JJ

What Marshal Stone said - This surprises you because?? I am thrilled that the young lady on the cover of the January 2025 Chronicle is a friend of mine. Met her (and her father) a number of years ago at a Minnesota State Cowboy Match. She sat down at the table I was sitting at (by myself) and proceeded to talk to me she had know me forever. I was taken aback at her gesture. Have even had the chance to shoot a WB Match with her at the same range at a later date. She is one of the good persons to know. Yah - perhaps there should have been more written about the WB Match at Land Run. Just leaves a greater opportunity for others to step up and shine. J.J.

Hi Mr. Go West - This should answer your question: J.J.

Howdy Again All - Mr Garrison Joe - A great big WoW and Thank you for you response to my question. Your response was amazingly well written and should be a good reference to others. I will be quick to respond back that my knowledge with gunsmithing is dangerous at best and a Dremel has the potential of being a very expensive tool to use while working on guns. Last late winter while shooting the 2024 Wild Bunch Championship Match at Cowtown, the extractor in my Remington failed in the middle of the 42 shot handgun stage. I used my backup Remington for the remainder of the match. The broken extractor was replaced at EoT by a friend of ours from CA. It functioned just fine when used at the EoT WB Match. When I got back to Northern NV, the old extractor in my backup Remington was also replaced. While taking it to the range to test I noticed that the shells were being tossed in about a 25' radius. I then started to do some research on extractor tuning. The article I settled on was this one: http://tonybrong.blogspot.com/2016/08/a-new-extractor.html Earlier this morning I read thorough all of the articles you posted links to and will study them again a number of times. Some great information in those articles for struggling gunwreckers like me. Interestingly enough the author of the article I mentioned, uses the same extractor tuning diagram that Bill Wilson (and the others you referenced) has in his article. It is now easy to see where Tony got his information from. After reading the Tony article, I purchased some micro files and then had to purchase another set of flat micro files along with a head thing that has about three sets of magnifying glasses on it. Off to the races (carefully) I went to filing the extractors on all three on my 1911's according to the diagram. They all toss the brass like they should with zero problems. Guess I am just a slow learner, however am able to learn with proper instruction. I will have to do some research/reading about this 'extractor twisting - Clocking' thing you mentioned. It looks like some intriguing research and learning. You also mention to "look for severe gouge in the extractor cut of the fired cases. A sharp or poorly shaped extractor hook will put a "horizontal gouge" in the angle part of the extractor cut." Yup - there is a definite extractor mark/nick on top of the bottom of the case and on the the side of the cases directly below the case dents. I attempted to get a picture of the extractor attach point, however even my iPhone 16 Pro camera could take a good enough picture to post. Later this week, we/he will have to so some 'careful filing' on the extractor on his gun. Thank you again for your help. You are a great reference person. So - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all. J.J.

Hi All - Friend of mine just had his 1911 Colt Mark IV worked on. This gun was made in the early 70's and never fired but for a few times. Recently the Main Spring, Recoil Spring and Extractor were replaced. Replacement springs and extractor were Wilson Combat replacements. The extractor was a Wilson Combat 'Bulletproof' stainless extractor. Extractor was tuned using the Weigand 1911 Extractor Adjusting Tool and tested to the 25 - 27 ounce tension recommended on their web site videos with the Lyman Electronic Digital Trigger Pull Gauge. Two magazines of bullets were fired through the gun earlier this afternoon. Bullets used were loaded (mine) with Winchester LPP Primers, 4.5 grains of Bullseye and Bear Creak 200 RNHB Molly Coated Bullets. I have used this load for years on my own guns and have not seen anything like this. The brass was picked up, placed in my pocket and tossed on the counter when I got home. When I looked down at the brass I noticed that most of the shells were 'dented' on the rim and there was a horizontal scratching on the brass. My first thought was that this brass was just stepped on. Then quickly noticed a potential larger problem. Was kinda hoping that someone with a much greater knowledge in what might have caused this 'problem' and an idea how to fix might chime in and let us know. Whatever is going on with is gun needs to be addressed before a couple of thousand rounds are cranked out. Thanks all for looking and perhaps commenting. J.J.

I wish I could have some of my old computer skills back. I can not figure out how to easily copy (other than this) pictures from a web site. Oh well, another day for this issue. I liked the big white dot on the front of the 45 ACP slide that Boggus posted (thank you for taking the time and effort to post). The picture posted above is a picture of something I might be interested in. This picture is from the Kensight web page. If these are purchased I suspect the front and rear sights on the new gun will have to be milled to correctly fit these sights. Anyone have any experience with this type of sights and if so how did/do you like them??? J.J.

