Wairarapa Pistol and Shooting Sports Club

Welcome

2011-12-12T21:26:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Wairarapa Pistol and Shooting Sports Club

Founded in 1973 the Wairarapa Pistol & Shooting Sports Club has developed into one of the foremost shooting sports clubs in the country.

Affiliated to

Pistol New Zealand Inc
Frontier & Western Shooting Sports Association of New Zealand Inc
Single Action Shooting Society (USA)

Email: TBA

A bit of coaching

2011-10-07T18:53:00.001-07:00

So you don't have to try this at home!

2011-08-11T21:50:00.001-07:00

A new match coming up

2011-08-10T01:26:00.001-07:00

Members, due to the efforts of a few guys, the three gun shoot is seeing a new lease of life. There is a lot of interest and it is a great event.

NEXT SHOOT

Three gun shoot Sunday 21st August

Action Three Gun, with an IPC course if there are enough competitors.

Start: 0930am sharp. Sign in from 0900am

Cost $10 for all club members, and $20 for non members. Fee covers range fee and lunch.

The club is awaiting quots for bisloy targets. A portion of the shoot fee will help pay for and maintain these targets.

For info on this shoot, contact Tim Wolland at his work phone 06 3796690 during business hours.

Shooter needs our help

2011-06-01T01:46:00.000-07:00

Remember the catapult shoots from a few years back?

The organizer needs votes to win a scholarship to build a really big one.

Vote for Murray here.

Trails End '11 and our Sponsors

2011-05-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

TRAILS END 2011:

Howdy cowpokes,

I have been a bit busy at work lately so it has taken me a while to get this article to you, but better late than never. Trails End 11 was a huge success with an array of positive comments coming from our guest shooters upon their departure. The weather was fantastic the food was awesome and to top it off we even made a reasonable profit. With the help of our clubs shooters and my several days of planning the shooting events all went like clockwork.

I added in Cowboy Clays in the program this year which proved very popular, in fact I think every shooter there had a go. The main tent was often full of people looking at all the items for sale. I organized the 21 Squadron Air Training Corps cadets to come along and help out during the main stage events on Saturday. This went down a treat especially with the older shooters as the cadets did all the bending down to pick up spent brass and resetting targets. During the evening a hat was passed around and over $230 was raised for the cadets as a show of appreciation.

The Saturday night was enjoyed by all and Nick Wilsden’s singing set an enjoyable tone for the evening. The Police turned up (wondering why the gate to the range was open) and got a hell of a fright when they were met by a bunch a cowboys, maybe wondering if they had entered some sort of time warp. They were however pleased that we weren’t armed whilst partaking in a few quiet beverages.

The kitchen helpers had a bit of a shock on the Saturday evening at meal time when the numbers nearly doubled but they scraped through. I have travelled around for the last couple of years attending CAS competitions and the biggest part of organizing an event like this is getting the food right. Craig, Gary and myself spent a considerable time inventing the menu but the real credit goes to all those who worked in the kitchen. It was this hard work that made the profit at the end of the day. I think there needs to be a special mention of few here. Kevin and Ngaire once again worked hard. Special thanks goes to a relatively new member Jeff and Donna Godden for going out to the range every lunch and dinner and working in the kitchen. Gary and Lou Rawlinson also deserve a pat on the back; Lou worked in the kitchen while Gary was in charge of the bar. A stand out young man by the name of William Kennedy was always on the go serving drinks among many other little jobs, thanks William. Richard Pinkerton and Wayne Watson were everywhere over the course of the event carrying out a manner of small jobs to keep things ticking along and tidy. When you see these people around the range give them a pat on the back as they all did their part in running a successful event and representing our club.

One other very important matter I would like to get across to all the members of this club is that we need to “SUPPORT THOSE THAT SUPPORT OUR CLUB”. By that I mean our sponsors. There is a list of those sponsors below. With their help we had the best damn prize table ever seen with everything from outdoor clothing to a Hitachi jigsaw. Craig and I spent a bit of time gaining this sponsorship and to make our job easier next time and to keep our sponsors happy we need to use their services or buy their products and when you do let them know that we, as a club appreciate their support. One shooter from up north who goes by the name of McQueen gave a number of items for the prize table, good on you McQueen. Well that it for me and I look forward to Trails End 2012.

See you round the range

Wild Ben Hickok

(Aka Ben Garrett)

CARTERS

37-53 High Street South Carterton. 06 379 6866

For all you timber and hardware requirements go see the good guys in the big green building in the middle of town.

MASSON IMPLEMENT CO.

