( Cowboy Fast Draw Association’s ) Gunslinger’S Gazette Journal of the Cowboy Fast Draw Association ~ Winter Edition 2012 2011 U.S. National Championships is spurs jangled “The Reunion” Hagainst the Pendleton, OR uneven planks of the 2011 Idaho State By: Blackjack boardwalk. Sweat Championship say the least, with the building, trickled down the Idaho City, ID back of his neck as he available indoor seating, the By: Blackjack constant 72 F temperature, and reached up to scratch the Herculean effort put forth by the stubble of beard convention center employees on his chin. He looked up at in putting up signage, barriers, the sun. It was going to be and providing fans to circulate hot day, temperatures already the smoke out of the shooting hovering around 80. In the arena. distance the sound of a piano We weren’t too sure and laughter from the bar how well everything would came wafting across the street. work putting on a shoot of that Yeah, it was going to be a hot size in a completely indoor day….one heck of a hot day 2011 U.S. National Champions setting. After the first day of for a gunfight. Speedy Bullfrog, Cool Hand Suz, & Quick Cal adjusting air flow, we found a He reached down and shifted his gun in the well- his year the Idaho Shootists de- way to keep the air breathable, and 2011 Idaho State Champions Tcided to try something different the new fast draw timers and displays worn holster. He’d been in this Cool Hand Suz, Spud, & Buzzard Cooper for the National Championships, and provided by the CFDA had a huge situation before, and it was never easy. moved the shoot to Pendleton, Ore- impact on the viewing audience. His heart raced, his eyes squinted a gunfighter? He knew he was fast, gon…..a town with a unique western It was neat to hear the “oohs” and against the ever glaring sun. This but would he be fast enough? flair, home of one of the longest run- “aahs” as the winning times were was his defining moment…….this It would be over in the blink ning continuous rodeo and western immediately displayed. I can see could be it, his last chance to make a of an eye……… shows (the Pendleton Roundup start- that in future matches, these displays name for himself, the last chance to No, it wasn’t 1886 in the ed in 1910), and home to the famous will be the standard needed to take win this monumental contest. Man “Queen of the Gold Camps”…it Pendleton Woolen Mills. our sport into the next phase of its’ against man, bullet against bullet. was 2011 in the heart of modern-day The event was sponsored by development. Was he gonna be quick enough? Idaho City, Idaho Territory….the (Continued on page 8) Travel Pendleton and the venue was Almost 80 gunfighters made Could he beat this no good excuse of donated by the Pendleton Convention the trek up the Columbia River to Center. We were totally impressed, to (Continued on page 6) Also In This Issue: > 2011 Club of the Year < Big Thicket Bushwackers- A CFDA Family (Page 11) Black River Bandits Outlaws of the West - Henry Starr { (Page 12) { (See Article on Page 9) 2012 Membership Drive (Page 13) PRST STD Cowboy Fast Draw Association U.S. POSTAGE PO Box 5 PAID FERNLEY NV Fernley, NV 89408 PERMIT NO. 8 Shoot this to: (Continued on page 6) Page 2 Winter Edition 2012 Gunslinger’s Gazette Mernickle Holsters Bob is no newcomer to the shooting world. Over the past 30 years, he has won State, US Nationals, Canadian and World Championships in Fast Draw. Using this experience, he created a holster company that was based primarily on speed and accuracy, but also with a touch of elegance added to the designs. When Cowboy Fast Draw became a new sport in the shooting world, it caught Bob’s interest big time. Bob and wife, Sherrie, were so excited about shooting in this new medium, they became LIFE members of the CFDA (Bob is No. 10 and Sherrie is No. 11). Being a holster maker, and working with CFDA in order to comply with the rules, Bob created some cutting edge holsters, reminiscent of the past but allowing the gun to come out faster than anything a shooter might have used in the past. Bob and Sherrie hope you like the holsters presented here and invite you to join them shooting in this fast growing “fun” sport The CFD5 is a vertical holster system that allows the shooter to get into a slightly crouched position. With a built-in twist in the shank, the holster can be worn in a forward position. When the light comes on, the shooter can lift the upper body, straighten the legs, and draw the gun. This is called leverage, allowing the gun to clear the holster without even drawing