Polar Express
Member
Hi.
I looked through this section, and I didn't see much on the CAS concept, but because they are competitions, I assume this is the proper place for this post?
Over the past few months, some curiosity developed into some interest in the CAS realm.
I'm 35, I have never competitively shot. I have grown up in the shooing sports as a family activity, and I love it. I have a personal affinity for the 1911 platform, and have never really been captivated by revolvers just as a concept, but I have always respected and admired them and the impact through history. But, after reading a little about the CAS stuff on some private web posts, it got me thinking, and I started cruising through some mfgr's websites.
I love history, and Western Movies, and I supposed that contributes to my interest. It appears to be a friendly competition, where your period-accurate costuming and props are heavily involved in the hobby. I can understand why some might feel that is a bit hokey, but for some reason, there is an attraction.
It is my understanding that in order to 'play', you need 4 guns: 2 revolvers, a rifle and a shotgun. All must meet the criteria for your chosen group and class. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
Normally, I'd wrinkle my nose at someone who is all worried about how it 'looks', but in this hobby, that's actually a huge part of the event, so choosing one tool over another based on looks is actually part of the fun.
Rifle: I have a beautiful Browning B92 chambered in .44 mag. I understand it will feed 44 specials without a problem, so I could use it if I wanted. The problem, is it's sooo nice, I don't really want to do that. So, I'd have to find one that I would want to use. I love the look of the Henry's, and I think Cimmarron makes a copy. I'm not excited about spending $1500 on a rifle for this, so I might have to start cheaper, and save up if I decide I really dig this stuff.
Shotgun: I sure like the look of the side by side, with the "rabbit ear" exposed hammers. The exposed hammers are not that crucial, but if the price is similar, I do prefer that 'look'. Some have suggested the Stevens 311, as a nicely priced option, but I haven't seen one with exposed hammers, so I may not get my 'rabbit ears', without a gun 'upgrade'.
Pistols: From what I understand, you need two. For right now, if I have to have two to play, I think I'd like them to be the same. I don't need to buy new, but I have found some Uberti's marketed as a matched pair, for $1200 I think it was. Cimmarron also advertises some pistols for as low as 550 each, and while I don't require sequential serial #s, that would be kinda cool, and perhaps easier to find when ordering new. The shorter barrels appeal to me, but I have no idea if there is an 'ideal' length for the type of shooting that is done.
Calibers: While I have a 44 rifle, I think I would prefer to have my pistols and rifle use the same ammo. So far, I don't even know if I can find 44 cal pistols that would meet the CAS criteria? But, even if I can, I'm not inclined to use that Browning (it's just soooo nice) so if I have to get a rifle anyway, I'd rather just go with 45 LC. Besides, for a few extra bucks, I could get an ACP cylinder, and use that cheaper ammo for practice.
I want to go check out a CAS event, to see what it's really like. A friend of my dad's is active with it, and I've placed a phone call to him, but haven't had a chance to actually talk.
Can anyone out there lend some suggestions, or help point out some of the issues I've missed? (I'm sure there are lots!)
Thanks!
PE
I looked through this section, and I didn't see much on the CAS concept, but because they are competitions, I assume this is the proper place for this post?
Over the past few months, some curiosity developed into some interest in the CAS realm.
I'm 35, I have never competitively shot. I have grown up in the shooing sports as a family activity, and I love it. I have a personal affinity for the 1911 platform, and have never really been captivated by revolvers just as a concept, but I have always respected and admired them and the impact through history. But, after reading a little about the CAS stuff on some private web posts, it got me thinking, and I started cruising through some mfgr's websites.
I love history, and Western Movies, and I supposed that contributes to my interest. It appears to be a friendly competition, where your period-accurate costuming and props are heavily involved in the hobby. I can understand why some might feel that is a bit hokey, but for some reason, there is an attraction.
It is my understanding that in order to 'play', you need 4 guns: 2 revolvers, a rifle and a shotgun. All must meet the criteria for your chosen group and class. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
Normally, I'd wrinkle my nose at someone who is all worried about how it 'looks', but in this hobby, that's actually a huge part of the event, so choosing one tool over another based on looks is actually part of the fun.
Rifle: I have a beautiful Browning B92 chambered in .44 mag. I understand it will feed 44 specials without a problem, so I could use it if I wanted. The problem, is it's sooo nice, I don't really want to do that. So, I'd have to find one that I would want to use. I love the look of the Henry's, and I think Cimmarron makes a copy. I'm not excited about spending $1500 on a rifle for this, so I might have to start cheaper, and save up if I decide I really dig this stuff.
Shotgun: I sure like the look of the side by side, with the "rabbit ear" exposed hammers. The exposed hammers are not that crucial, but if the price is similar, I do prefer that 'look'. Some have suggested the Stevens 311, as a nicely priced option, but I haven't seen one with exposed hammers, so I may not get my 'rabbit ears', without a gun 'upgrade'.
Pistols: From what I understand, you need two. For right now, if I have to have two to play, I think I'd like them to be the same. I don't need to buy new, but I have found some Uberti's marketed as a matched pair, for $1200 I think it was. Cimmarron also advertises some pistols for as low as 550 each, and while I don't require sequential serial #s, that would be kinda cool, and perhaps easier to find when ordering new. The shorter barrels appeal to me, but I have no idea if there is an 'ideal' length for the type of shooting that is done.
Calibers: While I have a 44 rifle, I think I would prefer to have my pistols and rifle use the same ammo. So far, I don't even know if I can find 44 cal pistols that would meet the CAS criteria? But, even if I can, I'm not inclined to use that Browning (it's just soooo nice) so if I have to get a rifle anyway, I'd rather just go with 45 LC. Besides, for a few extra bucks, I could get an ACP cylinder, and use that cheaper ammo for practice.
I want to go check out a CAS event, to see what it's really like. A friend of my dad's is active with it, and I've placed a phone call to him, but haven't had a chance to actually talk.
Can anyone out there lend some suggestions, or help point out some of the issues I've missed? (I'm sure there are lots!)
Thanks!
PE
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