Belvedere Road Carterton. 06 379 8044

For mechanical repairs, hydraulic specialists, all types of welding and general engineering have a chat Stuart and his skilled team or pop in to their shop for nuts, bolts and any other engineering materials.

TAKE NOTE

9-11 High Street North Carterton. 06 379 8231

A wonderful little shop with a lot of stuff. From stationary to giftware. Opposite the post office.

MIKES CHAINSAWS AND MOWERS

1-3 High Street North Carterton. 06 379 8397

Mike stocks a good range of chainsaws and lawnmowers and accessories as well as providing an excellent service repairing those broken saw and mowers. Opposite the post office.

SUPERIOR MEATS

30-32 High Street South Carterton. 06 379 8624

Ron and Sandy sell the best cuts of meat. They can also process all your homekill meat. Make sure you get down there and try their famous Bacon (I know it went down a treat at Trails End). Ron also look after us with sausies and patties during our club FWSSA shoots throughout the year.

ZIPS PLUMBING PLUS

Cnr Dixon & Church Street Masterton. 06 377 7501

The team at Zips have an extensive range of quality bathroom, laundry and kitchen fixtures and tapware at affordable prices. Pop in and have a look through their showroom (opposite Repco).

JR’S ORCHARD

Papawai, Greytown

JR doesn’t sell directly to the public as his apples and pears are so good most of them get exported around the world. Those who were at Trails End were lucky enough to eat some the juiciest, most tastiest apples and pears around. Thanks JR.

CARTERTON PLUMBERS

253 Kokotau Road Carterton. 06 379 8849

Between Paul and Ben there is 55 years plumbing experience in domestic plumbing, water pumps, water filtration, septic design and installation, and rain water reticulation systems. They pride themselves on their rural plumbing systems providing their customers with a complete plumbing package.

CARTERTON HAMMER HARDWARE

112-120 High Street South Carterton. 06 379 6644

Ken and his team of staff can supply you with anything hardware as well as plumbing supplies. They can also clean your septic tank. If you’re feeling cold this winter get down there and check out their range of woodburners or get them around to clean your existing woodburner and flue.

HUNTING AND OUTDOOR SUPPLIES

62 Costley Street Carterton. 06 379 6690. www.outdoorsupplies.co.nz

Tim Wolland (a now keen pistol shooter and member of our club) has an extensive knowledge on all the firearms and accessories as well as outdoor clothing and camping equipment. Get down to the store in Costley Street or jump online and check out their website for everything and anything to do with hunting and the great outdoors.

KING AND HENRY

35-37 Queen Street Masterton. 06 377 4569

These guys do it all from camping supplies to guns and ammunition to all your fishing requirements. They have a locksmith service as well. So whether your locks need replacing or you’ve lost that favourite lure or just need a bullet call in and see Tony and the guys at the top end of Queen Street.

HAYES AND ASSOCIATES

www.hayesandassociates.co.nz 06 379 6692

I think you all might know who Neil is by now. But just in case you don’t he’s the man to go to for all your pistols and accessories and a large range of shotguns and rifles. He is well known for selling fine Italian made replica firearms essential for Cowboy Action Shooting. Neil also stocks everything you need to reload.

THE VILLA BEAUTY THERAPY

12 Cooper Street Masterton. 06 370 4561. www.thevillabeauty.co.nz

A great way for all the blokes out there to earn some brownie points is to send your beloved to The Villa. They do it all (most of which I don’t understand but I’m sure your wives will) so next time you’re trying to get out of the dog box get online or give them a ring.

MCKENZIE MOTORS

313 Queen Street Masterton. 06 378 6134

McKenzie Motors is the place to go if you are after a new or used Mitsubishi car or light commercial. They also have a service garage and stock a vast range of Mitsubishi parts.

JUKEN NEW ZEALAND

Our number one sponsor has once again done their bit to help us. A small group of us, led by Craig Thompson, took a day of work to get a few projects done around the range prior to Trails End 11 and we were all pleased to be building with Juken’s products. Juken NZ assist us with materials to enable us to create a better range for all of us to use and we are very lucky to have their sponsorship. So a big thank you to the Juken NZ team.

DAVE HADLEY TYRES

64 Victoria Street Alicetown Lower Hutt. 04 939 6222. www.davehadleytyres.co.nz

Don’t be fooled by the name as Dave’s crew do more than just tyres. They can also supply you with a new set of wheels, a wheel alignment or give your vehicle a complete service. They are a licensed member of the Shock Shop and can provide you with an expert service and opinion on your suspension, steering, brakes and shocks. Dave is a member of our club and a keen pistol shooter.

