FRIENDSHIP!

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

Howdy all.  I just got back from the spring shoot a few days ago and thought I'd give you my impressions.
Firstly, it was glorious to finally get back and see everyone.  I'd missed my campmates the year before, the friendly faces in the sheepsheds, Miss Brenda in the camp shack, all of it.
It was about what you'd expect after a year's hiatus.  Most things were about the same, with a few changes and a few things messed up a little.
The association is in another tizzy, with the president under investigation over some money or something.  It seems like the politics and intrigue never end.
The woods walk was pretty good, but I tried shooting it in flint for the first time, and scored awfully poorly.
The food and camaraderie more than made up for that, though.
All in all, I'd call it a pretty solid success.
Did any of you go, and if so, what did you think?

[Hank in WV]

Always wanted to go, but never did. Sounds like they got the typical flooding again. Glad you had a good time.

[Ohio Joe]

My family and I have stopped in the past when we were traveling back to Ohio and Kentucky to visit family when the kids were little,,, and it is an experience for sure. I'd really like to go see their Museum and vendors again someday. Who knows, we just might make it?  It really is a neat place.

[RobD]

I've never been to Friendship, sounds like lotsa good folks and good times!

It's too bad about the NMLRA.  I believe their decline began back in the early 90s as a product of poor management and just got worse as the years rolled by - and one good reason why the TMA was formed.  That's a problem with all governments; it can be hit or miss with the people in charge, and thus it's the mass of their constituents, the good folks, that suffer at the hands of so few.

[Ohio Joe]

There's no doubt they should have stuck with the program they were first founded on, (the old muzzle loading firearms), but they didn't - and it cost them.

Most members back before the zip-gun days simply over looked the modern sights on traditional muzzle loading firearms being used - but for many, the zip-guns was the final straw... And I don't know if they ever asked, or addressed the question of, "was it worth it?"

Regardless where one stands on the above, we need the NMLRA and their satellite clubs and programs such as; National Shoots, State ML Shoots, Club Shoots, and Insurance, as it gives purpose to supply in demand of the production of what feeds our muzzle loading firearms - (black powder - flints - caps - lead balls), just as our Rendezvous and other ML Clubs not affiliated with the NMLRA does as well.





 

[RobD]

Yes, despite the NMLRA leaderships' lack of good judgement, it's the people who love true sidelock muzzleloaders that keep our support industry going to supply the goods we need to purchase so we can continue our sport/hobby.  Our support industry's prime interest is business - offering good products and making money.  Ain't nothing wrong with the American capitalist way of life, and we all benefit. 

The NMLRA is still considered the de facto American voice of those interested in 18th and 19th century muzzleloaders, despite the zip guns and 19th century cartridge rifles the NMLRA promotes, that has watered down their traditional firearms focus.   This NMLRA change is s'posed to have added revenue to help with the huge costs associated with the Friendship real estate, et al.  I think that there is still some "marketing" merit to the NMLRA for garnering and helping true traditionalist newbies to the game, but that's about it.  And that's what matters most - increasing the ranks of the traditionalists, for all the right reasons.

[Bigsmoke]

FWIW, in 1985 I started attending both the Spring Shoot and the Fall Shoot at Friendship.
I continued making the 2,200 mile drive twice a year until 1992, at which time I had become so busy making powder horns that I couldn't afford to take the time off for that trek.  During these visits, I became aware of several things.
First and foremost, I don't care what your discipline is, they run a fantastic shooting match.  Whatever it is, they do it first class.  Period.
Muzzleblasts was and is a great publication, regardless of the presence of zipgun advertisements. 
At the time I was going back there, the organization appeared to be somewhat afraid of the west coast membership.  IIRC, there was a fellow from Arizona or New Mexico who was running for a position on the Board of Directors.  Were they ever against him.  Wow!
It has always been my opinion that the NMLRA is a three state shooting club that just happens to have membership in other states.  The three states are Indianna, Illinois and Ohio.
As some wise person once opined, you can please all the people some of the time and you can please some of the people all the time, but it is impossible to please all the people all the time.
That's all,
John (Bigsmoke)

[RobD]

As I see it, the principal problem - and it sure is a problem - with the NMLRA is that they veered waaaay off course from their original concept, goals, focus, and responsibility to their core membership.  Once again, this is the tail wagging the dog.  That those fortunate to be an NMLRA member and actually attend an NMLRA "club" meeting, and continue to enjoy what and why the org was originally founded, is nothing less than a blessing specifically for the NMLRA.   Despite the failures of the NMLRA management, the larger part of the membership has a great time despite what the org has become.  Good on those good folks, sez me! 

[Keb]

I've been to friendship a few times. I'm only about 80 miles from there. However, It's not worth all the trouble to go over there. I'm no longer a member since they offer nothing I'm interested in any longer. I am only interested in going to the rondyvoos but they are slowly fading out. Now I'm slowly losing interest in them also. Thanks, covid...

[RobD]

My number one interest is shooting trad side locks - and make that of the flint persuasion, please.  Camaraderie and socializing come next, but are an important part of the overall shooting experience.  How and where this fun is accomplished isn't all that important as long as hassles are kept to a minimum.  This is what happens as one gets older and less, er, "agile" and patient as one used to be.  Trekking to Friendship is not on my bucket list. 

[Ohio Joe]

I don't believe I've ever been to a shoot where the atmosphere has not always been a pleasant one to be part of. From Monthly Club shoots, to Rendezvous Shoots, to even our State Muzzle Loading Shoot. I don't know any other way of putting it, other then these shoots I've been part of - have never been "cut throat" so to speak.

If a person should run into trouble on the firing line (rifle not going off, no spark, a person running low on powder, a stuck ball, someone just not quite sure what sight adjustment to make, you name it and it seems like the line is right there to help them out).

I don't know how it works on a National level, (or even at other State ML Shoots), but those of us on the line not chasing a National Title, well,,, we help one another if in need. Even if it does take us out of our own shooting rhythm.

I have always felt that those of us who truly enjoy our traditional muzzle loading (whatever event we may be part of) we look out for one another. I think that has been lost at the National level, but I don't know this for sure, or if it has ever existed at that National Level?

I do know that I've never seen any other sporting competition where the competitors actually pull for one another to do good. As I said, it may be different at the National level?