SASS...two guns the norm, or one?
- Thread starter kokopelli
- Start date
rickyjames
New member
i believe most events and each stage call for 10 shots with handguns, so that is why people carry 2 guns. i believe the rifle stage requires 10 shots as well. shotgun is usually 2 shots you to reload and shoot again.
some people use a 2 gun rig, some use a single and crossdraw but you do need 2 handguns. observe a few matches, ask a few questions about the guns, rifles and shotguns they use. the guns are the biggest expense so ask around to see what people are using. it could save you money in the long run. as for gunleather, most experiment to see what they like and what works for them. it's probably not a good idea to buy expensive leather untill you decide what works for you. there is an informative program called cowboys on the outdoor channel on cable that will give you a glimpse into cowboy action shooting and answer many of your questions.
some people use a 2 gun rig, some use a single and crossdraw but you do need 2 handguns. observe a few matches, ask a few questions about the guns, rifles and shotguns they use. the guns are the biggest expense so ask around to see what people are using. it could save you money in the long run. as for gunleather, most experiment to see what they like and what works for them. it's probably not a good idea to buy expensive leather untill you decide what works for you. there is an informative program called cowboys on the outdoor channel on cable that will give you a glimpse into cowboy action shooting and answer many of your questions.
I really encourage shooting SASS - 
I did and it is a blast (no pun intended)
You need two revolvers - one lever action and one shotgun.
I used a Ruger New Vaquero in .45 LC
A Colt New SAA in .45 LC
A Uberti, .45 Long Colt Cimarron 1866 Short Rifle 20" octagon barrel
And a Stoger Coach Gun 12 ga.
I really enjoyed myself.
I did and it is a blast (no pun intended)
You need two revolvers - one lever action and one shotgun.
I used a Ruger New Vaquero in .45 LC
A Colt New SAA in .45 LC
A Uberti, .45 Long Colt Cimarron 1866 Short Rifle 20" octagon barrel
And a Stoger Coach Gun 12 ga.
I really enjoyed myself.
Very nice guns! Well, I have a Stoeger (Uberti) 1873 Cattleman in 45 Colt on hold at the gun shop down the road- the 'Frisco' as seen here-
http://www.uberti.com/firearms/single_action_cattleman.php
it was traded in by a guy, it is still new in the box, unfired. - $450. Will that do? I thought it was a good deal, I hadn't decided on a 5.5" barrel or a shorter 4.75", but I saw this one and thought it looked pretty good with the charcoal blue/case finish. My first choice was actually the 'Hombre' with the matte blue, 4.75", as I thought I wouldn't have to worry about scuffing up a pretty gun- which would be better though- as far as barrel length between the two?
I already have a Winchester 94 in 45 Colt.
http://www.uberti.com/firearms/single_action_cattleman.php
it was traded in by a guy, it is still new in the box, unfired. - $450. Will that do? I thought it was a good deal, I hadn't decided on a 5.5" barrel or a shorter 4.75", but I saw this one and thought it looked pretty good with the charcoal blue/case finish. My first choice was actually the 'Hombre' with the matte blue, 4.75", as I thought I wouldn't have to worry about scuffing up a pretty gun- which would be better though- as far as barrel length between the two?
I already have a Winchester 94 in 45 Colt.
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kokopelli
The guns you have in mind are great for SASS - keep up the good work.
Actually either length barrel would work fine for you.
It's hard to tell from the pictures but the barrel on my Colt is shorter than on my Vaquero - I used the shorter Colt as my cross draw gun.
+1 Dave Cole - thanks for the update on the new class in SASS.
SASS is so fun - lots of bullets down range each time you go.
The guns you have in mind are great for SASS - keep up the good work.
Actually either length barrel would work fine for you.
It's hard to tell from the pictures but the barrel on my Colt is shorter than on my Vaquero - I used the shorter Colt as my cross draw gun.
+1 Dave Cole - thanks for the update on the new class in SASS.
SASS is so fun - lots of bullets down range each time you go.
OLDPUPPYMAX
Inactive
Cowboy action rules
Cowboy Action shooting rules call for 2 pistols, one rifle and one shotgun. You might try Gunblast.com or the Shoot Magazine site. Shoot is no longer publishing, but their site still exists and is full of Cowboy action info, links, rules etc.
Cowboy Action shooting rules call for 2 pistols, one rifle and one shotgun. You might try Gunblast.com or the Shoot Magazine site. Shoot is no longer publishing, but their site still exists and is full of Cowboy action info, links, rules etc.
OLDPUPPYMAX
Inactive
Uberti revolver
I have a Uberti 1858 New Army conversion. It's an 8" barrel, .45 LC, black powder cartridge pistol. The gun was about $375 and worth every penny of it. I've put a couple hundred rounds through it--.45 long colts are so damned tough to find that's all I've been able to use--and at 2.5 lbs in weight, the recoil is nil while the accuracy is dead on. I've managed a couple of 1", 5 round patterns at 30 feet. That's as well as I can do with my Glock! You can find very reasonable leather holsters at The Possible Shop...16-25 bucks...and well worth the money.
I have a Uberti 1858 New Army conversion. It's an 8" barrel, .45 LC, black powder cartridge pistol. The gun was about $375 and worth every penny of it. I've put a couple hundred rounds through it--.45 long colts are so damned tough to find that's all I've been able to use--and at 2.5 lbs in weight, the recoil is nil while the accuracy is dead on. I've managed a couple of 1", 5 round patterns at 30 feet. That's as well as I can do with my Glock! You can find very reasonable leather holsters at The Possible Shop...16-25 bucks...and well worth the money.
