Cowboy Action Shooting & Cowboy Guns in general

[Miami]

I was wondering if anyone here is into Cowboy Action Shooting and Cowboy Guns in general.

Sure, I love my AR-15 and GLOCKs. But if I didn't have those I believe that I can still hold my own with period firearms of the 1890s.

Winchester Model 1897 Shotgun
Winchester Model 1887 Shotgun

Winchester 1895
Colt Lighting Slide Action Rifle
Springfield Model 1873

Colt 1873 Single Action Revolver
S&W No. 3


I feel that with any of those firearms that I can hold my own if the SHTF. The caliber for those models still back a punch and you can get off some rapid aim shots with them. Sure, there are some draw backs but I think if I run across someone in the field with a good six shooter and he knows how to use it then he ain't a person worth messing with.

[thorian]

Slings was a CAS entertainer for a while. He shoots Vaqueros in 45LC



Closest thing I have to a CAS Side arm is my M1895 nagant revolver

Now my wife has several Pre 1900 winchester rifles a 1894 and a 1873 ( I may have that backwards ) the only thing I am sure of is that one is in 25-35 WCF and the other is in 32Winchester.

[Jeriah]

I have an (original) American Bulldog .32 S&W Revolver. Chrome plated (about, oh, 80%), brown Bakelite Bird's Head grips. Firing pin is worn down so that it only fires about every other to every third round; I fired it when I bought it because I was young and foolish; I don't think I'd fire it now. Bought it for $50, doubt it's worth any more than that in the condition it's in, but it's neat.

[DFWMTX]

I have one shotgun that'd be OK for CAS: a 12 ga. SXS.

Then there's my Marlin 1894C, but it's chambered for the 20th century .357 Mag.

[Tomcat1066]

If I had the time, I'd love to do a little CAS, just for fun. Unfortunately, my time is limited on the weekends so it has to be directed toward specific things. Still, if I ever have the time, I'll definitely take it up.

It just looks to damn cool not to try if I'm able

Tom

[LittleLebowski]

Since I grew up in Wyoming on a cattle ranch amongst real life cowboys, I think the costumes are silly and put upon. I like Mad Ogre's idea of doing 3 gun or IDPA type shooting with those old weapons though.

[DFWMTX]

I see CAS as similar to people who do SCA and RenFaire stuff. Sure, the costumes and personas are silly compared to the reality, but CAS is more for those who want to play cowboy than those who are.

Were I to start CAS myself, I think it would be fun to adopt the persona of a Wild West zombie/vampire/demon hunter.

It's kinda funny that with the Civil War re-enactors it's the Confederates who outnumber the Union soldiers.

[Oracle]

I think that CAS guns are super cool, but, let's be honest, single-action revolvers leave a lot to be desired in the self-defense department when compared to modern firearms. I'd rather have a 5-shot j-frame than a single-action revolver in a defensive situation, reloading slow, one at a time, and pretty much isn't going to happen if you're under attack.

The shotguns and lever actions should work fine for defensive work, though.

[minengr]

Now my wife has several Pre 1900 winchester rifles a 1894 and a 1873 ( I may have that backwards ) the only thing I am sure of is that one is in 25-35 WCF and the other is in 32Winchester.

The 32 winchester (also known as the 32-20 and not to be confused with 32 winchester special) is the 1873. The 25-35 is the 1894.

I never shot CAS, but I am a big fan of lever-actions. I have several and my .357 is joy to shoot.

[roscoe]

There are advantages to the single-action revolvers. For their size and caliber, they are typically quite a bit lighter than other firearms. My .45 Blackhawk is lighter than my CZ75. Now, it gives six slow shots, but when loaded up with DoubleTap 335 grain hardcast loads, it will do things the CZ75 could never do. Also, it is very accurate - COM shots at 100 yards are easy. In a way, it is a bit of a hand-rifle. I would not want to be hit with a 335 grain solid at 1350 fps.

In fact, if I had to have ONE very compact firearm to hunt, defend hearth from bears and the occasional stray thug, and I had to be able to run 5 miles with the gun, the Blackhawk might be the choice.

[Haji]

If matches had been available back in the day when I was competing in IPSC and IDPA, I probably would have gotten into CAS. Just like three gun matches, though, its become a gamesmanship sport, and all the good nicknames are taken. All the ones I've heard of in the past five or so years have been kinda gay. I'm totally disinterested in it now.

[crypto]

The cosplay and nicknames in CAS always kept me from taking it seriously.

Is "shooty mcgee" taken?


I know a chinese guy who is shooting his first CAS match next month. He's going to go in full-on 1880's chinese railway worker coolie garb.

His nickname will be Shu Ting Lo

[Jeriah]

The cosplay and nicknames in CAS always kept me from taking it seriously.

Is "shooty mcgee" taken?


I know a chinese guy who is shooting his first CAS match next month. He's going to go in full-on 1880's chinese railway worker coolie garb.

His nickname will be Shu Ting Lo

Almost as good as Lo Wang.

