Cowboy Action Shooting FAQ’s 
Over the past few months you’ve been reading about Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS).  Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:

What is Cowboy Action Shooting?

It is a competitive shooting sport that uses replicas of guns that would have been used in the “old west”.  The competitors shoot live ammo at steel targets.  The competitions are called matches.  Each match typically consists of 5 or 6 stages or strings of fire.  Each stage generally requires the shooting of 10 rounds from two single action revolvers (5 each), 10 rounds from a rifle and 4 rounds from a shotgun.  The total time for each stage is recorded.  It is NOT a fast draw competition.

How is it scored?

The time taken to complete each stage is recorded and those times are added together for the shooter’s score.  The lowest total time wins.  There are time penalties also.  For instance, each miss of a target adds 5 seconds onto the time or shooting the targets in the wrong order adds 10 seconds onto the time.  There are a few other penalties that are invoked when a serious violation of the rules happens.  There are no prizes for winning other than bragging rights.

What equipment do I need?

You’ll need 2 single action revolvers, a lever action or pump action rifle and a side by side or a pump or a lever action shotgun.  There are specific caliber/gauge requirements but those are pretty easily satisfied.  If you don’t have all the items required another competitor will probably loan them to you.

Do I need a cowboy wardrobe?

Part of the mystique of CAS is the clothing.  But, that too is easily accommodated.  At a minimum the men will need a pair of jeans, a long sleeve shirt and a pair of boots.  A hat is not required but is highly suggested.  Baseball type caps are not allowed.  The women will need pretty much the same as the men with the exception that a skirt or dress may be worn and short sleeve shirts/blouses are allowed.  If the weather is particularly warm the wardrobe requirements may be relaxed.

 Is there an age limit?

No, there is not an age limit.  At the younger end of the spectrum as long as the child can safely handle a firearm he/she may compete.  It may be that local law or insurance or club rules have a minimum age requirement.

On the flip side of that, as long as the competitor is able to safely handle a firearm he/she may compete.

There are different age based categories so a person is competing with people who are in roughly the same age group.  For example: Buckaroo/Buckerette category is for those 13 years old and younger; Junior boy/girl is for those 16 years old and younger.  On the other side, there is a category for those who are age 85 and up.  In total, there are 10 age based categories.

Within those categories there are shooting style categories.  For example; traditional which is using both hands to support the handguns; duelist which is shooting with only one hand and gunfighter which is having a revolver in each hand.

There are also clothing style categories such as B Western which have specific clothing requirements.

Is there a gender bias?

No, women will be shooting against women and men will be shooting against men.  The grand winner could be male or female.  Gentlemen be warned; some of these ladies are pretty good and may beat you.

Is it safe?

Yes.  No one is allowed to have a loaded weapon on their person unless they are in line preparing to shoot.  A competitor brings his/her firearms and ammunition to a loading table where they may load them.  A loading table officer supervises the loading ensuring that only the specified number of rounds is loaded into each firearm.  Revolvers may be loaded with 5 rounds each and there may not be a live round under the hammer, the rifle may be loaded with 10 rounds and nothing may be chambered; the shotgun is not loaded.  Once the firearms are loaded the competitor may not leave the loading table unless called to the firing line by the timing officer.  If the competitor has forgotten to bring something to the loading table, all firearms must be left on the table while the missing item is retrieved.

After shooting, the competitor must go to an unloading table where he/she unloads the empties from the revolvers and demonstrates that the rifle and shotgun are empty.  The unloading table is supervised by an unloading table officer and a violation of the unloading rules (such as a round left on the carrier) will result in a time penalty.

Is there a governing body?

Yes.  The sport is governed by the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS).  SASS is headquartered in Indiana.  It is this governing body that sets the rules for CAS and all cowboy clubs no matter where they are on the planet must play by the same rules.  Complete rules can be downloaded here: COWBOY ACTION SHOOTING™ SHOOTER’S HANDBOOK

 Where can I play?

There are 13 cowboy clubs in Michigan (including here at Fenton Lakes Sportsman’s Club).  There are cowboy clubs in every state and there are several clubs outside the United States.  The Michigan club locations can be found at www.wolverinerangers.org.  Clubs in other states and other countries can be found at www.sassnet.com.

 How do I get involved?

The best way is to visit a cowboy club when they are having a match.  The match schedule can be found at www.wolverinerangers.org.  Be sure to bring eye and hearing protection and just talk to the folks who are there competing.  All the Cowboys are very friendly and welcoming.  Heck, there is a good chance that one of them will put guns into your hands so you can give it a try.  But, be warned: it is very addictive.

How much does it cost to compete?

Each club sets its own price.  Here at Fenton a club member or member of the Wolverine Rangers will pay $14.00 for each match.  If you are not a club member or Wolverine Rangers member you will pay $20.00.  Juniors (18 years old and under) pay $5.00.  If this is the first time that you have shot a Cowboy match at Fenton it will cost you $5.00.  There is no charge to watch.

See you on the range.

For questions or more information,

Email flscgunteacher@fentonlakes.com