Joining NCOWS

Pappy Hayes · February 02, 2006, 03:19:16 PM

I have been thinking about joining NCOWS, but there are no posses or shoots close to me. I live in Blue Springs, MO. Not sure how often I would actually be able to make it across the border into Kansas for shoots. Would there be enough benefits right now for me to spend the money even thought I cannot make the shoots to start with?

Books OToole · February 02, 2006, 03:28:33 PM

Pappy;

I live in Raytown, MO. I shoot with the Kansas Vigilance Committee. Most of our shoots are at Garnette, Ks. It is a little over an hour drive for me. You really ought to come see us. After the convention we all of are going to get serious about the sprng shooting season. The first weekend in May will be the KVC/NCOWS two gun regional. There will be a couple of non-shooting events before then.

Books

Pappy Hayes · February 02, 2006, 07:59:38 PM

Hey Books OToole I grew up in Raytown. Have lived in Blue Springs for about 13 years now. Do you shoot anywhere else? I shoot with the Rocky Branch Rangers out at Lafayette gun club in Higginsville.

Black River Smith · February 02, 2006, 10:37:55 PM

Pappy,

Good thing you don't live here in St. Louis, MO. There ain't nothing NCOWS here. But I have been a member coming on 8 years. I think it was still worth the money.

Black River Smith

Irish Dave · February 02, 2006, 10:52:16 PM

Pappy:

Hope you'll give us a try. In my opinion, our magazine, "The Shootist" is a real benefit to every member no matter whether they're involved with a local posse or not. Much good info, all the organization news, some good fiction, a history lesson or two. All-in-all a worthwhile publication as I see it.

Plus, there's lots of events in KS, IA, KY and the National Match is always a great time.

Grizzle Bear · February 03, 2006, 07:07:59 AM

Pappy, as Book's was sayin', we allow a few renegade Missourians to come shoot with the Kansas Vigilance Committee. You would be welcome, too. Just have your visa stamped at the border.........

Grizzle Bear

Steel Horse Bailey · February 03, 2006, 08:28:57 AM

Would that be his VISA card, Rob?

Prof. A. Wickwire · February 03, 2006, 12:33:43 PM

Pappy,

As far as I know, there are no other NCOWS members in my neck of the woods either. However, who knows what the future will hold.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

Dr. Bob · February 03, 2006, 11:43:13 PM

Howdy,

SHB,

Nope, KVC has no dues. Grizzle Bear is a fine Senator and a longtime friend, but he is delusional about needing a visa to enter Kansas! We try to humor him, so don't tell him I said this.

Pappy,

I live in Independence and went to school in Raytown. We have a Western Film Festival coming up and you could come and meet us. It IS in KC, KANSAS but you know you don't need a visa to get there.

If you'r interested in coming, pm Grizzle Bear and get the date and directions. To quote Trap, you oughta come!

Pappy Hayes · February 13, 2006, 10:23:44 AM

I have sent my application to join today. Not sure if I can make the convention.

Dr. Bob · February 13, 2006, 12:31:54 PM

Howdy Pappy,

Glad to have you as a NCOWS pard! Hope that you come and join the KVC for some of our fun.

Irish Dave · February 13, 2006, 04:21:50 PM

Congrats, Pappy, for a decision I don't think you'll regret.
Glad to have you in the camp.

Silver Creek Slim · February 15, 2006, 11:53:54 AM

Welcome, Pappy Hayes.
I'd be careful crossing the border into KS you might be mistaken as a bushwacker.

Slim

Pappy Hayes · February 17, 2006, 01:03:29 PM

Since I have joined NCOWS, I am wondering if my hat and shot gun will be wrong. My hat is a Bailey and it is call the Tombstone. It has a Gus crown and a 4 in. brim. My shot gun is a double barrel with 26 in. barrels with internal firirng pins. My persona is a marshal around the late 60's to the 70's. My revolvers are a RM Conversion, 72 Open Top in 44Colt/Russian and I have 58 Remington with a Kirst Konverter that I am using as a back up in SASS shooting 45 Scolfield. My lever action is a 66 Yellowboy in 44-40 with 26 in. octagon barrel.

Lars · February 17, 2006, 01:42:11 PM

Welcome Pappy Hayes!!

I think you will find that ALL of your guns are on the "approved" list for NCOWS. To check, go to the NCOWS website and then to By-Laws and look for List of Approved and Unapproved guns, etc. Cannot speak precisely to how well your shotgun fits into the time frame of your persona, BUT, it is NCOWS legal. There is no requirement that your guns fit into the time frame of your persona, although most folks try to do that.

Lars

Wymore Wrangler · February 17, 2006, 02:04:19 PM

I agree with Lar, the shotgun unless it has a vent rib and/or a modern recoil pad on it would be legal. I personally think half the fun is shooting a hammered double, you might want to think about one in the future, if are paths cross, you are most welcome to try mine.... As far as the hat, some have problems with a sloped crease, but they have been documented back to the late 1870's, awhile back Terry Lane had a picture posted of Pawnee Bill wearing one. The crown isn't as high as the modern hats are, but as a starter hat, you will be fine...

Dr. Bob · February 17, 2006, 02:26:01 PM

Howdy Pappy Hayes,

Your guns will all pass muster. You will find a LOT of 97 pump shotguns on the line. A lot of hammer doubles too.

Since last March, between Cas City and TFS, there have been nearly 165 posts about the Gus Creas hat. We have examined 100s of pictures and argued about finding or not finding a period pictue of one. Some NCOWS members wear them and some don't. I subscribe to the haven't found a PC picture yet. We won't pick on anyone for a Gus Crease hat, but a friend here in NE Independence will re-form it for a reasonalbe price. I took one that I found in a thrift shop and re-formed it int a Montana peak, most common in the 1880's, but pictured in the late 1860's. Glad to have you in NCOWS. Hope you will throw in with the KVC. Feel free to give me a call [after noon] @ 816-716-8866. I'm new to the KVC [since last March.] but have been buckskining and re-enacting with them since 1978 and they are a great bunch to run with.

Pappy Hayes · February 17, 2006, 02:35:47 PM

Thanks pards for your comments. I plan to pick up an external hammered double. Have not determined which one to go with. Also money is a little tight right now. If a friend of mine is still in town I will talk to him about reshapping my hat. I have straw hat that I am suppose to get with him to have it reshapped. If my web business keeps growing like it has been, I will be able to pick up the hammered double and maybe a couple of more revolvers. I will give you a call sometime Dr. Bob so we can get together.

Wymore Wrangler · February 17, 2006, 04:05:45 PM

If your looking for a hammered double, the TTN keeps getting better and better, it's a copy of 1878 Colt double, no safety, and no lawyer instructions on it....

Lars · February 17, 2006, 05:23:20 PM

IF not the TNN, look for a nice old hammer double from the early part of the 1900s. Especially one that still has the original bores and chokes. Having original bores, chokes and forcing cones (from the first half of 1900s) is even more important if you intend to shoot BP loads with card and fiber wads. The TNN is only a coach gun, and with 3 inch chambers(!!!!). For a sheriff persona a coach gun might be OK -- some of us avoid them like the plauge, others love them. Whatever hammer double you look at, do try for one with high hammers, so that they can both be cocked with one pass of the thumb. Some have small, low hammers that are nearly impossible (at best) to cock rapidly.

There is also the "Working Cowboy" class, which uses only one revolver and rifle, NO shotgun. Some of us much perfer the Working Cowboy class for its simplicity and absence of shotgun.

Lars