Why I'm not in CAS

[Coop Trawlaine]

To start out with, just so there is no misunderstanding, I love this sport.   My Granddad was a working cowboy and my Great Granddad was a little of everything, buffalo hunter, hunter for the railroad in Montana, almost got hung as a cow thief doing that job,  well it was meat for the rr workers, wasn't it?  LOL   He even was a guide for Charles Russell up in what is now the Bob Marshal wilderness of Montana.  So what I am saying is that cowboy is in my blood.

I have always like guns, but my old mom just wasn't and isn't too keen on them.  I am a senior citizen now, so "Sorry Mom!"

I shoot at my local SASS and like everyone here I find the people are the greatest people you can commune with.  Just tell me any other sport where the top competitors will just hand over thier tools for a novice to use, you're right there ain't no other sport like that.

But I have to agree on one point that I have thought on ever since I started.  That is those top competitors with their slicked out .38 and able to fly through the average stage in the blink of an eye or two.  Then we have the others like me, '58 Remy clones with R&D drop-ins and just basic action jobs to keep the hammer from slamming completely through the cartridge...I know that is an exaggeration so please don't start in on this point.    There should maybe be a side class where the new and elder shooters that have not yet or no longer can move as fast and use fairly standard, almost out of box weapons can like someone else on this thread said, have a chance to receive some recognition as they improve in accuracy, like the best of the slowest or something like that.

I go to my SASS club and I can tell you before I even unload my cart who will be the top 5 or 10 to be recognized will be, just by repitition.  Then everyone can tell after the match before the scores are announced because these same people will be gather together as one group, a click of fast clickers, for want of a better term.

I sometimes shoot W3G and enjoy it one heck of a lot, the change in stage style makes the challenge a little better, for me at least, I can't tell you why because I don't yet know.  But I still go every month to my SASS club and compete because I like the fun of the shoot, the dressing up, and the people I have gotten to know and call my Pards

So that is my .02

Coop

[DarkBlack]

Amen Camille!

[Queasy Dillo]

I don't shoot CAS and likely never will.  I shoot on my own time, under my rules, with whichever gun suits me.

But the CAS boards are nice. 

[Curley Cole]

Well, guess I will put my 2 indian head pennies in the pot.
First, I can't see how ya can say it aint yer cup of tea ifn ya haven't shot a match.....Me and Old Top have been shootin matches for almost a year now. We both know our scores are never gonna get us in the record books. (although, we did place first and second in our catagory one month....only cuz there was only TWO in our catagory..) But, we watch our scores every month, and compare it to OUR scores the previous months and we are coming along nicely. Our reasons are not to be in the top 2%. Our reasons are to shoot fairly period correct firearms, (Old Top is shooting an ORIGINAL Winchester '73, can't get anymore authentic than that.) Me and Top have been friends for 45 years, and this gives us an opportunity to spend time doing stuff we love to do, and dress like the cowboys and soldiers in our minds, and shoot real bullets. Then we go home and load em up to shoot em again.

So, You have to ask your self what you want outta the sport. If it is gonna provide you satisfaction, then go forth. (after all, if you think about it, if you shoot 8 stages, the faster you shoot the less time you spend shooting the hot guns that shoot in 20-30 seconds get to only shoot about 4 minutes in the day, and I get to shoot about 8 minutes, so I am coming out ahead. Compete to your best ability, and then try to beat yer self next month. And in the mean time, visit with some of the nicest people around and have a good time, that is really what it is about. To me anyways...
Curley

[Pukin Dog]

And another thing!  Why does everyone load five rounds into a six-shooter?  Who came up with that idea?  Safe is safe!  Number of rounds in your gun got nothin' to do with it!  Why don't we all just buy five-shooters? 

I have to disagree with you on this point.  Even in the 'Ol West this was standard procedure.  Not sure if it is true but heard that Wyatt himself dropped a 6 shooter and had it go off.  And we all know that "NOBODY" ever drops a gun at a SASS match, right.  This is a good rule.

[Camille Eonich]

I agree Pukin' Dog...maybe not such a problem with Rugers considering the transfer bars but definitely a safety issue with the Colts and Colt clones that don't have them.

[Will Ketchum]

As others have mentioned NCOWS might be just the right thing for you.   They have a class for C&B revolvers called Pistoleer.  In that class you can shoot muzzle loading shotguns because they only shoot 2 shot from the shotgun per stage.

