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Cowboy Action

3K views 18 replies 7 participants last post by  raisinriverron 
#1 ·
After two years in Texas, the wife dragged me to a Cowboy Action shoot. We both were just spectators since we don't shoot that style. A gracious older gentleman kindly allowed me to participate, loaning me the brace of pistols, rifle, shotgun for the event. Good lord but that is a fun sport! So now we're hooked! I would just add to anybody who hasn't tried it: check it out.

best,
D.
 
#2 ·
Hello. No, sir, I have not, but was at the range shooting one day when an older man showed up with several single-action revolvers. He was almighty quick and accurate. For 5 shots, his revolvers sounded like a practiced man with a 1911. I was very impressed with his ability to make his old "Matt Dillon pistols" sing.

We struck up a conversation and it turns out that he regulary competed in SASS events. I'm sure he won or was at the top of the list from what I'd seen.

FWIW, his defensive pistol was a Colt Commander in .38 Super that had been slightly modifed many years earlier. He didn't shoot that one, but....I bet he could make it perform too.


Best.
 
G
#3 ·
I am just getting started, I have a brace of Ruger Single Six's in .32 H&R Mag 4 5/8" barrels In a Strong side draw and crossdraw for second pistol.
A Stoger 20 GA, "Coach Gun and am waiting on a Taurus "Thunderbolt" in .38 SPL. I will be doing eithr senior duslist or movie cowboy. Just gonna play it by ear and have FUN!
 
#5 ·
Thanks cap'neagle, sir.

Looks like an informative site. I'll look forward to checking it out and following up on the recommendations therein. Just got my very first levergun: a marlin 1894 cbc in .38 with a 20" octagonal barrel. Can't wait to gitter to the range!

best,
--d.
 
#8 ·
Loki,

The only cartridge I've heard of it having problems with is the .45 Colt, but only because of the vestigial rim. This may not even be true any longer, but it is the reason the lever rifles weren't originally chambered in that cartridge. I do believe I remember another member mentioning problems with his however.

This is all hearsay as my Winchester 94 experience stops at the .22 magnum version. And, for what it's worth, I got rid of that thing because I came to hate it. It looked sharp, and was overall a good rifle. But... the trigger was too sharp and I cut the hell out of my finger when (safely) playing "The Rifleman," and it did choke now and again. Why, I don't know. I very much disliked the plastic rear sight.

I do know it was a natural pointer. Dad once shot a squirrel which promptly took off up a tree. Without thinking I shot from the hip. The squirrel continued up the tree, launching itself straight into the air as if it didn't realize that the tree had run out, and fell from the sky. Seems I hit it several times from the hip, a feat I've never been able to do with any other .22 or shotgun. But, it was gutshot.

A testament to the accuracy perhaps?

I think a perfect children's setup would be a Winchester 94/22 and a Ruger Single Six. Heading off trouble, we'll leave Ruger's politics at other forums, where they belong, gents.

Josh <><
 
#9 ·
On a recent trip to the big city, Houston, I got to check out the recently imported, Chinese-mfr copy of the Winchester Model 1887 lever-action shotgun in 12-gauge. Very nice with a 20-inch barrel; seems that it would be very fast handling, although working the action surely resembles a train decoupling or some other mechanical process. It only takes 2 3/4" shells. If anyone gets a chance to shoot one of these, give us a range report, yes?

Also, short of rummaging through books on Winchester and so on, does anyone know off-hand when and why production of the lever-action shotgun ceased?

best, --d.
 
G
#10 ·
I haven't tried it yet and probably won't. I have a hard time warming up to a sport that forces you to buy four guns just to get a score. I sure does look like fun, though. As far as shotguns go, I have handled the Norinco copy of the Winchester Model 97, it is sweet, I may just buy one.
 
G
#11 ·
I have thought of doing CASS. I bought a Uberti clone of the Colt Lightning in .45C, a Norinco M-1897 clone. Also a Khan SxS 12 ga.. I now have just added a Uberti Bisley clone in .45C with a 5.5" barrel. I must qualify for clone wars. Sheesh. My hang-up is that I feel less like wearing a cowboy outfit than I do about shooting their styles. Is there any branch or off-branch of that discipline that does the shooting without the costumes? Regards; Alan
 
#12 ·
Mr. Alan,

I have a consecutive set of the Great Western II clones in 45 Colt my buddy who owns a gun store was able to order from the factory for me. I have no problems with clones at all, as I tend not to feel so bad when I shoot them a lot. He had gotten me a really nice 2nd gen SAA that was actually a collectable, and I felt guilty every time a round went down range. I also have the Norinco 1997 clone, along with a very nice 1892 copy in 45 Colt.

I had seriously contemplated getting into CAS once I was able to retire and had the time to devote to reloading, shooting and competing. But it does not look like that is going to work out for me as I approach retirement now. As far as the clothing, while it is possible there may be a "renegade" type group, I think that is one of the attractions to the sport - dressing in the clothing as well.

