Cowboy Action

[Jenrick]

I'm interested in getting started in Cowboy Action Shooting, and I'm wondering if anyone has a recommendation on good brands on pistols to start with? I know there are quite a few manufacturers out there, but I'd like to start with something that will last for a while under a pretty regular practice schedule (I work at a shooting range, so I can probably be better about it then most) even if I have to pay a bit extra for durability.

Thanks!

-Jenrick

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I would love to do it as well.
I have a friend who does it so I could go to a few events even though I don't have the stuff. They're a friendly group of folks for the most part who are all very willing to let you use their equipment. However I don't want to be the guy who shows up every weekend with no stuff of his own.

My friend shoots Ruger Vaqueros and a Uberti lever gun, all in .45 Colt.
I'm not sure what his shotgun is, but it is a 10-gauge double.

He does not even try to win, he is all about showmanship.
He shoots black powder and he will stuff feathers or glitter into his shotgun shells for fun. He's a cool, fun guy and is just in it to have a good time.

 

[Jim Watson]

For durability, there are Ruger, Ruger, and, oh yeah, Ruger.
.38 ammo is cheaper and kicks less, but it makes for a heavy single action what with the smaller holes.
A .45 has a better balance if you care to load or buy the ammo.

Marlin 94 and Winchester 92 copies are stronger actions, and less expensive than '73s. But I think the '73s are smoother and faster.

There are a lot of cheap shotguns out there, Stoeger doubles and Chicom '97 pump knockoffs. They are adequate but are improved by gunsmithing.

Me?
I shot a Colt .44 Special with .44 WCF cylinder soon added to match my 1892 .44, followed by an Italian clone when CAS started calling for two sixguns. And a worn but nice quality Verney Carron shotgun, bought from the estate of an Occupation GI who likely looted it from the German who looted it from a Frenchman.
Lots of room for personalized rigs.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Also looking at getting into cowboy.

If I only have one pistol, can I just reload it on the clock?
Been running the Uberti SAA at USPSA style matches and am getting fairly good at kicking out shells.

 

[Jim Watson]

The SASS Shooter's Handbook makes no mention of shooting one sixgun and reloading on the clock.
I have been out of the game for a good while, best to ask at the nearest club or to post on the SASS Wire forum.

NCOWS has a Two Gun Working Shootist Category, pistol and carbine.

 

[shiftyer1]

If you decide you would like a Winchester 97 shotgun, I have one and i'm in Austin.

I've also heard of cowboy matches here in Lockhart once a month although I haven't had the chance to check it out. I think McDade has some matches also.....

 

[25-5]

You might want to have a look at the Ruger Vaquero Bisley in .44. I found the hammer and grip style easier to shoot. Then the 1873 in .44. Though the 1873 in .45 Colt is accepted by SASS, it is not period correct.
A lot of fun dressed up with shootin irons.

 

[mdThanatos]

Ruger Vaqueros in .357/.38 is what I would pick up if I were to get back in to the game.

 

[PADutchman]

Depends on how much you want to spend. You need two pistols, a shotgun, and a rifle. You cannot use one pistol and reload under the clock. I started out cheap until I was sure I wanted to keep doing it. I got 2 Uberti Hombre .357 pistols, a 45 Colt Rossi rifle, and a 12 gauge Stoeger SxS. My leather came from Cabela's. I still use the Hombre pistols and have another set in 45 Colt. Later came a Marlin 1894 STSTL rifle in .357, and then a Uberti 1873 rifle in .357. My wife uses 2 Ruger .357 Vaqueros, and that same Rossi 45 Colt rifle, which she loves, along with a Stoeger SxS in a 20 gauge. Read the SASS rules that are on the web. Visit some clubs with cowboy shoots and talk to the shooters. They are a friendly bunch and will be very helpful.

 

[ChuteTheMall]

Don't buy a rifle or shotgun before you visit some matches.

Guys will be glad to compare and show you what they use, and maybe there will be a chance to shoot some. It's all about the slickness and therefore speed of the action, almost anything would be accurate enough.

Spectators are welcome, bring eye and ear protection, and if they let you help out, do it.

Rugers are by far the most popular pistols, vaqueros or blackhawks are fine.

If saving money is important, by far the cheapest choice is .38 spl so keep that in mind. You'll need 100 rounds for 5 stages, and a few extras on your belt might be handy. I bring 150 rounds, in case somebody runs low.