As for the non-authentic calibers.   Well if we want to be able to shoot the 66s and Henrys we must shoot them in the calibers provided.  Since they are being offered in rimfire (although the 66 was a few years ago) we shoot them in more modern calibers.  I had my 66 and henry both altered to feed 44 Russian which is pretty close to the original Henry Flat.  Didn't work as well with the Henry which started as a 44 WCF but the 66 is a 44 spl. so it works fairly well.

Surly you understand that we must make some compromises.  We need to wear safety glasses and hearing protection.  We drive modern vehicles to matches and those that need them take the need meds in order to function and participate.  We do the best that we can given that we live in the 21st century..

Join NCOWS for a year, you'll enjoy the magazine at least.  Heck you might like it enough to start a posse.

Will Ketchum

[Arcey]

As others have mentioned NCOWS might be just the right thing for you.   They have a class for C&B revolvers called Pistoleer.  In that class you can shoot muzzle loading shotguns because they only shoot 2 shot from the shotgun per stage.

As for the non-authentic calibers.   Well if we want to be able to shoot the 66s and Henrys we must shoot them in the calibers provided.  Since they are being offered in rimfire (although the 66 was a few years ago) we shoot them in more modern calibers.  I had my 66 and henry both altered to feed 44 Russian which is pretty close to the original Henry Flat.  Didn't work as well with the Henry which started as a 44 WCF but the 66 is a 44 spl. so it works fairly well.

Surly you understand that we must make some compromises.  We need to wear safety glasses and hearing protection.  We drive modern vehicles to matches and those that need them take the need meds in order to function and participate.  We do the best that we can given that we live in the 21st century..

Join NCOWS for a year, you'll enjoy the magazine at least.  Heck you might like it enough to star a posse.

Will Ketchum

Well said, if I may say so, Will.

Seen it live and in person.  Folks come out 'n don't do well.  Ain't their fault.  Other folks got better guns.  It ain't historic.  Mousepharts.  Blah, blah.

Ain't nothin' historic about a game where the bad guys hang from pipe stands in the middle of the street, don't run for cover 'n don't shoot back.  That's the game.  Always will be the game.  Ain't yer lot in life ya need ta find somethin' else.  Too many of us enjoy it like it is.

Best for everybody if the shooters shoot 'n the others bust caps alone...........

[PWDFR POSSE]

And another thing!  Why does everyone load five rounds into a six-shooter?  Who came up with that idea?  Safe is safe!  Number of rounds in your gun got nothin' to do with it!  Why don't we all just buy five-shooters? 

I have to disagree with you on this point.  Even in the 'Ol West this was standard procedure.  Not sure if it is true but heard that Wyatt himself dropped a 6 shooter and had it go off.  And we all know that "NOBODY" ever drops a gun at a SASS match, right.  This is a good rule.

Yeah, I heard that myself pard but... the guns of that era were different that todays models.  I have never seen or heard of a modern six-shooter goin' off from bein' dropped.  Cain't say it won't happen, I just ain't heard of it! 

[RRio]

And another thing!  Why does everyone load five rounds into a six-shooter?  Who came up with that idea?  Safe is safe!  Number of rounds in your gun got nothin' to do with it!  Why don't we all just buy five-shooters? 

I have to disagree with you on this point.  Even in the 'Ol West this was standard procedure.  Not sure if it is true but heard that Wyatt himself dropped a 6 shooter and had it go off.  And we all know that "NOBODY" ever drops a gun at a SASS match, right.  This is a good rule.

Yeah, I heard that myself pard but... the guns of that era were different that todays models.  I have never seen or heard of a modern six-shooter goin' off from bein' dropped.  Cain't say it won't happen, I just ain't heard of it! 

During my days as a stuntman/ gunfighter at Rawhide, Pinncle Peak and Apacheland Movie Ranch, we had it happen to us several times using Colt type single actions. Of course they were only loaded with blanks, but it was still enough to scare the bee-jeebers out of us. Any of the single actions without a transfer bar will do it.

[Irish Red O'Toole]

I love the Old West.  I grew up watching cowboy movies on TV on Saturday and Sunday.  I've done a fair bit of research to see what was true in the real Old West compared to what we see in movies.  Even though the Hollywood version is pure fantasy, I love everything about it.

So, why am I saying all of this.  Because there's a particular beauty in SASS that helps it sustain itself over these many years.  It's the "big tent" of Cowboy Action Shooting.  If your desire leans more towards authenticity (the REAL Old West), then there are categories that support that and what's more you'd be shooting against others with the same leaning.  If, on the other hand, you desire competitveness that can be accomodated as well.  If you want a blend of each, you can find a place to call home.

