Why aren't you a cowboy action shooter?

[Rodman579]

here are a couple videos of me shootin some stages. the first one is a stand and deliver stage all from the same location the other has moment between guns and the last one is me doing mounted shooting. maybe seeing these will help you get a better view of the sport. hope this helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkX8qdXLaWM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HgqAk94DBE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGUwqJsXBHc

 

[Leaky Waders]

I only read to page 3, but I'll add my comments.

I've seen it on youtube and it looked cool. People at our local gun shop do it and have invited me, especially since they know I have a colt and an 1886 and show interest in those style firearms.

But the main turnoff is that my life is too busy to add another organization to it. When I'm not deployed my family's fishing and hunting trips are intricately woven around our sons' Boy Scouts adventures. When we go out to shoot, we don't make a day out of it...we head out to a family member's farm or a nearby range and shoot an hour or two then head off to something else. Sunday's are family/church days.

So right now, at this point in my life, I just don't have time. I do have a stetson or two and a mernickle rig and a colt and a ruger...just no time. I do live vicariously through some of the youtube videos though - it looks fun.

LW

 

[BADUNAME37]

For me it would be the lack of funds to get the kind of pistol I would want and I also am limited on the amount of time I can spend at the range or even in my back yard for that matter.

 

[J-Bar]

I only read to page 3, but I'll add my comments.

I've seen it on youtube and it looked cool. People at our local gun shop do it and have invited me, especially since they know I have a colt and an 1886 and show interest in those style firearms.

But the main turnoff is that my life is too busy to add another organization to it. When I'm not deployed my family's fishing and hunting trips are intricately woven around our sons' Boy Scouts adventures. When we go out to shoot, we don't make a day out of it...we head out to a family member's farm or a nearby range and shoot an hour or two then head off to something else. Sunday's are family/church days.

So right now, at this point in my life, I just don't have time. I do have a stetson or two and a mernickle rig and a colt and a ruger...just no time. I do live vicariously through some of the youtube videos though - it looks fun.

LW

Thank you for your service, so we can continue to play our games and talk about them!!

 

[k_randomfactor]

If you've ever been treated poorly, you owe it to yourself to try again

This was posted a few pages back, and I felt the need to respond.

No, if ANY organisation wants to increase membership, and especially wants me as a member, they owe it to me, or any prospective new member, to be welcoming and friendly. I've visited different shooting clubs and groups, in different classes, and have been welcomed like a long lost cousin at most of them. Not so the CAS crowd. I know a lot of folks in various disciplines, and they are, by and large, nice folks that have invited me, constantly, to come out and play their game. The CAS crowd I've met runs 50/50, or slightly worse, nice folks and jerks. I've only ever been invited out to a CAS event once.

I've been to other groups outside the shooting sports, and have gotten mixed welcomes at each. Those that made me feel like they wanted me there, I would go back. Those that treated me like a bother, well, I never bothered them again.

As a budding small business owner, if I treat my customers like they are keeping me from something more important, well, they'll go elsewhere with their money.

To the OP, I'd love to learn to run my SA wheelguns and leverguns better. I just don't have time, or money, to add another expensive hobby, especially one that is down from the top of my To Do list. Add to that the mixed bag I've encountered with CAS types, and my time and money is better, for me, spent elsewhere.

If CAS is your thing, go for it. I wish you well, and I hope that CAS continues to be a popular, and growing, shooting sport. The more folks that get into any shooting sport helps all of us. I just don't think it is for me right now.

Heck of a second post, huh?

 

[kayak-man]

Tha shooter your talking about has mastered 4 guns, of those 4 NONE require just a sight picture and a trigger squeeze as do more modern guns.

I'm not very familiar with lever guns, SAA revolvers, or SXS shotguns, so this may sound like a stragne question, but what exactly is required beyond the sight picture and trigger control? I understand things like grip and stance, but I just assumed that was a given. Are you refering to working the action, or is there some other part of running those guns that I just don't understand?

In these 3gun matches, are they running thier CAS gear, or do they use more modern firearms?

Also, I take it the match directors and ROs would take issue with someone shooting with only one SAA, and just reloading it when it runs dry?

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[Red Cent]

I have been involved with SASS for 11 years. I have participated in aa lot of disciplines but I never enjoyed them as much as Cowboy.
I am blessed to be able to do the following.
I am a gamer. I have custom holsters. My weapons have all been tricked out by the best. I shoot a "somewhat" light load. I use 3 screw Blackhawks with 4 5/8" barrels. I use a Winchester 73 repro by Uberti. I use a solid frame 1897 shotgun. And I have a number of backups.
This weekend I will "ride" over to the Carolina Cattlemen's Shooting and Social Society and play the game with Royal Barnes, a retired police officer and one of the most respected "cowboys" around. When he finishes and the smoke clears, I will have enjoyed a complete body massage. His blackpowder loads will shake the earth. He is there to play the game.
I want to win. But hear this. NO ONE has more fun than Red Cent. No one has had more fun between Maryland and Florida. Or from McLeansville, NC and Moriarty, NM.
I peaked about four years ago. Age and infirmities has taken the ability but the desire is still there. Respect us for that.
Little brag. I used to carry four sets of weapons, extra hats, four sets leather, and all the earplugs and protective glasses you need. You want to shoot? No problem. I loved to see these people get hooked on cowboy.
I am truly sorry some of you don't have the money or the time or even the inclination.


Carolina Belles


Rocky left, Fannie right. Me in the middle.



No ego here.


One of my most prized possessions.


You really don't want to know how much I would give to be starting in cowboy again. They are best.

 

[JEB]

a near total lack of authenticity is a big one for me. for some reason i get the feeling that almost not one single "gunfighter" in the old west carried a rifle with the lightest possible loads that still caughed the bullet out of the barrel and a super slicked up short throw lever, two pistols with silky action jobs, and if said "gunfighter" had actually dished out the cash for a pump shotgun, you can bet your boots that he would have LOADED THE TUBE!! leave the guns mechanicly stock, and ammo at standard levels....now we have a game!

the next big turn off is the crazy entry cost. as others have said, there is no way that i can justify or even afford 4 new "fun guns." even if i could, i dont think there is even a SASS event at any time within 100 miles of here (no exageration). in a few months i'll be relocating to NW Iowa (sioux county), if anyone has any info of an event in that area, i would be thrilled to at least go watch

 

[Leadfoot]

Kayak-man, Cocking of tha hammer, levering of tha lever action, pumping of tha 97 is what I speak of.

I drove tha Power Stroke van that pulled tha trailer that Red Cent's picture is on for 1000's of miles over tha years, he was one of tha best in CAS. When they burry me he will have been on of my best friends. For what its worth he was a bank president, I drive nails. Thats what Cowboy action shootin is.


LF

 

[kiskicowboy]

As for authenticity, this sport is a re-creation of those cowboy shows and movies that many of our members fondly remember from thier youth. We're not a group of historical re-enactors, nor do we strive to be period correct as a general rule.

Each participant shoots the match the way they want to shoot it. Some like to shoot it as fast as possible, some like to shoot it as accurate as possible (I'm one of these), some like to shoot with only blackpowder loads.

Some like double barrel shotguns (double external hammers or internal hammers), some like lever action shotguns (Winchester 1887), and some like pump action shotguns (Winchester 1897). Some like to shoot Henry 1860 rifles, some like Winchester 1866 rifles, some like Winchester 1873 rifles, some like Colt Lightning rifles (pump action), some like Winchester 1892 rifles, and then some prefer the Marlin 1894 rifles. The really dedicated riflemen like to shoot the Spencer Repeater rifle, as you have to reload this rifle on the clock to finish the rifle sequence in most stages (only holds 8 shots in the magazine).

Now for pistols, we have the lovers of the percussion cap 'n ball pistols (Colt Walkers, Colt Dragoons, Colt 1855, Colt 1860, Remington 1858), the cartridge conversion open-top Colt revolvers, the 1873 Colt SAA revolvers (and its many clones), while others prefer the break top S&W Schofield revolvers. And let's not forget the Wild Bunch shooters, and the Colt 1911 pistol (and it's many clones).

We have soldiers, we have shopkeepers, we have saloon girls, we have soiled doves, we have lawmen, we have outlaws, we have western stars of the silver screen, we have cowboys, and we even have indians. It all comes down to how the shooter wants to play his or her own game.


IAC '97 Shotgun, Marlin 1894CB, Ruger Vaquero's, stock actions on all


Ruger New Vaquero's (stock actions), Tombstone Territorial Gunleather Cheyenne Rig


Ruger New Vaquero, 1885 US Cavalry Holsters, San Pedro Saddlery Shotgun Belt


1885 US Cavalry Sergeant, Campaign Uniform


SA 1911A1 GI (stock action), San Pedro Saddlery Pike Holster

 

[cane]

Gosh, I shoot box stock guns, no short strokes, no tuned actions. My .45s throw 250 gr bullets propelled by a heafty charge of Red Dot. Never had a knock down that I hit fail to fall, nor any of my bullets fail to reach the target. Not everyone plays the same game rather each plays his own. I shoot an 1860 Henry, a '66, a Spencer, and a '92. (all repos of course) My pistols include "open tops", Schofields, and Rugers. I have an '87 and '97 shotgun, and 2 SxS, one with hammers, one without. This sport allows me to shoot many of the old time guns along with others shooting the same types. Ever shot an Evans? I have a friend who competes with one.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

a near total lack of authenticity is a big one for me.

Well, I wasn't around then, so I'm not sure what is authentic and what isn't, so I won't be making any judgements one way or the other.

The "Old West" was a fabrication of Hollywood, but it's one we grew up with and loved, obviously, from the numbers we see participating in CAS.

 

[Logan5]

The only reason I don't turn out to shoot a match any time someone puts in the work to set one up (thank you!) is time and money, and maybe not hearing about it in time. That said, I don't really have the right guns for it, unless I run .41 mag or cap & ball. Love to try it.

Really, 5.11's, long sleeve performance center t shirt, and shoot me vest are also a ridiculous costume that never gets worn all together except at matches. Shooting is my hobby because it's so much fun, I'm trying to be past wanting to look cool.

 

[gym]

This is like asking someone why they aren't any other thing. I don't even see the value of an explanation. I guess folks like to fully explain why they don't do a certain thing. Now you have me included. I guess for the same reason I am not an Astronaut, or a Baker.

 

[brnmuenchow]

I look really stupid in a cowboy hat and chap's! That suck's due to the fact I live in TEXAS!

 

[GLShooter]

Dwight Yocum's got nothing on me!!

Greg

 

[Red Cent]

Leadfoot drove the van that pulled the trailer that hauled the Fluffymobile. As he said, a group of us put thousands of miles on the vehicles. Lots of good memories. That cart hauled 21 long guns and all the equipment for ten people plus other stuff. And four shooters.

 

[xcgates]

Please bear in mind this comes from someone that goes everywhere on a motorcycle, rain or shine, even to the range, but man, that getup is HUGE!

(AKA, I'd pitch in beer and food money, and anything else I could think of to avoid driving it anywhere but interstates.)

 

[Red Cent]

Leadfoot's twin brother

 

[Red Cent]

Leadfoot is known to us admirers as Red River Ray. RRR is one of the, if not THE fastest, cowboy in the world. He came an knats rear end of winning the World Championship. He has won the NC State (overall top shooter (OTS)) for I lost count years. He has won the NE Regional (OTS) and the SE Regional (OTS) a number of times. He has won all contiguous states (OTS) plus GA, SC, and I don't know how many more. Wanna know something? He doesn't pull the trigger. Pins the trigger on the first shot and sliphammers the rest.
In my years with the group, when the NC contingency rolled in, we took a bunch of wood home.
He has a big heart.
People, I am 69 years old and have met the ubiquitous slice of homosapiens. I guarantee I have never met a better bunch. And for all of you people who are embarrassed to say it, RRR is a pardner to ride the river with. Can't name them all that qualify.
You will meet a couple of bad eggs. Part of life.
Dang, something is in my eye.

 

[Red Cent]

C,mon all of you SASS cowboys, show off your equipment and comment some more.

 

[Red Cent]

Find out about a club near you.

http://sassnet.com/clubs/index.php

Hey, if you had that many clubs/members under the current rules, do you think you can make them fit four of five of you?

 

[co_dave]

Note the guy in the middle, a red union suit and boots, not real big expense in that getup.

There is no one size fits all sport, gun or otherwise. If cowboy action looks like something that might interest you, find a club nearby and go to a shoot and check it out. If it holds no interest for you, that's fine. Any gun game or sport is good for the gun culture as a whole. The more the fence sitters are exposed to folks using firearms responsibly, the more accepting they will be towards guns.

I love cowboy action shooting, I only wish I had found it sooner, when my kids were young enough to have gotten involved with me.

Dave

 

[co_dave]

Hey Red Cent - I'd take and post pics of my gear, but compared to yours, my one pair of Rugers, a Marlin, a couple side by sides, and a rock chucker would kinda pale in comparison.

 

[Red Cent]

Show them with your leather.