2 Monthly Carrygun Matches at Heartland?

[David E]

Two Carrygun Matches a month, the 1st and 3rd Sunday. A worthwhile idea or not? Would you shoot both? Just one?

The stages would be very, very similar at each match. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as you have a shot at redemption on, say, the mover that got by you without a single shot being fired because you forgot to take off the safety or you didn't seat the magazine.

It would allow you to miss one due to a scheduling conflict and still get in a good carrygun match.

You could shoot a different gun each time.

Right now, it seems that if I had an entirely different match protocol (different guns, like .22 rifle or revolver-only) then I'd lose 90% of the folks that shoot this one.

40 shooters is getting pretty close to the capacity for this match. And to be honest, I'm surprised we didn't break 50 this time. We had a lot of new shooters, so that means there were a few that didn't make this one. I know a match in TX took away a couple this time around, so next month, we well could break 50 (especially since there is going to be FREE FOOD!)

And with warmer weather coming, would that keep people away to enjoy the nice weather?

There needs to be at least 20 shooters to make it worthwhile for Heartland at each match. Could we do that, twice a month, match after match? Then again, if we only get 20 per match and we are currently getting 40 at ONE, then it costs more money to have two, making little business sense.

If we could get nearly 40 each time, then we could make 40 the cut-off point, which would help keep things moving and get done in a timely manner.

I think there has always been a desire to shoot your actual carrygun in a competitive venue. But no other venue allowed it to BE competitive. So folks wouldn't shoot their carrygun. Well, now it's problem solved.

Post your thoughts about having this match TWICE a month.

 

[Burk Cornelius]

Like you said the other night, even if you have two matches nothing guarantees that the current crowd with split between the two new dates evenly. You might get 10 at one and 40 at the other. Or you might get 40 at both then you are back in the same "pickle".

If your goal is to keep it between below 40 then you might have to just have a "cut-off". Although that is difficult because no one wants to drive to a match if there is a chance they won't get in. No real easy answer.

Two possible considerations:

1. Require shooters to use a "carry gun" I know it isn't a popular notion and I don't mean any disrespect whatsoever to those that shoot race guns, but there is some gear at the match that isn't carry gear.

2. An equally unpopular thought: Concealment. In Oklahoma, if you carry a gun you are carrying it concealed.

It is possible neither of these two options will resolve the issue of number of shooters and if so then they are moot points.

I know in the past you have never required concealment or a true carry gun, but if you decide to limit it to 40 shooters then someone is going to miss the cut. It could either be someone who gets there late or someone who shoots a non-carry gun, but either way someone is going to miss out.

Two Carrygun Matches a month, the 1st and 3rd Sunday. A worthwhile idea or not? Would you shoot both? Just one?

The stages would be very, very similar at each match. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as you have a shot at redemption on, say, the mover that got by you without a single shot being fired because you forgot to take off the safety or you didn't seat the magazine.

It would allow you to miss one due to a scheduling conflict and still get in a good carrygun match.

You could shoot a different gun each time.

Right now, it seems that if I had an entirely different match protocol (different guns, like .22 rifle or revolver-only) then I'd lose 90% of the folks that shoot this one.

40 shooters is getting pretty close to the capacity for this match. And to be honest, I'm surprised we didn't break 50 this time. We had a lot of new shooters, so that means there were a few that didn't make this one. I know a match in TX took away a couple this time around, so next month, we well could break 50 (especially since there is going to be FREE FOOD!)

And with warmer weather coming, would that keep people away to enjoy the nice weather?

There needs to be at least 20 shooters to make it worthwhile for Heartland at each match. Could we do that, twice a month, match after match? Then again, if we only get 20 per match and we are currently getting 40 at ONE, then it costs more money to have two, making little business sense.

If we could get nearly 40 each time, then we could make 40 the cut-off point, which would help keep things moving and get done in a timely manner.

I think there has always been a desire to shoot your actual carrygun in a competitive venue. But no other venue allowed it to BE competitive. So folks wouldn't shoot their carrygun. Well, now it's problem solved.