My buddy who owns the gun store I use had been actively involved in the sport for several years now, as has his lovely wife (who is one amazing shot, especially from horseback). I will check with him the next time I am in his store to see if he knows of any groups who don't require the clothing, but again I think that is just part of their sport really.

On the plus side, while there are some truly amazing shooters involved, from everything I have been told about CAS, they are not nearly as competitive as they are "hey folks come on out, bring the family, and lets have a great time". Members will often willing share weapons during shoots, offer extra rounds, leathergoods - anything that will assist another shooter who appears to be struggling.

From what I have been told, there is a lot of very positive aspects to the sports. Shucks I am already wearing the cowboy hat and boots anyway, so the clothing would not have been a major issue for me - I guess I would have just seen it as another aspect to add to the enjoyment.

But if my buddy does know of some group without that requirement, I will be happy to let you know.

twoguns
 
#13 ·
Most folks hereabouts are already sporting boots and hats, much as Mr. twoguns has written above. Some clubs aren't that particular about clothing, erm "period appropriate attire." Others are. Some clubs have added a working cowboy rig that just calls for a single revolver and a rifle/and/or shotgun, more similar to what regular folks would have had anyway, and more accessible for the entry level CAShooter. Of course, lots of folks already have lots of CAS-type firearms already, perhaps lacking only the leather.
 
#14 ·
Hello, I think this is my first post to the forum. I usually lurk in the Hi Power sections.

I just shot my first ever Cowboy match at "Hell on Wheels" in Cheyenne last month. It was the most fun I've had on a range in a long time.

I'm a firearms instructor at my agency so I liken the Cowboy match to shooting a "high speed-low drag / spray and pray / lead in the air hope in the heart / you're swat or you're not" ::) tactical program using guns that are just fun to shoot in an atmosphere that is laid back, friendly and family oriented. And since there is a limitiation on the number of rounds for each stage, and they seem to match the number of targets, accuracy is emphasized.

How cool is that?


It does require some guns but one of the shooters on my Posse told how he got started. He said that the first 2 years he participated he would show up at the range, in costume eventually, pay his entry fee and other shooters would loan him the equipment and leather to play.

As another example, I was using my wife's brand new Vaquero and it was locking up constantly. One of the guys on the Posse loaned me his spare to finish the match. This seems to be a common occurance.

As far as costumes go check out your local match and see whats required. If you don't like Cowboy boots get a pair of Roper-style lace-ups. (they're much more comfortable anyway) Wear your blue jeans and a long sleeve button front shirt. I gotta say, though, the period pants, with suspenders, were very comfortable.

Like the gentlemen said when I bought my membership to SASS "there are 3 requirements for a Cowboy shoot; be safe, have fun, and be safe." That certainly is better than some shoots I've been to.

Lonnie Buckels
 
#15 ·
Howdy Mr. Lonnie,

Welcome to the site as far as posting sir. Please don't be bashful as we feel every member has experiences they can share with others here. Also since you are an instructor for your agency (I am as well) you do have some experiences and observations you could share to help out other members.

But thanks for sharing your experiences with the CAS style of shooting. I have never been able to attend a match, but you have confirmed what my buddy who owns my gun store had already explained. It was simply a lot of fun, and a different mindset from many other types of competitive shooting.

twoguns
 
#16 ·
Hello the Forum,
Gotta say CAS is the most fun I've had at the range. If you think you might like to see what its all about, just show up at a match. you'll most likely be roped into shooting instead of just watching. CAS shooters just seem to love loaning out equipment to get new shooters involved in the sport. Don't worry about a costume, the fashion police only exist on the web. They're more interested in getting you shooting than what you're wearing. My first several matches I borrowed everything, til I could get my equipment.
 
#17 ·
Howdy Mr. Raisin River Ron,

First welcome to the site sir. Second, thanks for sharing your positive experiences with CAS. We look forward to you posting more comments on various topics. Enjoy your time here, as we do have a ton of members who enjoy discussing various weapons and topics.

twoguns
 
#18 ·
I don't have the time to participate in Cowboy shooting, and with two kids in college I don't have the money to gear up. Maybe in another 4 or 5 years. But I like the firearms - I have 2 USFA Single Action Army's and a Model 94 Winchester. In order to read about them and the ammo they eat I cruise the Cowboy Action forums and they're a hoot to peruse. Lots of good humor and info.

Sixgunner.com was another good soure for these old calibers but they went off line a couple months ago.
 
#19 ·
Thanks for the welcome twoguns. I shoot mostly handguns, bullseye, bowling pins, hunting and CAS of course. CAS is really more fun than anything I've I shot, other than hunting. But you get a lot more shooting in at a CAS match, than hunting.
I miss sixgunner.com myself.
Sounds like you're almost there nbender, borrowing a shotgun is never a problem. My Norico '97 broke on me in the middle of a stage, the shooter in front of me was just leaving the unloading bench and traded shotguns so I could finish the stage. If you don't have leather, just stage your pistols on a bench or hay bale.
Just go to sassnet.com and go to the club link. send a e-mail to the contact person at your local club, and I'm sure you'll have a warm welcome when you show up.
 
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