NMLRA Membership

:grin: The NMLRA is a good organization the problem is one that is typical of such organizations. That it is impossible to please everyone . Most of the complaints seem to be ideas that for whatever reason the NMLRA did not act upon so the various individuals get a sour graps attitude towards tha NMLRA.

 

[LeMat1856]

far from being a seasoned veteran with many decades of membership, i have in fact one (1) issue of 'muzzle blasts' and two (2) months of membership, but the problems which affect me with regards to the nmlra are the same as those that i experience with the nssa: location, location, location.. if it doesn't happen near, even relatively near, my residence then i probably cannot partake in the event..

so friendship, in., is out and so is phoenix, az. - that's *my* issue #1.

issue #2 is content.. i'm a 'nuts and bolts' kind of ml'er and would like to see articles about ballistics and performance, history of weapons, new bp models of both long and hand pieces, 'how-to' build and repair and modify ml guns and equipment, comparisons of performance in standarized tests of different ml products (not only gunz, but lead rounds, bore lubricants, flints, percussion caps, powders, etc), plus a fair share of hunting, rendezvous, and maybe even articles on the use and deployment of black powder sports internationally.. afterall, the last time i took geography the u.s.a was not an island.

and as much as i hate to admit it, there is a need to make our voices heard on the constitutional aspect of our sport so why not make that as painless as possible by consolidating our financial and political recources into one point of focus like a national organization with connections in washington.

so, if the nmlra can do all that, i'm in.

at $35/year for 12 issues and a really cool arm patch, it seems like the best deal around.

from what i've read here, however, the devil seems to be in the details - no real political action, no diversity of articles, lack of commitment by nmlra staff, *no color photography in articles (! ? ! ?)*, unpaid and unreimbursed volunteers, and nothing on the west coast.

but, i'm still in.... possibly even more so:
"Field Reps Wanted:
The NMLRA is currently seeking volunteers to apply for Field Rep positions. Please contact Joyce Vogel at 800-745-1493 ext. 221 for an application and list of duties and responsibilities"

i got my letter last week..... to be continued.

~daniel~

 

[Many Klatch]

People that shoot muzzle loaders are not your common every day kind of folks. They are independent, self reliant and many of them are cross grained. Trying to lead them is like trying to herd cats. No matter what the NMLRA does some faction won't be happy.

If we had a bunch of sheep for members then we wouldn't have so much discourse.

Muzzle Blasts is not the best magazine but it is pretty good for one put out by a club with limited funds. If you remember that it is an official club magazine with a need to inform members of boring stuff, then it becomes more understandable. Muzzleloader Magazine has the freedom to ignore the lists of who won at Friendship and just print interesting articles.

Many Klatch

 

[Bountyhunter]

I dropped my membership a number of years ago. I wasnt getting anything out of it. I contacted them and got no replys, so, so much for that. In studying the website, it appears that there are about 11 paid employees, all but one are women. So,,,the question is, how many of them are shooters? More to the point, who of them shoots traditional muzzleloaders? So, if I send my money in am I going to have 10 soccer moms making decisions about how my membership should be used? Or, do I have 10 shooters protecting my interests.

 

[shmrck1]

Skychief,
Without going into any great detail the
NMLRA has failed to represent my views
on traditional B/P issues. Having said that I still believe they are THE voice
when it comes to B/P issues. They have the funds
to do so,mainly due to embracing the I/L
advertisers in Muzzleblast.IMO
snake-eyes :hmm:

 

Howdy boys! If ya want political clout join the NRA.
I would not recommend giving them your phone number though. :rotf:

Otherwise, join the NMLRA for a good gun club. No political clout there. Lots of cat herding though. :grin:

 

[mykeal]

I'm a member of both the NMLRA and the NRA.

I'm glad the NMLRA is not like the NRA - one of those is enough for me. Each has it's place and I don't agree that they need to duplicate each other's activities.

As far as the magazine complaints are concerned - you guys aren't going to like this - if you have not submitted an article, as in photographs and text material, you can just go commit an unnatural act of sodomy on yourself.

I'm the editor/publisher of an international magazine for my wife's collector's organization. It is a very difficult job coming up with articles that interest a large number of people every month. Those that sit on the sideline and whimper/cry/whine/blubber about the magazine need to get off their fat butts and show how they can do better by providing the material. Otherwise, just shut up; you're not providing anything useful and just wasting the oxygen.

10 soccer moms??? Now there's an enlightened attitude. And just what did you contribute to the organization while a member, Bountyhunter? Did you contribute any articles for publication, or work on any committees, form a local organization, anything at all?

