Questions about CAS gear and dress

[David L]

Take into consideration I’ve never herd of CAS before about 2 weeks ago.

What is required to get into CAS. Are there any rules regarding gun types, cloths etc. For instance, could I use my 1858 Remington Revolver with black powder and round balls OR is the 45 LC the only exception?

IF I came dressed in levis, boots and button down panhandle slim shirt would they look at me funny and would I be out of place in this get-up?

Thanks for the help…

David L

[Flint]

Check the SASS website www.sassnet.com.  The REmington is certainly acceptable, there are Cap & Ball shooters.  There is also a class for cap & ball.  You really need 2 handguns, a pistol caliber lever action rifle and an ejectorless side by side shotgun, or a Model 97 Winchester shotgun..  I often shoot 2 Remingtons, but I usually use R&D cylinders for 45Colt.  I have shot matches using C&B in 1851/61 Navies, Ruger Old Army, Remington and 1860 Army.  THe acceptable calibers are anything from 32 cal up, but limited to 1000 fps revolver and 1400 fps rifle.  Lead bullets only.  You will find  38 Special, 45 Colt, 44-40, 44 Special, 44 Russian, 38-40, 32-20, 32 Mag, 357 or 44 Mag (downloaded).  Dress 19th Century or Western Movie and be OK.  Or Union or Confederate or Indian Wars Military.  No running shoes or baseball caps.

[Cheyenne Ranger]

Most clubs would love to have you come out pretty much dressed any way you wish for the first few times.  We have extra guns and leather to loan and all we want to do is have the new pard have fun in a safe manner.  
Major matches can be different but there still are visitors from the 21st century showing up at these, too.  As my wife says,  dressing in modern clothing is the exception at the range
Our club knows that it takes time and $$ to aquire all the guns, leather and clothing.  So dress as you said and go out and have a blast.  Check out what the others are using so you don't end up buying every type of pistol/rifle/shotgun there is before finding out what is right for you (not that owning every type of gun is bad :grin: )

Cheyenne

[Big Hext Finnigan]

Take into consideration I’ve never herd of CAS before about 2 weeks ago.

Slow down there pard, you'll get a more harmonious outcome.  :wink:  I doubt we'll leave out on ya, anytime soon.

What is required to get into CAS. Are there any rules regarding gun types, cloths etc. For instance, could I use my 1858 Remington Revolver with black powder and round balls OR is the 45 LC the only exception?

There are lots of ways to play the game.  Cap and ball is usually for the advanced folks.  It is a demanding discipline to shoot 60-80 pistol rounds a match.  The nice thing about the Rem 58s is that you can add the cylinders later and you're good for cartridges.  There are rules for each organization.  SASS, NCOWS and WASA all have little differences.

IF I came dressed in levis, boots and button down panhandle slim shirt would they look at me funny and would I be out of place in this get-up?
Thanks for the help…
David L

Some folks show up dressed like that every time, to a SASS shoot.  In fact, that's the way I dressed for the first 6 months I shot CAS.  Not a thing wrong with it.  Some other folks costume like extras for a movie.  Not a thing wrong with that either.

If the fellas you like are dressed up or down, you may find yourself doing the same.  It's a big time fantasy and depending on your background, you'll find your place.  I saw your comments on the thread in Single Action and don't sweat it.  Why some folks are so critical of others having fun is beyond me.  Is it goofy, sure.  If you take yourself so seriously that the thought of riding a stick horse and tying it to a fence makes you cringe, you'll be tense.  
If you like to laugh at yourself and others, if you like to pull the trigger a bunch, if you like to relive your childhood, then CAS could be for you.

Adios,
Hext

[David L]

Some folks show up dressed like that every time, to a SASS shoot. In fact, that's the way I dressed for the first 6 months I shot CAS. Not a thing wrong with it. Some other folks costume like extras for a movie. Not a thing wrong with that either.

If the fellas you like are dressed up or down, you may find yourself doing the same. It's a big time fantasy and depending on your background, you'll find your place. I saw your comments on the thread in Single Action and don't sweat it. Why some folks are so critical of others having fun is beyond me. Is it goofy, sure. If you take yourself so seriously that the thought of riding a stick horse and tying it to a fence makes you cringe, you'll be tense.
If you like to laugh at yourself and others, if you like to pull the trigger a bunch, if you like to relive your childhood, then CAS could be for you.