SOUND AND VISION

6 Renall Street Masterton. 06 378 8997

Alan supplied us with our current sound system which turns out to be superior to the last system we had enabling us to pay music as well as a microphone. If you need and repairs or servicing done to your TV, video, stereos, speakers, CD player or band equipment then Alan’s your man.

NICK WILSDEN

06 379 5922. nickwilsden@gmail.com

Music for all occasions. Excellent rates.

The job is never finished

2011-04-02T22:14:00.000-07:00

But more and more gets done!

Happy 100th Birthday

2011-03-30T22:12:00.000-07:00

(actually, it was a couple of days ago)

More TE11 pictures here

2011-03-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

At Mike Clare's, website.

He is a professional photographer, who took a heap of photos at Trails End 2011

Wairarapa Times- Age story

2011-03-20T22:49:00.000-07:00

"Stetsons, spurs and sidearms were the order of the day on Saturday as a slice of Gladstone was transformed into the Wild West.

More than 80 competitors rode, swore and jangled their way to Wairarapa to take part in the 15th Trail's End frontier and western shooting championships, where they competed in pistol and rifle events.

Organiser Neil Hayes, aka the Very Rev Dr Hayes for the weekend, said the event brought cowboys and cowgirls from all over the North Island for two days of competition shooting at the Wairarapa Pistol Club..."

More at the Wairarapa Times-Age.

Trails End 2011

2011-03-19T23:09:00.000-07:00

Trails End- it just keeps getting better and better!

UPDATE:

More photos here

Latest Working Bee

2011-03-13T00:06:00.000-08:00

A hell of a lot done by a very few people. Some working at the club, some working elsewhere. The later unfortunately missed out on the great morning tea put on by our great supporters (and bakers) Sylvia Hayes and Emma Watson.

Trail's end 2011

2011-03-09T00:06:00.000-08:00

Ain't going to be the biggest one, but you had better not miss the best one yet!

Because when money is short- the REAL enthusiasts turn out.

And while there is a pile of bullshit flying- Trail's End is going to be as good as ever- we are hoping you feel it is even better!

Burning powder and drinking whiskey!

How to find the club

2011-03-07T00:54:00.000-08:00

View Larger Map

Just over the bridge on the Gladstone road, is the Gladstone pub. About 200 meters past the pub, on the right-hand side of the road, is the gate. [picture to follow]

FInding the club part II

2011-03-07T00:18:00.000-08:00

Having found the pub, keep going- the range is a couple of hundred meters east, on the right.

Above is a picture of the gate.

For our bigger shoots, we put a sign of a pistol on the steel post by the gate.

From the Wairarapa Times-Age

2011-02-22T19:13:00.000-08:00

The mystery and romance surrounding the Wild West will never die if membership of the Wairarapa Pistol and Shooting Sports Club is any yardstick.

From its launch in 1992, club membership has skyrocketed from 50 to 180 and is gaining momentum each year, especially in the aftermath of Trail's End - the club's premier Western action championship.

This year's three-day Trail's End starts on March 18 and will be by far the largest cowboy shooting event in the Southern Hemisphere, using firearms dating from the period 1840 to 1899.

Not only will American Western guns be used but period attire for participants is essential, along with aliases such as Wild Bill Hickup and Rusty Chambers.

The range at Gladstone has been enhanced since the cowboy competition began in 1997, attracting competitors nationally and from overseas this year.

Twenty countries participate in Western action shooting globally.

The shooting competitions at Trail's End re-enact famous Western gunfights such as the gunfight at the OK Corral and the shootouts involving the legendary Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

The official opening ceremony will be on Saturday, March 19, with the mayors of Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa being on hand alongside Wairarapa MP John Hayes and police representatives.

Trail's End 2011

2011-02-13T20:04:00.000-08:00

On track and ready to go.

All we need are those early registrations! These make our lives a whole lot easier- especially on our renowned catering side.

Expect to see more new buildings and facilities at the WPSSC- they have been popping up like mushrooms, thank to the efforts of a few hard-working members.

With the strange weather this year, you can even expect to see a bit of green grass about the place this time!

No surprises this year*, just the good, old Gladstone hospitality y'all have come to look forward to!

*Except the log chop Secret Weapon...

More thanks

2011-02-11T14:01:00.001-08:00

To the Carterton District Council, for their $1500 grant towards our new potable water supply!

Cheers!

Who ya gonna call?

2011-01-28T21:06:00.001-08:00

If you need plumbing work done, how about supporting BEN GARRET and Carterton Plumbers?

They are certainly supporting us!

Look at the way the plumbing work is getting done around the range! Mains pressure water and now a BIG new tank.

