What's the differance between NCOWS and SASS?

[major]

just wondering if anyone can tell me the difference between NCOWS and SASS.

[Cash Creek]

I think one is speed shooting, targets close and big, the other is accuracy shooting targets back and smaller.

CC

[Will Ketchum]

SASS is a competitive shooting sport using nominally 19th Century firearms in somewhat period garb.
NCOWS main emphasis is on historical accuracy with guns, gear and dress where on occasion there is a shooting match..
Neither is better than the other, just different emphasis.
I'm a life member of both but haven't been involved with SASS for several years.  I left when to me it became IPSIC in cowboy clothes. Most of the fun had gone out of the sport when the competitors decided all lines said and any props used must be off the clock.
For me that was the beginning of the end. With that said there are many fine people in both groups many of whom I am proud to call my friends.

Will Ketchum 

[PJ Hardtack]

Our club splits the difference.

We use SASS Safety Rules, but you had better be able to shoot difficult targets at longer ranges than at SASS events. We encourage as much authenticity as you care to put into costuming, and we don't allow modern dress. However, we are not 'Stitch Nazis'.

We watched what happened with other clubs who went the SASS "IPSC in Cowboy Clothes" route and decided we didn't like it. When we spread the Gospel to two new clubs, we got them shooting our way and they enjoy it.

Most of our shooters shoot .44s and .45s and we love cap & ball guns!

[major]

Thanks for the replys.  I do SASS and I also Reenact Cowboy and Civil War.  Are there any NCOWS or APS clubs in Western New York?  I think when my shoulder heals I would like to try them out.

[Major 2]

Major , the main difference you have touched on unknowingly 

NCOWS was founded in Iowa  by and populated by Reenactors for the most part .
It is Member managed and is a NOT for Profit organization. 

SASS was founded in Calif. by IPSC visionaries with a flair for Western guns .... Harper Creigh, AKA Judge Roy Bean, SASS #1 and
EMF's the late Boyd A. Davis, AKA General US Grant, SASS #2 . and run as a Business.
Race guns abound and modification for speed is allowed

NCOW's is not 'Stitch Nazis'.
It does however embrace the History & in both western ware & Firearms... with step farther allowing Double action revolvers made before 1898...if one so desires .....  1898 is the cutoff date....  (cool as they are you won't see Wild Bunch 1911's )

SASS & NCOWS can co-exist .....  rather than pick at the differences, just enjoy the differences ...

AS to your Western NY question...not yet , but if you have a few like minded pards , a posse' can happen...
and LOTS of help will be given on the NCOWS Board to get you stared ...

[Baltimore Ed]

As there is no horse too dead to beat, I wish that the poster's query included WASA. Please forgive my dead horse.

[major]

As there is no horse too dead to beat, I wish that the poster's query included WASA. Please forgive my dead horse.

OK, I'll bite, what is WASA?

[major]

SASS was founded in Calif. by IPSC visionaries with a flair for Western guns .... Harper Creigh, AKA Judge Roy Bean, SASS #1 and
EMF's the late Boyd A. Davis, AKA General US Grant, SASS #2 . and run as a Business.
Race guns abound and modification for speed is allowed

Does that mean that short stroked guns are not allowed in NCOWS?

[Baltimore Ed]

Major, Western Action Shootists Association, a not for profit organization founded in 1998. Similar to sass in clothing, safety and firearm rules but with a broader range of handguns, allowing SA, DA and self loaders (pre 1916), fewer categories too. Kinda splits the difference between sass, GAF and Zoot shooters. It couldn't compete with sass even with the rank and files dislike of sass being a privately owned business. My club, ECSASS, broke from sass over rulebook issues years ago and adopted WASA rules but we still use sass rules too. Next month we're doing our Span Am boltgun match along with our monthly cas shoot. The best of all cas worlds.

[Abilene]

Does that mean that short stroked guns are not allowed in NCOWS?

That is correct.

I sort of dress like NCOWS and shoot NCOWS legal guns in SASS.  Well, I did finally shortstroke one of my '73's after all these years but still have several that are stock.  If there was an NCOWS posse close by I would certainly be there.  There is one about 5 hours or so away but I'm spoiled with much closer SASS clubs.  One day I will make the trip.

[Major 2]

Does that mean that short stroked guns are not allowed in NCOWS?

I does .....

I'll also point out .... SASS is 4 guns 

NCOWS has 2 Gun , 3 gun & 4 gun classifications your choice....

Pistol & Rifle -  2 Pistol & Rifle  and  2 Pistol , Rifle & Shotgun......

[Major 2]

That is correct.

I sort of dress like NCOWS and shoot NCOWS legal guns in SASS.  Well, I did finally shortstroke one of my '73's after all these years but still have several that are stock.  If there was an NCOWS posse close by I would certainly be there.  There is one about 5 hours or so away but I'm spoiled with much closer SASS clubs.  One day I will make the trip.

Please do, the Berger Sharpshooters hosts a FINE Event and the SW Berger Memorial is the best time one can have !!!!!!
even Soaked to the skin & struck in the MUD.... don't ask  

[Bibbyman]

NCOWS,   What about stainless steel guns?   What about guns radically different than clones of the late 1800s - like Ruger Vaqueros and Heney Big Boys?

[Major 2]

Polish or bright Stainless Yes , resembles Nickel

Matte Stainless ...No

Ruger Vaqueros are Grandfathered in  and approved

HRA 's  Henry Big Boys.... No   ( not a recreation of anything 19th. Century )

HRA's 1860 Henry Rifle.... Yes

The Tally book is available on line to download ...if you want the " book

Briefly however:

Approved List:  http://ncows.com/library/pdf/2017ApprovedList.pdf

Unapproved List:  http://ncows.com/library/pdf/2017UnapprovedList.pdf

[major]

Major2
The links would not work.  Can you check them and then repost?

[Buffalo Creek Law Dog]

I'm also tired of this IPSIC in cowboy clothes.  This coming season, I will be shooting the rifle targets with my pistols.  I will advise the rest of the posse before I shoot so, they don't think  that Alzheimer's is kicking in by shooting at the wrong targets.

[Abilene]

Major2
The links would not work.  Can you check them and then repost?

I guess the website was updated since Major 2 saved those links.  The lists are .PDF files now, and the links can all be found on this page:
http://ncows.com

[Major 2]

As Abilene posted

http://ncows.com

The lists are on the right of the page ...

Approved List PDF
Rules and Regulations PDF
Unapproved List PDF

I am a past National NCOWS Judge, and glad to help, but I suggest you might want to confer with the current EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Judge: John Torrence

Secretary: Bryan Buck

Marshal: Ted Beechler

Deputy: Michael Tatham

Banker: Joe Ray

Editor: John Irons

Senate Delegate:
Mark Smith

Representative Delegate: Tom Spanton

[PJ Hardtack]

Yeah, it amuses me to see shooters with tang sights on their rifles and carbines shooting at SASS targets at 7m (10 yds).

I'm also tired of this IPSIC in cowboy clothes.  This coming season, I will be shooting the rifle targets with my pistols.  I will advise the rest of the posse before I shoot so, they don't think  that Alzheimer's is kicking in by shooting at the wrong targets.