[Brenainn]

So, I know this is far fetched, but I figure it never hurts to ask…

In a few weeks I will be competing in my first big USPSA match. I have shot a few small things locally, but I’ve been encouraged to shoot this thing. I have managed to scrape together a gun, mags, holster, belt, etc. The only thing I am lacking in at the moment is ammo of course. I’ll be getting the cheap Winchester “white box” 45acp.

Being new, young and basically a poor student, being able to afford ammo is a pain. It’s going to cost me about $90 for the ammo. Normally, $90 isn’t a big deal, but I just bought the gun, mags, etc - so it’s not as easy to fork out $90 and at the moment, it might as well be a fortune!

Basically, I am putting myself out there for the sponsorship of someone or multi individuals who may be willing to help out. It’s completely up to you. I am not begging, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask if nothing else! If you have a business, I can wear your hat, polo or whatever… I’m up for anything and grateful for what I can get. I’ve already got donations of $10, and $5 and I’ll end up putting in the rest if I don’t make the $90 goal.

So if you want to help, please let me know! I’d be very appreciative. If you don’t want to help and you can’t believe I am posting this, please keep your comments to yourself and just ignore this!

Thanks! :)

-Kate

EDIT: I've had some requests to shave peoples names onto the back of my head for their sponsorship... normally, I might just go for it, but now that my hair is FINALLY long again, it doesn't quite appeal to me as much as it might have before!!! :) :D

[Deer Hunter]

I'm in the same boat. Freshman in college about to start IPSC with my CZ75B.

If you find a sponser, let me know. :)

[skinewmexico]

Bet the girl has better luck......

[Deer Hunter]

Yep, most likely. She's probably way cuter than I am. :)

[Double Naught Spy]

EDIT: I've had some requests to shave peoples names onto the back of my head for their sponsorship... normally, I might just go for it, but now that my hair is FINALLY long again, it doesn't quite appeal to me as much as it might have before!!!

Panhandling and sponsorship come with prices, direct and indirect. Which appeals to you more, the match or your hair?

[eflatminor]

Where's the big match?

[BattleChimp Potemkin]

Instead of a hand out, how about a hand up? To support my shooting habit in college, I worked extra hard. I didnt have any help and it hurt. Just wait until after college. Dont blow money away now. Save it and spend it thriftily.

Many of the folks I shot with had mom and dad pay for everything, so I got ribbed for having substandard weapons/ammunition. Remember, you are in college to study, not play. I got great grades and did have much in student loans (despite no support, just hard work). Heck, I still owe my parents for Catholic High School (which, I deemed, an almost certain entry into college). :(

[armoredman]

Wish I could help, but I wish you good luck. Might be a kind soul here who could send you a dollar or two.

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

Creative! Imaginitive! Outgoing! Funny!!! Her parents, siblings, and peers should be proud. I suspect in college she is most certainly an honor role student.

I dissagree with BattleChimp. With the stresses of life and college not any different than family adn career, I whole heartedly endorse a stress outlet for any full/part time student. Shooting is a great outlet for that. It is much better to be shooting on the weekend than to be hung-over from Friday night. I work at a university and see all the partying. What a waste.

Might I suggest:

Kate's carwash, 7th & Pine. All procedes to go 'down range'.:what:

You could open a donation account at your local bank. Then plaster your face on big billboards in your area asking/begging for shooting funds. :D
(People are more apt to donate to a local cause)

Volunteer for the same or a different shooting discipline at your local club. You might be surprised at how generous your fellow shooters might be. (until you beat them by score):cuss:

If you were a reloader, I've got some extra brass for you! And when you do start reloading, I challenge fellow THR'er's to send you 20rnds of range pickups. (Sorry, you'll have to start out like the rest of us, shooting mixed head stamp stuff we wouldn't buy if we had money, having scrounged through garbage cans at the range)

I must confess, I will not be sending you money. I have my own shooting addiction to fend for and at $4.09/gallon for Diesel, it took $143 to fill the tank the other day. :fire:I also have two teen age boys that shoot occasionally. That's tough enough on the pocket book. -And, I'm saving for thier college tuition so they won't be begging on the street corner for an edumucation.

-Steve

[PPGMD]

Often if you volunteer to help setup for USPSA matches or RO they will discount your range fees, or allow you to shoot for free.

[Brenainn]

Well, this is really cool! I’ve had a couple of donations so far (THANK YOU!). I’ll let you all know when/if I reach the $90 goal. :)

Also, I’ll post pictures of the shoot after I get back. I’m looking forward to it - although my biggest fear is that I’ll forget how to shoot a stage!