For shotgun, a box of 25 might be enough, but I'd take 50.
Watch the shotgunners, both the experts and the slowpokes, before you decide between model '97 pumps or SxS double barrels. I find SxS far easier to learn in addition to often being cheaper and maybe more reliable.

Again I repeat, go to some matches before you spend money on the wrong stuff.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Rugers are by far the most popular pistols, vaqueros or blackhawks are fine.

I was wondering if Blackhawks were allowed since they have adjustable sights.
I have a 7.5" Blackhawk and my pops has a 5.5" model he would let me use, both in .45 Colt so that would be $1k that I wouldn't have to spend initially. I may want to go to something else in the future, but that would get me started faster.

 

[Jenrick]

I borrowed a friends blackhawk this week in .357 and tried it out (in .38 of course). Good shooting gun, but a bit heavy for what it is. I can definitely see where it would be durable with all that mass though.

-Jenrick

 

[SouthGA]

With a couple years in the game, saw Ruger Vaquero predominately in use.
I had New Vaquero 357 revolvers and then was loading a light 38 Special to shoot in them.
I moved to the Old Model Vaqueros and loved them.

 

[Jim Watson]

Heck, I know one guy who shoots .32s.
Ruger Vaquerito .32 H&Rs for sixguns, one of the scarce Marlin carbines.
But he likes them to Pop! His loads are to SASS maximum of 1000 fps pistol, 1400 fps rifle.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

For those of you interested in cowboy action shooting, first find the SASS-affiliated clubs in your area here: http://www.sassnet.com/clubs/

Step two: Whether you are mildly curious about the game are dead-set or you are absolutely certain this is the game for you, I'd recommend that you resist the understandable temptation to buy guns, leather and other gear before you have attended a couple of local matches. Too often I have seen new shooters show up after spending serious coin on equipment, only to find out that what they bought the wrong stuff. Cowboy shooters are usually happy to let "prospects" handle their equipment. At many of our local matches there are folks with good used leather and firearms for sale, too.

On the other hand, if you already have something that would be legal for use in the sport, by all means bring it with you. Some clubs offer "new shooter clinics" or "practice days" to let new folks learn the ropes outside of the pressure of a match.

To answer a couple of specific questions in this thread: Yes, Ruger Blackhawks and other adjustable sight-equipped SA revolvers are legal for most categories, assuming they are between .32 and .45 caliber. Ruger has produced lots of Blackhawks so there are lots of good used ones out there.

Can you use one revolver, and reload it on the clock? YES. Since virtually all of our stages call for ten pistol rounds (we load the wheelguns with five rounds with an empty chamber under the hammer), if you have only one revolver there are two options under the rules. You can either fire five rounds, then reload five more "on the clock", or you can fire five rounds and take the penalties for the unfired pistol rounds.

As a practical matter, here's what happens when a new shooter with a single revolver shows up for a match: Another cowboy (or cowgirl) will offer the loan of a second revolver each time the new shooter goes to the loading table!

Every cowboy shooting club I know of wants new shooters and will do what they can to help new folks get started. My local club offers two "multi-gun" matches: cowboy action and modern Three Gun. The Three Gun matches are so popular that the matches fill up every time, and they have to turn shooters away. We've never had to turn people away who want to shoot cowboy.

 

[TaxPhd]

I'm interested in getting started in Cowboy Action Shooting, and I'm wondering if anyone has a recommendation on good brands on pistols to start with? I know there are quite a few manufacturers out there, but I'd like to start with something that will last for a while under a pretty regular practice schedule (I work at a shooting range, so I can probably be better about it then most) even if I have to pay a bit extra for durability.

Thanks!

-Jenrick

If you want to be competitive, shoot .38 spcl in your revolvers and rifle. Ruger New Vaqueros are hard to beat. Not as "authentic" as the Colts and Colt clones, but much more durable. A good gunsmith can make a Vaquero VERY nice. For rifle, get an Uberti '73 slicked up with a short stroke kit and don't look back. For shotgun, most top competitors are using doubles. SKB model 100 or 200, slicked up by someone like Johnny Meadows is the gun to get.

Best advice I can give you is to go to a few matches, watch, and ask lots of questions before you buy anything. It is VERY easy to buy bunch of gear that seems like it should be great, but is completely unsuitable. When at the matches, be polite and listen to everyone that talks to you, but take the advice of the guys that are actually winning the stages. Lots of people in CAS are in it to play dress-up with guns, and their gear and shooting skills suck. But they will tell you that their stuff is the greatest gear ever. Just smile politely and nod your head.

