Why should I join NCOWS?

[G.W. Strong]

I have been shooting SASS for about a year now and I love cowboy shooting. I come from a reenacting background so I am doing my best to create a reasonable 1886 impression. I have no complaints about SASS and the lack of authenticity of some others does not significnatly detract from my enjoyment of the activity. There are no NCOWS clubs close to me in the northwest Chicago Suburbs. I presently shoot in NE Illininois and SE Wisconsin. I like the more authentic mission of NCOWS but there does not seem to be any in my area.

Why should I join NCOWS?

[joec]

I have been shooting SASS for about a year now and I love cowboy shooting. I come from a reenacting background so I am doing my best to create a reasonable 1886 impression. I have no complaints about SASS and the lack of authenticity of some others does not significnatly detract from my enjoyment of the activity. There are no NCOWS clubs close to me in the northwest Chicago Suburbs. I presently shoot in NE Illininois and SE Wisconsin. I like the more authentic mission of NCOWS but there does not seem to be any in my area.

Why should I join NCOWS?

It is hard to answer since you have no NCOWS in your area. Now I have a SASS group within 10 miles of me but drive an 1 1/2 to get to a NCOWS group. I do because I'm not interested in shooting 4 guns each set and like the authenticity of it. I've never shot SASS though so I'm not a good judge other than I've read their rules. I will say NCOWS is pretty inexpensive for a years membership though and for me well worth it. Just my opinion. Good luck with what ever you decide to do though as it is all good.

[Cliff Fendley]

If there are other like minded folks around maybe you could start your own posse. Also the Nationals isn't that far from Chicago if you can take the time for a short road trip.

[Cash Creek]

There a NCOWS club call Hickory Hill Regulators
Located in the area of SW Wisconsin near the sleepy village of Excelsior..

Check out this web page it show all the NCOWS posses..
http://www.ncows.org/posses.html

CC

[Dynamite Bill]

the T-Rex targets at the regionals at Hooten Old Town in Kentucky, the 1800s atmosphere at the Nationals in Evansville,Indiana, the great folks of NCOWS, a lot of black powder, & last but not leas...................................&jeff!

[Cutter Carl]

I joined NCOWS and SASS at the same time even though the nearest NCOWS club was in Georgia about 8-10 hours away.  Since then thanks mainly to the efforts of Major2 we have formed a posse in Florida and held our first shoot earlier this month.  The second shoot is already in the planning stages.  If you are interested in authenticity then join NCOWS.  Wear the lapel pin to SASS matches and have the NCOWS sticker on your gun cart.  You will be suprised how many others might have an interest in NCOWS.  We had several SASS regulars come to our first shoot, at least 1 joined NCOWS after the shoot and expect we will see more at the second shoot.  The NCOWS dues are really resonable and you will become an ambassador for preserving and expanded the history of the period.

[G.W. Strong]

Is there any reason not to be part of both organizations? With SASS I can certainly shoot more often but with NCOWS I can shoot more authentically. I have loads of different firearms to try out. I just got ahold of a pair of 44spl 1872 Open Tops and a 1866 in the same caliber. That should be fun to shoot.

[Pancho Peacemaker]

No reason at all not to be a part of both.  Realize that both organizations thrive on a different set of values.

In my area, SASS has a become a speed shooting sport with a nod toward the Old West and the B-Western Cinema.   I find that target distances have become uncomfortably close at some of the SASS venues I attend(ed).

NCOWS strives to maintain ourselves in a manner as close to the real Old West as we can.  Our style of competition favors accuracy as much as speed with a weapon.  

90% of my shooting time is spent with NCOWS.  Why?  The people.  You get a group of us together and we can spend hours debating the finer points of early Colt cartridge revolver conversions.  If that sounds like something of interest to you, you'd probably fit right in.


Pancho

[Cliff Fendley]

No reason not to be a member of both organizations if you like what they offer.

I agree with Pancho that the SASS ranges I have been on have the targets uncomfortably close.

I like the accuracy as much as speed aspect of the shooting part.

Most of all I like the old west spirit NCOWS strives to maintain and the atmosphere that creates at the matches.

[Tascosa Joe]

I belong to the same club as Pancho.  I am also a long time member of SASS and NCOWS.  When I joined NCOWS the closest posse to Texas was central Iowa.   I enjoy the people as much as anything, but I enjoy the authenticity as well.   I originally joined NCOWS to get the Shootist Magazine.  It is well worth your $35 a year.  Come an join us and if you can only attend the Nationals that is good, that is what I did in the years before we got NCOWS started in Texas.   Whatever you decide know that you will be welcome here at NCOWS.   If you decide to snow bird it to Texas come shoot with us.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

+1 for Both!