Coming soon is a new shower and flushing outhouse- that has got to help get the womenfolk along to Trail's End- not this year, but hopefully next year.

Working Bee Jan 2011

2011-01-28T20:52:00.000-08:00

Positive proof that the work is NOT done by 'The Pixies'!

Now about that log chop competition

2011-01-18T23:57:00.000-08:00

28 gauge revolver

A bit of C&W

2010-12-21T19:10:00.000-08:00

Our new secretary needs your help

2010-12-20T21:01:00.000-08:00

Please help him buy filling out the survey in the latest snail-mail newsletter.

We desperately need your contact details, as these have gone AWOL.

Thanks for your help!

Already on the job

2010-12-17T13:30:00.000-08:00

Our new vice-president, Ben Garret, has shown his worth- yet again- by securing us a $1500 grant from the Carterton District Council to go towards our upgrade of the potable water supply.

Well done Wild Ben!

Watch this and feel totally inadequate

2010-12-04T11:32:00.001-08:00

A DIFFERENT Cowboy movie!

2010-11-18T22:19:00.001-08:00

It's Official-Carterton is the Cowboy town of New Zealand!

2010-10-12T23:35:00.000-07:00

'The chance to tell the country "The milkybars are on me!" made for a long and restless night for one young Carterton boy on Thursday.

"He's very excited. He couldn't sleep last night and he's had his cowboy outfit on since first thing this morning," said Penny Blathwayt, mother of 7-year-old aspiring actor Lachlan Blathwayt.

Lachlan, who goes to Carterton School, is one of 59 kids chosen from about 1500 entries nationwide for the semifinal auditions for television's iconic milkybar kid role...'

Rumour Control-Trail's End 2010

2010-10-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

There have been rumours floating about regarding the entertainments at the up-coming Trail's End.

There WILL NOT be strippers at Trail's End, as part of the organized entertainment*.

While saloon gals are a part of the west- Trail's End is a family affair.

End of story.

* What goes on in the privacy of your own wagon/teepee is your own business! ;-)

Today's working bee

2010-09-10T21:57:00.000-07:00

A good turnout of the usual do-ers, who got another shed up and moved all the old straw bales and a large mound of limestone to cover the rocks at the back of range four (the new range four with the hanging targets!)- as well as a host of tidy-up jobs.

This was the last part of the works required to get out long-waited range certification. Until the checklist and red-tape brigade dream up some new hurdles for NZ's safest range!

Thanks to Emma Watson who provided baking for morning tea- something she does as she can't usually get to working bees.

A new record from our star shooter

2010-09-07T22:54:00.000-07:00

Teen shooter sets 'perfect' record

8th September 2010

Wairarapa shooter Gregory Bentley. Photo supplied.

Teen shooter Greg Bentley captured a perfect score to set a new club record at the Wairarapa Pistol and Shooting Sports Club last Saturday.

Bentley, 14, of Wairarapa, shot a possible 100 out of 100 at the Joy of Spring 100 bird sporting clay shoot using an Italian-made Breda 12-gauge shotgun supplied by Hayes and Associates.

This eclipses previous scores of 99 and two shoots of 98 achieved over the past 10 years by vastly experienced shooters, making Bentley's achievement quite remarkable.

Bentley, a Rathkeale College student, joined the club at the tender age of 8 already competent in firearms handling.

Thanks to continued family and club support, he has developed into a leading exponent of all forms of the sport, being also a keen rifle and pistol shooter.

Some good news

2010-09-06T22:57:00.000-07:00

On Monday the local river rose to almost the five-year flood level.

On past experience, we would be spending this weekend shoveling mud out of the buildings.

But no- thanks to all the hard work clearing around the willows, the range is mud-free!

So now we can use Saturday's working bee more productively- there is plenty of painting and tidying to do and it would be nice to see some new faces there.

Some winter viewing

2010-05-27T23:29:00.000-07:00

CAS city

And we wonder why people want MSSA firearms banned

2010-05-04T02:20:00.000-07:00

Just some technical stuff

2010-04-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

GS3M4JSJXR65

Range Standing Orders

2010-04-10T20:16:00.000-07:00

He got caught shooting jacketed projectiles at the steel plates!

So- what is the next club upgrade to be?

2010-03-18T00:33:00.000-07:00

Making smoke

2010-03-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

A Memorable Trail's End

2010-03-13T22:49:00.000-08:00

Not something you would normally see at a Trail's End- usually we have a fire ban on.

This year we got all four seasons- on Friday night!

