Two New Shooters With Questions About Firearms Selection

[BlackLake]

Howdy all again. I already posted in the new comers section but we are looking to purchase next weekend.

First I'm pretty much set on the Ruger Vaquero Bisley in .357 magnum (shooting .38s) With the 5-1/2" barrels. I assume this will be ok in the classic cowboy class?

For my wife I think we're set on a pair of Cimarron Thunderers also in .357 mag with the 4-1/2" barrels. Will this be ok in the classic division?

My biggest questions come in the long guns.

I really had my heart set on the Henry Big Boy in .357 mag but reading the rules it seems I wouldn't be able to shoot this rifle in the classic division. My desire to want to shoot in that division is that the costumes in B western (where the rifle is allowed) seem to be the ones with all the frilly accoutrements seen in old westerns and neither of us really want to wear those. Just not our thing. Am I right in that understanding? If I am can someone recommend a good rifle in .357 mag that looks period accurate? I like the Marlin 1894 and own one already but to me it just doesn't look that period accurate. I see that Marlin makes a 1894 Cowboy in .357 mag. Would that work in the classic division?

On the shotgun I was thinking a Cimarron 1897 would work well but now I'm not so sure. They seem to break a lot and require a lot of gun smithing. Would a Stoeger side by side work better for us as beginners?

Again we really like the Henry Big Boy but if it throws us into the B western division and we are then forced to wear the '50s style western movie outfits we'd rather move on to a different rifle.

Thanks in advance!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

The RUGER Bisley Vaquero is OK for SASS clubs, but is not for NCOWS, although Colt style Bisleys are.  Birdhead grips, again, are not legal in NCOWS, unless they are on original double-action Colts.

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

I don't think there is anything wrong with your Marlin 1894, at least to get started.  You might have to load .38 special cases to the same oal as .357 mags.

I think you are set on SASS, but don't ignore NCOWS, especially if you have any historical interests.  The three NCOWS posses in Texas share ranges with SASS clubs, I think, so you can have a look at both.

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

The usual advice at this stage is to attend a club before you spend a lot of time & money.  Most of us have had to go through more than one set of guns until we were settled.  Visit a club and you will find good friendly people, and plenty of advice, and perhaps some hands on experience. You might get to try out the firearms you are interested in , and talk with their owners about the pros&cons. Don't feel slighted if you don't get a chance to compete first time out.  A club might wan't to see you at a training session first and get a feel about your gun handling ability.

http://www.sassnet.com/clubs/Clubs_list.php?state=Texas

[Shotgun Franklin]

Here's my standard suggestion:
Go to some local club shoots. Take about 100 rounds of low velocity lead revolver rounds, .38 Spl or .45 Colt and a box of 12 or 20 ga shotgun shells, Dove loads. The Shooters will let you try all kinds of guns, including different makes, shapes, grips and actions. Then you can make an educated guess as to what you want. I suggest you go to 3 matches before you decide. Several people will likely have guns they want to trade or sale. If you're a club member you'll likely get a better deal. Also take an old felt Cowboy Hat and a thick wide belt to hang a holster on. Yep, you can pickup leather gear too.
I'm betting that you can save yourself hundreds of dollars by not buying before you try.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Others have suggested you go to matches and shoot borrowed guns - good advice
If you have not already done so read the SASS Handbook here is the link:
http://www.sassnet.com/Downloads/SASSHandbook-v18.2-2012Highlighted.pdf

Earlier you indicated interest in classic cowboy which necessitates a 1873 or earlier Lever action Repros of original 1860 henrys, 1866 wincherster or 1873 as well as original rifles in those models.

The category also requires hammered double barrelled or lever action shotguns.

There are also costuming requirements for Classic Cowboy/Cowgirl.

[Abilene]

In addition to what cpt dan blodgett said, Classic Cowboy/girl category requires .40 or larger caliber (38-40 or larger), and must be shot duelist-style.  Definitely read the handbook in the link above.  On the other hand, I believe ALL of the guns and calibers you mentioned are legal in the various traditional or duelist categories.  If you were drawn to Classic because of the dress requirements, you can also dress the same way in the other (except B-western) categories and shoot .38/.357 if that's what you want.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I was right.  It seems that your closest club is the MAGNOLIA MISFITS.  They are a private club hosting both SASS and NCOWS shooters;

http://www.sassnet.com/clubs/Clubs_detail.php?Magnolia-Misfits-719

No one mentioned it yet, but take hearing and eye protection when you visit a range.  But then again, I don't think you are newbys!

[Jefro]

Here's my standard suggestion:
Go to some local club shoots. Take about 100 rounds of low velocity lead revolver rounds, .38 Spl or .45 Colt and a box of 12 or 20 ga shotgun shells, Dove loads. The Shooters will let you try all kinds of guns, including different makes, shapes, grips and actions. Then you can make an educated guess as to what you want. I suggest you go to 3 matches before you decide. Several people will likely have guns they want to trade or sale. If you're a club member you'll likely get a better deal. Also take an old felt Cowboy Hat and a thick wide belt to hang a holster on. Yep, you can pickup leather gear too.
I'm betting that you can save yourself hundreds of dollars by not buying before you try.

What Shotgun said, do not spend any money on firearms untill you have tried several models. .40cal + for Classic Cowboy......The Henry Big Boy is at the very bottom of the list of popular or dependeble rilfes for CAS, right there with the Taurus T-Bolt . Get ahold of the MD from several clubs, they can often have firearms arranged for you to try. Try before you buy and and you will save a bundle in the long run. Good Luck

Jefro Relax-Enjoy

[rickk]

If you like the Henry, don't be afraid of it. Unlike something made in Italy, it is made in the USA and sold with a no BS warrantee.

I had some feeding issues with mine when I got it. I emailed them, they sent me a UPS shipping label, it went to HRA and was returned in 2 weeks. It now works flawlessly.

I have seen a few stories posted about people who had issues with them and they got frustrated and sold them. If they simply contacted the factory the factory would have made them right.

How many other gun models do you hear about where the plan before it ever arrived was to send it off to someone to make it work right?  There is an aftermarket parts business set up surrounding just about every gun in production to sell you parts to make it work better.  With the Henry, if it doesn't work perfectly, just send it back to Antonio and his guys take care of the problem No Charge.

The controversy about the HRA Big Boy has much less to do with the gun than it does to do with the marketing campaign that HRA put on when it came out with the model. Lets face it, sales people are sales people, and they all do strange things to sell their product. On the Big Boy the sales people screwed it up big time. Fortunately, sales people sell and don't make the gun. The Big Boy works well.

A lot of people whine about the front loading tube instead of the more traditional receiver loading gate. I have quite a few lever guns (Marlin, Winchester), and I kind of like the front loading tube better.... way less pain on the fingers to load it.

[Cliff Fendley]

It takes a month of Sundays to do a reload with a Henry. I know a few that have Henry's and they aren't near the gun the Italian Clones are for dependability.

Most plans you hear about people sending the others off are to slick them up not to make them work.