Apologies for the rant. I don't normally lose it like that, but people who can't do any more than sit around and bitch without lifting a finger to fix their problem tend to get under my skin.

 

[roundball]

Yup...definitely sounds like you need another cup of coffee.

 

[mykeal]

Yeah, some days it's just not worth chewing through the straps.

 

[roundball]

I've intentionally avoided this thread and the other NMLRA thread just like it because we all just keep recycling our views.....which by itself is OK because different views are what makes the world go round and keep getting better. However, when views cross the line from opinions to borderline putdowns of people who are not members, then I have to speak for myself.

MY NMLRA SUMMARY

After having been a member for a few years I did in fact sent a very factual, professional memo to them, expressing concerns as follows:

Ӣ Their watering down of the original mission statement of the 1933 charter;
Ӣ Shifting from a pure traditional focus to one of modern muzzleloaders as well;
Ӣ Allowing game taken using long range scope sighted modern muzzleloaders to be entered into the Longhunters Record Book;
Ӣ The magazine having such repetitive content, primarily centered around friendship and internal politics, etc, catering to modern muzzleloaders.
Ӣ Their continued lack of any national lobbying organization or national leadership activities similar to what the NRA does;
Ӣ Their lack of any concerted effort to help the traditional hunters maintain traditional hunting seasons in the various states, catering to modern muzzleloaders instead;

I got a memo back from the BOD which I scanned and posted here. It was two pages of the most absurd defensive statements...ie: "the NMLRA sees absolutely no difference between a traditional ML and a modern I-line...they are both muzzleloaders"...just gobbly-g o o k that any high school kid would have seen through.

I responded point by point, thanked them for their time, announced that I would no longer subsidize a shooting range halfway across the country, and would not be renewing my membership”¦I am none the worse off for that decision and a couple hundred dollars richer since then.

 

[nw_hunter]

I agree!

 

[faw3]

LeMat Everythig you want out of Muzz Blast is in it just go buy the old ones the 1970 thru 2000 are really great and at the price they are :bow: I would of never thought of makeing a rifleing rig useing another barrel and they do it for under 50 bucks in now day money, you'll not find a better buy anyplace and you get to talk to nice old ladies. I think I'm going to jump of the ship for just urn the NMLRA and tell you all to change it (since I wont be around) You know they are reading all of this and are really going to start changeing things, the way they did it didn't work so they tryed to get people to vote and they couldn't get 10 guys to run,bet we could !! of the 1000 thigs they sent out to find out what members thought they got 300 somethig back. The smell is in the wind and they know its them. I havent looked LeMat do you have a NMLRA grp near you? Its someone to shoot with. Fr :hatsoff:

 

[faw3]

rounball you did what I did just about word for word, I was going to leave but will give them a few more months to see if they get the act together then leave, if I could get out I got deer and hogs all over the yard, a 1,000 yd range, and no one to bitch about what I shoot or when - Im the grounds keeper! (the law on this end I don't do any real work but call peole and tell them they cant do that :nono: I get paid in a free house, and all the shootng I can do from ths bed and its a lot on a good day, now if my kids would change all the targets for me again! :rotf: Fred

 

[FishDFly]

fred,

I have learned a lot from reading your information over the last years.

Debating the NMLRA, politics or otherwise is kind of a waste of time.

No one is going to change another person's feelings on what they think or believe.

Unbiased information on guns is more important then beating up on organizatiion(s).

Years ago there was a movie, "They Shoot Horses,
Dont' They?"

I really think it's time again to shoot this discuission, there are no winners nor loosers, just a continuing agruement which will not stop.

fred, lets here about underhammers or Hawkens?

Some things are important in life, guns.

RDE

 

It is a very difficult job coming up with articles that interest a large number of people every month. Those that sit on the sideline and whimper/cry/whine/blubber about the magazine need to get off their fat butts and show how they can do better by providing the material. Otherwise, just shut up; you're not providing anything useful and just wasting the oxygen.

Interesting attitude. In other words, if I buy a product and am not pleased with it, I should make it myself? So, I can't just join for the magazine, I have to write the content too?

Imagine my dentist telling me, "If you don't like your fillings, do them yourself". :rotf:

 

[Claude Mathis]

Debating the NMLRA, politics or otherwise is kind of a waste of time.

No one is going to change another person's feelings on what they think or believe.

Unbiased information on guns is more important then beating up on organizatiion(s).

Years ago there was a movie, "They Shoot Horses,
Dont' They?"

I really think it's time again to shoot this discuission, there are no winners nor loosers, just a continuing agruement which will not stop.

