GETTIN' STARTED IN COWBOY ACTION SHOOTING
In 1979, Harper Criegh, Bill Hahn and Gordon Davis, decided they wanted to shoot their ‘old guns’ in modern matches. They developed the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS),and it became an instant success. Their idea of using firearms of the Old West in competition has spawned an industry and revitalizing and interest in what was once considered antiquated firearms. With a member list fast approaching eighty thousand, it is known as the fastest growing shooting sport in the world.
The format used for shooting allows the competition to easily include men, women and children….. Shooting side by side in the same events. Quite often a husband and wife will be competing with their children as the rest of the competitors cheer them on.
This is a game of fantasy gun fighting….not fast draw. Safety is the number one rule in SASS. It is often said, “HAVE FUN SAFELY!” It is a rule in SASS that you are your brothers keeper when it comes to safety….but more on this later.
SASS makes available a Rule book (Hand Books) that are available for down loading at:
Shooter's Handbook
The great idea of a standard set of rules to play by makes the game more interesting and produces a level playing field. No matter where you chose to participate in SASS across the country, the rules will be the same. The same has to be said for the safety as well.
GEAR>…you have to have gear to participate. My personal feeling is that you get out of the sport in proportion to what you put into it. Faulty gear will produce faulty and disappointing results and may even be unsafe. GEAR should fit correctly. You want, no need to be comfortable when competing. I have watched many times, when a competitors tries to compete with ill fitting guns and leather. Ill fitting firearms can hurt the shooter and produce flinching and missed targets. Firearms are produced for the ‘average’ shooter. A long gun should feel comfortable when mounted to the shoulder and the sights should be in the proper position when the head touches the stock. Pistols should fit in the hand and be easy to control, cock and fire with out having to shift in the hand each time a shot is made. There are many craftsmen producing many different types of stocks and grips that almost anyone can find the proper fit with a little effort. A gunsmith can usually fit a firearm with little effort and minimal cost. Don’t rush out and buy all new gear…Attend a few matches, ask questions and I’m sure some of the competitors will let you try some of their iron and gear.
LEATHER, gun belt and holsters are a part of the gear you will need. The belt should fit correctly and safely. You don’t want the ‘rig’ with two pistols slip down around your knees during a match….I’ve seen it happen. A custom belt and holster rig can cost $1,000. Remember Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and Hoppy?….those holsters they wore that we idolized on Saturday afternoon. A good functional rig will cost much less and the buyer should discuss his/her needs with the craftsman making your rig. Okay, you can purchase a ‘factory’ made holster set but make sure it is contoured to your body. Women are different than men, remember. Keeping the design simple will bring down the cost, but a metal lined holster is my recommendation. It holds it’s shape and the pistols more securely. A maker will ask you what type of revolvers you will be using and caliber you intend to shoot if you desire cartridge loops. They look good… but add weight to the rig… that’s weight you will carry each time you wear your rig.
PISTOLS, yeah they are really revolvers, but we use the term pistols to identify our hand guns. They are only loaded with five (5) rounds maximum and the hammer lowered onto an empty chamber. Never six. Today’s modern design, such as the Ruger Vaquero, can be carried safely with six, BUT NEVER in SASS. Five only!
Single Action Revolvers of the type used during the Civil War and up to the early 1900’s are what we shoot with. Original Colt and Remington revolvers can be very expensive to purchase. Modern replicas have taken over the market which are as safe and well built as any of the originals. There are earlier products that are not as well made and a gunsmith should check them over before being used in competition. Competition puts a strain on equipment….it is possible to shoot thousands of rounds through your pistols in a years time. Most original/period revolvers probably had that fired through them in their entire life. Ruger, Beretta, Charles Daly, AWA, EMF, Uberti, Taylor are but just a few of the manufactures making single action revolvers that emulate the Colt / Remington single action design. Calibers of the firearms are .32 caliber and larger to .45. Such antique chambering such as the 38-40, 32-20 and 44-40 have made a comeback with components being produced to load ‘cowboy’ ammunition. Cowboy loads are limited to lead only. Go to a SASS match and you are apt to see what ever is available to the market represented on any given Saturday or Sunday. Stainless Steel firearms are popular, though not entirely period correct, because of the ease of maintenance, durability and looks. When shooting Black powder (BP) ammunition, stainless is much easier to maintain. Purest will cringe at that statement I’m sure….as the ’Holy Black’ shooters want whatever is as authentic as possible. To each his own. I enjoy the smoke and thunder of the black powder, but hate the cleanup afterward. The BP shooters are to be commended for their dedication and efforts.
Modern replicas of Single Actions can be found with the exact same design as the originals or have their innards made with coil springs and high tech materials. When maintained, both work. Besides fitting the hand(s), a good trigger is appreciated by the shooter. A competent gunsmith can check over your pistols and make them ‘slicker’ to operate and bring them in to specifications. A safe trigger pull is necessary….to light a trigger is unsafe and dangerous. Don’t put your finger on the trigger until the muzzle is on the target. You will need a pair of revolver to compete as we use both (usually) in each scenario of the match. Gunfighters can use both revolvers at the same time when competing. Everyone else must use one pistol at a time.