The storm front that hit us and near carried the marquee off was not exactly typical weather- sunburn is the normal hazard- not having trees coming crashing down in the campsite!

But the barbecue was moved inside, the drinks kept flowing and when the hail and rain stopped- the fire was lit for the first time in many years.

While bedding and clothes got a bit wet, it takes more than that to dampen the frontier spirit and with spirits being passed about all was good.

Vast quantities of prime barbecued meat and heapings of bread and spuds also goes a long way to forgetting that you are steaming by the fire and those masters of all things barbecue from up north delivered us with nothing but the best- in quantities for the biggest appetites!

For the rest of the weekend the sun came out, we did the barbecue thing all over again- too much ain't enough!- and record amounts of Black Powder were turned to blue smoke and noise.

There are a few photos over here.

You have to be a member of Facebook to use this site and only members who have been accepted can view the photo albums. (keeps the rif-raf out!)

Trail's End '10

2010-03-03T20:33:00.000-08:00

The entry form is available here

(Pistol NZ seem incapable of getting it in their magazine- along with the not-so-new club website details!, so I have been forced to figure out how to get document links into blogger)

Bring plenty of ammo, appeitite (as if you need to be told!) and a big wad of cash for the great trading- and a cold one or ten.

I'm sure Hayes & Associates and our sponsors will be happy to spare you the trouble of taking that cash back home!

On final Countdown

2010-03-01T23:58:00.000-08:00

Nearly there and the range is looking good, thanks to the SIX who turned out to the working bee!

Now how many 'B' members do we have again?

I know that some of you- who DO turn out regularly- would have been there if they could have.

The rest- it is never too late to redeem yourselves!

Next week there are targets to paint and 1001 'gofer' jobs to be done.

Nobody need fear missing out on a job!

IMPORTANT

We need items for auction and the prize table!
Books, Cd's, DVD's- preferably with a Western theme.
Old reloading gear
'A' cat. firearms
Spare gun leather, clothing
Bottles of Likker
Knives, swords or other cutlery
Indentured servants
anything we can sell!

All for a good cause- us!

Cow Country

2010-02-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

Bring gumboots for tomorrow's cowboy match!

The range is overrun by heifers, need I say any more!

Help Wanted

2010-02-07T23:14:00.000-08:00

We are on final countdown to Trail's End '10

Due to the crazy summers growth, we need weedeaters and lawnmowers at the next working bee.

Volunteers to help man the chuckwagon and cook breakfast would help out those organising this very important chore too!

You enforce the laws- you don't make them.

2010-01-30T21:53:00.001-08:00

RE: Police campaign to restrict non-conventional stock designs

The police department is currently running an advertising campaign and threatening law abiding and responsible firearms licence holders with prosecution if they don’t comply with their demands.

National Shooters Association advises all licence holders who have possession of one or more of the affected firearms that they are not obliged to follow the instructions of the police department at this time.

The ‘Save our Butts’ legal challenge has obtained a judgment from the High Court at Palmerston North. In that judgment, Mackenzie J confirmed that the police department have no authority over the classification of firearms and he confirmed that the police department opinion of the legislation has no legal standing.

Police have publicly advised that the firearms which they presently find offensive are in a configuration that suits the New Zealand definition of sporting configuration. Under New Zealand law semi-automatics that are maintained at all times in a sporting configuration are not MSSA and do not require special endorsements. The police department have confirmed through Crown Law that they are not reclassifying these firearms.

National Shooters Association advises members and licence holders to not apply for special endorsements or obtain permits for their sporting configuration semi-automatic firearms until further notice.

Source: http://www.nsanz.org.nz/

Pistol NZ promotional Video

2009-12-26T15:10:00.001-08:00

A reminder to RO's

2009-12-12T23:56:00.000-08:00

Doing RO for a first-time shooter today. Called a cease fire on hearing what I thought was a squib.

When I checked his pistol, there was a projectile stuck about an inch from the end of the barrel.

Thats' my first actual one- it doesn't happen too often but you DO have to listen for them!

Club Photo album and more

2009-12-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

I have started a Facebook page for the club.

This is a great format for storing photos- join as a member and you can add your own pictures.

The link is HERE

Cowboy Nationals 2009

2009-11-07T22:13:00.000-08:00

There is a huge effort put in by a relativly small group to make an event like this happen- before, during and after- the cooks, bottle-washers, morning tea bakers, baristas, RO's, carpenters, painters, drivers, groundsmen, cleaners, drivers, administrators, publicists, fund-raisers, match directors, scorers, gofers- well- you get the picture!

Most of those willing workers will jump in and do most of those jobs- often at the expense of their paid ones!

