Our local NCOWS posse, the South Carolina Old West Shootists (SCOWS) recently held one of its semi-regularly scheduled “5th Saturday” Matches on Saturday, August 30, 2025, in the Cooper Pistol Bays at the Mid-Carolina Rifle Club (MCRC). The match, which was our annual CAPT JEB Forrest Memorial & Remembrance Match commemorating the lives, dedication & contributions of departed posse members, was abbreviated from our usual format, and consisted of only three (3) stages based on events from the Old West. This left us time for a lovely picnic-style luncheon, in which we were joined by many family members of both departed and current posse members, including JEB’s better half, Miss Jenell, and grandson, Gunner (cowboy name TBD). Thanks to all who contributed to the luncheon.
A total of fourteen (14) official participants, 9 shooters (including 1 new shooter, 1 Cowgirl, and 1 Junior), 2 spectators, 1 set-up/break-down helper, and out of a group of 5 or 6 people stopped by to check out the match, 2 “walk up” shooters who each shot a stage, took part in the Memorial Match. The rain held off, and the weather was actually lovely “shootin’ weather” for the match. Some of the regular shooters only managed to fit in 2 stages before they were called to “lunch prep” duties, while 4 of the Old West Shootists managed to shoot all 3 stages. No one who shot the full match shot clean, but one of the 2 Stage shooters, SGT Henry, did manage to shoot his match clean.
Special shout-out to Junior 3 Gun Shootist Gunner, who shot his match smoothly and accurately, and looked like a veteran in the way he handled his guns.
Also, a special mention to Doc Who, our posse Banker, who stepped up and acted as mentor and guide to our newest shooter, the provisionally-named Kansas Kid (pending NCOWS membership and moniker-check) and the 2 “walk-up” shooters, showing them the ropes, assisting in loading/unloading and walking them through the stage as their RO.
And lastly, thanks to regular SASS shooter Happy Hunter, who came and shot the full 3 stage match because she wanted to see how we do it the “NCOWS way”. Hopefully she’ll be back shooting with us again soon.
Here are the scores, by category:
Category Total Time (incl. penalties)
Sodbuster (2 Gun: 1 Pistol/1 Shotgun)
SGT Henry – 2 stages 77.23 (clean match)
4 Gun Smokeless Shootist
Kansas Kid – 2 Stages (new shooter) 223.68
Ladies 4 Gun Smokeless Shootist
Happy Hunter – 3 Stages (new NCOWS shooter) 290.24
Senior 4 Gun Smokeless Shootist
Youghiogheny Kid (Y Kid) – 3 Stages 248.40
3 Gun Junior (1 Rifle, 1 Pistol, 1 Shotgun)
Gunnar – 2 Stages 197.11
Working Cowboy (2 Gun: 1 Rifle, 1 Pistol)
Dutch McCabe – 3 Stages 235.34
Elder Smokeless Double Duelist Outlaw (4 Gun)
Doc WHO – 2 Stages 634.18
Lawman (3 Gun: 1 P, 1 R, 1 SG)
Parker Palomino – 3 Stages 319.95
Rowdy McCabe – 1 Stage/DNF DNF
Congratulations to all, and thanks to everyone for a great match.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMINDERS:
Next Match
Our next scheduled match with be our regularly scheduled “2nd Sunday” Match for September, to be held on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2025 in the Cooper Pistol Bays at Mid-Carolina Rifle Club.