Post your thoughts about having this match TWICE a month.

 

[jtischauser]

Can I shoot my rimfire rifle at the second match? Seriously? These stages are ideal for it as is.

 

[David E]

Can I shoot my rimfire rifle at the second match? Seriously? These stages are ideal for it as is.

Now there's a comment I did not expect!

 

[jtischauser]

Now there's a comment I did not expect!

The only thing that may pose an issue that I can think of is safe gun storage since there are no racks to set long guns in down range. I guess we could close off one shooting position and use the rack in there.

 

[pyplynr]

I think the rimfire rifle would be really fun.

 

[benjamin-benjamin]

i would come twice a month... here are my thoughts.
1. if you make it concealment only, then there is no chance on doing this twice a month. there are numerous people that are not comfortable shooting from concealment and would stop coming. more importantly we won't keep getting the new shooters, we had tiffany shooting without a holster last month and loved it so much she invested more money and this match we had a 12 year old that wouldn't have been able to shoot (no holster and no way will she shoot from concealment, not safe) and i would hate to start limiting new shooters... i push this match as the match to come to for new shooters.. now if it is that big of a deal then just make a sepearte concealment division.. also i don't know how many people in oklahoma conceal their guns behind a fishing vest....
2. if there is a separate divisions for race guns (for the record i don't have a race gun), why does it matter?? once again why prevent people from shooting a match, i am going to get a better gun and i will want practice with it (i actually carry about 1 day out of 3 months, i shot more for fun than "protection"), and it would suck if i couldn't practice at one of the better matches
3. if we have consistently had positive feedback, it is growing, people are having fun, why change anything???

 

[Burk Cornelius]

Benjamin, I agree with 100% of what you said. The dilemma we have is number of shooters continuing to climb (good problem) That being said, David is trying to find a way to accommodate them. One of them is a second match which has its own set of problems but it is possible that a second match wouldn't address the number of shooters. For example if everyone came to both matches then we just have TWO matches that are BOTH full (another good problem)

So, IF the answer is to limit the number number of shooters (not what I want either) someone has to decide what the cutoff is (i.e. first come, first paid, carry gun only, etc). Either solution creates some issues of their own.

I love the fact that it is getting so big that we have to talk about what we should do next. It is exciting to see everyone interested in the shooting sports, isn't it.

BC

 

[Jefpainthorse]

Id shoot the same match x2 ... it beats driving from Logan County way down to 40 and Meridian... and the format is more to my liking in a carry gun based event.

I'd kinda leave things alone... run a second date. If you average 25 per date will that cover the costs? Are we willing to face a little lull (maybe...shooting is a hot sport in OKC) during the summer months. Do we mind being a newbie freindly setting... (a portal for new shooters who will support A2 in the future)and taking time to model the way?

 

[Burk Cornelius]

I really hope no one took my first post as I didn't like the match the way it is or that I want to change everything. I love this match and I don't want to change a thing.

Thanks being said, when we add a second date, it will likely get full and David will need to address the issue of limiting the number of shooters. I was just offering some options.

BC

 

[jtischauser]

Here is an idea...what if the 1st Sunday match was the Advanced match and the 3rd Sunday match was the beginner match or vice versa? My wife has been thinking about trying a match and last nights match would have been way over her skill level. So maybe one match is easier than the other but both use the same stages just less movement or whatever would make it easier.

 

[Pstmstr]

I think it should be carry gun only and limited to 30 shooters. There are plenty of other matches around to shoot the other guns. But then again, I'm an opinionated anti social, soon to be retired, postal guy. Doubt that I would shoot it twice per month except maybe in the winter. If you ain't having to unload it in the parking lot before you come in, it ain't no carry gun. And if you can see the gun or mags before the start signal, it's not concealed either. :angry:

 

[benjamin-benjamin]

