Howdy and some questions

[elhombreconnonombre]

Howdy from the Travis/Hays Co. line in central Texas. I am new to this forum, having been invited to check out the GAF by a post from Rattlesnake Jack over on The High Road. I had been considering joining SASS to play the CAS game, but this may be more my cup of tea, since I love percussion revolvers and also, caplock rifles and shotguns used in the 1840s until the 1870s.

I have a question on eligible cb revolvers. I have a number of cb replica revolvers (Walkers, Navys, Remingtons, Armys, etc.) that I understand from another thread here that I replied to are likely acceptable for post ACW impressions of US officers, scouts, etc. I also understand that my choices for main battle rifles are limited to cartridge as opposed to breech loading percussion rifles. I am drawn to replica Sharps cartridge conversión carbines as a long gun, though I am open to other suggestions.

Also. in the back of mind I an interested in doing some European military shooting impressions: eg, British, Boer commando, Native Natal Horse with a Martini Henry. I do have a specific question regarding use of a Le Mat 10 shot cb revolver for GAF. I know it was used during the civil war, but would this be acceptable for use in the impression of A French Foreign Legión officer during the French invasion of Mexico during the concurrent ACW period and into 1866?
Thanks, El Hombre

[Niederlander]

Chuck (Drydock) will have to comment as the Ordnance Officer, but my thought is "Why not?!"  I think it would be cool to see.  Just remember if you have to reload, you'll need to do it on the clock.  You can use an extra cylinder, but you'll still need to cap it on the clock.  Incidentally, the Sharps carbines are fun.  I used an original in one of our local cowboy matches, and it was a lot of fun, although not as fast as a Trapdoor.  (Not many single shots are.)

[Drydock]

Officers around the world were required to purchase their own weapons during this period.  Yes, your Lemat is perfectly acceptable.  As our emphasis is on the rifles, any sidearm that is in period is acceptable.

In addition, Sharps conversions were used by the French in the Franco-Prussian war, so there's another possibility for your Frenchman.

In using C&Bs, you may have as many as you like, carried or staged as needed, precharged with powder and ball, as well as extra charged cylinders.  You will just need to cap on the clock in Liu of reloading.

Were you to show up with a Percussion breechloading rifle  btw, we'd let you use it, but I'd still encourage you to get something using self contained cartridges for our game.

I would also suggest you check out The American Plainsmen, who emphasize the Percussion weapons of the Pre-Civil war.  They're a smaller group still getting organized, but lots of good folks with good discussions on their forum.  We still want you, but we're happy to share!

[elhombreconnonombre]

Neiderlander
When I was considering CAS, I was interested in shooting a Sharps carbine, or other breech loading long guns, or a Spencer repeater, for histórical accuracy, but was  very quickly instructed that only lever action rifles were allowed for SASS and NCOWS. Thus, my interest in the GAF. I like the format and variety of the shooting events, the fact that you could compete with just a single sidearm or  single battle rifle, or a rifle and sidearm, or a shotgun and sidearm. This adds a lot of shooting flexibility IMHO.
Plus you don't necessarily need "tuned and race ready" pair of six shooters, lever gun, and coach gun to reasonably "compete".

[elhombreconnonombre]

Drydock
Thanks for you input. I have several pairs of cb revolvers. It would appear that my most competitive choice of cb sidearm would be one or two of my réplica Remington 1858 New Model Armys with my extra charged but uncapped cylinders in reserve. My question is how many sidearm targets are in a typical GAF stage.

[Niederlander]

Our club is very friendly to rifle caliber stuff, whether single shot or repeater.  Of course, we aren't really that interested in speed either.

[Drydock]

In our standard format, you will have 20-25 rifle targets, and 3-7 handgun.  The emphasis is on Rifle reloads.  Should you shoot with one gun, you will engage all targets with that gun, reloading/capping as needed.   Targets will be ranged so that engagement with any weapon is reasonable.  In the Preferred Skirmish format, you are encouraged to close the range (Move up!) as needed.  Hopefully we'll get some recent video up soon so you can see what I'm talking of.