So thanks to those who have donated so far. I’ll try to figure out a way to send you a little something for your help!


Hey Steve -

Ha! I liked your post! :)

You could open a donation account at your local bank. Then plaster your face on big billboards in your area asking/begging for shooting funds.
(People are more apt to donate to a local cause)

Hmmm... I had no idea this was possible... *thinks of other things she needs donations for* :p :) just kidding...

Volunteer for the same or a different shooting discipline at your local club. You might be surprised at how generous your fellow shooters might be. (until you beat them by score)

I actually have beat a few of them... but not too badly. :p

Just so you all know that I am not just lazy…….
I am actually volunteering for the WHOLE weekend as an RO assistant and misc. worker in order to not pay the entry fee of over $160. It's going to be hard though because there will be 12 stages :eek: and I’ll have to shoot them all in one day before Sat. and Sun.! But it's worth it!

I’ve got my Dad helping me with the hotel - he has club points or whatever they are called to hotels because he travels so much… so hopefully that won’t be a big deal.

If you were a reloader, I've got some extra brass for you! And when you do start reloading, I challenge fellow THR'er's to send you 20rnds of range pickups. (Sorry, you'll have to start out like the rest of us, shooting mixed head stamp stuff we wouldn't buy if we had money, having scrounged through garbage cans at the range)

This would be a huge help, although, I wouldn‘t ask for it quite yet I don‘t think… My plans were to invest in all the components to reload 45acp. I did order it all, but Midway was out of stock on EVERY single piece! Everything is STILL on backorder and I won’t get everything I need to reload before the match. I already have the press (my Dad‘s old one), powder, enough (used) shells for a match and primers. All I need is the components and the bullets. So - yeah, I in fact did have a plan, but obviously it didn’t turn out so great!

And finally, I know shooting doesn’t and shouldn’t come before an education, etc. However, shooting a match like this isn’t something that everyone can look back on and say they did when they were young. I am willing to bet that there are some people here who wished that they had gotten an earlier start in shooting!?!?

All I am trying to do is instead of sitting around hoping/waiting for things to work out to enable me to shoot some things now, I’m making them happen (or at least trying!)

My parents don’t give me money. I have to work (hard) for what I do want. Unfortunately, sometimes I can’t work hard and long enough to afford certain extra things - so in this case, all I have left to do is work my brain - and that’s what I did by posting about this in the first place!:cool:

So thanks again everyone!

[Conqueror]

I feel your pain. I was poor throughout college and now I'm even poorer as a med student. Props on ordering reloading equipment, it's been a great investment for me.

I agree with Jack, shooting is a great stress-burner in school. I usually go shooting after every test, as a reward for all my studying.

Keep up the good work! Sorry I have nothing to donate - if I had a job I'd send you some bucks.

[Brenainn]

Just thought I'd let everyone know that so far I am at $55! Thanks for the help, this helps me so much! :)

[jmorris]

1st, where are you shooting (local help abounds)? 2nd are you the same shooter that was asking about .22’s for practice, on TFL (dry fire will help more than live)? 3rd, I have a brother in law I’ve been trying to move towards the shooting sports and at 18 that’s a tough sell. If you have any input with any success I’d be interested.

[armoredman]

Well done, and good luck. Don't have any 45 ACP loading stuff for ya, all mine is 9mm/38. Casting yet? That would save you more money, right there.

[Deer Hunter]

I should have come up with this idea first. :P

[Brenainn]

I should have come up with this idea first. :P
I think girls know when to ask for help... guys don't even ask for directions! :D :P Just kidding...

[Deer Hunter]

Oh, low blow.

I'll get you back though. If I ever stumble across a nice place I'll be sure to challenge you to an IPSC duel.

[MedGrl]

My first handgun was actually purchased with funds donated as a birthday present form about 20 members here on THR. I'm glad you've posted this thread . I'm here thankfully in a position now where i can help pay it forward as I promised all those wonderful people who helped me. PM sent and money soon to follow.

[Brenainn]

My first handgun was actually purchased with funds donated as a birthday present form about 20 members here on THR. I'm glad you've posted this thread . I'm here thankfully in a position now where i can help pay it forward as I promised all those wonderful people who helped me. PM sent and money soon to follow.

That is really awesome! Thanks a lot! I always tell people that my goal in life (or one of them) is to one day be in a position to help out others like so many heave helped me out.