There is an NCOWS posse in Ky. (in fact 3)
They have a 2 gun class called working cowboy ( actually a couple of classes)
1 pistol, one rifle is the norm, but 1 pistol, 1 Shotgun is fine too.
They stress a bit more research in you costume.
It's a smaller member run user friendly organization, rather than the Company for profit organization SASS is.
+ 1 on the Uberti Remington Factory Conversion
Here is one...
Johnson County Rangers, Paintsville, KY. If you have questions, call French Jack at 502-633-1485, Robert Chenault, 92 Smithfield Rd., Shelbyville, Ky. 40065.
They have a 2 gun class called working cowboy ( actually a couple of classes)
1 pistol, one rifle is the norm, but 1 pistol, 1 Shotgun is fine too.
They stress a bit more research in you costume.
It's a smaller member run user friendly organization, rather than the Company for profit organization SASS is.
+ 1 on the Uberti Remington Factory Conversion
Here is one...
Johnson County Rangers, Paintsville, KY. If you have questions, call French Jack at 502-633-1485, Robert Chenault, 92 Smithfield Rd., Shelbyville, Ky. 40065.
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The Working Cowboys' Class is the fastest growing NCOWS class. It's the class that only requires one pistol and one rifle. I shoot it with a cap and ball Remington NMA and a Winchester 1873 replica. The "Pistoleer" class will allow a revolver and shotgun, but not as many people shoot that class.
I've heard that some SASS clubs 'unofficially' have people that shoot the equivalent of Working Cowboy Class as well but you'll have to check with your local club.
As mentioned, NCOWS is more oriented towards historical authenticity in clothing and weaponry, but most clubs will give you up to a year to get your gear/clothing together, so go check out the local clubs and talk to them. There's a great deal of overlap in what you can shoot and wear at both NCOWS and SASS, but it's not a bad idea to double check with the local club before you buy a gun if you haven't got one yet.
Another difference between SASS and NCOWS is that the NCOWS targets are usually further away and vary in size. Accuracy is emphasized - you get larger penalties for missing in NCOWS than you do in SASS.
I know a number of people who shoot and enjoy being part of both organizations. The club I shoot with is among several that shoot both SASS and NCOWS matches. It's in Texas, but you can get quick links off the home page that summarize the differences between SASS and NCOWS. The URL is:
http://www.texastenhorns.com/
Good luck and most importantly, *Be Safe and Have Fun*!!!!!
I've heard that some SASS clubs 'unofficially' have people that shoot the equivalent of Working Cowboy Class as well but you'll have to check with your local club.
As mentioned, NCOWS is more oriented towards historical authenticity in clothing and weaponry, but most clubs will give you up to a year to get your gear/clothing together, so go check out the local clubs and talk to them. There's a great deal of overlap in what you can shoot and wear at both NCOWS and SASS, but it's not a bad idea to double check with the local club before you buy a gun if you haven't got one yet.
Another difference between SASS and NCOWS is that the NCOWS targets are usually further away and vary in size. Accuracy is emphasized - you get larger penalties for missing in NCOWS than you do in SASS.
I know a number of people who shoot and enjoy being part of both organizations. The club I shoot with is among several that shoot both SASS and NCOWS matches. It's in Texas, but you can get quick links off the home page that summarize the differences between SASS and NCOWS. The URL is:
http://www.texastenhorns.com/
Good luck and most importantly, *Be Safe and Have Fun*!!!!!
Fingers McGee
New member
Qoute: kflach
The Pistoleer category calls for two percussion revolvers, lever action rifle and double barrel shotgun. That's the category I shoot in for NCOWS matches. From the NCOWS site:
Mens & Womens Pistoleer: Shooters are restricted to the use of percussion revolvers, pre-1873 percussion or original/authentic reproductions of rimfire cartridge pocket pistols, exposed-hammer double-barrel shotguns (percussion or cartridge), and reproduction or original pre-1873 pistol-caliber repeating rifles (e.g. 1860 Henry, Spencer, 1866 Winchester, etc: Shooters must shoot blackpowder or approved blackpowder substitute powder in all firearms except those chambered for rimfire cartridges. Pistols and revolvers must be shot one-handed. Pistoleer shooters will shoot the same course of fire as the other competitors except that in a stage requiring more than two shotgun rounds the Pistoleer shooter would not be required to shoot the extra rounds.
For complete rules, go here: http://www.ncows.org/Bylaws.htm
The Pistoleer category calls for two percussion revolvers, lever action rifle and double barrel shotgun. That's the category I shoot in for NCOWS matches. From the NCOWS site:
Mens & Womens Pistoleer: Shooters are restricted to the use of percussion revolvers, pre-1873 percussion or original/authentic reproductions of rimfire cartridge pocket pistols, exposed-hammer double-barrel shotguns (percussion or cartridge), and reproduction or original pre-1873 pistol-caliber repeating rifles (e.g. 1860 Henry, Spencer, 1866 Winchester, etc: Shooters must shoot blackpowder or approved blackpowder substitute powder in all firearms except those chambered for rimfire cartridges. Pistols and revolvers must be shot one-handed. Pistoleer shooters will shoot the same course of fire as the other competitors except that in a stage requiring more than two shotgun rounds the Pistoleer shooter would not be required to shoot the extra rounds.
For complete rules, go here: http://www.ncows.org/Bylaws.htm
Fingers McGee
New member
Some clubs also offer a Range Detective category that uses two pistols & a Rifle. No shotgun.