"Barrels up and move to the unloading table," the range officer instructs after I fired my last shot. That was a typical stage scenario in a Cowboy Action Shooting match. I finish holstering my revolver, pick up my shotgun and rifle, and walk to the unloading table. After removing the empty cartridges from my single-action revolvers, and having all my guns verified that they are empty, I carry the equipment to my gun cart for storage before returning to the unloading table to check the guns of the next shooter.
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This photo shows the more elaborate stage design of a building front during a rare night match. The only light used for this shoot came from old kerosene lanterns placed in strategic positions. The fire was to help keep the shooters warm in the cold night air. Blackpowder shooters are quite popular because their guns have plumes of flame. | ||
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At the time of this writing, Cowboy Action Shooting is the fastest growing shooting sport with over 50,000 registered shooters and shooting clubs throughout the United States and anywhere cowboys and amateur shooting is allowed. There are several Cowboy Action Shooting organizations, but the most common are: The National Congress of Old West Shooters (NCOWS), which is dedicated to historical authenticity in their shooting activities; the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS), which is the largest cowboy shooting organization; and the Western Action Shootists Association (WASA), which is smaller and more relaxed about period correctness in both firearms and clothing. There are other cowboy shooting organizations, but I am familiar with these three. This primer will focus on cowboy shooting the SASS way. |
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| Why would doctors, lawyers, mechanics, store clerks, police officers, and corporate executives acquire guns, clothing, and accessories in order to dress up like a cowboy and drive long distances to shoot? Because it is fun, because they want to win, or because of friendships. It can be any combination of reasons, but most just want to have fun and experience a diversion from the rigors of modern life. I personally drive for over an hour to shoot with my friends in Jamestown, CA, because I enjoy being with my friends and shooting cowboy style in the scenic foothills of the historic California Mother Lode gold country. | |||
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At left is a Ruger Blackhawk resting in its custom-made holster. This is a cross-draw rig normally worn on the left side of the body for the weak-side gun. Note the twenty-five degree angle of the holster, which is legal for SASS competition. There are belt loops for loading on the firing line and a competition shotshell holder. | ||
| Cowboy action shooting is broken up into several main categories based upon the type of gun or the ammunition used. There are additional categories for women, juniors, and some based on senior citizen status. The main categories require single action revolvers and are: Modern, for those shooting newer guns with adjustable sights. Traditional, for those who shoot revolvers with standard sights like those of the original Colt Peacemaker. Frontier Cartridge, for those using traditional revolvers shooting with cartridges filled with blackpowder. Duelist, for those who shoot traditional guns while holding the gun with only one hand. Gunfighter, for those who shoot traditional guns with a gun in each hand and alternating the shots between the guns. Frontiersman, for those who shoot .36 caliber percussion revolvers with blackpowder and use a double barrel shotgun. | |||
| The minimum equipment required are a pair of six-shot single action revolvers in .32 caliber or larger. One shotgun in twelve or twenty gauge in one of two styles. You may use a side-by-side double barrel gun without ejectors, or a Winchester model 97 pump shotgun with an exposed hammer. A rifle is needed and must be pistol caliber lever action rifle in .25 caliber or larger and designed between 1860 and 1899. Reproductions of these guns are quite acceptable. If you don't already have firearms that qualify for cowboy action shooting, I still recommend that you attend shooting matches to get a feel for the culture and expectations. If you attend a couple of matches while wearing cowboy clothing, someone may offer to loan you the equipment to get you shooting that day. | |||
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Cowboy Action Shooters often move from one stage to another while having to transport guns, ammunition, spare parts and all kinds of supplies for the match. Many cowboy ranges do not have racks available to hold rifles while not shooting. Most cowboys use a gun cart they either bought or made at home. Some carts are small and streamlined to be light and maneuverable while others are large and cumbersome. The cart shown at the left was designed with California laws in mind. It holds two rifles, two shotguns, and six revolvers. It folds up into a lockable case for transport in a vehicle in California. The ammunition box locks separately. | ||
| I recommend that you join one of the cowboy shooting organizations. SASS has the most matches across the country and their culture appeals to the largest number of people. A beginner in cowboy shooting should consider joining this organization first. Cowboy action shooters compete using an alias that is registered with their organization. Your chosen alias must be unique across the organization and is the name used when shooting in competition. It does take a while to get used to a different name, but it eventually becomes more comfortable. Most cowboy shooters don't know the real names of most of the people the shoot with on weekends. | |||
| After joining a shooting organization, acquiring your guns, getting a gun cart, and going to a shoot to see how things are done, we also need to do some clothes shopping, to do a little research on your chosen alias, and to study up on the SASS rules. The rules require that shooters dress as cowboys. The minimal cowboy clothing consists of blue jeans, a long-sleeve work shirt, a cowboy hat, and cowboy boots. Some shooters will look as if they are just off the range from working cattle, from playing cards in the saloon, from the frontier, or out of an old "B" western. The clothing you wear may depend on the research you have done on your alias. Alias research is helpful in developing your character. A famous gunfighter might require dressing like the original person. Mine is of a character from a specific area so I researched the history of the area at the time my character would have been there in order to establish how he might dress. The last thing is to go on-line and read the Shooters Handbook a few times so you will understand the rules. | |||
