Black Powder Pistols in CAS

J

JarYetz

New member
I visited a local CAS last Sunday to see how it all worked and figure out if I really would like to get into it. The answer is, yes I would!

Heres the thing... A couple people warned me about using BP pistols for a few different reasons. One was reloading time between shooting, and a potential to slow things down. I honestly thought there was more than enough time to reload between shooting (since its not loaded til a cap goes on).

What I am a little worried about though is that I was told in certain shoots you have to hit all the targets...even if that means reloading while you're up there. That...would be a bit of an issue.

Basically, I'm thinking about carrying an extra cylinder, putting caps on at the loading table to take it up with me, and then after shooting if I didn't have to use it, pull the caps off at the second table.

Has anybody dealt with this/have suggestions?

Oh, and I know missing shouldn't be much of a prob at those distances...but... :p
 
What I am a little worried about though is that I was told in certain shoots you have to hit all the targets...even if that means reloading while you're up there. That...would be a bit of an issue.
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That's not SASS main match rules. Some matches do require the shotgun knockdown targets to be knocked down but shotguns aren't hard to reload on the clock. Stages usually are ten pistol rounds. Two pistols are required. Ten rifle rounds and four shotgun rounds. Sometimes an extra rifle round is required to be loaded on the clock. If you miss you miss and are recorded so. Targets are big and close but SASS is a game of speed and you'll be surprised at how easily those big, close targets are to miss when you're going fast. Most matches run 5-8 stages. C&B are popular at some matches but they have their faults in competition with cap jams and the like. You should have plenty of time to reload between stages. A C&B is loaded with powder and ball between stages and capped at the loading table.
 
Maybe I misheard/misunderstood. There was, after all, a lot of gunfire, excitement, etc.

So, I shouldn't be required to reload my pistol mid-shoot? Ok.
 
I believe C&B revolvers are a separate class, so you wouldn't be at any disadvantage.
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Nope, Frontiersman is the only main match category they're required in but they do have a Frontiersman cartridge category. Some categories are bp only but bp is legal in all. All categories except age based and B-Western require fixed sights.
Here's a link to the SASS shooters handbook. http://www.sassnet.com/Shooters-Handbook15-001A.php#_Toc220205107
And a link to the SASS forums
http://www.sassnet.com/forums/
 
Heres the thing... A couple people warned me about using BP pistols for a few different reasons. One was reloading time between shooting, and a potential to slow things down. I honestly thought there was more than enough time to reload between shooting (since its not loaded til a cap goes on). There is plenty of time to recharge your cylindersafter you complete a stage. I usually only take a couple shooters after me to get mine recharged. You won't slow the Posse down. The people that warned you more than likely couldn't load a C&B if they tried :D

What I am a little worried about though is that I was told in certain shoots you have to hit all the targets...even if that means reloading while you're up there. That...would be a bit of an issue. They were more than likely talking about shotgun targets that must fall. There are ways to handle reloads on C&Bs; all described in the SASS handbook. I can't remember the last time I had to do a pistol reload in a match - although CRS might be the reason :confused: Reloads are generally used for rifles and shotguns anymore.

Basically, I'm thinking about carrying an extra cylinder, putting caps on at the loading table to take it up with me, and then after shooting if I didn't have to use it, pull the caps off at the second table. A spare charged - but uncapped - cylinder could be handy for a Remington reload - a la Pale Rider - but if you do use one, capping must be done on the clock after the cylinder is exchanged.

Has anybody dealt with this/have suggestions? I've dealt with the nay sayers for a long time. My suggestion is - don't worry about it. Best thing you can do is partner up with someone that shoots Frontiersman on a regular basis & learn from them.
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Finally - Go out and have some smokey fun!!!!!:D:D:D
 
Excellent and confidence building advice, thank you!

Would you recommend a little belt pouch to hold some caps for my spare cylinder if I have to do that on the clock?

I'm really not going to worry about speed at first, I just want to make sure I don't gum up any works...
 
I use a Ted Cash revolver capper. Keep it in my vest pocket all the time. Use it to cap at the loading table and it's handy in case I have to replace a bad cap on the line - have only needed to do that a couple times in all the years I've shot Frontiersman.
 
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