Hi All . . . . A couple of days ago a sporting goods store here had brand spankin' new 1911 45 ACP Rock Island Armory GI Standard Model guns listed for a price $299. Of course I had to purchase one of them. I shot WB Senior Traditional as much as is available to me. I have shot Traditional since the beginning. I thought this Rock Island gun would be a gun to place some different sights on the front and back and dude the rest of it up to putz around shooting Senior Modern at some of our local matches. I am fully aware that I can use my traditional Remingtons to shoot in the Modern Category. I thought this gun would be the perfect gun to place a set of sights with all those great big white (or other colors) dots,so that I could finally see the white doted front sight against black painted targets. I am also aware that the newly purchased sights, with the big white dots, may have to be fitted to the Rock Islands slide which will probably include some dove tailing (or??) to fit the sights I finally settle on. So here's my very open question (with a few comments before hand): As stated above, the only category I have ever shot in while shooting WB is the Traditional Categories with standard guns. The sights on traditional sights are pretty standard without much variation. I have absolutely no idea what sights any of you-all use (or prefer) that shoot Modern Categories. If anybody could list out your ideas, I would be more than excited to look and consider all suggestions. I am in no hurry to make this gun into something that will be fun to shoot. I just want to do something different for a change. Thanks for the help that any may offer. J.J.

How Close Should They Be? Hummm . . . What an interesting question. I believe the answer to be this: It depends on whom you are asking? Ask the persons who shot in the El Rey / La Reina categories at cowboy matches when they are lumped into the Modern or Traditional WB Categories at the State or higher level because there weren't five or more persons in their categories and the match director would not open up those Senior categories for whatever reason. Yup - been places where this has happened. Ask the persons who have shot stages where the scenarios are so complicated that 90% of the posse they are on received a Procedural. Ask those persons who have to struggle seeing rifle/pistol targets that are set at the back of distant berms where the front sight of the pistol is larger than the targets. And of all the places I have been shooting WB, very few clean the stages, no matter how the range is set. So am I advocating targets being set up close and personal. Not by any means. I know how I set WB targets when we had our range. Targets were 16"x"16' for squares and circles were 16" in diameter for our club. The pistol targets were set anywhere between 18' to 22'. Rifle targets at around 35', rifle/pistol targets at 25' and shotgun targets around 27'. I always used a tape measure. The Texas Stars, dueling trees, hostage/hostage taker targets were right at the 15' mark. These are just what I did and your mileage vary at your own clubs. I will make another observation . At State level Cowboy Match in the state where I live, the then President of the club made some remarks that went something like this: As he stood at the front of the audience he surveyed the trophies laid out to the front and sides of him. As he addressed the audience, he stated that statically about 10% of the audience would receive the those trophies. The other 90% of the audience were there to watch and see who were awarded those trophies. He went on to further say, those 10% of the audience receiving those trophies, would probably be in the top 10% no matter where they went. He state that he was writing stages, he struggled with who should he be writing a match for? Those top 10% who will continue to be in the top 10% no matter how challenging a match is or the 90% who will come back to support the club knowing that most will never have a chance at wining an award or ever seeing they names in the top 10% of whatever match they are attending. I believe that same challenge should be applied to any Cowboy or WB Match no matter what the level of the match is. Your audience will dictate what to write. No matter which group stages are being written for, attempt to make a challenge for everyone without writing stages that are only for the top 10%. In other words, everyone's organization is different. Do what works for you at your organization. When you travel and you don't care for the hosting clubs written stages let your pocket book do the talking. Thanks for reading - J.J. PS - Remember, all of those writing stages for any match, this is an entertainment business. Too hard, too close, too far away, too easy - well I'm sure you get the jest.

Garrison Joe - You were correct about my poor choice of words. You did not allude to anything. You provided, what I believe to be, was a distinct and correct answer. I can only apologize to you for my poor choice or words. J.J. PS - I really enjoy your answers to everything you provide on the SASS WB and Cowboy wires. Only wish I could get the opportunity to know you on a personal level. I believe you are one of the many great resources on these wires.

After reading a little more into this subject, I now know that the answer is. Garrison Joe above alludes to the answer. Simple answer to the synopsis above is this: The SASS Range Officers, WBAS Basic Safety Course, Pocket RO Card States under the MDQ Section: Discharge impacting 5 feet from the shooter, while on the firing line or any discharge away from the firing line. Any discharge in the loading or loading or unloading areas. The last sentence in the statement clearly states what the call should have been. A MDQ. Thinking I need to attend a few more WB RO Instruction classes. J.J.