I am on the receiving end of things now, but I plan on one day be on the giving end as well! Until then, I can only be as humble and thankful as I can be! :)

[SoCalShooter]

Wish it was that easy, its expensive for all of us. I collect cans and bottles from people who do not want to take the time to recycle them, this usually gets about 80 dollars of ammo per month. I know its not a great solution but it works.

[Sunray]

"...a poor student..." Studying what?
"...I’ll forget how to shoot a stage!..." Just go shoot and forget everything else. Shooting is not your job. Neither is placing.
Forget Midway too. They're not exactly cheap to start with and their shipping costs will negate any cost savings. Your local gun shop will have or can get anything you need with no shipping.
If you're using jacketed bullets, don't. Too expensive. If you haven't already, work up a load using cast bullets. 230 grain RN's or FP's using 3.5 grains of Bullseye drives tacks out of my Colt. 3.5 to 4.7 is the load given in my manual.

[mek42]

If the event was this weekend, please let us know how you placed.

[homers]

Begging for ammo money while in college? How about donating for my daughter's cost to attend college? :) She's a senior in H.S, ranked #1 in her class of over 500 students, a 4.7+ GPA, got her AA degree from a community college while attending H.S. Someday she'll be in a position to help others. It's going to cost her about $25K to get her BA degree and then she wants to either go to med school or grad school. I write this half in jest in response to the OP...

[Deer Hunter]

Homers, your best bet is trying for financial aid (if possible) and a buttload of scholarships.

My mother is a high school counselor.

[mek42]

Getting a bachelors degree for $25K these days is a downright bargain. Unless you meant to say $25K/year.

[homers]

Yes, I meant to write $25K/year.

[rrflyer]

Deer Hunter,

If your ever up towards DFW give me a PM. I'll give a few reloads and we can go blast 'em.

Thats only because you quoted one of my favorite bands/songs though.

[armoredman]

I hope to find out how well she did.

[Brenainn]

Hey guys -
I haven't gone yet! It's not until this weekend. I'll be leaving on Thursday, be shooting on Friday and will be working Fri, Sat, & Sun. so I won't be able to give you results until probably Sun night or Monday. (I'm not sure how soon the results will be posted).

I'm still around $55. I went to buy the ammo yesterday and it cost $95.00. If I can get the other $40, it would be great! However, if I don't, $55 was a HUGE help! I may be getting other donations, but of what amount, I'm not sure yet.

Don't worry, I'll keep you updated! Thank you all!

[jakemartens]

You should post on
www.brianenos.com/forums

This is where alot of USPSA competitors hang out.....

You shooting the Area 6?

[Brenainn]

You should post on
www.brianenos.com/forums

This is where alot of USPSA competitors hang out.....

You shooting the Area 6?

Cool, I didn't think about that. Thanks!

And yeah, it's Area 6...!

[mek42]

Good luck! Shoot well and be safe - and don't forget to have some fun while you're at the shoot!

[magnumman44]

Okay, where's the update???

[armoredman]

And pics, too!

[Brenainn]

I'm working on it!!!

[Brenainn]

Hi everyone!!!

Thank you very much for your help and encouragement!

I shot (and survived) the Area 6 match! It was my first big one. I have shot 3 club matches before and had been coached through them, but this was the first that I was on my own with. I really don’t know if my placing was all that great. I think I was in the 200’s on a couple of stages, and in the 300’s in some as well. I actually haven’t seen the official scores yet, so I am not sure exactly how I did. Here is my USPSA # A61401, if that helps anyone out with finding how I placed. I have to remember that if I finished last or close to it, it’s because no one worse than me was brave enough to try!!!!! I am still trying to figure out how to get my scores. I think I was the only lady shooting Limited 10 in 45!

At the end of the day on Sunday, some really nice folks from AL let me shoot their open guns on stage 12. The first time I shot it in 30 seconds with all alpha/bravo hits!!! I had never shot one of those guns before, much less used the red dot scope thing!!! It was a rush, and gave me a whole new prospective on things. I shot that same stage in 64.15 seconds on Friday with my limited 10 gun.

On Friday when I shot, I had some issues with my gun that slowed me down (a few jams and a couple of times where I may not have depressed the grip safety properly which lead to other problems), but I had a blast, learned A LOT, met some awesome people, got to meet some of the “big names” and just had a great time in general!

Several people from the boards stopped to talk to me, and helped me out some more as far as donations (thanks!).