BTW and Just FYI, while cylinder change outs look so much faster on the Remingtons (Thank you Pale Rider!) the Colts are so much easier to cap that it very much evens out!  I like to shoot a Spencer under GAF rules at our local SASS club (Great guys who let me play MY way) I carry a loaded 1851 on my hip, with a charged but uncapped 5" 1861 in a shoulder holster for any needed reload.

[Pitspitr]

They aren't recent but here are some videos:

[Books OToole]

elhombre...

GAF maybe be the best bet for you, but....you can use a single shot rifle/carbine in any NCOWS match.  You wouldn't be the first.  I think cap an ball revolvers paired with a "paper-cutter" sharps would be really cool.  In either GAF or NCOWS.

Books

[Pitspitr]

Thanks for clearing that up Books. I thought that was the case but I wasn't sure enough of it to comment about it.

[elhombreconnonombre]

Howdy Books
My 1850s Ranger impression using Walkers and paper cutter Sharps percusson carbine would have been historically accurate for that period, but I understand the efficiency shooting stage wise needing a cartridge conversión. For the plainsman shooting folks,  I could go back time wise to 1847, where it would be a hoot to shoot two Walkers and a caplock Mississippi rifle just like Rangers did during the Mexican War.

[Major 2]

I was about to chime in...and Books beat me to it  I am the former NCOWS National Judge.

You would be 100% welcome at NCOWS with a single shot .... as Mike said "you'll not have been the first" ... nor the fastest

You might consider a Spencer or Henry if you'd like at some point .....

I'm not privy to your location , but I'd welcome you at any of Cracker Cow Cavalry (Florida) bi-monthly shoots, and

several of us might even dust off our CW single shots & cap guns , hell think I will any how !

[Tascosa Joe]

The Berger Sharpshooters at Greenville is your closest NCOWS club.  We shoot big bore single shots or lever gun every 5th Saturday or Sunday depending on the month.  Your Spencer is usable as a main match weapon on any of our shoots.   One of our shooters comes up from Buda on a semi regular basis.  It is a ways but if I lived down south I would make the trip to shoot NCOWS.
T-Joe

[elhombreconnonombre]

Thanks Major and Joe. I see the lead flying furiously from the lightning fast 4 gun shooters participating in SASS and NCOWS YouTube videos and am mightily intimidated and thought that I might not fit in with the cartridge crowd...maybe I will keep those games in mind anyway.

[Major 2]

In the simplest terms
SASS traces it's formation beginnings to IPSC competition, and California ....for the most part members are drawn for the Shooting,
Spirit of the game, camaraderie and competition around a western era flavor.

NCOWS was for the most part found :)ed in Iowa , and parts surrounding , by shooters, of the Trapper, Mountain , and Reenactor  types interested in the shooting but the Historical aspect as well.

SASS is by far the larger organization, with affiliated posse's in just about every US state, and a number of foreign countries.

NCOWS, on the other hand enjoys Posse's in 12 States , with Members in several more ( still centered home based in the Mid America )
There are 4 Southern States and Californian like minded folks forming posse's as well.
Members enjoy the history, shooting, fashion, embrace the flavor and even the research that is the 19th century.

There a goodly number of members that have dual membership, and embrace both disciplines 

I think you'll find NCOWS the better fit , based on the information I glean from your posted interests.
I see then you are in Texas ?  you are most fortunate as the Berger Sharpshooters are as fine a Posse' as NCOWS can boast.

They hold bi-monthly matches ,   Their SW regional in October is TOP DRAWER ... I look forward to meeting you, as I myself will attend the October Regional traveling from Florida. 

   

[pony express]

As far as watching those lightning fast shooters, remember that 99% of sass shooters aren't that lightning fast, it's just the ones that are that get posted on you tube a lot.