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When you think you are ready to shoot your first local match, you should contact the local club's match director to introduce yourself and learn how they address the needs of new shooters. You may have already made the introductions and been briefed while going out to watch. Most clubs will simply let you shoot with them while other clubs are now requiring that new shooters come out on practice day to shoot a few stages under the control and training of a qualified range officer. Find out the dates they shoot and the time to arrive for your first shoot. Don't be late! | ||
| When you arrive, you will sign in and pay the entry fee. Socializing is part of the game and you are usually welcome to chat with a few of the more experienced shooters. At the appointed starting time, the Match Director will gather everyone around and hold a safety briefing. The rules will be read and you may be introduced as a new shooter. If there are enough people in attendance, the group will be broken up into several posses and a Posse Marshal will call out the names of the people in each posse. If the Posse Marshal is good, he will place you between two experienced shooters and have them help you through the day. Be sure to remember which shooter is ahead of you and don't be afraid to ask if your name was called and you don't know who was called ahead of you. | |||
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At left is a typical stage design just prior to starting the action. The Range Officer is holding the timer near the shooter's ear so the shooter can hear the beep of the timer that starts the stage. Two cowboys are standing by to count missed shots. Where is the third counter? He is taking this photo. | ||
| The Posse Marshal will read the stage scenario and shooting instructions. It may not make a lot of sense the first time out so you should watch the shooters ahead of you to get a better feel for shooting the stage. The first shooter has gone to the firing line. A short line of people start forming at the loading table and the Range Officer is standing next to the shooter while three people stand a bit behind and to the sides of the shooter. The range officer is responsible for managing the firing line and the other three people will be counting misses and keeping track of the shooter's progression through the stage. The range officer holds a small box near the shooter, there are some words exchanged, and you hear a beep as things start to happen. Thirty-three seconds later the action is over and the shooter carries his guns to the unloading table. | |||
| Your name is finally called and you pick up your rifle and shotgun and walk to the loading table. You watch the person ahead of you as they load. One of them is helping you through the day and has told you about how to monitor other shooters to assure their guns are properly loaded and safe. You load your rifle and revolvers as the next shooter watches. Nervousness and excitement begin to take over as you try to remember the order the targets must be shot. Finally; you are motioned to the firing line and you carefully carry your guns to the point where the shooting will take place. | |||
| This stage requires you to start by yelling a line, picking up a pistol from the table, and shooting two shots into a steel target about seven yards away. The Range Officer has watched you walk to the firing line and gives you a pep talk. He tells you to relax, take a deep breath, and to stop if you get confused. You are asked if you understand the course of fire and reply that you are. The Range Officer says, "Signify ready by saying the line." You feel strange about it, but you yell out, "I ain't no cheat," and you hear the beep of the timer. You pick up the pocket pistol and fire two shots at the target and hear two clangs as they strike the steel. You jump up and run to the left and fire both of your pistols, one after the other, at another group of targets. You smile as you realize you have not missed a single target. You raise the rifle to your shoulder and start firing the three targets that seem a long way away in the distance. All hits. You pick up the shotgun and pull two shells from your belt and insert them into the chambers. Two shots, a reload, and two more shots and the knock-down targets are on the ground and the shooting is over. Wow, it seemed so fast that you must have done it in less than thirty seconds. The Range Officer calls out, "One minute fifty seconds." You can't believe you were shooting that long. | |||
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Two useful guns with long barrels. The Bounty Hunter II twelve-gauge coach gun on top is a nice reproduction of the cowboy era shotguns carried by stage guards. The rifle on the bottom is a reproduction of the 1892 Winchester. Both are very competitive. Note the leather wrapped around the lever as a pad. | ||
| After carrying the guns to the unloading table, you must remove the empty casings from each gun and allow someone to inspect each gun and make absolutely sure they are all completely unloaded. You are taught to remain at the unloading table to check the next shooter's guns. The person assigned to help you shows you how to do it and you move back to the posse to help out by picking up brass for other shooters. Someday you will be able to count misses and do more responsible things, but for now you can pick up brass and watch how things are done on the firing line. Things will seem different after shooting your first stage. | |||
| Cowboy Action Shooting is an amateur sport. Local club matches generally have no prizes. The winners earn the right to brag about their winning until the next regular shoot. Some clubs may give small awards or inexpensive prizes. My prized award is a brass fifth-place pin awarded to me at a match in Tombstone, AZ. Many clubs also host large annual matches that may last for several days and include a variety of special side matches. Some events may include mounted shooting from running horses. These events can be very exciting for both the shooting and social aspects. | |||
| Check the SASS web site link listed above for the location of a Cowboy Action Shooting match near you. Visit the match and enjoy the shooting. Please be sure to take glasses and hearing protection. | |||
