want to get in to sass

[johncolo]

And I have a few questions do i need a rifle and shotgun or can I do anything with just one revolver or do i need 2 explain some things to me people please

[HighVelocity]

Welcome to THR.

The best thing you can do first is read the SASS shooters handbook.
http://www.sassnet.com/Downloads/RO/SASSHandbook(13)online.pdf
It's a lot of fun for the whole family. My wife and I both shoot SASS/CAS.


Good Luck!

[ZeSpectre]

You really need two revolvers but if you are just starting a lot of 'pards' out there will loan you a gun for your first few matches.

[Jim Watson]

Yup.
Don't worry your pointy little head about such details. Just show up and folks will help you out.

[tinygnat219]

To really participate, you need 2 pistols, a rifle (pistol cartridge) and a shotgun. If you don't have any of these, the start up costs are pretty high. Zespectre and I got in on the "cheap" by spending 1100-1300 dollars each to get equipped. This doesn't count costumes by the way.

My suggestion, look around and try different guns. Most pards out there are more than happy to show off their wares, and often many bring extra kits for newbies.

Here's a tip: if you do show up, bring either .38 SPL Cowboy ammo, or 45 LC ammo. These two are the most popular, and you will find a happy pard more willing to loan you the tools if they also don't loan you the ammo too. Also most of these guys reload, so giving them your brass and leftover ammo is a nice way to say "Thank you" although a thank you is often good enough. If you need other suggestions, just chime in or PM me.

[johncolo]

well thank you I have just one revolver right now Im looking at some more just wasnt sure what I really needed

[tinygnat219]

johncolo,

Here's some tips that ZeSpectre and I learned pretty painfully after our first couple of matches:

1. Shoot as many different revolvers as you can. We both decided that we liked Taurus's Gauchos, but after sampling some Rugers and seeing what's coming out of the Cowboy Gun department, I might have gone with something else. Our revolvers are performing fine, but after 2K rounds or so through each of mine, they are developing quirks (trigger slap, rough extraction of the cylinder pin, etc.)

2. Make sure your rifle and pistols take the same caliber. This will save you time and money if you ever get into reloading. Both of us use .38 SPL / .357 Magnum because the cost is lower than any other round. For Shotgun loads, I really can't recommend the Winchester Featherlite "50% less noise and 50% less recoil" shells enough. After 30 shotgun rounds, these will be your best friend. Choose the style of revolver and caliber that matches you the best, as long as it's SASS legal, no one can complain (have had people call me a gamer after showing up with 2 Nagant revolvers loaded with .32 S&W Long since it's a centerfire cartridge with virtually no recoil. Then I had them try the trigger pulls :D )

3. You will want a gun cart. After trying to haul a rifle, shotgun, and two pistols around with gun bags, some other pards offered to house our guns in their carts for the match. This saves wear and tear on the equipment and allows for good friendships to begin. If nothing else, use a golf cart (not the sit down kind) with an empty golf bag. We quickly threw one together after a trip to Home Depot one night that's served us pretty well.

4. Costume matters, but not really at first. If nothing else, a cowboy hat with flannel shirt, blue jeans and suspenders will get you through a match.

5. Flavorful speech when facing down the steel targets helps everyone keep the "Spirit of the Game" intact. We've even seen someone stop between pistol shots to offer "Black Bart" one more chance to surrender. :D

6. Show up with a loose and friendly attitude, obey the safety rules, and make the steel targets "clang" with a vengeance.

[stellarpod]

Two points to ponder:

1) Your revolvers must be single-action, period correct (or close representations thereof, such as the Ruger Vaquero). There are several companies building likenesses, including Cimmarron, Taurus, Berretta and Uberti.

2) It's helpful (but not manditory) that your rifle be chambered for the same caliber as your pistols. Makes sorting ammo much easier.

I shoot with two .44 Mag Vaqueros, a Marlin .44 Mag 1894C and a Stoeger 12ga. Coach Gun. The .44 Mag ammo is downloaded to less than a .44 Special.

stellarpod

[johncolo]

well I have me a gaucho in 45 colt Ive done put about 500 rounds through it in the week ive had it Been thinking of getting a uberti for my second really like the cattlemen I just thought you could do things with just a revolver looking at the sass handbook like duelist and things like that I didnt think you would need a rifle and shotgun but I guess its something Ill have to get If I want to do sass

[Hokkmike]

I bought a Vaquero in .45LC to get into this. They should really have an event for NOVICE members that uses only ONE gun. They would get a LOT of new people into the sport. As it was, they WERE friendly enough but I really don't like shooting other people's guns and did not want to lay out the cash for 3 more guns.

So, I sold the cowboy gun and I am headed in another direction.

I guess if you were more strongly motivated than I, it would be worth the outlay.

[ZeSpectre]

johncolo,
Why don't you give us a hint as to your location (at least the state). Maybe someone will be nearby to "mentor" you.

The typical "stage" for a SASS match is...
10 pistol rounds (5 from each gun)
10 rifle rounds
4-6 shotgun rounds

There is a lot of variation but this is what you can expect to shoot for each of the stages.

+1 on what TinyGnat said about the "featherlight" loads for shotgun. I'm a little recoil sensitive and I have to tell you that after my first match using some plain green Remington wal-mart loads my shoulder was screaming at me.

[johncolo]

Well Im in the colorado springs area I just moved out here last june from florida and have space to shoot now I have 40 acres and I enjoy shooting alot just started to reload and thought sass would be a way to get better and make new friends and enjoy this great hobby of ours thanks for all the replys and info

[Hoser]

John, there is a lot more IPSC, 3-gun and IDPA close by. PM me for details/info. Some Cowboy, but not a lot.