Before this gets too far down the list, something happened at a State WB Match to that I have never heard of or have seen before. I am one of the two posse marshals at this match. It is WARM here. There are 24 people shooting this match. The posses are lumped together shooting in one wave over the 5 stages with a A and B team in the berm. There are only two WB Trained officials at this match. One of us has a Black Pin and is the club, to which we belong, TG. For my own self, I have 7 of those little 45 pins that I have been able to accumulate over a number of years. Both of us have shot at many, many matches at multiple locations in multiple states. The question as I understand (and saw) the circumstances is as follows. I was the posse marshal of the person shooting this string to which this happened. I was sitting at my cart, talking to the RO Instructor about something. At the right time, I happened to look up at the unloading table and saw an individual standing there. He brought his pistol up, pointed it at the berm, squeezed the trigger and shot a round from his 1911 into the berm. Needles to say, this caused quite a ruckus. As we high-tailed over to the unloading table to find out what was going on, this is what we were told. The shooter have a jam in his 1911 that he could NOT clear on the line and declared a ‘dead’ gun. The gun was brought to the unloading table and after attempting to clear the gun he was able to get the round into the 1911 chamber. The shooter stated he could not eject the round by pulling back the slide. Apparently his solution to clear the round was to pull back the hammer, pull the trigger and fire the 1911 to get the round out of the chamber. The round did eject properly from the 1911 after the trigger was pulled and the round fired into the berm. Apparently no one knows who told him to clear the 1911 in this manner. If anybody did know, they certainly weren’t talking. Mind you there were 24 shooters in this berm. There were a number of shooters standing around the unloading table, there were shooters on the line, were counters and there were other shooters standing around just watching the match. In other words there were shooters everywhere in this bay all standing to the left, right and behind where the shooter was when he pulled the trigger and fired into the berm. Now anybody reading this short synopsis knows as much as I do. Myself and the WB Instructor did not know what a call should be or if there was to be a call concerning this incident. I know what the call was by the match director. This person has not had any WB formal training. Let me be the first to say this, she is doing as good of a job being a match director as anyone could. If this incident would have happened to you at a match where you looked at as being on of the two ‘match officials’, what would you have done or called?? J.J.

Mr. Chapo I have a different way at looking at this footwear subject. A number of years ago, at a cowboy match, I came running around a corner and slipped on some smooth wet concrete while wearing cowboy boots. As I hit the ground, I broke my right hand in three places. I spent a few months in uncomfortable casts. Those smooth bottom cowboy boots quickly went the way of the doo doo bird. I can not remember what boot I went to but it had to be something with a gripping sole. Many years later I now wear 8" 'boots' that say Reebok on the back. They are desert brown color, lace up and have zippers on the side. The zippers are used frequently when the arthritis/gout flare up . The zippers have to be used so that I can fit into them. I have been questioned about these boots by many many folks. My response is generally something like this: 7 knee surgeries, an amputated toe on one foot, metal plates in the other foot that disallow the flexing of my big toe to get into boots, arthritis, gout, replaced hips, replaced shoulder and a back that has had 4 vertebrae fused says that I am going to wear something that is comfortable for me. I don't try to flaunt my shoe wear, however I am getting too old to be operated on any more. And no I don't have a 'Doctors Slip" for them because there is no such requirement. As I travel to SASS Matches, I notice what others are wearing for shoes/boots. Many many shooters, have the same thoughts as I do. My feet hurt after many years of abuse. I I am going to be comfortable for the duration of any particular match that I attend and my shoes are a great deal of importance to me to being comfortable. Would I consider wearing a pair of combat boots? I doubt it. I have limitations concerning what I wear for WB/Cowboy costuming. It is important for me to look 'kinda like' something that is period correct. However, while being questioned about my foot wear, I have never been questioned about the Recruiting Badge on my campaign hat, the chevrons on my collar, the Band and Honor Guard badges on my shoulder or the service stripes on my sleeve from the service I was in. I guess are are some limitations for the clothing police. Good luck with your decision. Just don't let that decision interfere with with your passion for WB shooting. J.J.