it, focusing the shooter’s concentration on leveling the gun to target. The more snap in body movement, the faster the gun is going to clear the leather. The CFD5 is non-col- CFD5 REF1 lapsing and allows the cylinder to turn in the holster. The CFD5 comes with our CFDA approved “SAFELEG”. $289.95 Rough Out CFD9 REF1 $339.95 also available in smooth finish $289.95 This holster was designed to look similar to the holster used by Clint Eastwood in his famous Spaghetti Westerns. The difference here is, this one is dedicated to Cowboy Fast Draw and is hard molded so the cylinder will turn in the holster with no restriction. The CFD9 comes with our CFDA approved “SAFELEG”. CFD3 REF1 $289.95 For those who do not wish to, or lack the ability to snap the body, we have designed the CFD3 so the shooter does not have to break the wrist back to grab the gun. The holster meets all CFDA requirements and, simply said, is a cut above the normal. Like the CFD5, the shank has a built-in twist, allowing the holster to be worn in a forward position, aligning the gun on target. When the gun is drawn, the shooter is not reaching back to bring the gun forward. The CFD3 comes with our CFDA approved “SAFELEG” Internet: www.mernickleholsters.com Email: [email protected] 1875 View Court, Fernley, Nevada USA 89408 Tel: 775-575-3166 Toll Free: 1-800-497-3166 Fax: 775-575-3188 Gunslinger’s Gazette Winter Edition 2012 Page 3 GUNSLINGER”S GAZETTE Editorial ATTENTION Publisher Cowboy Fast Draw Association, LLC ARTICLES NEEDED! Deadline to submit articles We are always looking for great ar- for next Gazette is: Director Cal Eilrich “Quick Cal” Life #9 ticles for our publication. If you, or someone you know, is interested in Editor submitting an article, please contact Erika Frisk ,“Hannah Calder” me, I would love to hear from you. April 20th Life #46 I am looking for anything related to Contributing Editors our sport and time period. It can be Alotta Lead about equipment, clothing, experi- Please submit all articles Mongo ences, historical, you name it! and pictures to: Solicitor General [email protected] Ken Gentry, “Short Keg” Competition Articles and Photos Life #70 I know I probably say this all the t’s that time of year again! Time time, but as you plan your shooting Copy Editor Ito get the ‘ol gun and holster competition, make sure you include # Erika Frisk, “Hannah Calder” back in action. And if the shoot- Life #46 delegating someone to take photos ing schedule is any indication, then and to write an article. Therefore, Contents Marketing and Sales there will be plenty of action to be if a person knows that that is their Erika Frisk, “Hannah Calder” seen! job, you are more likely to get qual- Life #46 Articles 2012 is off to a great start ity pictures and an article that is de- with more competitions scheduled U.S. National Championship........1 Memberships/Product Orders: tailed and fresh from the mind. this year than before. Idaho State Championship...........1 Alotta Lead Life# 37 Another great idea is to sub- Inside the CFDA..........................4 (775)575-1802 I always love the beginning mit a small article about the area www.cowboyfastdraw. com of a new year, as I get to talk with Membership News.......................5 or historical events that have taken 2011 Club of the Year...................9 so many of the members in regards Advertising place in the location of your Com- Regulator Report........................10 to clubs and shoot advertising. It (775)287-8342 petition in conjunction with your Big Thicket Bushwackers...........11 hannahcalder@cowboyfastdraw. com is always a pleasure speaking with ad. This may give people an idea Outlaws of the West...................12 everyone and I am glad to help you of the place they will be traveling 2012 Membership Drive.............13 Please send Letters to the Editor to: and your clubs out any way that I [email protected] to. You can see an example of this Guess Who.................................14 can. Whether its just updating info on page 15. New CFDA Members................16 Copyright 2012 by Cowboy Fast Draw for the Gunslinger’s Gazette or I Look Forward to reading Shoot For the Stars Report.........17 Association, LLC. All rights reserved posting information on the website, under international and Pan American some great articles this year about Sagebrush Sagas........................20 Copyright Conventions. Reproduciton please feel free to contact me any- all the fantastic competitions. And in whole or in part without written per- time if you have a question.