I did meet my goal for ammo (plus some) from others who just wanted to help out a little more. I even got donations of gun parts from people who didn’t even know me or know that I had posted anything about donations at all!!!!!! That was bizarre…, but cool. It seems to me that MOST of the people in the shooting world are some of the nicest, kind and giving people on the planet! Everyone was VERY supportive and encouraging towards me, which really helped me feel at home. I picked up a lot of advice and tips as well.

I am officially hooked and I look forward to pursuing this sport. I was told by a few people at Area 6, that I do have potential, and to keep it up. So we’ll see. All I can say is that I love it!

So thank you all again for your interest in me. I see a great future for me in the shooting sports and I feel proud to say that my friends here helped me get started with it! I hope that I will be able to repay it forward someday in the future and pass it all on!!!!!

-Kate

PS. Will everyone who donated anything to me, please send me their names and addresses? I want to make sure I have all that. Also, I have pictures to post as soon as I get them on my computer. I also have some videos, but I don’t know how to make those available for you all… ideas? Thanks!

[Brenainn]

Ok, here are some pictures. I am trying to upload some videos to YouTube, but it is really slow (I don't have high speed). My camera man took way more videos than pics!

I'll let everyone know when/if I get those up. I am also planning on buying a pro pic or two and will post that when it's available!

So here you go! Thanks again to all who helped out!

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-9/1279539/P4170009sm.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-9/1279539/P4170021sm.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-9/1279539/P4170022sm.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-9/1279539/P4170001sm.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-9/1279539/P4170003sm.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-9/1279539/P4180027sm.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-9/1279539/P4180029sm.jpg

[Brenainn]

Some guy named Max and who's that other guy ?...

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-9/1279539/P4180046sm.jpg

;)

:D

[armoredman]

Outstanding! Way to go!

[Brenainn]

Here is a video... it's NOT the best one (steel didn't go down) and I didn't go very fast, but hey, it's my first! I was able to upload it here and not at Youtube. Anyway, I'll keep trying to get some more up.

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=32700243

[MaterDei]

You did well! Congrats.

[rooter]

Wish it was that easy, its expensive for all of us. I collect cans and bottles from people who do not want to take the time to recycle them, this usually gets about 80 dollars of ammo per month. I know its not a great solution but it works.

+1
On a college campus, one Saturday afternoon of collecting beer cans from the frat house dumpsters will buy lots of ammo.

Nice to see a woman competing.

[MarshallDodge]

Good job Kate!

[armoredman]

Still scrounging 45 ACP brass at the range for ya - some guy blew off his carry ammo, snagged about 8 nickle cases today.

[Drusagas]

Getting a bachelors degree for $25K these days is a downright bargain. Unless you meant to say $25K/year.


Lol. My wife and I both attend Baylor University. Last year, it was 32k in tuition alone, per person. They estimate next year, including housing and books, to be about 40k.:cuss:

Thank God for the Army and GI Bill:o

[Brenainn]

Still scrounging 45 ACP brass at the range for ya - some guy blew off his carry ammo, snagged about 8 nickle cases today.

Cool! Thank you!

[armoredman]

When I get enough to send, I'll ask for a place to send them, OK? No promises on how long, but the collection is growing slowly. :)

[mek42]

So where are the pictures of you shooting? I didn't see any sponsors shaved into the hair of whatever other girl you posted pics of. :neener:

I'm glad things went well for you - good luck with school and shooting!

[Deer Hunter]

I envy you so much.

As another college student with limited funds, I know where you're coming from. But at least you got to shoot this month. I've got a scholarship pic-nic I have to attend. This little get-together just happened to be on the day of my first contest.

I'll have to wait until May to get my pictures up!


And RRflyer,

I'll easily take that up next time I'm in the area! My Brother in law's family is up there, and man he would love to go burn through a few rounds with us as well.

[Brenainn]

Here is another video.

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=32890014

Or copy and paste without quotation marks:

"http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=32890014"

[armoredman]

Nice - was that the pistol you borrowed?

[Brenainn]

Nice - was that the pistol you borrowed?

That last video was of a fun run through a stage with an open gun. I had never shot one before or even used optics, after the competition, a really cool guy just handed me the open gun and said something like, "let's see what you do with this". So that was the first time I had ever shot something like that! :)

It was darn cool! :)

[Black Majik]

Brenainn,

Just wanted to stop by and say good job! Can't help to grumble at the advantage all the open guys have with their optics, reduced loads, and supergun after shooting it huh? :D

[Brenainn]

double post

[Brenainn]

Yeah, I might have to put my toe in the "dark side" a little... just my toe.........for now.;)

Again will everyone who helped me out in one way or another with donations PLEASE PM me your mailing addresses?