LONG GUNS are also used. Leveraction or pump action rifles in pistol calibers are the only calibers we can use. No 30-30, 32 Spl or 38-55’s. I believe, generally, most SASS members use the same chambering in their pistols as they use in their rifles. Historically, the 38-40, 32-20 and 44-40 were what the Westerners used when they wanted ammo for both types of firearms. Lead ammo is still required for both firearms. The .45 Colt was NOT chambered for period firearms such as the Marlin and Winchester Mod. 92. The manufactures had a hard time designing for the .45 Chambering. I’m sure the old timers would have loved to have had the option of a .45 Pistol and Rifle combo. Today you can purchase a new rifle in .45 Colt that works just as well as any other chambering. The .38 Special has become very popular with SASS competitors. It’s accurate, easy to load and available almost anywhere. Several manufactures have produced a rifle just for the .38 Special and they are extremely well made and accurate. The pump action rifle must have an exposed hammer to qualify as a SASS firearm. The most often seen is the Colt Lightning Model and the most copied is the same model. The Winchester ’73 model and it’s clones are seen extensively. The design for the action is simple and reliable. The Winchester Model 92 and clones are also popular and is made by a plethora of manufactures. The Winchester Model 94 is seen, but not as popular. Marlin makes a fine rifle that is a copy of their original designs. Some can be had from the factory as ‘Cowboy Competition Models’. Again, the rifle should fit the shooter correctly. Good fit equals good shootin’.
This brings us to Shotguns / Scatterguns. You have several options when it comes to scatter guns…..Single Barrel - Single Shot, Double Barrel Shotguns, Lever action Shotguns and Pump action Shotguns. Single Barrel shotguns are simplest and the slowest, but cost is minimal and a starter gun till you can graduate to one that handles more than one round at a time. Double barred shotgun will be found in many different guises…..Double barrel with hammers, double barrel without hammers, single triggers of double triggers, but no ejectors….extractors only. Gauges run from .20, 16, 12 and 10 (.410 for Buckaroos). The shooter may choose to use BP in the shotgun….usually produces large clouds of smoke and sparks…. What a show. #8, 9, 7 ½ shot are the usual loads used.
The pump gun is about as popular as the double barrel or SXS. The Winchester model 97 is the only model available to the SASS shooter. It must have an exposed hammer which qualifies the 97. Marlin produced a similar design, but due to safety concerns, it is not SASS approved. Originals are becoming pricey and harder to find. A clone is produced that has earned a reputation as being reliable in competition. There are gunsmiths who are making a living off slicking up ’97’s and their clones. Many different manufactures are making copies of hammer guns and hammerless. At least one big American manufacture is importing these guns with their names on them. Again, at any match you will probably see any or all of them in competition. The lever shotgun is limited to the Winchester 10 and 12 ga model and it’s clones. As with any firearm, they take practice to learn the mechanics of shooting and reloading.
Before you go out and buy anything, may I suggest you attend several SASS matches. Watch and listen to the comments of the competitors. Ask questions when the shooter is not involved in scenario activities. Most will be more than willing to share with you their experience. Everyone has a different opinion and idea of what suits them. Do NOT be in a hurry to plunk down yer hard earned cash. I love the look of a HENRY Leveraction rifle, but fond it hard to manipulate and uncomfortable when shooting BP rounds as the barrel gets hot. Mine has a prominent place over the fire place….it looks great.
Names…what is in a name? Everyone has an alias! All of the good ones are gone….well not really. You can go to Piney Woods Place and view many of the names already chosen here
Creativity is encouraged. Mild Bill, Digger McHemp, Judge Soy Bean, and Hazel Pepper are just a few that come to mind. The name Hazel Pepper was chosen by my wife by using her mother’s maiden name, Hazel and her father’s mother’s maiden name, Pepper. It keeps a historical component to her alias and honors her family. When you join SASS, they will let you know if your alias is unique. You will also get a badge with a unique SASS Member number.
Costuming is the next thing to consider. Sometimes the alias will help to determine the type of costume you wish to wear. The category you shoot in will also determine the type of clothing you wear. Example: the 49ers wear vests, pocket watch, braces, hat, neckerchief, boots cuffs etc. as opposed to the B Western category who is required to wear fancy shirts, fancy boots and look like he/she just stepped out of a Roy Rogers movie. SASS is the one place where you will hear women discussing guns and calibers and men discussing clothing.
Spirit of the game……First let me discuss the term “GAMER”. I would like to say, that a gamer is anyone who shoots better than me.... and that's a bunch.
Spirit of the Game defines the way one acts….in SASS competition or while at work. Sportsmanship is used to describe Spirit of the Game, but it goes beyond that. Forget to bring enough ammo to finish out the last stage?…I’m sure someone will be willing to give you enough to finish, even if your beating them. Gun break…you probably get half dozen offers to use someone’s’ gun to finish the match. Safety is important to our game. By it’s very nature, shooting firearms has an element of danger. If someone tells you that you are about to break a safety rule…thank them for stopping you and preventing you from committing a error. No one person can see everything that goes on…we depend on each other to continue to keep our sport accident free. SASS matches are not the place to learn BASIC FIREARM SAFETY. A competitor should know how to load and operate his/her firearms safely before stepping into any completive venue. Spirit extends beyond the range….you become part of a family, but you will experience this in due time.
I trust your introduction into SASS will be pleasant and enjoyable ….after all, there is always the opportunity to buy/acquire more firearms.