Is it time to quit and cut my losses?

AzShooter

AzShooter

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Last year I bought a Smith & Wesson 929. It's a great gun and I've had lots of fun shooting it and enhancing it. But I've spent the year shooting Steel Challenge Matches with it and just can't seem to get into it.

Since I'm in a wheelchair I had to give up the "Run & Gun" matches like ICORE and USPSA. The ranges here all have rocks on them and I can't move the wheelchair across the stages. I had a caregiver that use to push me around but she's gone.

I'm very competitive by nature. Years ago I was a Master Class shooter with both my revolver and auto. Now I'm lucky to not come in last.

I no longer enjoy reloading and especially de mooning and mooning my bullets for each match.

I'm thinking of getting rid of my 929 and just shoot my .22 Mark III or my 627. I can still buy .22s cheap. Not as cheap as reloading but not too bad.

So, is it time to just sell my 929 and learn to shoot the .22s and enjoy myself again?
 
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If it is just a matter of not liking that particular style of shooting match, and not being into reloading, then why do it? Sell the gun, and buy something you enjoy shooting. Maybe try another form of competition, like bullseye? The attached link provided by the NSSF will provide you with a list of ranges in AZ that are handicap accessible.

Find Shooting Ranges in U.S. and Canada | Where To Shoot



Larry
 
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Man, that's a bummer. I'm a younger guy, and occasionally I worry about my shoulder or my eyes starting to go at some point. But always as a "maybe I won't win no more, will it still be fun?" thing. I gotta say, I'm a bit cavalier and crass, but I feel for you.

On the brighter side...

Action Shooting International

ASI's starting to gain some traction. It's designed to be an accessible, less-competitive version of standard action shooting sports.

I'm thinking about sending away for their match operations guide and getting it rolling at my club (because I'm not busy enough as it is). We have a lot of old-timers, old CAS guys and such, that just don't enjoy Competitive Covering Fire, but would probably like to do something more active than precision target work.
 
Life is too short to not have an enjoyable time. I sort of know how you feel, I'm not in a wheelchair, but after 5 back surgeries, and a really bad left knee, at age 75 I no longer attempt to participate in USPSA or any type action shooting. I can't get down in prone any longer to shoot rifle matches, (and get back up). But I do still participate in Bullseye matches and do more trap and skeet. I enjoy reloading working up loads for accuracy and chronograph them. But I spend more time now collecting S&W revolvers. I can't afford to buy the high end ones, but there are still lots of S&W's I can buy, and I love the 32's.
 
When fun becomes a chore, its time to move on. Do what you enjoy and what makes you happy.
 
Too bad you aren't close enough to come to my IDPA matches, which are "old cripples and wheelchair bound" friendly.
I share your opinion of steel challenge, which I find repetitious and boring after awhile, even though it is good practice for transitions, and a good place to start someone with no competition experience or skills. I've given up the USPSA sanctioned matches, but still shoot local matches, and walk through the footrace part.
 
AzShooter - A few years back I lost a leg among other things. Before that I shot bowling pins, steel and NRA hunter pistol.
I no longer shoot competitively and I gave up on reloading. Even sold my "steel gun".
My advice to you is really take time to think about giving up on anything you enjoy. Because I wish I had that gun back. It is not about the money but the memories. I was average at best in competition. You don't need to win to have fun.
Even if you shoot paper or knock down plastic bottles, you have fun.
Could go on but you should get my point.
 
Maybe there is an indoor range with access ramps and smooth floors that would be more conducive to your activities requirements. My indoor range has a group of Vietnam vets, including some in wheelchairs, that are very active there.

Best wishes and good luck.
 
i'm the same age bracket now and am pretty much in the same state of mind as the OP. Reloading has become a chore rather than the fun it use to be. I no longer shoot my 52, 27 or 29. I haven't sold them yet but the day is coming soon. The only pistol I enjoy shooting is my vintage HS Victor, So I say yes, sell the 929 when your ready a shoot your 22lr.
 
I shoot competitively and have 22/45 Lites and S&W 15-22s for Rimfire / Steel Challenge along with three 627s, a 617 etc.

I don't see much difference loading mags vs loading moonclips. I have enough moonclips that I don't have to un-clip / clip rds at a match. Can't say that about my rimfires that I do have to load mags for between stages.

I have 11 speedloaders for my 617 and a bunch of loading blocks so I can go to matches with pre-loaded loading blocks which makes that easier. A pouch to dump the mix of empty and live rds in from my 617 to be sorted later also helps.

Bottom line is, DO WHAT'S FUN. I bought my 22/45 Lites and 15-22s for Ruger (now NSSF) Rimfire Challenge 3+ yrs ago (many that I shoot with had never seen me shoot a semi-auto) and it has been a lot of fun along with shooting a Steel Challenge Match occasionally but there are less of them within driving distance for me. Bowling Pins (I have a dedicated heavy barreled C-mored 627 for bowling pins) are great but it's hard to find matches.
 
AzShooter said:
Last year I bought a Smith & Wesson 929. It's a great gun and I've had lots of fun shooting it and enhancing it. But I've spent the year shooting Steel Challenge Matches with it and just can't seem to get into it.



Since I'm in a wheelchair I had to give up the "Run & Gun" matches like ICORE and USPSA. The ranges here all have rocks on them and I can't move the wheelchair across the stages. I had a caregiver that use to push me around but she's gone.



