Author Topic: CAS Bare Minimum Gear  (Read 696 times)

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Offline Matt in AK

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CAS Bare Minimum Gear
« on: January 20, 2003, 05:30:17 PM »
:D I'm thinkin' 'bout showin' up at a local CAS match.  I've got a couple Rugers (Old Model 357 and New Model 44) with field holsters.  What all do I need just to be able to try out a match?   :? I already shoot IDPA and love the noise and conversation...
Isaiah 6:8

Offline Montana,#2447

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CAS Bare Minimum Gear
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2003, 06:08:27 PM »
Matt..  you need a  rifle  and a  shotgun  still.... However  that bein said,,get your self  about   50  rounds  for  each pistol..( lead  bullets only)  find  a   club and  go to  a  match .Meet  the  club and  tell  em  you  dont have  everything  but  would  like to  at least  watch a match. I'd  bet  most  any good  club  will have  member  or two  who  will let  you  borrow there rifle  and  shotgun to see if you like it..I  know  I've let  untold  numbers  borrow  my  stuff  for the  first shoot,,,  HellI've  even  provided  them   the leather and all  the   guns and  ammo  a  time  ro  two,

Blacksmith

Offline Cheyenne Ranger

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CAS Bare Minimum Gear
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2003, 05:43:45 AM »
I agree with the above post.  It's always nice to bring your own stuff but I am "sponsoring" my USPSA club members in CAS shooting.  
One suggestion I read was to bring along a box of Win AA 12 gauage shotgun shells and leave the the empties with whomever lets you borrow their long guns.  Find the lightest load you can and 7-9 shot size.  
Always a nice touch.

In any event just go and have fun.  Sometimes my club fights over who is going to lend stuff to the new shooters.  CAS is not your high powered USPSA or IDPA kind of match--and I love it for that
SASS 48747L
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Offline Old Cane

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CAS Bare Minimum Gear
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2003, 11:56:35 AM »
These guys are right, take some ammo and go. To answer your question I'd say the bare minimum is a belt, two holsters and ammo. Somebody will always loan or share guns. Probably share leather too and maybe provide you ammo but I:

1) can't count on somebody my size wanting to share leather (it's hard enough for round people to get the belt on once)

and

2) somebody wanting to supply my cheap butt with ammo

Offline Cheyenne Ranger

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CAS Bare Minimum Gear
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2003, 12:13:41 PM »
Concerning leather:  my first time my "sponsors" had everything but, I too, had to use my own belt.  We tried to hook two of their's together but just went with the one I was wearing at the time. :)
SASS 48747L
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Offline ButlerFord45

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CAS Bare Minimum Gear
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2003, 12:17:04 PM »
I guess the bare minimums would be a breachclout and a big smile.  
Take what you have and have a good time.  No need to spend hard earned dollars on something just to try it.  There's just too many people willing to loan or share equipment.  When you decide you like it, you'll have already tried a few of what's out there.
Butler Ford
He who does not punish evil, commands it to be done.-Leonardo da Vinci
An armed society is a polite society-Robert A. Heinlein
Only the dead have seen the end of war- Plato
Lord, make my words as sweet as honey
tomorrow I may have to eat them- A lady's sweatshirt

Offline Cheyenne Ranger

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CAS Bare Minimum Gear
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2003, 12:52:17 PM »
and to continue Bulter's thought you can "return" the favor by helping out one of the newer shooters on down the road
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Offline Holiday

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CAS Bare Minimum Gear
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2003, 02:19:39 PM »
Butler, no offense, but that "breechclout" congered up a mental image I could do with out! :-D  Course, in February, it might be worth it just ta see someone turn blue! :)

In all seriousness, what the fellows above have said is good advice. Cas folks love to share. Now, when ya get hooked and decide to go for it, here are some things you are gonna need and do. You need a cart. A gun cart is fairly simple to build. Look at the ones at the shoots and get a few ideas. It doesn't need to be elaborate, just able to hole a couple of long guns safely and securely plus have a place to store ammo.  There are plans available on the net. Decide what caliber you want and buy a rifle and pistols in that caliber. Having all in the same caliber is great. Having the rifle in a differant caliber than your pistols will work fine as long as it is sufficiantly differant to prevent confusion. In other words, a pistol in .44 and a rifle in .45 will cause a problem eventually.  Get a shotgun. A double or a pump with an exposed hammer such as a Winchester 97 are about the only choices. No modern pumps or over and unders allowed.  Start on a costume. Regular cowboy boots, jeans, a long sleave button front cotten work shirt or a flannel work shirt will work fine, plus a cowboy hat. Eventually you might decide to get more elaborate, but there is plenty of time for that.  If you don't reload, consider it.  It is cheaper whenn using the larger calibers. And, of course, leather. A lot of folks go in for the fancy, expensive stuff and it is great. But to start out, a set of Hunter leater, two holsters and a belt, can be had from Cabela's for under a $100.  You will also need some sort of shot shell slide, either for your gun belt or maybe a separate shot shell belt altogether.

I know this is a long list, but maybe it will help. You don't have to have it all at once. Hope it helps and doesn't confuse ya! :D
Holiday Hayes
Darksider, Gunfighter
"Just a simple Cowboy, tryin' ta git along"

Offline Old Cane

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CAS Bare Minimum Gear
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2003, 02:39:25 PM »
That's an idea. My legs really are pretty but my belly hangs down so far they are hard to get a look at.

What was the post I read on the wire a while back about somebody's kid going to a match or re-enactment and remarking something like "I didn't know the cowboys were all old and fat."