Looking for something new? Try Cowboy Action Shooting!

Cowboy action shooting (CAS) was what got me back into shooting after many years. At the time I was heavily involved in Civil War re-enacting where all of the shooting is done with blanks. Since the “cowboy era” immediately followed the end of the Civil War, I figured it would be an easy transition. I already had clothing of the appropriate styles. All I needed was the guns and to find a local CAS club.

CAS started to become popular in the 1980s. A group of competitive shooters in southern California had become bored with IPSC shooting and decided to try something different. Since most of them already had a single-action revolver and lever-action rifle, they created a competition based on IPSC, but using the old-style guns.

The Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) was soon created and has become the largest competitive shooting sport organization with well over 100,000 members and organized clubs around the world.

CAS is a version of 3-gun competition that involves using firearms designed in the later-half of the 19th Century—typically single-action revolvers, lever-action rifles, and double-barrel or pump-action shotguns. For most competitions, two single-action revolvers, a lever-action rifle chambered in a pistol caliber (usually the same caliber as the revolvers) and a shotgun are used. Shotguns have to be of a design available in the 19th Century — typically a double-barrel with or without external hammers, a lever-action like the Winchester Model 1887, or a pump-action shotgun like the Winchester Model 1897. The targets used are typically steel shapes placed relatively close to the shooter, 5 - 20 yards is common. The steel targets “react” when they are hit, either falling over or producing a ringing sound.

The targets must be shot in the designated sequence with a designated gun (revolver, rifle, or shotgun). Scoring is done with a timer with each missed shot adding 5 seconds to your total time. If the proper sequence is not followed, 10 seconds are also added to your overall time. The person that completes the course of fire in the least amount of time wins.

Because individuals have different skill levels when it comes to shooting, categories are established based on age and gender. Additional categories are established based on the styles of shooting—one-handed revolver, two-handed revolver, one revolver in each hand — and the type of guns used. A variation of CAS known as “Wild Bunch” allows the use of the M1911 Colt .45 semi-automatic pistol instead of two single-action revolvers.

Of course the other aspect of CAS that attracts many individuals to the sport is the requirement to dress up in the style of clothing worn in the Old West.

SASS is not the only CAS organization, but it is the largest and best-known. There are SASS and non-SASS clubs found all over the country, several in Ohio. The club I belong to is the Indian Creek Regulators (ICR). They were formed around the same time as SASS and are the oldest CAS club in Ohio.

CAS events are scheduled just about every weekend. A typical event involves firing 4-6 stages/scenarios using all three different types of guns—although every gun may not be required on every stage of fire. Calibers typically used in the revolvers/rifles are .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .38-40 WCF, .44-40 WCF, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 Schofield, or .45 Colt. Shotguns are typically chambered in 20 gauge or 12 gauge. During a typical CAS match each shooter fires 100 - 150 rounds of ammunition. A typical stage of fire will consist of 5 rounds from each of the two single-action revolvers, 10 rounds from the lever-action rifle, and 4-8 rounds from the shotgun.

In addition to local club matches, there are state-wide, regional, national, and world championship events.

One of the aspects that attracts people to CAS is how friendly the competitors are. If someone doesn’t have all the guns necessary to compete, someone will loan you what you need. The same thing goes for ammunition and clothing to get you started. It is expected that you’ll return the favor as you get more involved in the sport.

Is cowboy action shooting something you’d like to try? Just come out to an event and see for yourself. You’ll be hooked in no time.

Gary Evens is an NRA-Certified Instructor and Range Safety Officer.