A special mention to our local Arms Officer, Adrienne. She makes the trading post work!

UPDATE:

And a SECOND front-page spread in the Wairarapa Times-Age

Nationals

2009-10-27T22:51:00.000-07:00

A touch of the wild west to descend on Wairarapa

Gary Caffell | 27th October 2009

The Wairarapa Pistol and Shooting Sports Club will host the 10th Pistol New Zealand Cowboy Action Championships at its Gladstone country shooting range complex from November 5 to 8.

The event,which is also a Single Action Shooting Society (USA) regional championship, is one of the largest cowboy shooting events in the southern hemisphere and involves the use of firearms of the period 1840 to 1899...revolvers, rifles and shotguns, including American western period firearms and firearms used in the early part of New Zealand's history. Period attire is essential, as is a suitable alias, such as :Wild Bill Hickup", "Rusty Chambers" and "Rowdy Gates".

Enacted at the championships will be some of the famous gunfights, like the Gunfight At the Gladstone County Corral and Butch Cassidy and the Sunburnt Kid, plus a number of long range rifle events, including the Quigley Down Under.

WPSSC president Neil Hayes said the Gladstone country range, which has been in existence since 1902, had been greatly enhanced for the event with close to 100 shooters expected to participate, including two from the United States.

Hayes said 20 different countries currently participate in western action shooting and that competition could best be described as "serious fun".

"There is a fun element to it but, at the end of the day, everybody wants to perform well too," he said. "But it is entertaining, that's for sure".

The opening ceremony for the Gladstone event will take place on Friday, November 6 at 9am and will be attended by the Mayors of Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa plus the M P for Wairarapa, John Hayes.

Working Bee October 17th

2009-10-17T01:19:00.000-07:00

Today we got the wall dividing range one into two filled with metal, plus a lot of the new loading/unloading tables closer to finished.

The grass has been mowed, another profitable spoting clays shoot has been shot and the same FEW workers have moved the club along.

There are a great many full members that need to pull finger from arse and make these improvements happen!

We have seventy 'B' members and about the same associate members. Yet the working bees are being done by the same 15-20 members!

The rest of you need to take a serious look at how committed you are to shooting sports.

If we are not moving ahead, we are going backwards.

But if you are reading this, I'm probably preaching to the choir!

When the bullets hit the Bisalloy!

2009-10-09T00:18:00.001-07:00

Hat Tip: The Firearms Blog

A site I can recommend for news and information on the world of firearms!

WORKERS NEEDED!

2009-10-05T22:23:00.001-07:00

Howdy All,

Club Cowboy Shoot, this Sunday the 11th: last one before Nationals, 3 or 4 stages and then in the afternoon the Club long range 45/70 championship, 10 am Start

Plamy Shoot, 24/25 entry attached: well this looks busy!!!! Can not complain about not enough shooting anyway, we of course will be there and look forward to it. Get your entry’s in ASAP.

CAS Nationals: This is urgent that you get these entries in; you have until Monday to get the cheaper rates, after that you must pay the extra $15 and we will enforce this rule quite aggressively; SO make sure your entry’s and sent in this week. Attached is a full program, which might change a tad, it has 20 thousand time already but gives you a good idea of what is happening and when.

Working bee on the 17^th: bring wheelbarrows, buckets and shovels as well need to fill the wall between range 1A and 1B plus the backs of the loading tables. 9 am start and should not take that long with enough helping. We will just need another half a day to tidy up the range pre nationals and we should be ready to go.

Volunteers: anyone who can help at Nationals who are non shooters in the club please contact me; there is a lot work to be done on the day, so let me know who is available.

Cheers

Range Doug

Working bee September 26th

2009-09-25T22:07:00.001-07:00

The new dividing wall goes up- in the rain and cold.

Working bee September 12th

2009-09-11T22:43:00.000-07:00

Another great effort- I was only there for a couple of hours (thanks to work) but in that time most of the posts for the new range wall had been concreted in.

Also, the damage caused by cattle attacking our straw bales was cleaned up- a very cowboy activity!

The usual tidy-up of rubbish, weeds and prunings was done and we are looking good for the Nationals- BUT- there is still a lot of work to do on the wall and the new hanging target frame.

Along with the never-ending weeding, wiping, sweeping, raking, painting, tidying, cleaning, restocking the kitchen, burning rubbish, emptying bins, fencing, repairing tagets, patching potholes, pruning and so on that is done by a loyal FEW of our members!

Remember- no matter how unkindly the years have treated you- we can find a job for all abilities, so get along to the next working bee on the 26th September.

P.S.