Hi All Have been reading all the WB comments on both the WB Wire and the Cowboy Wire concerning the upcoming rules changes with interest. Many of the comments, on both forums, are well thought out while others remind me of the ‘Chicken Little Syndrome’. My own thoughts think that allowing 38 rifles will change participation level insignificantly. One of my concerns, at the moment is, with the 38 rifle, is which rifle do I use while participating in my chosen category? Plain and simple, I can shoot my slicked out 38 rifle much faster than the slicked out $2K Long Hunter 45Colt rifle I purchased just a few months ago. If my competitors are going to use the faster of the two rifles and those stages are shot, let’s say 2 to 3 seconds faster than me, those seconds add up over the 10 stages of a match. I like to compete and I relish the adrenalin rush of trying my best to be at the top of the heap. Therein lies my challenge. What will I do at the ‘Big Match’ next February? Many matches are won (and lost) over just a few seconds. One of my other concerns are matches themselves. In our travels we have been to WB Matches all over the Western US and Minnesota. Some places, after reading stages, I have to sit down, scratch my head a bit, take out my pencil and sketch out how to shoot this scenario. It’s supposed to fun, not complicated. Have also been places where the scenarios are mind boggling and the pistol targets (along with the rifle/pistol targets) are completely lost behind my front sight on my 1911. Have been to a place, shot a SASS Sanctioned State WB Match and the scores were never posted. Been to a place where the props were so rickety, rules were not followed and competitors who were much more ‘local’ than I left the match in disgust with the vow to vote with their pocket book and never return. Anyone who travels and shoots WB has been to these types of places and probably won’t return. These types of problems, in my humble opinion, are what turns shooters away and not be the soon allowance of 38 rifles, 1887 shotguns or double barrel shotguns. Have also read comments where some shooters would like to see ‘Condition 1’ utilized at WB Matches. For some shooters, not a problem with that. However, have stood behind others and been scared watching them draw, shoot and load their 1911’s. While I might like to do this myself the thoughts of everyone being allowed to do this is somewhat concerning to me. I guess we have to be careful for what we ask for. Over the past day, have noted comments where folks with titles within the SASS WB Organization, after 12/31/23, will no longer have their ‘Titles’ and are upset. I understand that. I also understand that those folks will, in all likelihood, will be voted right back in with new and different titles. Remember, there are many other shooters, standing in the wings for years, that would like to have those same opportunities and will never be given the chance. So, will SASS WB cease to exist because of these new rules? I doubt it. Whether I like these new rules or not, they were a business decision of management to increase participation levels and increase dollars in. In one of my past reincarnations, I audited business for a number of years. Business do not operate at losses for long and continue to exist. My own beliefs are that both organizations, in the next ten years or so, will die a slow death through age attrition. Just to sight my own past, when I came to the area where I shoot now, I was 52 and one of the young guys. Eighteen years later I am now 70 and still one of the younger guys. What does this say to you-all? Many will have different thoughts than I do. Time will tell. Finally, Misty in her email to everyone yesterday, said that we (SASS) are in the ‘entertainment business’. Much can be (and should be) read into that comment. Most, in the generations behind ours, could care less about what we do and it shows. My thoughts, and my thoughts alone, are that if clubs don’t make a large attempt to cater to an aging population that remembers why we do what we do there won’t be any population left. Respectfully submitted, J.J PS - A couple of years ago I was looking to why the 1911 was developed and what it was developed for. This picture has always reminded me of what the distances of the 1911 were developed for.

HI Robgun - I also had problems with a Model 12 like you are describing. After many frustrating hours I finally came across this: https://jackfirstinc.com/winchester-12-12-ga-carrier-assembly-no-ledge-w-cartridge-guide-112-9212-10?limit=100 Ordered a couple of them. One used ans one old/new stock. The old/new stock would not work in the gun. When cycling the old/new stock locked up the gun tighter than a drum. Apparently it had to be tuned. Placed in the used one ordered and have not had a problem since. The other solution for you is to hold you gun angled to your left, if you can remember to do that when shooting as fast as you can. This seems to work also, but not as reliable as the carrier with a flag. Kinda spendy but I believe your problems will be solved. good luck!! J.J.

Over the past few months I have been to a quite a few Wild Bunch Matches that have been spread all over the Western US. I have to say, Tully's 2022 CA State WB Match has been one of the most fun to shoot. Especially enjoyed the two stages that were "Shoot until all the targets are down". Both of those stages are referenced above. It was impressive to watch Silvertip, Frederick Jackson Turner, Gopher Broke (who shot at least one of the stages with pistol only) and Tully blaze away with their handguns. My comment to all four of these guys is, "Someday when I grow up and learn to shoot, I want to be able to shoot just like you guys." I am sure that there were others on the other posse that shot these two stages equally well. I just didn't get the chance be on the other posse to observe them. Tully and Slo Mo Steph worked hard and produced a Wild Bunch Match that was enjoyable for everyone. Way to go you two and all the others that helped produce the 2022 CA State Wild Bunch Match. Already looking to next years 2023 CA State Wild Bunch Match wherever it is. J. J.

Doc - One item I need to make a touch bit clearer for you. WB shooters, during a cowboy match, shoot at the cowboy range targets. There are no targets set specifically for WB Shooters. Like many other organizations, we have a hard enough time getting shooters to help set and pick up steel. Asking these individuals to set out steel for the occasional WB shooter(s) would create a riot by a bunch of old farts! Wouldn't that be a sight to see!! Interestingly enough all three local organizations are comprised of about 95% of the same shooters. Two organizations allow WB shooters alongside the cowboy shooters and the other will not. Go figure. J.J.