Which niche do I fall into?  Well, I must admit that I like to travel in the "Fast Shooters" circle.  Why?  Because I love competition.  I may never be as fast as Lead Dispencer or Badlands Bud, but I might (one day) give either one a run for their money.   I know....when  they're old and blind......and then only maybe!!

Anyway, OB...I hope you find that niche for yourself.  You're always welcome at the fire, no matter what.

[jiminy criquet]

During my days as a stuntman/ gunfighter at Rawhide, Pinncle Peak and Apacheland Movie Ranch, we had it happen to us several times using Colt type single actions. Of course they were only loaded with blanks, but it was still enough to scare the bee-jeebers out of us. Any of the single actions without a transfer bar will do it.

Even 'blanks' can kill you.  (The concussion and wadding at close range.)  For instance there was an actor on a newly popular TV show (John Eric Hexum?) some years back who while 'acting' on the set accidently shot himself in the head with his .44 Magnum loaded with blanks.  End of him and end of the TV show if I recall correctly.

And yes, the only way to carry a single action revolver in absolutely 'safe' mode is with the hammer down on an empty cylinder.

[Camille Eonich]

Howdy again Tomahawk....it sounds as though, even though you have been shooting CAS for over a year that you may not have been to many matches.  Most clubs don't care if you are a SASS member or not.  A SASS affiliated club will generally have enough regular members to cover any issues that may come up about the required percentage of shooters that are SASS members.  Then again if you go to an SASS affiliated annual shoot you are going to have to be a SASS member to participate.


Most people don't wear period correct glasses and aren't expected to since the small round eyewear of the time doesn't provide very good eye protection.  I can't imagine any club saying anything to any shooter about wearing a good pair of safety glasses or shooting glasses, rather than something period.


I have never seen anyone rejected at a match because of something that they were or were not wearing.  On the other hand if you shoot long enough people are going to start teasing you a bit if you are still dressing minimally.  Keep in mind that that SASS is a fantasy sport much like DandD, for some reason I have a feeling that you have played that before , and the clothing requirements are really, really loose.  Authenticism is NOT a requirement.  If you get into NCOWs though you need to be able to document clothing as well as other things as being historical....some clubs are still looser than others in that aspect but I won't even try to tell you any more about NCOWs because I just don't know that much about it.  I'm sure that someone else will be along shortly to pick up where I left off on that though or you culd mosey down to the NCOWs forum iffin't ya took a fancy to.


Hope this all helps you out some with the questions that you had. 

[Arcey]

Ok, ok......

I've been out in the cold shootin' all day.  What's up here?

..

[Presidio]

Ohhh...jest somebody bein' unhappy is all.  Nuthin' ta worry 'bout.  Person been a watchin' and can't seem ta get involved and geared up enuf ta join in the fun, cause he ain't seein' it fer what it is. 

Pure Fun !

[RRio]

Even 'blanks' can kill you.  (The concussion and wadding at close range.)  For instance there was an actor on a newly popular TV show (John Eric Hexum?) some years back who while 'acting' on the set accidently shot himself in the head with his .44 Magnum loaded with blanks.  End of him and end of the TV show if I recall correctly.

And yes, the only way to carry a single action revolver in absolutely 'safe' mode is with the hammer down on an empty cylinder.

That's quite true, Jiminy. The old Remington 5 in 1 blanks were and are deadly, and that is what was used when that actor was killed. Sad, thing is there are blanks out there that have a louder report and are a ga-zillion times safer than a 5 in 1. We used "Leg-Savers" that was a reloadable, machine turned case, approximately .750 in length, filled with silver nitrate powder(almost a baby powder consistency) and capped with a "flash" wad that was supposed to be completely disintegrated 6" out of the barrel. Never had an injury using those.

[Arcey]

Thanx, Presidio.

For a minute, I thought I was seein' things.  It's all gone.  I'm feelin' better now.  Guess the medication has kicked in.............

..

[Presidio]

Come ta think of it, Arcey...there appears ta be more'n one subject being carried on here in this thread.  Might wanna pass some of that medication my way if'n yer inclined ta'.   Somehow or where's-about - it got hijacked inta blanks bein' lethal

Feelin' a headache a brewin' up and I ain't had no liquor ta' excuse it with either.


Merry Christmas!

[RRio]

  Somehow or where's-about - it got hijacked inta blanks bein' lethal

My apologies, Presiddio. Didn't mean to hijack it.

[Trapdoor Billy]

Dang, I thought I posted something.