Cowboy matches???

Sigma05

Sigma05

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I just got a lever gun and a wheel gun and wanted to have some fun. Any matches going on around the triangle? I know 37PSR used to have some but haven’t seen any on their calendar in a while. Preferably a match that welcomes any lever gun or wheel gun and isn’t into petty restrictions. Thanks in advance.
 
Sigma05 said:
What’s Crunchy Frog?
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He is a member here that is very active in Cowboy matches. I was "paging" him to this thread in hopes that he could answer your question for you.
 
On Saturday morning Sir Walter Gun Club will host it's monthly SASS match. You could go & observe, or send email to the match director with questions. His address can be found on the club's Web site.

Care to define "petty restrictions "?
 
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Sleipnir said:
Care to define "petty restrictions "?
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Anything that stops a newcomer from being able to come out to a match and have fun without having to invest a ton of cash. Every match should have a bring whatever you got category so the newcomer can try it out before investing all that money. Even is they can’t win prizes or be classified. Matches should be about inclusion and not exclusion.
 
Slacker said:
Most cowboy matches require a costume.
It's a real bummer.

Are your guns rimfire?
If so, the the rimfire matches at DPRC have a cowboy division.
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That’s the problem I’m seeing. So much for going out and having fun with your classic style guns. :( Both my wheel gun and lever gun are .357/.38 to keep things simple.
 
I think you will find that most SASS match directors want to grow the sport and are willing to work with potential competitors by initially cutting them some slack. Get blue jeans and a cowboy hat? Talk to them. Most are helpful.

BTW I do not shoot SASS. I simply like to watch when I'm at the range and they are having a match.
 
Sigma05 said:
Anything that stops a newcomer from being able to come out to a match and have fun without having to invest a ton of cash. Every match should have a bring whatever you got category so the newcomer can try it out before investing all that money. Even is they can’t win prizes or be classified. Matches should be about inclusion and not exclusion.
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My limited experience with local matches has been very inclusive as long as there are no safety concerns involved. I have never seen anyone turned away at one of our matches because they did not dress exactly according to the rule book. The match director would not allow the use of jacketed ammo or large birdshot/buckshot because of danger to the participants and damage to the targets. As with most matches of any type, hearing and eye protection are required for all participants and spectators. I generally have two sets of firearms and holsters with me and have frequently let people borrow what they need. I don't think you would have problems with either guns or leather as a new shooter.

I have never been to any of the higher level matches but would imagine that proper adherence to the rule book would be more common in them than in some of the less formal local matches. Contact the match director and explain what your situation is.

As with any gun game, there are some who take the game very seriously, are driven to be as good as they can be, and spend a lot of time and money improving their performance. There are some who are just out to have a good time playing cowboys with real guns and live ammo. Give it a try and see how you like it.
 
Sigma05 said:
That’s the problem I’m seeing. So much for going out and having fun with your classic style guns. :( Both my wheel gun and lever gun are .357/.38 to keep things simple.
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The “costume” requirements are pretty easy to satisfy. Long pants (jeans are fine) and a long sleeved shirt for a gentleman. Just about any type of leather shoe or boot (except a combat boot) is legal. Work boots are more comfortable than most cowboy boots. You actually are not required to wear a hat but they are practical.

When I shot my first match (with borrowed leather and guns that the other participants lent me, I was wearing “illegal” headgear and footwear. No one said a word about it.

Most of our new shooters don’t have all of the gear when they get started. Almost always people share what they have so that the new shooter gets a real feel for the game.
 