I realize that our clubs in Indiana aren't ALL of NCOWS, but I'll bet that 50% to 75% of our members carry dual "citizenship" ... so to speak!

It's all about shooting fun with, depending on which organization, some History thrown in.

[Tjackstephens]

I started shooting CAS in 1994. Shot at local clubs. Joined SASS so several of us could go to Mule Camp, that was the second Mule Camp. It was great, but something happened at that shoot. The Wild Bunch were there and let those GA boys know that were doing it all wrong. That's when things started to change this side of the Mississippi. Targets moved in and got bigger and they are still going that way. Yes I still shoot SASS, but I joined NCOWS because it is more like the local clubs were back then. You have to dress the part, use leather that looks right, use the sights on your guns, and shoot at targets that are harder to hit. You have to know something about the person that you pretend to be. Yes old west history is alive and well here at NCOWS.
Come down to Evansville, IN the first full week of June. Visit the primitive camping area, looks us over and talk to the cowboys, cowgirls, stagecoach drivers, lawmen, outlaws, army, indians, bankers, ladies, and saloon girls. Think you will like us. If you choose to join NCOWS before then, come and shoot the NATIONAL.
I have fun shooting SASS, but more fun shooting NCOWS. Tj

[Johnny McCrae]

Hopalong is a Pard of mine and we shoot together at our local Range. We also shoot SASS matches together. Coming from a Reenacting background, He is historically minded and very concerned about being period correct. Hopalong has a great collection of Antique firearms and it's a genuine pleasure to see him shoot on of his original Trapdoors. We shot the breeze today for a while and yesterday he fired an original Martini Henry at our range. Wish I could have been there.

Everyone has given Hopalong some great information and encouragement about NCOWS along with solid reasons why to join NCOWS. I've told him what a wonderful organization NCOWS is and all about the NCOWS Nationals in Evansville. I'm hoping he will be able to attend the 2012 NCOWS Nationals with us.

It's good to see someone else in Southeastern Wisconsin show interest in NCOWS. Perhaps we may be able to generate enough interest to form an NCOWS Posse in our area someday.

[Cash Creek]

Why should I join NCOWS  Because we are a GREAT bunch of guy and girls  and we have a great magazine that worth the cost of joining.. 

[Steel Horse Bailey]

That's it in the simplest terms!

Well said, Brother Cash Creek!

[Texas Lawdog]

You also get to hang out with Brother Masons who belong to Hiram's Rangers.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
I can't figure out a reason not to join .

[Cole Bluesteele]

I agree SASS is what it is and it primary attraction to western history buffs, is its availability.  I agree that NCOWS is not everywhere.  So what can YOU do about that?

In order for NCOWS to reach SASS's level of availability to everyone with an interest in our western history and shooting firearms of that period then everyone with such interests should, NO... MUST join NCOWS.  If everyone did that I bet we could put you in contact with other "like minded individuals" to assist you in getting a NCOWS posse started in your area.  However, if you just sit back and wait for it to happen, welll, like the man said, If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got!"

How else will NCOWS matches become widespread? 

NCOWS got started in Texas because I got a bunch of western action shooters together to start a posse.  I invite you do do the same and offer you any assistance I may be able to provide in that effort.

SO, what ya waiting for?  Join NOW!  Help spread NCOWS matches across the country.

Ted

[bear tooth billy]

I live in eastern Iowa and shoot some sass matches in Milan Il. I do reenacting in Mcgregor, and joined the closest ncows posse
near Des Moines. I've been doing this for about 10 years and joined ncows right away, I really like the old west history, and with
ncows we really emphasize the real old west. I have a historic camp, stay in a wall tent, sleep on a feather tick under a buffalo
robe, we really strive to have everything period correct. I think ncows is the closest thing to actually living the old west there is


                                                      BTB

[Cash Creek]

BTB:
I know it's a long, long drive from Milan Il to Evansville IN.. but if you come to the NCOWS National in June we have free camping..and there will be 9 or 10 others in the camp grounds..just like back in 1880...and around 75 shooters.. and it's a great Cowboy town to shoot at..they have breakfast at the club house each morning, and lunch..you can stay the week and never have to leave the place if you don't want to..CC