A young cowboy sitting in a saloon one Saturday night recognized an elderly man standing at the bar who, in his day, had been the fastest gun in the West.

The cowboy took a place next to the old-timer, bought him a drink, and told him of his great ambition to be a great shot... 

'Could you give me some tips?' he asked. 

The old man said, 'Well, for one thing, you're wearing your gun too high -- tie the holster a little lower down on your leg.' 

'Will that make me a better gunfighter?' 

'Sure will.' 

The young man did as he was told, stood up, whipped out his .44 and shot the bow tie off of the piano player.

'That's terrific!' said the cowboy. 'Got any more tips?' 

'Yep,' said the old man. 'Cut a notch out of your holster where the hammer hits it – that’ll give you a smoother draw.' 

'Will that make me a better gunfighter?' asked the young man. 

'You bet it will,' said the old-timer. 

The young man took out his knife, cut the notch, stood up, drew his gun in a blur, and then shot a cuff link off of the piano player. 

'Wow!' exclaimed the cowboy, 'I'm learnin' somethin’ here. Got any more tips?' 

The old man pointed to a large can in a corner of the saloon. 'See that axle grease over there? Coat your gun with it.' 

The young man smeared some of the grease on the barrel of his gun. 

'No,' said the old-timer, 'I mean smear it all over the gun … grip and all.' 

'Will that make me a better gunfighter?' asked the young man.

'No,' said the old-timer, 'but when Wyatt Earp gets done playin’ the piano, he's gonna shove that gun up your butt and it won't hurt as much!