Thanks to Emma Watson for the morning tea. (she can't usually get to working bees so always does a bit of baking!)

Caught on Camera!

2009-08-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

Actual photographic evidence that it ISN'T the pixies that turn up at midnight and do all the club maintenance!

Those posts lying on the ground are six meters long and VERY heavy. Moving those and the ones standing up- part of a new hanging target frame- gave us some idea of the difficulty faced in building Stonehenge, the pyramids and the Easter Island statues. All done with rollers, ropes and sweat!

Well done all those who turned out to todays working bee!

Great news for the club!

2009-08-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

News just in:

Subject: WPSSC Funding from the Pelorus Trust

Well done Ben Garrett

The Club has just received a cheque for $4,000 from the Pelorus Trust.

Fantastic

Cheers

Neil

Shameless self-promotion for Meddlers in Time

2009-08-10T23:15:00.000-07:00

I have a book out in electronic form- (save a tree and all that- Yeah, Right...)

The link is in the side bar and here where you can download the first chapter FREE.

Only US $2.50 for the first 20 buyers!

That's the best price you will get for 200,000 words worth!

A New Shoot

2009-06-24T22:43:00.001-07:00

Every fourth Sunday, there will be a black powder shoot as well as IPSC.

If it loads from the front- bring it along and make some smoke!

Changes to Range five

2009-06-04T01:52:00.000-07:00

Every club needs a good, keen worker who can use a digger!

Changes to the ranges

2009-05-01T03:08:00.000-07:00

If I could find the cable to my phone, I could post a few pictures of the latest earthmoving endeavors.

There are some (more) big changes on ranges one and five to be seen- so here is the perfect excuse to get your attendances up by getting out and having a shoot!

Remember to please keep off the new earthworks as much as possible, to give the new grass seed a chance.

Also, some person or persons have picked up a Leatherman tool and a green pair of Peltor G5 hearing protectors recently (on seperate occasion). Please pass them on to a committee member who will return them to their owners.

The Club

2009-04-02T20:53:00.000-07:00

Joining the Club

Membership of the Wairarapa Pistol & Shooting Sports Club is open to any person over the age of 16 who is and of good standing in the community. Under 16 Junior membership is also available, but special conditions apply.

An application to join must be made on the Club's standard application form accompanied by a subscription.

The two main categories of membership are available — full membership for those people who wish to participate in target pistol shooting and another caqtegory of associate membership, which is maily for those who wish to shoot rifles and shotguns.

Prospective Full Memberships and visitors to a pistol range are only permitted to shoot pistols whilst under the immediate supervision of a licensed pistol shooter.

Club fees

The WPSSC annual fees are

$200 for Full Membership, which includes range fees, the Pistol NZ affliation fee and the WPSCC annual membership fee. The Full Membership fee can be paid quarterly.
The Associate membership fee is $50/year
Casual shooters (non-members)- $10 per visit

The Associate membership category covers - pistol shooters who are registered members of another pistol club, clay bird shooters, rifle shooters and non-shooters who wish to support the Club's objectives.

Safety

2009-04-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

Safety

Safety on the Range

New Zealand shooting sports clubs have an exemplary record for safety on shooting ranges. To maintain this record a series of Standing Orders need to be read and adhered to at all times

Important Standing Orders

The most important standing orders are:

Sign the Range Book immediately on arrival
All firearms must be carried in a bag or a gun box from your vehicle to the Safety Zone, where they can then be removed
Rifles and shotguns must be carried muzzle-up between ranges, with actions open
Pistols should either be holstered in the Safety Zone or taken in a box or pistol bag to the specific range where they are to be used
Range Safety Flags

Safety Equipment

The use of Eye and Ear protection is mandatory on all WPSSC ranges. The Club has safety glasses and ear protection available for visitors and prospective members.

The Range

2009-04-02T20:51:00.000-07:00

The Range

Range Days

The WPSSC range is open every Sunday (from 9.30am) and every Wednesday afternoon (from 3pm) throughout the year. At other times the range is also available for limited use by all Club members. Please liaise with the Club Secretary or President for use of the range outside normal times.

On Sunday monings the Club Armourer will have a variety of Club pistols available for supervised use by new members and prospective members who are interested in taking up target pistol shooting.

Frontier & Western action

Frontier & Western action shooting takes place on the second Sunday of each month. This involves the use of pre-1899 single action revolvers, lever action rifles, shotguns and single shot rifles - either originals or modern reproductions.

