The Crossroads of the Aether
Any Cowboy Action Shooters? (SASS/NCOWS)
Are there any other active cowboy action shooters here?
If so, please share a little about your kit and posse.
http://www.sassnet.com/clubs/index.php
http://www.bustledress.com/aab/madame/article.pics/costumes/phippen...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike on -
I have considered getting involved in Cowboy Action, and reconsidered it again after purchasing a SAA revolver. I am, however, deterred by the apparent SASS requirement that participation requires a rifle, a shotgun and two pistols.
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Permalink Reply by Captain on -
Don't let all of the required guns put you off. Contact your local group and let them know what you have so far. We routinely loan new folks guns AND it is not uncommon for members to cut some serious deals on their extra guns. Bringing your own ammo when you borrow guns is appreciated (a box of 12ga 6-8 shot lead and some all lead "cowboy loads" .38 spec or .45 LC). Bring your own safety goggles/glasses and hearing protection. Showing up early enough to help set up the facades and steel targets can get you brownie points too.
SASS is a lot more of a social group than most other shooting clubs and welcomes (safe) new members. Enthusiasm and style are at least as appreciated as being a good shooter. We're there to have fun. Of course, having the high score does not hurt the fun.
You can find your nearest posse here: http://sassnet.com/clubs/index.php
You might want to keep an eye out at the local gun stores and pawn shops for nice nice guns traded in. I have been looking for a good safe damascus rabbit eared double barrel for sometime but there just are none here in Juneau. I have seen them in the l. 48 for under $200.00 though.
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Permalink Reply by Noel Belle on -
member of SASS aka Halley O'ween
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Permalink Reply by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike on
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I came across the Steampunk Action Shooting Society which was an effort that apparently didn't get off the ground as his initial posting was from way back in 2008 and then only a few comments after that.
Also came across another post at Cowboy Action Town blog that talked about adding steampunk to the more traditional SASS environment. The author seems to be coming at it from the cowboy action end and gets quite a bit of the history of steampunk wrong. That posting was from a year ago and nothing much seemed to come from that either. Neither posting seemed to generate any conversation and hasn't shown any recent activity in general, which is too bad for the Cowboy Action Town blog. I found some good information there while it was running.
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Permalink Reply by Captain on
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I would not expect a SP shooting group to work very well. There just are not enough people to compete let alone clear rules. I am glad that SASS has the "big umbrella" approach welcoming SP dress, goggles, and style to join in.
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Permalink Reply by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike on
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It's good that SASS is open like that. I was wondering if they would be cliquish or snobby. Recreationist groups can get that way when people don't meet their "authenticity" standards. (Part of the reason I lost interest in SCA.)
I was thinking of going to the Logan's Ferry Regulators shoot in July but I had another meeting that conflicted. So, since I didn't have a conflict in August I thought I would go to the next one except that their website says that they've canceled the rest of their shoots for the year. The River Junction Shootist Society is the next nearest cowboy action club, only an hour away, but their August shoot conflicts with another meeting I already have so I may have to try again in September. That event is apparently a big annual camping and shooting event.
Looking through the pictures at the River Junction site and seeing the guy dressed as the Lone Ranger has me suspecting that steampunk goggles aren't going to be an issue. I also watched some of their videos on YouTube and the shooting scenarios seem slightly more varied than the others that I saw online.
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Permalink Reply by Captain on
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I envy you having snobbish authenticity cliques in the SCA. I seem to have to deal with drunken frat boys and model recreationists. Of course the definition of model is a small, non-working plastic replica of the real thing.
Any way, some CAS posses are more social and better dressed than others so if you have that many groups around you it might be a good idea to visit each one. Contact them first and see if you can borrow any guns that you don't have for your first shoot. It is very polite to bring your own cowboy load ammo though. My posses have been great sources for buying cool guns cheap. I bought a pair of .36 sheriffs (mismatched makers) for $70.00 and still kick myself for passing up a pair of Schofileds for less than $1K. Wheeling and dealing is part of the fun.Oh yes, I am itching to tell someone that I just got my antique (new to me) Crescent Arms 12ga rabbit eared shotgun in the mail. I spent the last couple night cleaning and tuning it. I am am pleased that it is in better shape than advertised and does not have a damascus barrel, which white beautiful would not allow me to shoot modern rounds. My kit just got a little cooler.
Like you said, since SASS allows both historic guarb and B-western costumes SP fits in just fine.
So what different weapons would be allowed in a SP shoot? Can I use my tracer bullets? Broomhandle?
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Permalink Reply by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike on
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Flamethrowers!
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Permalink Reply by Walter Zumbrennen on -
Back a few years ago before I had health problems I was an active CAS member. I am a life member of NCOWS and a life member of the Eldorado Cowboys the local SASS club here in Vegas, and was a yearly member of SASS. I try to still go to the SASS Convention in December here in Vegas, but have pretty much otherwise dropped out. Hopefully when I get a new knee and some other problems fixed I can get back into it.
Now as for SASS, they do not get all fashion police on you, you can pretty much wear anything as long as it resembles something "cowboy". This includes the TV and Movie "cowboys" also. At least that was the way it was back when I was active. NCOWS on the other hand is VERY period oriented, which is why I chose them to be a life member. They not only do shoots, but also do re-enactments and similar education type things and they try to be as period correct as they can.
I have a mule-eared 12 guage double barrel shotgun, an 1860 Henry .44-40 and 4 Remington .44 revolvers with about 12 spare cylinders and also have two .45 conversion cylinders so I can shoot .45 Long Colt out of the pistols. I also have a Winchester .45 lever action that I occasionally use, but I prefer the Henry, even though with no forestock that barrel can get pretty hot. I hand load and shoot black powder exclusively (I have solid brass shotgun shells that I load and use, and plastic ones for when I cannot pick up my empties - sometimes they pick them up and raffle them off). Since my guns are all Civil War era or thereabouts, I bought a lot of my clothes and paraphenalia at Civil War Suttlers and also some of the other dealers who specialize in 1800's era fashion. I am not sure if I have pictures in my profile of my CAS outfits. I also wear them for Steampunk meetups and they work fine.
When I get the money, I am going to have a rifle built for the long range shooting. I came across an original 1874 Remington Rolling Block action and want to get it made into a .50-90 caliber. That should be awesome to shoot.
I got into muzzle loading way back in the early 70's and loved it. I have a number of Black Powder guns, .58 Zouave rifle, .45 Kentucky rifle and pistol (I built them from a kit), and my BP Revolvers (I used to have about half a dozen more but unfortunately they were stolen and I never could get them back), and I have an original Percussion conversion Flintlock in 60 caliber that is quite shootable.
I hope you do get to go to some of the shoots, it is awesome.
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