Every couple of months, someone makes a comment about the NMLRA and we are offered a repeat performance of the same arguments, both pro and con.

 

[mykeal]

It is a very difficult job coming up with articles that interest a large number of people every month. Those that sit on the sideline and whimper/cry/whine/blubber about the magazine need to get off their fat butts and show how they can do better by providing the material. Otherwise, just shut up; you're not providing anything useful and just wasting the oxygen.

Interesting attitude. In other words, if I buy a product and am not pleased with it, I should make it myself? So, I can't just join for the magazine, I have to write the content too?

Imagine my dentist telling me, "If you don't like your fillings, do them yourself". :rotf:

First, you need to learn to read.

Once again: If you don't like the magazine EITHER contribute something better OR keep your mouth shut.

If you can do better, and prove it, then you can criticize the magazine all you want. Otherwise, you got no leg to stand on. And I suspect you understand that - otherwise you wouldn't have deliberately misapplied my argument.

 

It is a very difficult job coming up with articles that interest a large number of people every month. Those that sit on the sideline and whimper/cry/whine/blubber about the magazine need to get off their fat butts and show how they can do better by providing the material. Otherwise, just shut up; you're not providing anything useful and just wasting the oxygen.

Interesting attitude. In other words, if I buy a product and am not pleased with it, I should make it myself? So, I can't just join for the magazine, I have to write the content too?

Imagine my dentist telling me, "If you don't like your fillings, do them yourself". :rotf:

First, you need to learn to read.

Once again: If you don't like the magazine EITHER contribute something better OR keep your mouth shut.

If you can do better, and prove it, then you can criticize the magazine all you want. Otherwise, you got no leg to stand on. And I suspect you understand that - otherwise you wouldn't have deliberately misapplied my argument.

I stand by what I said. It sounds to me like what you are saying is, "If you don't like the meal in the restaurant, either cook it yourself, or keep your mouth shut." So, never complain about anything you purchase, unless you are going to try and make it yourself. We get it. :shake:

 

[paulvallandigham]

NO that is not what McKeal is saying to you. Complain all you want. But the magazine here is for a membership organization, and authors are not paid very much for their articles. Most come from members- not professional writers.

If you are being sold something by a person who holds himself out as a "professional", like a cook in a restaurant, you have a right to complain. You are paying for it.

Muzzle Blasts is a benefit of membership, that grew from being a simple newsletter that reported match scores, to adding articles from members. I remember when it didn't have a color printed cover, as do many other members who are here. Over the years, the editors have tried to improve the quality and quantity of the articles while still serving the mission of a Newsletter to members from the organization. I too get annoyed at all the pages devoted to shooting scores, but I remind myself that this is an important part of a club newsletter. Muzzleloader Magazine, by contrast, has no such mission, and publishes a wider variety of articles. There are some columns there I pass over, however, but obviously there is an audience for that information, too. Its just not me. That is no reason to complaint to Mr. Scurlock about the content of Muzzleloader magazine. And its no reason to complain about the content of Muzzle Blasts, either.

What we hope to inspire you to do is spend a little of all that energy you expend criticizing the magazine by writing an article and submitting it to the editor for publication. If more people wrote more articles, the quality of the articles, and their variety would improve, NO? :thumbsup:

( BTW, I have had articles published in both magazines, over the years, so this is not a case of telling you to "do as I say, not as I do". I write about what interests me, and only offer it for publication if I believe no one else has written about the matter well in the recent past. The editors determine if they think their audience will be interested in my articles.

My first article in Muzzle Blasts was about using anvils. My first article in Muzzleloader Magazine was about drilling holes in the tangs of laminated blades to secure a handle made from an antler. I was paid $15.00 for that one. )

 

[akapennypincher]

IMHO when threads about the NMLRA, or NMLRA Membership always seem to go now where.

The NMLRA has been studied for years by me before, during and after my last involvement with the "CLUB".

I use the word "CLUB" as the NMLRA Pretend to be National, but their FOCUS is Friendship IMHO.

People who contribute to this or any other NMLRA, NMLRA Membership thread be it Pro or Con are IMHO just spinning their wheels, as not ever changes, or has changed in the NMLRA in the last 10 years, or THREE Presidents. With the exception of HIGHER DUES!

IMHO in 10-15 years, or sooner if the BOD of the NMLRA continues to run their "CLUB" the same way as the past 10 years, the NMLRA will cease to exist.

But like the Buggy Whip Maker who did not keep up with the times, when people turned in their Buddies for Bicycle, Motorcycles, Cars, Trucks, etc.

The Buddy Whip Manufacturer had few customers, and most of the Buggy Whip Maker are now GONE. :grin: