Have some questions on Working Cowboy class participation!

[Sacramento Johnson]

Hi all!

I'd like to get some information on 'working cowboy' class participation.  I realize it's an official NCOWS category and have been told it's well patronized.  For those that shoot it, could you please tell me what your reasons are for choosing this category?  What sort of participation is seen by new shooters? Experienced shooters?
Thank you for your time!

[Major 2]

For me, it is harmonious and more in line with what truly was carried.
Opposed to two guns on the belt, a rifle, and a shotgun in some fashion of rolling dolly.

There was time, I had a cart to carry all the arms and ammo (in my SASS era) and I'd admit they are handy.
I kinda enjoyed seeing the creativity in the designs. But there were dozens, looking like parking lot.

WC offers me the freedom of simplicity, A Portman due for ammo and a 73 in my hand & and Richards Conversion in my Slim Jim/

WC is now the most embraced class with entries 2 & 3 X the other classes at most events.

another fledgling class gaining a following is,  1 pistol & 1 Shotgun.

Both are appealing to new shooters , it allows one to partisapate, with 1/2 the armory they might otherwise need.

[Dusty Tagalon]

I am an experienced shooter with more then enough hardware to shoot a 4 gun class. I prefer to shoot WC for the authenticity. I am fortunate that all clubs in the state of Iowa have WC category, SASS, NCOWS & Independents. Often, I get ribbed for shooting WC, when I have the hardware to shoot 4 gun categories.
Plus, sometimes I get my ammo mixed up, so if some rounds are smokeless, some BP, no problem.

Brian

[joec]

I'm fairly new to Cowboy Action shooting but own guns. I have more than enough for a 4 gun but as others have said it is less to carry.. In my case both my rifle and pistols use the same type ammo and I use black powder but have mixed them up with smokeless on occasion. Regardless it is a fun class with a lot of participation in it as well as fairly inexpensive in ammo to shoot. Usually 15 rounds a set with 3 to 6 sets in a day.

[Tjackstephens]

With my bad back and legs not working too well sometimes, it means I can shoot. Ther are some days I can shoot all four guns other days it's working cowboy are stay home. Then I always try to work the unloading or loading table, feel like I am helping and I can lean on the table. Tj

[Sacramento Johnson]

Hi all!
Thank you all for your insightful comments!  Seems like authenticity, lesser cost (for ammo and firearms) and easier on those with some physical infirmities are some of the main reasons for its success.  I plan to propose such a category to a local SASS club, where the second and third reasons are equally applicable!

[Major 2]

They say  "Imitation is the sheerest form of flattery"   

Thing is, several SASS posse' on the local level have offered  1 pistol & 1 Rifle and was enjoyed.

I'm not real clear on is origins , seems to me it was first offered in the NCOWS heartland Iowa or Kansas.... and cought on like a prairie fire.
Presented to the Congress some years back and approved, it has become the largest partisapated class a the national & regionals.

It's a natural and can appeal to both a seasoned shooter and budget shooter as well.

A new shooter does not have to sell a kidney to get started....

[Pancho Peacemaker]

My 8 year old son is attending more and more matches.  When he attends, I like to shoot WC.  It lessens my equipment burden between carrying my gear and helping him with his.

[Colt Fanning]

Howdy
I enjoy shooting pistol and rifle more than shotgun so I sometimes am glad to be able to dump the shotgun.
Regards
Colt

[1961MJS]

Hi, I read the following book, the notes I took are following the ISBN:

Title:  Cowboy Life, the letters of George Philip
Author:  George Philip Edited by Cathie Draine
Publisher: South Dakota State Historical Society Press 2007
ISBN:  978-0-9777955-1-2

"This is a great book about the lives of cowboys told in letter / story form by the author who lived it.  Cowboys rode horses, and not all were friendly.  Cowboys carried guns, usually in their bed rolls.  Wolves were lassoed and drug to death.  The cook got paid as much or more than the foreman."

George was a cowboy for at least 10 years and then because a lawyer I think.  I think he lived long enough to see cowboy movies.  He mentions that gunman carried pistols all of the time, but cowboys kept theirs in their bed roll.  Rifles weren't mentioned that I remember, but the rifle wasn't necessary when you were going to drag the wolf to death anyway.  This definitely isn't the way I would have thought about doing things. 

I like the idea of the single pistol, single long arm (rifle OR shotgun) because it allows an easier entry into cowboy action shooting.

Later

[Dollysdad]

Yep, there are lots of folks who have the guns to shoot in 4 gun classes but who frequently shoot a "working cowboy" or "sod buster" (1 revolver and a shotgun, no rifle). 

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I could shoot a 10 gun class if I wanted, but I couldn't carry the ammo!   (OR that many guns!)  If you stay with a great shooting sport like CAS in NCOWS, SASS, 3-Gun, or anything else, you'll no doubt accumulate some extra "toys."

Why shoot Working Cowboy?  As others have mentioned, it's more authentic - in all but a few cases.  That's MORE authentic, NOT totally.  We are still involved with a modern shooting sport.

It's less expensive to start.  Heck, if one pistol and one shotgun get approved as an "official" class, a savvy shopper could find and buy a Cap 'n Ball revolver and a used double barrel shotgun for less than $500 without much trouble.  PLUS ... many of us have extras and love to "show off" our guns by sharing with a new person.  When asked, I simply tell a prospect to bring some ammo to the next match and I'll supply a gun to shoot it from.  (And I'd donate some to a serious newbie if needed.  And I'm certainly NOT alone in that!)

As we advance in age, carrying stuff becomes more of a challenge.  It's simpler to carry ammo for 2 guns than 4.

Cleaning guns after a match becomes easier and faster.

I agree 110% (as IF that were possible) with my pard Major 2.  I admire a well-made and/or original gun cart.  They're handy!  Well ... after they're loaded and unloaded, that is.  Many have a place to sit on built with them, so those of us with tired or sore old bones can function better.  But except for a few types of carts - most notably like the 2 posted by Rattlesnake Jack in another section - a goat cart and a scale model Metis cart (think 2 big wheels and mostly from Canada) a SASS-type guncart (like the one in my garage) is not a BIT authentic.  But hey ... if a person needs a cart and keeps it away from the firing line itself, a cart doesn't bother me.  I miss mine ... sometimes.


But never in the Working Cowboy class!   


Did I mention that Working Cowboy comes closer to being authentic?





(Anybody who shoots SASS need to buy a really good guncart?)

[Major 2]

  "... my pard Major 2"    

I am so Flattered 

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Better than flattened. 


And now .... back to our regularly scheduled post on Working Cowboy parpisitation.