Any leather gear that you can buy from places like Cabelas or Bass Pro will be completely unsuitable. Good leather gear is expensive, but it is worth it. Mernickle, Kirkpatrick, etc. make good stuff, as do a lot of other guys.

If you want more info., just ask. I'm not a superstar shooter, but I have a 4th pace and a 2nd place in my class at my last two state shoots.

 

[TaxPhd]

Also looking at getting into cowboy.

If I only have one pistol, can I just reload it on the clock?
Been running the Uberti SAA at USPSA style matches and am getting fairly good at kicking out shells.

Our club has a "sodbuster" class for people to shoot with whatever gear they have, rather than requiring them to have a full complement of guns. It is a good way to get people interested and involved without them feeling like they need to drop 2-3 thousand on guns.

Ask around, your local clubs may have something similar.

 

[TaxPhd]

I was wondering if Blackhawks were allowed since they have adjustable sights.
I have a 7.5" Blackhawk and my pops has a 5.5" model he would let me use, both in .45 Colt so that would be $1k that I wouldn't have to spend initially. I may want to go to something else in the future, but that would get me started faster.

Blackhawks are fine.

 

[Varminterror]

If I only have one pistol, can I just reload it on the clock?

No. Someone will loan you a pistol after your first stage, because nobody will want to watch you waste that much time, especially if you're actually somewhat fast. You'll literally get pistols thrown at you to borrow for your next stage.

If I were starting over in CAS/SASS, I would own effectively what I ended up with now - a pair of Ruger New Vaqueros in 357mag, a '66 (or '73) and a short stroked Marlin, a '97 and a back up SxS. Pick your poison for side match firearms.

I shot 32 H&R Single Six "Vaqueritos" for a time, and shot a lot of 44mag as a Warthog, but obviously I was too slow with the 44mags, and the 32's didn't lend themselves to a proper rifle to pair with them. If Marlin would have made the 32 H&R 1894 as a side loader, my opinion would likely shift down from 357/38 down to 32's.

 

[RPRNY]

Great advice here. Go to a few local matches. You'll get good advice and probably a line on some good gear.

 

[80Goat]

Go to a match. Get to know the people. Ask questions.

You will find that most groups have a list of gear that people are selling which is a great place to pick up the pieces that you need. Also ask about leather. You will need two holsters, a belt, and a shotgun/ammo belt. Good leather is not cheap.

 

[SASS#23149]

for those answering 'no' to reloading on the clock, I think you're wrong. If i'm wrong, you'll have to quote the book to me.
now,to be practical about it, doing a full reload on the clock,under pressure, is just asking for a 170 infraction, imho.
Blackhawks are allowed in age based catagories only, as I recall....I know not all catagories allow them
Most durable handguns. ?? rugers
..better balanced hand guns,and my favorites ..Uberti 'colt clones'.
If I had to start all over, I 'might' go .38,but the CLANG of a 45 hit is pretty hard to miss.
.....

 

[MislMan]

Just a thought, if you are shooting with SASS (single action shooting society) they have a division called "the Wild Bunch". This group uses 1911 pistol, rifle & shotgun. Must use .40 caliber or higher. Check their rules at sassnet.com. This could you started cheaper if you alreay have a 1911 that fits the rules.

 

[SASS#23149]

re: Wild Bunch, they are a separate group from the 'regular' cowboy shooters. their matches are not held as often,they are ind pendant matches from regular cowboy shoots.

 

[Varminterror]

for those answering 'no' to reloading on the clock, I think you're wrong

As one of the people saying "no" to reloading on the clock, I think you didn't read and understand what I wrote.

It's not about a rule violation - it's about the logistics of the match, and the reality of the people who will be standing behind the spectator line. I don't recall any rule in the book, maybe it's different now, which would prevent a shooter for using one revolver and doing a full reload, but I have never been to any club where the MEMBERS/SHOOTERS would allow such a silly thing to happen.

At every club I have ever shot with, as soon as one of the other shooters noticed you loading up ONE revolver, someone will offer a second gun for you to use. Even if you show up with NO GUNS, you'll most likely be able to get fully outfitted to shoot, just by the generosity of the other shooters.

None of us want to watch a guy fumble through an extra 30 seconds of a full reload, we'd much rather hand over one of our revolvers to let you compete as the stage was designed.