Jessie- i like your idea, but i think the problem that david will run into is that is 24 different stages... or i guess he could have the same stage but maybe longer distances or throw in a strong hand only on the advanced match? that way it could be the "same" with the variations being minor??
pstmstr-i would disagree that there are plenty of other matches, i mean how many matches are newbie friendly?? you want a beginner to go to OKCGC match and start off shooting a texas start from 20 feet..hahah yeah right... also why do you can if other people don't shoot concealed... i mean it doesn't effect you...but i am a very social guy that wants everyone to shoot... i am trying to get my 13 year old nephew to shoot...

lastly, instead of speculation lets look at the past to predict the future, we had an extra match last month and told everyone that the next match was basically the same and had a good turnout, so IMO it comes down to two options

1. we have 2 matches per month and it goes great...or we have two matches and it starts to taper off, which means we go to option 2
2. we have one match per month and an extra match everytime there is a 5th sunday... that way people still show but not get burned out...

IMO i think 2 matches will continue to do well, espically with BS spreading the good news and how many new shooters are getting hooked every month..

 

[Pstmstr]

My first match I ever shot was OKC gun club. I didn't do well but several experienced shooters were more than happy to give me some pointers. I still dont do well but I suck less than I used too. My thoughts are we have thousands of Oklahomans carrying a concealed firearm, this is a great way to get some of used to doing it like we might have to in a real situation. I understand the newbie intimidation factor, that goes away (somewhat) by practicing. Sometimes you just have to force yourself to try a new thing. As long as you're safe, who cares how long or how many misses you have, you'll get better if you do it enough. I'd suggest the new shooters take a class or two, it really helps to build confidence and makes you a better shooter. This state gives you a concealed carry license if you can launch 50 rounds down range without shooting yourself or someone else, the more people who become proficient with their carry guns, the safer all of us will be. But....that's just my opinion, it's up to the man running it, I just show up to shoot my carry gun from concealment and try not to shoot myself when I unload it before the match and load it back up after. :unsure:

 

[drmitchgibson]

I plan on coming back time after time, and two slots would be nice, like David said, for scheduling. I have to arrange a babysitter to compete, so more matches means more of a chance for me to be involved. And when I start 3Gunning (when does that begin?), I'll shoot less indoors.

 

[aking]

I am new to this so I don't know what has been talked about before. I actually had to leave early last night because I had no idea it would last as long as it did and I had proir commitments. Have you ever looked into signing up early either by phone, email, or boomershooter. Have a max number of shooter allowed per match and maybe you can't sign up more than 30 days early. Making payment neccesary when registering would prevent no shows.

I teach a certification course in my trade and this is how I sign people up. I used to not take payment early but I had alot of no shows. I made payment neccesary when you register and that has worked out great.

I like the idea of 2 matches per month, but I would probably only make it to one. I think it would definitely help keep from having to turn people away. I would love make both but life is just to busy.

I also think the stages could be the same both matches each month. And I do like the sound of the rimfire rifle match

 

[jtischauser]

And when I start 3Gunning (when does that begin?), I'll shoot less indoors.

It is only two gun next month but that dont matter. It's the 3rd Sunday as well at OKCGC.

 

[benjamin-benjamin]

I am new to this so I don't know what has been talked about before. I actually had to leave early last night because I had no idea it would last as long as it did and I had proir commitments. Have you ever looked into signing up early either by phone, email, or boomershooter. Have a max number of shooter allowed per match and maybe you can't sign up more than 30 days early. Making payment neccesary when registering would prevent no shows.

I teach a certification course in my trade and this is how I sign people up. I used to not take payment early but I had alot of no shows. I made payment neccesary when you register and that has worked out great.

I like the idea of 2 matches per month, but I would probably only make it to one. I think it would definitely help keep from having to turn people away. I would love make both but life is just to busy.

I also think the stages could be the same both matches each month. And I do like the sound of the rimfire rifle match

good idea

 

[David E]

Early sign up and pre-pay can work for a special match, but it wouldn't work for a monthly one.

(I am trying to secure a date for a "special" match, so stay tuned!)

 

[MISph1t]

2 a month sounds good to me. I would most likely only make one plus the 5th Sunday thing.

Summers coming and I'll be spending at least one weekend a month at a lake somewhere so 2 would let me make at least one.