Edna sputtered again and the old man went on relentlessly, “Now if you want a true critique, let’s look at your costume. You look like a cross between a Mexican hooker and a storekeeper. That belt is what hookers wore back in those days to keep their money on them. They sewed the silver pesos on the belt, did you know that? I’m betting those aren’t real silver Conchos either. The blouse is wrong too. And that Buscadero rig? It’s a border rig from the 1920s, but what you’re wearing was actually designed by John Bianchi in the 1940s. And they didn’t have wrist watches in the early 1900s.”
via The Grey Man- A short story… – Nobody Asked Me….
I am an unabashed fan of Jim Curtis. This short story had me laughing because if you do any competitive shooting, you will see an example of a Range Nazi eventually. And they are usually dealt with less grace.
Go get his books, available in Amazon.
Thank you sir! 🙂 And yes, we all know and ‘love’ them… sigh
I liked the story. Well done. And there is a lot of truth to it. It’s why I both loved and hated SASS. There were a lot of really nice people and really good shooter. Then there were a lot of thread Nazis.
I was a poor grad student. Money was not in the best of supply and so my gear was a mix of what I already had and could pick up on a budget: two used Ruger Blackhawks in .357, a Marlin 1894C, and a Stoeger coach gun. The clothes were a mix of Cabela’s cowboy action apparel, Carhartt duck with the patches picked off, Cabela’s Tripple K holsters, and some Ariat western style work boots. I was passable enough to shoot, and most of the time had no problem. But there were always the steady stream of people for whom authenticity was ordained by god, who would not shut up about us “dime store cowboys.” The worst were the guys with the original guns, who made you feel like a real POS because your’e shooting a stock Ruger Blackhawk ($350) instead of a century old Colt SAA ($3500).
Eventually I had enough. Shooting is not a poor man’s sport. I didn’t feel it was worth it to spend $500 on a costume when that $500 could go to practice ammo. I gave up SASS and did IDPA Stock Sevice with the occational 3-Gun Tac Limited if there was a match near by. Ammo was cheaper too. I didn’t reload, and was a dedicated Wal-Mart Winchester white box shooter.
Sometimes I wish the SASS did better policing of stich nazis, because I know I’m not the only guy to be driven from the sport over my boots.
I enjoyed both of these books, and I believe it was your recommendation last year, Miguel, that turned me onto them.
It’s not just SASS, it’s pretty much any historical re-enactment that you those types.
The Civil War competition with cannons? We need them.
They have those. The guns are Parrott Rifled Field Guns. They have vernier sights on them like an old Sharps rifle. You aim them with jack screws and wheel chocks. Targets are 4×6 at 1000 yards.
Getting one of these is my firearm bucket list. And oh yeah, being black powder only muzzle loaders. No NFA paperwork!