[MadManMoe]

Nice collection Miami! I have a soft spot for gun of that era (and just about every other era...) also. I certainly wouldn`t feel under gunned with a Win. 1897 12ga., 1873 carbine and a pair of S&W or Merwin and Hulbert 44s. It should be noted that although they`re not SASS legal there were a number of double action revolvers of the era from the Colt Thunderer to the Adams etc. and that S&W held the original patent on speedloaders and full moon clips before the turn of the century. They only resurected the concept for WW1 .45ACP revolvers. I suspect a S&W break open revolver with original full moon speedloaders might be even faster to reload than a modern swing out revolver. Merwin and Hulberts were also very fast to reload and had the option of only ejecting spent cases while loaded rounds remained in the gun. Both companies made several variants in DA versions. I`ll take a pair of 4" M&H .44 DA 3rd Model Pocket Armys with the skull crusher grip frames for part of my cowboy vs. Zeke loadout. 1st Model,SA shown but you get the idea. MMM

[TheLastRifleMan]

I did some CAS a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I wear glasses so I was known as "Kid Four Eyes".

My guns were as follows:

Marlin 1894 in .357 using .38 Spl. handloads
Model 1897 Winchester 12 ga pump, 20" bbl.
Ruger Blackhawk in .357, 4 5/8 bbl., blued steel
Ruger Vaquero in .44-40, polished stainless 7 1/2" bbl.
Remington 1858 Army reproduction. .44 cal. cap-and-ball.

Here are some pics:

1897 Winchester


Ruger Blackhawk



Marlin 1894

I need to get bak out and do this again soon.

[zoiders]

For CAS shooting and as an Englishman I would have to opt for the classic sidearm of the period in colonial service

The break action .455 Webley revolver (as seen in Zulu)

The ultimate combat gun of the period

If its good enough to drop a fuzzy wuzzy then its good enough to drop a zombie

[silentpoet]

I am getting an 1897 off layaway next month. It will for the time being be my only shotgun.

[Jeriah]

For CAS shooting and as an Englishman I would have to opt for the classic sidearm of the period in colonial service

The break action .455 Webley revolver (as seen in Zulu)

The ultimate combat gun of the period

If its good enough to drop a fuzzy wuzzy then its good enough to drop a zombie

I've always liked the Webley. Bit modern for CAS though, isn't it?

[TheLastRifleMan]

The Webley, being double action, would not be legal in CAS competition.

[zoiders]

For CAS shooting and as an Englishman I would have to opt for the classic sidearm of the period in colonial service

The break action .455 Webley revolver (as seen in Zulu)

The ultimate combat gun of the period

If its good enough to drop a fuzzy wuzzy then its good enough to drop a zombie

I've always liked the Webley. Bit modern for CAS though, isn't it?

It has been in colonial service since the 1887 in one format or other and it was purchased privately by officers before that

Havent you guys seen Zulu?

[TheLastRifleMan]

Yep. One of my all time favs.

In the movie, both officers have .455 Webley revolvers. In reality, John Ross Mariott Chard had an Adams revolver in .455, which he gave to one of the wounded men who had been hit in the shoulde and could'nt fire his Martini Henry rifle. I can't find any records of what kind of sidearm Gonville Bromhead had.

[Beowolf1911]

I think most of us can benifit from shooting a SA on a regular basis, They make you slow down and chose your shots. I love my super blackhawk and I think since started shooting that I am a better shot with my 1911. The recoil makes the 45 seem like a fart in the wind, and it helps you establis a patience you would need on the field. I have used it to put down a deer in one shot from 40 yards, I don't know if my 1911 could say the same.

[Bobby Sixkiller]

I shoot CAS.

My irons:

Colt SAA .45LC 4 3/4"
Ruger Vaquero .45LC 3 3/4"
Winchester 1892 .45LC 20" (New Miroku production)
Beretta 470 Silver Hawk 12 ga.

(You need two main revolvers, a carbine, & a shotgun to compete in SASS sanctioned matches.)

I also shoot long distance side matches with a Browning 1885 Creedmore in .45-70 gov.

To dispell a few rumors:

1) Double actions are not 'illegal' in SASS sanctioned matches. You can shoot a few double action revolvers, depending on what catagory you are shooting in. This includes Webleys, Thunderers, Schofields, etc... In a match they must be fired single action. There is a match catagory called "The Wild Bunch", which will allow you to even shoot a few early 1900 semi-auto pistols: stock 1911's, Mauser Broomhandles, Lugers, etc.... (If you watch the movie, "The Wild Bunch", it takes place in the early 1900's and their are a few semi-auto guns.)

2) CAS shoots are about the friendliest firearm competition I've attended. Everybody there is very helpful and eager to help you out. If you didn't show up with enough guns, there will be somebody there willing to loan you a gun to complete a match.

3) About 30% of the attendees are serious competitive shooters. The other 70%, are there for casual shooting and enjoying the "Spirit of the Game". Some spend some serious bucks on Confederate Officers uniforms. Most show up in boots, jeans, & a hat. (Note: You must wear long sleave shirts to compete.)

[TheLastRifleMan]

Bobby in the matches I shoot, DA revolvers are regulated to side matches. If this is not true, I would love to shoot my .38 Webley!

And you are right about the folks being a friendly bunch! I had only a cap and ball Remington for the first match I ever shot and before the first stage began, I had two Colts and three Ruger's to choose from, thanks to the nice folks in my posse. I already had the rifle and shotgun plus the leather gear.

The other shooters also found the paper cartridges I had made from cigarette paper for the Remington very interesting.