Just back from my first match, I'm hooked!

[44 Man]

Well, after playing around with the idea for the last 5 years, I finally attended my first CAS match today.  It was put on my the Texicans near Comfort, Texas and I had a ball.  I actually shot pretty decent, being my first match.  I had the pistols, but not the rest, so some friends loaned me the use of their rifle and shotgun.  After a couple of misses, I did remember that if you don't see the front sight, you probably won't hit the target!  Everyone was friendly and helpful and I enjoyed it very much.  I saw a couple of people shooting the rifle stage with a single shot, but they shot at targets farther back that the one's who had a lever action rifle.  What's up with that?  I'm interested because I have a single shot and could use that rather than buy another rifle and I would only need a shotgun to be ready.  Fun, fun, fun!  44 Man

[90north]

Some Texas clubs, the Texican Rangers where you shot included, have an unofficial catagory called "Cody-Dixon".  In it you use a rifle caliber long gun, either a single shot or repeater, and shoot at rifle targets between 70 and 90 yds.  You usually shoot 6 rounds instead of 10.

[bilmac]

Lots of cowboy matches have "side matches" where different guns or different rules are used.

Something to think about, some clubs are so paranoid about safety that they are instilling bad tactics. Others are more laid back and the games are more realistic and a lot more fun too. I was in LE while I was shooting cowboy matches and our LE training was excellent, so it was pretty obvious the poor tactics that were fostered at cowboy matches. That said, shooting a lot will always make you better if you ever have to use your guns for real.  Shooting against time is always good practice.

The main reason I quit the sport is that matches were held when I needed to be in Church. I sure wish that practice would be changed, but it is almost universal, all shooting matches of any kind are held on Sunday morning.

[90north]

Cowboy Action Shooting is not, and never was"tatical". Law enforcement training, has nothing to do with CAS.  CAS is entertainment mostly where safety is stressed, since live ammo is in use.  If you want to practice your tactics, perhaps USPSC or IDPA would be better for you.