Sporting clay shoots

Sporting clay shoots (also called "Simulated Field Shooting") are held on the first Saturday of each month. These shoots involve shotgun shooting at clay targets thrown at a variety of angles from a number of automatic clay bird throwing machines. Each course is designed to suit shotgun shooters at all levels of expertise - from learners to experts. A different course is set up each month and involves a 60 target match - 30 birds in the morning, 30 birds in the afternoon and a catered BBQ lunch. These shoots are suitable for family participation, with coaching, guns and ammunition always being available.

Pistol and rifle events

A wide variety of pistol and rifle events are held each month and full details of these are published in the Club's newsletter.

Becoming a Licensed Pistol Shooter

To become a licensed target pistol shooter you must

Join the WPSSC as a Full member
Complete a six month probationary period
Obtain an "A" category firearms licence
Attend 12 times during the first six months
Show proficiency in the safe and accurate use of target pistols
Obtain and install a pistol safe. This must be of 6mm steel, with approved locks and bolted to the floor. (The WPSSC Armourer will advise you further on this)
Participate in Club activities (Could be attendance at working bees or WPSSC Committee meeting, and so on)
Obtain a "B" Category application form and submit it to the Club Committee for approval

To retain your "B" category endorsement you must take part in WPSSC activities at least 12 times per year.

Working bees

Working bees, to maintain and enhance the Club facilities, are held at regular intervals. All members are encouraged to take part in these and dates are announced in the Club's newsletter well in advance.

Coaching

Coaching, holster qualifying, range officers exams, and training days are held throughout the year. Contact the Club Secretary or President for further details.

Trail's End

2009-04-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

Trails End

Trail's End is an annual western action competition and in 2008 the event celebrated the twelfth Trail's End. All twelve have been held at the WPSSC's Gladstone range.

The event is administered by the Frontier & Western Shooting Sports Association Incorporated, which is national association based in Carterton and which promotes frontier & western competitions.

The FWSSA is affiliated to the world's leading authority, and founders of, western action shooting — the Single Action Shooting Society, in the USA.

Over the past few years trail's end has become "the World Frontier & Western Championships" and close to one hundred shootists descend on Gladstone each year to participate, including shootists from Australia and the USA.

Trail's End has attracted considerable news media attention, with 11/2 hours on national tv time and vast newspaper coverage over the past eight years.

The Gladstone shooting sports range lends itself ideally to the Trail's End event, with up to six courses of fire being shot at the same time.

The whole emphasis at trail's end is enjoyment in a safe and responsiblemanner.

Membership of the FWSSA is $20/year and the association produces a newsletter and provides each member with an impressive set of rules forfrontier & western action shooting.

The FWSSA is largely managed by the wpssc committee and the FWSSA address is the same as the
WPSSC address
P.O.Box 40
Carterton.

Phone: 06.3796692 Fax: 06.3795316 and E-mail: haltd@actrix.co.nz

Antiques in the outback

2009-03-29T00:17:00.000-07:00

The Stage Stage

2009-03-22T23:17:00.000-07:00

A Dog's Life

2009-03-21T17:37:00.000-07:00

That says a lot about the food at Trail's End. Even a Labrador gets more than his fill!

A new prop!

2009-03-19T00:27:00.000-07:00

The horse moves- quite a bit!
Try shooting a clear round off him!

The TE 09 Collection

2009-03-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

More pictures over here

Why good sponsors are IMPORTANT!

2009-03-15T23:46:00.000-07:00

These magnificent shooting benches were made with wood donated by JNL.

They are made out of some seriously heavy plywood made at their Masterton mill.

These benches were really appreciated by the benchrest shooters.

I should mention that they sit on a floor also made from this heavy ply- yet another donation from JNL, without which we would be shooting lying on the cold, hard and WET ground!

Thanks JNL!

Trails End 2009 Cannon

2009-03-15T17:41:00.001-07:00

Trails End 09 Cowboy Log Chop

2009-03-14T21:08:00.000-07:00

As much fun as you can have with your trousers on!

It all happened here!

2009-02-04T20:50:00.000-08:00

The famous .22 Gatling gun video.

Over 1.4 million views on YouTube!

Now over 3.2 million views

The new site

2008-06-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the new site.

It's early days yet, but I want to make a few additions to the original.

One of the new features is a link to a Gladstone weather site, giving you real-time weather conditions at Gladstone. Hopefully this will be of some use to our members from further afield!

Cheers,

Wayne.

Lest we forget

2008-04-25T16:32:00.000-07:00

Start them young!

2008-04-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

The club has just purchased a .22 single-action revolver to add to our club guns.

As it is 3/4 the size of a regular six-shooter, it should be ideal for young 'uns and those with smaller hands!