ssdave wrote on Dec 25^th, 2021 at 1:03am:


I've been here reading the forum since 2006. How did I miss all that? 

There were others as Dave mentioned who were either suspended, banned, or just quit because those they respected were sent packing. It was an ugly mess that was unnecessary, and I think some later realized their mistake in how it was handled, but too late to heal that rift.
I really can't agree more with what Lee and Dave have both posted about the inclusiveness needed to ensure it's about Single Shot Rifles in general, and not about just one aspect of the interest we all have some part in. To tell people that their interest in single shot rifles is meaningless, or less important than what another group likes is basically telling them to go elsewhere.

I remember it very well and there were quite few people who were unfortunately negatively affected at the time. In all honesty there was also a tremendous amount of knowledge that was also damned near all instantly lost. And some of those folks used to also share it in the ASSRA Journal. Prior to the ASSRA taking over this site it was developed as being a Schuetzen related site due to the ones prior to it being lost. And there were a handful of us at the time who donated money to get it started. Also at the time there were also quite a few sites that covered everything else single shot related but not specifically to everything that was actually Schuetzen related. With the intent of making it more openly known and hoping to get more participation. It actually goes back to the old chat site where we used to all meet once a week and at times up to twice a week and the fear of now becoming completely separated from each other.

Back to the idea of a movie, if someone were to acquire the movie rights to “How I Became a Crack Shot” by Milton Farrow, the screenplay would virtually write itself.
The life story of AO Neidner would be another thriller, going back to his Indian Fighter days.
“John Browning, the Man Who Invented Modern Firearms” would be another easy script.

The possibilities are endless.  All you need is a couple of sympathetic actors and a truckload of production money.

Froggie

I'm reminded of an article written by Mike Wolfe of Mikes Train House, an importer of toy trains. His company is out of business now, but a read-up on Google can give the whole story. At any rate, his concern was the same as ours; "How do we attract new participants to our game?" Well, if you look at the competing pursuits available to today's youth, shooting is something of a niche hobby. First is financial, second is access to a venue, and third is the missing mentor/teacher/coach. Financially, what 14-year-old can afford a CPA rifle? What 14-year-old has parents that would even allow such a thing in the house? Yes, there are parents that do, but they don't have the numbers that can bring sweeping changes to the number of new ranges being built, let alone increase gun club memberships. The mentorship issue is of critical importance. How many kids have had the benefit of a good coach influencing their lives? Countless numbers, I know. Are the coaches of today the same as the old WW2 vets I grew up with? Don't know. I do know my kids had good coaches, can't speak for others. Don't forget that the average kid in middle school heading to high school has a very competitive school career. He has to get good grades, do sports successfully if he would like a shot at college tuition help. All of that takes time, and money as those of us who had kids in sports programs in school can attest. If there is any downtime, it's spent on video games, which are inexpensive and more entertaining than a fine old rolling block or Ballard. They can recognize an M1 Garand, but they can't afford to buy one. But they get to shoot krauts playing Call of Duty, which is even better. So, what's it all mean? Well, Mike Wolfe elected to close up shop partly because he knew that the customer base who supported him from the start was dwindling in numbers and new hobbyists were not to be found. At least, not enough to support his enterprise. Sad? Yes, very. Especially when you look at the demographics at any gun show. The majority of attendees are older, there's some young folks, but they'll be looking over the black rifles and pistols. A very small number will look at the old stuff, but they're put off by how expensive these arms can be. It's why the high volume of gun sales only affects new firearms and collectible firearms are only driven by investor interest. I'm afraid as more time passes, less people will be interested in single shots. They'll just be a quaint old thing. Like us.

Bill I do tend to believe the same. 
Trying to hand it all down to our ongoing generations is probably the hardest part before we too are gone.

Having a place to shoot is an issue. Living in an environment in which guns are evil is another obstacle. However, not being exposed to the sport in a positive way is a deal breaker. cost is an issue to a point, but someone who wants to play can do so without breaking the bank. I did it for many years with an imported Sharps rifle and even when I bought my High wall I bought a Uberti .  There are inexpensive rimfires that can be competitive and there are some centerfires like replica Sharps rifles, original trapdoors, H&R single shots that can serve as intro rifles. We Definitely could use more intro rifle options, but in every sport there is the fact that you can spend a lot of money or not so much, and many people start out at somewhere less than full bore to see if they like it. Those who dont want to play unless they can win right away might as well forget it, we dont need them.  They will go out and spend ridiculous money on the most expensive equipment and then be upset when they dont win  their first match. Those who want to get involved because they like the sport are the keepers. We have to find a way to spark their interest in the sport, the rest will come naturally. 
A lot of people have trapdoors and rolling blocks, I would like to see a big bore buffalo match,( cal 38+), any powder, to see how many people we can get to a match. Once they are exposed to the game they may want to get a schuetzen rifle and give it a try. 

Joe S

Gunfunpow wrote on Dec 26^th, 2021 at 6:10pm:


I have a bit of a different take on shooting being a niche activity.  My son participated in Trap Shooting as a freshman to a senior in high school.  There were literally hundreds of kids in Nebraska that were able to procure firearms to compete, a great deal of parental involvement, as well as a number of dedicated coaches.  Some reading...

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I think that the desire is out there but we need a way to get the word out to the potential shooters.  Heck, I've been interested for years but had nothing local.  I was unaware that there was a group of people shooting classic rifles until I started to actively search for them. (Thanks to Mike Venturino's book on shooting buffalo rifles on getting the fire re-lit.)

JMHO

-Ron