I'm very competitive by nature. Years ago I was a Master Class shooter with both my revolver and auto. Now I'm lucky to not come in last.



I no longer enjoy reloading and especially de mooning and mooning my bullets for each match.



I'm thinking of getting rid of my 929 and just shoot my .22 Mark III or my 627. I can still buy .22s cheap. Not as cheap as reloading but not too bad.



So, is it time to just sell my 929 and learn to shoot the .22s and enjoy myself again?
Click to expand...



If you are not enjoying it then it may be time to move on and find something you do enjoy.

I would not sell the 929 for at least a little while. because once you move to something else you might find the desire to go back and that you really just needed a break.

Fishinfool said:
If it is just a matter of not liking that particular style of shooting match, and not being into reloading, then why do it? Sell the gun, and buy something you enjoy shooting. Maybe try another form of competition, like bullseye? The attached link provided by the NSSF will provide you with a list of ranges in AZ that are handicap accessible.

Find Shooting Ranges in U.S. and Canada | Where To Shoot



Larry
Click to expand...



I may be stating what most in wheelchairs know, but I caution with trusting that an organizations "handicap accessible" means wheelchair friendly. Many organizations us the ADA guidelines and don't really look at whether a wheelchair can use, let alone maneuver and enjoy. You need to talk to someone and really specify to find out what they have and how "accessible" it really is. To many businesses a rocky dirt path is accessible as long as it is wide enough and doesn't use stairs.
 
I know how it feels to go from being a competitive shooter to being not competitive in just a few years. In my case, it is due to breathing issues as well as my hands no longer being steady. I get breathless even when shooting steel challenge.
My adaptation is to move to shooting sports that allow me some physical support, such as highpower handgun silhouette, benchrest, and 600/1000 yard prone highpower rifle. I can do reasonably well in those venues and so I have alot more fun.
I still reload and enjoy it. Maybe a specially built reloading table to allow for your wheelchair would help?
 
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IMO
Keep the 929, put it back in the safe
Shoot the .22
because It's always a good day to shoot .22 :D
Keep the emphasis on having fun and telling lies
We have people show up at our events just to tell lies and hang out.
I have finished first, last and every place in between,
and I always have fun
 
AzShooter said:
Last year I bought a Smith & Wesson 929. It's a great gun and I've had lots of fun shooting it and enhancing it. But I've spent the year shooting Steel Challenge Matches with it and just can't seem to get into it.

Since I'm in a wheelchair I had to give up the "Run & Gun" matches like ICORE and USPSA. The ranges here all have rocks on them and I can't move the wheelchair across the stages. I had a caregiver that use to push me around but she's gone.

I'm very competitive by nature. Years ago I was a Master Class shooter with both my revolver and auto. Now I'm lucky to not come in last.

I no longer enjoy reloading and especially de mooning and mooning my bullets for each match.

I'm thinking of getting rid of my 929 and just shoot my .22 Mark III or my 627. I can still buy .22s cheap. Not as cheap as reloading but not too bad.

So, is it time to just sell my 929 and learn to shoot the .22s and enjoy myself again?
Click to expand...

I know what you mean about Steel Challenge being boring. I have 2 artificial hips, an artificial shoulder, cardiac disease, and am in the middle of colon cancer treatment. I still shoot USPSA matches (Open Division). I'm slow between shooting positions, but I'm not the slowest and I normally finish about the middle of the field. I'm competitive by nature (I was a professional race driver for many years) but I realize that I can't do that anymore so I've adjusted my expectations. I've had to shoot from a wheelchair a number of times during the hip replacement period. Not easy but it can be done. Every time I think about quitting I think about this guy. Makes me feel ashamed for feeling I can't do it. LATEST UPDATES TREVOR2 But you have to decide for yourself. Maybe you could find some action pistol matches at indoor ranges. I shoot one of those every Tuesday night and the concrete floor is more wheelchair friendly than pea gravel. In then end though, you are the one who had to make the decision, I wish you well in whatever direction you go. (I'm also following the thread on Enos). :D
 
Azshooter, Are you familiar with Ben Avery shooting range, which is close to you? It is a great facility with alot of activities, events, and facilities. Check it out online here: Arizona Game & Fish Department - Shooting

I notice that the S&W 929 is a 9mm, which I guess means moon clips only. If the moon clips are the issue driving you to sell; I'd say go ahead and replace the gun with an 8 shot model 627 (4" or 5") which does not require moon clips. You mentioned that you have a 627, so maybe you are already set.

I have an earlier Model 625 which can be shot without moon clips, since the rounds headspace correctly without a moon clip. The only issue is that the empty cases must be picked out by hand since the ejector star won't pick them up. Is this also the case with your 929?
 
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andyo5 said:
Azshooter, Are you familiar with Ben Avery shooting range, which is close to you? It is a great facility with alot of activities, events, and facilities. Check it out online here: Arizona Game & Fish Department - Shooting

Ben Avery is my favorite range. I shoot the almost every Friday. That's also where I shoot the Steel Challenge Match on the 3rd Sunday every month.

IF I go to another .38 I think I'll get a 686. Always liked the and they are very accurate. I still have speedloaders for them.
Click to expand...
 
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