Adios,
Hext

==============


Hiya,

From what I can read and digest so far is you need a single action revolver (I‘ve never ever went shopping for a double action revolver, not my style), shotgun and a rifle that’s chambered for pistol cartridges. Before I invest in such equipment I’ll talk to some of the local clubs. Now that the weather has put a damper on my shooting I can devote some time to finding out about this CAS shooting. I’m thinking that this type of equipment might just offer the challenge I’m seeking.

I can’t say I relish the thought of riding a stick horse and taking a nick name but hey, I’ll play till it gets weird.

Thanks for the link Flint, contained info for my area contact.

IF the attitudes of the folks are like this then I don’t forsee any difficulties in making the slow transisition from biker to CAS’er. I think I’m ready for a change and even if this doesn’t work out then I can still wear my cowboy duds and take my toys elsewhere.

Thanks for the responses, leaves me with several things to ponder.

David L

Chicken today and feathers tomorrow

[DB Leath]

David...this is the best bunch of folks to help ya out.   Always here with good info for ya.  

I am fairly new and am still learning as I go.....listen to these folks you wont be sorry.

If ya want to go Black Powder make sure you talk to Cuts Crooked ....sharp about that stuff.  Howdy Doody is too.    Just take your time buy good equipment and you wont be sorry..

Welcome to the fire....

[Cuts Crooked]

Hi David,

Sounds to me like yer our kinda folks! The pards have already given ya good advise. Don't let anyone put ya off! The net boards, while often very friendly and good for info, often don't reflect the reality of an actual match. You see dustups on the boards that never even git started at a match!

The outfit you described would be acceptable at any match I've ever attended! Even the super authentic outfits like NCOWS will let a new shooter have a year to get his "outfit" in order!

I kinda envy you, you've got that first match still ahead of you! And thinking about my first time, I know what a grand feeling it's going to be for you! :-D

If you ever a question about shootin black powder in yer irons send off a private message to me. If I can answer it I will! ( I ain't really no greeat expert on it, but I try!) Or post yer quesiton down in the BP area of the CAS section here at Graybeards, they's almost always a pard around there to stear ya right!

BTW, I won a new 58 Remmie at the Iowa State Championship match last month and am looking forward to using it in a match in the near future. (It looks pretty cool with that new dress I won! :oops: )

[David L]

New dress…*L*…You’ll really like that 58 Remmie, I just like the way they look, I almost have mine like I want it, IF I didn’t file too much of that front sight off I think I might have a winner here in mine, the jury’s still out BUT confident. Congrats on winning in Iowa! I think I’m looking at this next summer for competing in matches, this gives me time to get some things rounded up and ask questions.

I’m waiting on the weekend to get here so I can call my SASS area contact, BOY, do I have a lot of questions for him…*L*

I’m kinda like you and most of the other folks around here, I could care less about what the “other” folks are saying, I think most of them spend their time on the internet and won’t be a problem at the matches because they’ll STILL be on the internet running their heads while the rest of us are out shootin’ an smellin’ smoke.

We’re purty comfortable posting here in the forum but if I do have something special to ask about regarding BP I just might take you up on that PM.

My son here is 12 and will be 13 come this Christmas and its about time to go into hunting and fishing with him. Our first 2 kiddos were girls and they just didn’t fancy things like that BUT my oldest daughter can do basic mechanics, change flats, oil, air filter, starters etc. 2 girls are gone now so its his “time” to learn some basics of becoming a man, I mean, learn to play with expensive loud toys in a safe manner. I’m hoping we can incorporate our love for dirt bikes into this shooting hobby, we could cover a little more territory that way.

I thank-you all for the encouragement

David L

[Billy Clanton]

Howdy, Dave -
Well, I'm an old Biker myself, rode for over 20 years.   Once I found the CAS/SASS lifestyle, I never looked back.   Its a lot the same, in mindset and such, and I rode with some purdy heavy mindsets :wink:
Billy

[DB Leath]

David not that I know everthing.........the wife keeps telling me that I do think that.

Go back and look at some of my post..Diary of a new Shooter...they might help ya along...plus ya get to laugh at me at the same time.

Good luck.

db