Slacker said:
@Sigma05
Let's attend the Sir Walter match.
I have a winny m92 clone and a blackhawk.
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I’m already going to a 2 gun match tomorrow at CCGC. I have an 1894 but with the Midwest handguard so some purist is going to get his panties in a bunch. My revolver is a S&W R8 with a Kydex holster. That will also annoy others for not being from the correct period. My thing is I go to matches to train and get used to MY weapons and gear I have at home. With all the restrictive rules, my guess is my only option is to go to 37 PSR’s IGL match, which is one of the only matches that lets you shoot whatever you want as long as it’s safe. My mistake was not reading the rules first. I really don’t want to get into true cowboy matches. Even less now that I have read the rules. I just want to have fun running my wheel and lever guns in a match. I understand that people really enjoy the traditional cowboy matches. I just don’t want to invest in stuff I don’t need or want. Money is better spent on ammo and training. Greatly appreciate all the help and guidance. :D
 
With just a rifle and one double action revolver, Cowboy is not the right game for you. You might try an NRA Action Pistol match that may allow about anything you can drag to the range that would not damage the steel targets. The match at Buccaneer allows you to shoot pistol caliber carbines
and about any flavor of handgun from .22 up as long as the rounds are not so powerful that they will damage the falling plate racks. I have not been able to attend a match lately, but I think they still shoot falling plates and the mover most of the time.
 
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dalek said:
They used to have events near the Triangle but I think now they only have them in the Eastern part of the state.
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Central Carolina sends out ZSA match invites monthly. It's in Burlington.
Hardware requirements are easy- bring a gun, 2x mags, holster and ammo.
I think PCC is cool too. Bring a case and chamber flag.
We should have a RTP area CSF get together at a ZSA match.
I'd wear a Rick Grimes costume for that.
Need to borrow a python though.

Eta: here is the registration link.

http://centralcarolinagunclub.wildapricot.org/event-3182333
 
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Catawba Rifle and Pistol does one once a month but I’ll have to find out the dates. They are in Conover, NC.
 
its in the rule books that all you need is a holster and blue jeans. just somethin to safely hold the firearms when you are shooting. My wife literally started with a amazon ordered rig before we got her something nice.
The club we shoot with also threw guns at us to make sure we could compete properly while we were getting our guns in order.
you'd be surprised how much clubs are willing to work with you.

For reference I shoot with the fayetteville cowboys at cross creek rifle and pistol club
 
Sir Walter Gun Club which I'm a member has a monthly cowboy shoot. It's open to the public and just up the road from the triangle. Do not know if there are any gun restrictions. Just come to the next shoot on 4/13 and check it out
 
Mad Dawg said:
Sir Walter Gun Club which I'm a member has a monthly cowboy shoot. It's open to the public and just up the road from the triangle. Do not know if there are any gun restrictions. Just come to the next shoot on 4/13 and check it out
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I'm planning to to exactly that.
Hopefully I can shoot my M92 rossi and Blackhawk.

No GCA 68' existed in the cowboy days so SBR's are ok to use right?
;)
 
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Slacker:

I know your SBR comment was tongue in cheek but this is actually a good question, especially since a couple of companies sell “Mares Leg” type lever action pistols.

The SASS Shooters Handbook requires rifle barrels to be at least 16” and shotgun barrels be 18” or longer. Also the only pistols allowed are single action revolvers. I have heard of folks showing up with a “Mares Leg” that some salesman said was perfect for cowboy shooting, just to be told that it was not legal.

At club matches the Match Director can waive or bend rules but I never recommend that someone spend money on a non compliant piece of gear.

I attended a match in which a shooter was allowed to shoot one of these things in place of a revolver. They had to work out a method of “discarding” the gun after it was fired. It was not a big deal but this particular shooter knew that it was not something he could use regularly.

Here’s what I tell new cowboy shooters: if you already have a cowboy gun or two, bring it and shoot it. Don’t get discouraged by online comments saying that this gun or that is not the best choice, you can have fun clanging steel with it. If you don’t have any “legal” cowboy guns (I didn’t), avoid the temptation to buy before you have attended a local match or two. Talk to the shooters about what they use. People love to show off their gear and you will get input from people who put a lot of rounds downrange.

Good on you for coming out. Post a range report if you are so inclined.
 
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