Dead said:
I am going to have to look in to this further. Seems to be a rather expensive hobby, just getting all the guns and gear together. However once that is done, the only expense should be AMMO, and LOTS OF IT!
It can indeed be expensive to get started. If you buy everything up front, you minimum kit you need is:
- two single action revolvers
- pistol caliber lever action rifle
- shotgun (side-by-side, or Winchester 87 or 97)
- leather (two holsters, belt, shotgun slide or belt)
- cowboy hat
- cowboy boots
That can set you back quite a bit of coin. My suggestion is not to buy anything at first. Instead, just go to a couple of local matches, walk up to the sign-in table, and introduce yourself as a newcomer interested in learning about the game. Wear blue jeans and cowboy boots, if you got 'em, as well as a long sleeve shirt, and of course bring your eye and ear protection.
The cowboy action crowd is very friendly. They'll almost certainly pair you up with a cowboy who will strap an extra rig on you and lend or share some firearms (assuming you already know your way around a gun, of course). They'll give you a brief introduction to the rules of the game, and go over safety procedures. Then they'll put you on the line and let you give it a whirl. I guaranty you'll have fun.
The benefits of this approach are that it keeps you from having to spend too much money up front, and it gives you some experience with the different types of firearms and leather being used. You may find that while the Ruger Vaqueros dominate the game, you really prefer the feel of Colts and clones, or of Remingtons, or Smith & Wessons, etc. You may find that you prefer short barrels, or long. You may decide that while the .45 Colt cartridge is cool and certainly "cowboy", you really prefer shooting the .38's. Those are expensive things to learn if you've already bought the wrong guns!
Once you do get into spending money, I recommend buying from pards in your local clubs. There are always guns for sale at matches, as cowboys make the changes I mentioned above. You can get some good deals on guns that have already been tuned up, and often you can try them before buying them. Then buy leather from a quality maker with holsters specific to your guns. Don't scrimp on the leather! Expect to spent $300-400 for a quality rig.
Buying used, you can get into the game for just under $1,000 in firearms. That'll buy you a couple of used Vaqueros or Italian Colt clones, a used Marlin 1894 or Rossi 92, and a decent shotgun (a Winchester or Norinco 1897 or an inexpensive coach gun). Spend another $300-400 for leather. Go cheap on clothes. Some inexpensive ropers ($60-100) make great cowboy action shooting footwear. You can make authentic looking cowboy pants out a cheap pair of blue jeans and a suspender button kit from Wal-Mart, for a total cost of under $20. Just cut off the labels and belt loops from the jeans, attach the suspender buttons, and you're done. An inexpensive Henley-type shirt and some suspenders completes it.
Then go buy a good progressive reloading press like the Dillon SDB or RL550B, as well as dies and components. You're going to be needing LOTS of ammo....
