So, there seemed to be a disagreement on whether there was any hospitality in Alabama...

So I decided we should send someone down to investigate. I dipped into the Steelchicken's funds ($23 in quarters, a few buttons and stick of gum) and decided to send our best man down there. Since he wasn't available, I had to go.

My first stop has been Steel City for the pistol/lever matches. I barged up the Match Director and said, "Hi. I flew down from Washington state to shoot in your match today - where do I sign up?" They laughed and said, "No really, why the hell'd you come all the way out here?"

I said, "I'm the guy from Steelchickens.com and I was sent to look into your hospitality problem." There were quite a few chuckles to be had.

I met several shooters from the area but I handily won the long-distance award. They showed me around the place, reminded me not to point the loud end toward people and proceeded to give me one of the best spotters I've ever seen use nothing more than the naked eye. More than once, Match Director Yoder's calls were clearly on target while what I thought I saw was pure imagination. I stopped calling spots as I was confident he could read the year on a dime at 50 yds without squinting. They let me win 2nd place with my little lever-gun, but completely schooled me in hunter pistol. I mean, I've never seen scores like these guys put up. I learned that afternoon to never pick a pistol-fight with a man from Alabama. To add to my experience, they paired me up with an "old-school" pistol shooter, Wayne, who used his open-sight 686 with full-power loads to knock the poop out of anything he saw fit. (I decided to time my shots between his and put in a second pair of ear-plugs.) Actually, I was in awe of his ability and learned that he was, in fact, the owner of the Grand Slam pin for pistol with the serial# 1.

So, we put things away, cleaned up and they took me out to BBQ. After I gorged myself I was then treated to some gun-shopping for some nice lever-guns in the area.
Lastly, I was even given an honorable mention in the match results newsletter.

So, I'm going to chalk this one up to Good Southern Hospitality. Mr. Yoder would disagree. He said they didn't treat me any different than anyone else and I believe him - it was just good hospitality period.

This weekend, I head up to the seat of the problem, Nick and the Magic City crew. He was so disgusted with my presence he left early just to get away from me. This ought to be fun! ;)

(Pistol Cartridge Lever and Hunter Pistol course at Steel City)

Dang man! Sorry you were so badly treated!

Mike, next time go incognito and use a phony accent. Down here we always roll out the red carpet for Silhouette Sillebrities (just ask Mary)

It looks like they couldn't decide wich way to face the animals?

I hope there weren't any exposed uhhhhh (casting marks) that is against the NRA Rules now (and open for a lengthy discussion). haha!

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4069&p=34010#p34010

Jerry

Jerry...the animals are alternating so you know which bank you are on, note there are no colored banks or extremely visible bank numbers.

Hammy...the hospitality in South Florida was great, both times I've been to that other country!!! You need to travel to PeEll, you would enjoy that fine cold (weather) greeetings and match.

Innocent

I recon I awta come cleen an fess up that I did make sum special preparations for tha esteemed gentleman from Washington State. Havin been forewarned, by him, that he might show up, an not wantin him to go bak up yonda sayin that usins is all retneks down hea. I had my wife/first cusin wash out my best t shirt and cuvahauls an even sew buttons back on tha side flaps soz I could dress up fo this hea digitary.
We thunk'd things wasa goin rite favorable like til we got to tha BBQ place where they speciliz in bar-b-que pork ,and he ordered chickin' an unsweetined tea.

Them's my north'ern roots a'showin... LOL

That is one of the funniest things I've read in a looooong time.

It was the tea that blew his cover....

Innocent

mordecai wrote: of ear-plugs.)

This weekend, I head up to the seat of the problem, Nick and the Magic City crew. He was so disgusted with my presence he left early just to get away from me. This ought to be fun! ;)

(Pistol Cartridge Lever and Hunter Pistol course at Steel City)

that was in fact my motivation for leaving early. then out of complete insolence our steel chickens "mole" sneaks into my smallbore matchand, of all things, was on time and prepared!!!!. then to add further insult he wins the standard rifle match with the high score of the day!!!! I don't know where all you northerners get off showin up at our matches with your uppity yankee rifles and whoopin up on us, but i wish ye hadn't.

All joking asside it was a pleasure to have you visit and shoot with you at both matches and you are welcome as all are to come join us anytime you can.

nick

205 789 9486

A very nice range setup. I love the green grass and the trees!

Ok - first - my trip to Magic City Gun Club in Pinson, AL for a SB Rifle match. Wonderful weather accompanied by wonderful shooters and a really great match. They allowed me the honor of taking MW in Standard rifle but called a halt to that in Hunter. I had to contend with some rather unknown conditions, namely wind, heat and humidity. I got lucky and just pointed the noisy-end toward the targets and they seemed to fall down. Nick and the gang were great and I highly recommend attending a match if you're in the area!

The firing line...


The after match...

So, the guys at Steel City and Magic City were great and beyond generous. They offered to let me borrow their gear for their State Pistol matches as I was coming in hot off the plane. A special thanks to both of the Yoder's for all their help. I was really excited to do this because my experience with Hunter's Pistol Silhouette has been pretty limited to stock guns. These guys had their stuff all worked out and it was a dream to shoot. I actually shot a Master score in Open/Iron Sights if you can believe that! The gun just couldn't miss. It really was an awesome day of shooting for me.

Best part was I got to meet the legendary match director, Frank. I wish I could do him justice but he's the kind of guy you just have to meet. Thanks to all the guys at the match - I'll be looking forward to any further trips to the area where I can stop in and shoot! I can only suggest the same!

Next month, Chattanooga!

A look at the goods...


The shooters...


Some shooting irons and the targets...




A look at the Hunter Pistol #1 Grand Slam Pin and some of Wayne's Long Run pins!!

Great pictures, Mike. Make sure to take notes about how they have their pistols set up so you can show us how to do it when you get back. I've got 22lr and 22 Hornet Contender barrels laying in the safe not being used.

This Saturday, 29 May will be another display of SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY but this time Smallbore Rifle Silhouette in Chattanooga. Besides offering a glorious day in the outdoors, it will be an opportunity to get in the last practice before the Southern Nationals in Winnsboro next weekend.

It also is a good time to pick up your registration form for the Tennessee State Championships to be held on this very same range on 21 August 2010. Got a really cool door prize for one of the competitors at the State match.

The dates for the matches for the remainder of 2010 in Chattanooga are: 29 May, 20 June, 17 July, 21 August (Tennessee State Championship), 19 September, 16 October & 20 November. PLEASE NOTE. Due to scheduling restraints, all monthly matches are not held on the same week-end day. Check the dates. All matches will be NRA Approved matches with the exception of the State Championship which will be NRA Registered and have its own program.

Special Instructions: Due to problems in the past, entry to the Chattanooga Rifle Club property gate is limited to members only. Non-member competitors MUST contact Match Director, Ed Jones or Nelson Fagan, prior to arriving, to let them know their desire to compete in the match. Before match day, contact Ed Jones or Nelson Fagan at the numbers below, to make arrangements to be met and admitted at the gate on match day.
They will be met at the gate and escorted to the proper venue. This may be accomplished by cell phone after 11:00 am on the day of the match, by calling (706) 897-2306. Do not follow another member through the gate. I will be on range property by 10:30 on match day and hope to begin the match at Noon. Just call 706-897-2306 when at the gate and I'll come a runnin'.

Got Any Questions? Contact Match Directors: Ed Jones at (706) 896-1783 or by email at [email protected] or Nelson Fagan at (706) 781-6078 or by email at [email protected]

Don’t let the gate issue reflect on our REAL SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY.
Y’all come c us, ya heer.
Gator