Lever Gun for Cowboy Action Shooting

Papermaker

Papermaker

Happy to be here
Life Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2017
Messages
291
Location
Wilmington and Roaring Gap, NC
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
A few weeks ago I purchased a couple of 357/38sp single action revolvers on an opportunity. At that time I had only heard of cowboy action shooting. So I recently went to see a couple of cowboy action shooting matches, met some of the folks and liked what I saw. Now I am trying to decide if I really want to pursue this sport, which means I need to purchase a lever action rifle in 357/38sp and some type of "period correct shotgun". I am focusing on the lever action rifle first. Any recommendations or suggestions on which rifle to pursue? Think I will stay with the 357 magnum/38 special caliber as I plan to use 38 special ammo. Thanks.
 
I think the Winchester 1873 reproductions are the favored platform. The action's supposed to super smooth, but not terribly strong, aka perfect for CAS.
 
Last edited:
Hello, Papermaker. I've been shooting cowboy action since 2010. No question that the 1873 is the top rifle because its mechanical simplicity makes for a rifle that can be slicked up to operate with very little effort. When I got started the Uberti was the only replica but since then Winchester has re-introduced the 1873 which is made by Miroku in Japan. The downside is that these rifles are expensive, about $1000 and up new, then add in a couple hundred at least if you want it "race ready". The 1866 is similar with a brass receiver and fewer choices in model variants.

The Marlin 1894 was at one time a good mid priced rifle in the $700 range and they can be slicked up for less money. The quality fell off after Remington moved the factory to New York and the "Remlin" got a bad name. Very few .357s were made in New York but recently Marlin announced that the .357 is back in production. I have seen some of the new production "Cowboy" models but they were .44 and .45. I'm hoping that the Marlin comes back strong. Used rifles are around but those "JM" Marlins have been pricey.

The 1892 replicas (most from Brazil) are the budget rifle but (especially shooting .357) I would recommend saving nickels for something else. They seem to run better in .44 and .45 caliber.

The Henry Big Boys are well known because HRA buys so much advertising. Cowboy shooters tend to dismiss the HBB. I know a couple of people who shoot them and they are OK but they don't like to be run fast. The "steel" version seems better balanced than the one with the brass receiver and octagon barrel.

I'd recommend attending a couple more matches and trying some different rifles. See what works for you. At my first match I probably tried five different rifles. The '73 was by far my favorite, so I saved up until I could buy one.
 
Crunchy, thank you for the excellent summary. I have been to a couple of cowboy action matches so far as a spectator. The people there are extremely friendly and most helpful. Still trying to decide if I want to jump in. I purchased a Henry Big Boy Steel in .357 about 2-3 years ago when the "steel" first came out. I like the rifle in general, it is heavy. 2 or 3 of the local local shooters use them. So I guess I will start there since I have one. I am sure it is faster than I am. Some of the locals have suggested that I borrow their rifles (and shotguns) during the next match so I can get a hands on comparison before making a final decision.

I still think I want to purchase one of the new Winchester 1873 Miroku models, whether I decide to compete in CAS or not. But not now in a hurry to get one. A gun shop in Vass, NC has started receiving the new Marlin 94 in .357 and it is selling for just north of $600.

Thanks again for the information.
 
By all means shoot the Henry if you have one already. Sometimes it is necessary to try some different bullet shapes to see what your rifle will feed, especially if you are shooting Specials in a Magnum rifle. If you handload, I’d recommend a truncated cone flat point bullet but round nose flat points work pretty well, too.
 
Yes. First off, I have four cowboy hats. For revolvers, I ended up with a Ruger Vaquero SASS set in 38/357. I got a Winchester Miroku 1873 in 38/357. I use a Stoeger Coach gun 12 ga. Loaded all my 38 ammunition on a Lee Classic Turret and my shotgun ammo on a used press I bought. I bought a 2nd set of 38 revolvers, a pair of Taylor's Run-in' Irons, but have not shot them in a match yet.

Having said all that, I am not a fast shooter and will probably never be. I haven't shot in a match since the virus started, as most of the matches have been cancelled. The range I shoot at has started back again, but it has been too hot down east.
 
I bought a nice set of Pietta's and a Marlin 1894 Cowboy, and a Navy Arms 1873. Both of them have been worked. I have a Balkai off to Johnny Meadows in Az right now getting slicked up. No hat tho. :)
 
Papermaker said:
Gotta get that hat!
Click to expand...

Oh yea ... snakeskin cowboy: https://americanhatmakers.com/products/storm-hat?variant=3366086934568

storm-brown-f_900x900.jpg
 
Last edited:
I picture myself shooting CASS in a steam punk getup as "The Kraut". Alternatively, I could do the sombrero & serape as "El Carlito Loco".
 
Last edited:
@Geezer , @RaceRedGT and I went to the Regional shoot down Charleston way last year. Larry and I had been to a coupla more SE Region shoots previously. These things stuck out:
1. Attendence was awful. Not like we had seen previously.
2. Only 2 Vendors on the entire compound. Down from 20
3. The black powder shooters were the best there.
4. I stepped off 8 steps to the RIFLE targets. I am short.
5. I am afraid SASS is on the wane.

We used to have a SASS type event at every bid pistol match we put on. This was once a month. You could see the tension going away when everybody took off their "combat" gear and put on their "cowboy" gear. It was big fun. I think sometime in the future we might do one here. With Full Cowboy Rigs and redoing some famous historic gunfights. We'll see.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom