CAS, SASS and NCOWS

[Sam Cobra]

As a total newbie I was trying to figure out the differences  Can someone give me a brief overview? Thanks!

[Cookie]

CAS = Cowboy Action Shooting and describes the "sport" we play.

SASS = Single Action Shooting Society and is an organized "league" that sets the rules for the play of our sport (CAS).

NCOWS = National Congress of Old West Shootists and is another "league" with it's own, and quite different, rules.

SASS is a shooting organization with an Old West theme, whereas NCOWS is more of a reenactment group that is very rigid on historical accuracy. (I'm sure plenty of Cowboys & Cowgirls will chime in with their 2 cents on the merits of either group.)

Of the two, SASS is much more popular, and so you're more likely to find a SASS club near you rather than an NCOWS group.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here are some links to posse locations;

http://www.sassnet.com/clubs/index.php

http://www.ncows.org/posses.html

You can navigate around these sites for more info.

[Sam Cobra]

Thanks folks! 

[Jefro]

Howdy Sam, there are a few more to consider, Good Luck
Cowboy Fast Draw Association
SASS Wild Bunch
Western 3 Gun
Cowboy Lever Action Rifle Silhouette


Jefro Realx-Enjoy

[Cliff Fendley]

CAS = Cowboy Action Shooting and describes the "sport" we play.

SASS = Single Action Shooting Society and is an organized "league" that sets the rules for the play of our sport (CAS).

NCOWS = National Congress of Old West Shootists and is another "league" with it's own, and quite different, rules.

SASS is a shooting organization with an Old West theme, whereas NCOWS is more of a reenactment group that is very rigid on historical accuracy. (I'm sure plenty of Cowboys & Cowgirls will chime in with their 2 cents on the merits of either group.)

Of the two, SASS is much more popular, and so you're more likely to find a SASS club near you rather than an NCOWS group.

It think it would be more accurately described that NCOWS is the shooting organization with an "Old West" theme, whereas SASS is a shooting organization where members dress in a western costume and use guns that generally resemble ones used in the old west or in hollywood western films.

[bowiemaker]

The big shooting difference to me is that SASS is all about speed and throwing as much lead downrange as fast as possible. NCOWS is more about accuracy with targets far enough away that you have to aim the gun.

Also, in NCOWS a miss is a 10 second penalty. In SASS, a miss is a 5 second penalty. So again, NCOWS focuses a bit more on accuracy since it's usually better to take another second or two to aim rather than lose 10 seconds.

[Camille Eonich]

It think it would be more accurately described that NCOWS is the shooting organization with an "Old West" theme, whereas SASS is a shooting organization where members dress in a western costume and use guns that generally resemble ones used in the old west or in hollywood western films.

Many SASS shooters put just as much thought into costume and or authenticity as NCOWS shooters do.  Many use original weapons and original gear.  There are a lot of NCOWS shooters that also shoot SASS matches.

We won't even go into the extremes that some go to for costume contests.

The big shooting difference to me is that SASS is all about speed and throwing as much lead downrange as fast as possible. NCOWS is more about accuracy with targets far enough away that you have to aim the gun.

Also, in NCOWS a miss is a 10 second penalty. In SASS, a miss is a 5 second penalty. So again, NCOWS focuses a bit more on accuracy since it's usually better to take another second or two to aim rather than lose 10 seconds.

I disagree, you can't win matches in SASS by missing.  You have to shoot fast AND CLEAN.  I have shot SASS matches where the penalty for a miss is 10 seconds.  It slows the slower shooters down even more and does nothing to the faster shooters.  The smile factor really seemed to go down on the shooters in the middle of the pack.  Additionally I have seen matches where bonuses were awarded to each player for each stage shot clean.  This is a much better option if you want to emphasize accuracy and the top shooters actually do take more interest in insuring clean stages.

[Cliff Fendley]

Yes there are some members shooting both and a few dress in authentic old west costume but the majority of SASS are not. It's all in what you like to do but I was just stating from another poster that "Old West" better describes NCOWS over SASS.

I didn't want the original poster to think NCOWS was re enactment, it is a shooting sport just in more period correct 19th century dress and gear. Closer to what was seen in the real "old west". In SASS you can dress like Roy Rogers if you want.