboy shooters also have old military rifles they'd like to use if they had the opportunity. Good luck!

Delmonico · July 06, 2011, 05:42:03 PM

Well since the original poster seems to be missing from the ranks when you check, myself I would think that would be a good start. At least I didn't see it. I'd think that would be a very good place to start to get a group going, I could be wrong, it's happened a time or two.

TwoWalks Baldridge · July 06, 2011, 05:44:25 PM

Quote from: Niederlander on July 06, 2011, 05:21:38 PM
Deadwood,
I hope you can get something started. Drydock's suggestion about getting together is excellent, and I think a lot of us are willing to provide advice, if wanted or needed.

QuoteDrydock: Like out west, there are several GAF folks about. Contact each other, if only to talk guns, history, storys. Plan a get together. Nothing elaborate, a meet and greet to start.

When suggested to contact each other - Is there some way to do this or is it something you post and hope?

I know where the roster is listed on the GAF main site, but that does not include location or contact information. California is how we are listed and that is an area that would extend from New york City to Charleston South Carolina.

Bow View Haymaker · July 06, 2011, 05:50:27 PM

I am going to try to get somehting GAF related going here in AZ. Drydock hos done the hard work of setting up the catagories and guidlines. they are listed here in the Baraks child board and on the GAF website. Also Pitsptr has given us a new skirmish format to strive for. It wont be practical for all rages but can be addapted to most. Any SASS stage can be adpted to GAF, just drop the shotgun, move the rifle targets out to about 20 to 50 yards, plan on reloading the pistol. and to make it interesting keep reloading till all targets ae hit.

Drydock · July 06, 2011, 08:29:13 PM

You don't have to move the targets out, normal SASS ranges work fine for starters. Don't want to scare the folks off right away. But I have noticed that at our local matchs, the rifle targets have been slowly migrating back.

pony express · July 06, 2011, 10:30:13 PM

It's no problem making up SASS level loads for any milsurp, all you need is a cast bullet and 10 grains or so of Trailboss, no need to move back targets, or worry about target damage. My .45 Colt/777 loads from my '66 carbine smack the targets harder than my Krag loads. If you've got good quality steel targets, then a .45/55/405 load from a Trapdoor won't hurt them either. So it's not absolutely necessary to move targets out farther(although it's nice.)

Drydock: Yes, the rifle targets have begun to creep back a bit. I wish the pistol and shotgun targets would follow them. When I first started to shoot there, the range owner club had a rule that steel targets had to be at least 10 meters out, don't know what ever happened to that rule, they're only at 5-6 yards now, and getting hit by splatter is an "every match" occurance.

Bow View Haymaker · July 06, 2011, 11:56:01 PM

I wasn't thinking of protecting the targets with moving them back, just having the targets out further gives a more GAF type expierience.

US Scout · July 07, 2011, 05:37:58 AM

Quote from: "TwoWalks" Baldridge on July 06, 2011, 05:44:25 PM
When suggested to contact each other - Is there some way to do this or is it something you post and hope? I know where the roster is listed on the GAF main site, but that does not include location or contact information. California is how we are listed and that is an area that would extend from New york City to Charleston South Carolina.

Normally, I would say for you to contact your Department Commander, but we haven't heard much from the Department of the Pacific of late. Contact Col Bull Schmitt, the GAF Adjutant and request a list of e-mails. We do not provide addresses.

We also have a Muster Guide on the GAF website that can assist you in putting on a local GAF Muster.

US Scout
GAF, Commanding

Niederlander · July 07, 2011, 07:04:57 AM

Quote from: pony express on July 06, 2011, 10:30:13 PM
It's no problem making up SASS level loads for any milsurp, all you need is a cast bullet and 10 grains or so of Trailboss, no need to move back targets, or worry about target damage. My .45 Colt/777 loads from my '66 carbine smack the targets harder than my Krag loads. If you've got good quality steel targets, then a .45/55/405 load from a Trapdoor won't hurt them either. So it's not absolutely necessary to move targets out farther(although it's nice.)

Drydock: Yes, the rifle targets have begun to creep back a bit. I wish the pistol and shotgun targets would follow them. When I first started to shoot there, the range owner club had a rule that steel targets had to be at least 10 meters out, don't know what ever happened to that rule, they're only at 5-6 yards now, and getting hit by splatter is an "every match" occurance.

We've had a few people from other clubs shoot with us, and the first thing they say is always "Your targets are way farther out than ours!" We hardly ever have any problem with splatter, because our targets aren't fifteen feet away. You actually have to aim to hit them! (Perish the thought!)

TwoWalks Baldridge · July 07, 2011, 08:38:09 AM

Quote from: US Scout on July 07, 2011, 05:37:58 AM
Normally, I would say for you to contact your Department Commander, but we haven't heard much from the Department of the Pacific of late. Contact Col Bull Schmitt, the GAF Adjutant and request a list of e-mails. We do not provide addresses.

We also have a Muster Guide on the GAF website that can assist you in putting on a local GAF Muster.

US Scout
GAF, Commanding

Sir, thank you. Will follow your guidance.

Dalton Masterson · July 08, 2011, 11:23:14 PM

Isnt Charles Isaac out there on the East coast somewhere? That might be a good contact for you Marshall D.
DM

Charles Isaac · July 10, 2011, 10:25:31 AM

Yes Sir, I am-northeastern North Carolina on the Virginia border sportin' that outstanding military flap holster of thick harness leather you fashioned for my Colt's revolving breech pistol of navy caliber. My camera is down for now, but will post a spread on it sometime.

Quote from: Marshal Deadwood on July 06, 2011, 08:52:02 AM
I wish that here in the east........southwest Virginia........or nearby......there was a group of you GAF folks. I LOVE reading about what you do,,,and only wish I was closer and could participate frequently. Myself, I love the 'Indian Wars' history mostly.

Good luck and God's speed,

MD

I would like to try to get something going too.

There's a SASS club out here, the "Pungo Posse". Haven't been out to meet them as I've been busy working on the homestead. They were at the Airfield Shooting Club in Wakefield Va. but had moved to Sussex Shooting Sports Center shortly before I joined the Airfield Club. Shame, because I planned on doing demonstration for them.

Does anyone know if any of the Pungo members are on any of the forums here?

Drydock · July 10, 2011, 04:58:09 PM

Shot with them for years before I retired and moved back to MO. I know Arcey hangs out in the Black Powder Forum, and others are around in the General forums as well. The Mattaponi Sundowners are a good outfit out that way as well. You can check out the SASSWIRE for contacts with these local clubs.

CSASS in Eden NC is another great outfit, maybe closest of all. I don't know if Chance is still ramrodding them, but they like putting the rifle targets back against the berm.

Check out the Old Hickory Regulators in Rocky Mount as well.

Charles Isaac · July 10, 2011, 07:13:13 PM

Well, who'd a thunk it-small world! Rocky Mount is a ways out, but the others sound promising. Retired State Trooper friend of mine used to shoot CAS/SASS and has all the fancy Ruger and I-talion hardware for it, so if they aren't interested in the military weapons, at least ther'll be something to throw lead with