The more I hear and read about NCOWS, the more I think this is the way to go. I'm fed up to the teeth with the elitist 'IPSC Cowboys', their wimp loads and short stroke actions. Paying a hefty match fee and then being given a set time to shoot a stage and leaving my brass on the ground ....? I think not.
My roots in CAS go back to the days when it was one pistol, usually a .44 or .45. I bought a Vaquero as that was all I could find at the time. The stock answer to equipment eligibility was : "If John Wayne would use it, it's OK." Yeah, right .... not now.
I took a break from the sport and when I came back, it was two pistols, wimp loads and speed was paramount. I bought a 2nd Vaquero so I could play. My latest cowboy guns are a consecutive pair of Taylor's Uberti-made 44-40 '63 New Model Army conversions and I wear them in 'Slim Jim' unlined holsters.
The back cover of the current issue of GOTOW magazine is a full page Ruger ad featuring the "New SASS Vaquero" - "The 'Old West Isn't So Old Anymore". They aren't kidding.
The same issue has a review of the 1883 Burgess lever action rifle. The author used it in an NCOWS match and did well with it. He mentioned the distance for rifle targets was greater than he was used to at SASS events. He also mentioned the fewer categories in NCOWS, including the "Working Cowboy" class - one pistol, rifle and no shooting cart.
My wife and I are into reenactment, so period correct dress is our bag, and we both have period correct guns. I've tried to generate interest in getting an NCOWS affiliate going here, but fuggedaboudit.
If there was an NCOWS affilate group in Alberta, I'd go to it.