Author Topic: little buddy wants to try cowboy action shooting (Read 765 times)

leverfan · « **on:** September 24, 2004, 07:48:42 PM »

Howdy, all. I've got a friend that wants to try cowboy action shooting, but I don't know a darn thing about it, so I came to you folks. What's a good battery for a short (5' 5"), left-handed shooter with a small build? I'm a big, fat right hander, so I don't even know what shotguns are lefty-friendly (lots of shotguns don't even point naturally for a lefty, because of cast, I know that much). Recoil isn't much of an issue, my buddy prefers the Marlin 444 and Ruger Redhawk 44 mag for hunting and recreational plinking, but I suppose too much recoil will hurt your time in a match. I've also got the impression that black powder loads, for the sake of authenticity, may be used. My friend is something of a history buff.

Any thoughts? What should a left-handed pipsqeak seek out at gunshows? Especially, what are some "neutral" shotguns that will be easy pointers? Or is it custom stock time, if a lefty picks a double barrel?

Thanks.

RB Rooson · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2004, 02:00:05 AM »

Well, this is my 2-cents worth!.......

I would use any of the Colt Clones (e.g. Uberti, American Western Arms, Liberty II's, etc.) as a basic pistol in .38 (they are inexpensive and .38 is a low recoil caliber).

The rifle I would suggest would be a Marlin '94 in .38/.357 (both .38's and .357's cartridges can be used) and you are using the same ammunition for the pistol and rifle.

And a Stoeger/IGA .12 guage SxS shotgun with 20" barrels (very dependable).

Many of these guns can be bought "Used" at Cowboy Matches; are fairly well broke in; and the price is usually better there than from a gun dealer.

Good Luck and let us know how it turns out!!!

Cheyenne Ranger · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2004, 11:25:37 AM »

Check www.sasssnet.com for clubs in ya'lls area. You can show up and ask to try a scattergun or two and probably will be snowed under with affarivite replys.

We had a couple of pards on our posse today shoot left. Both used a Marlin and shotguns were 97 clone and sxs. Didn't seem to have a problem as they whipped up on me :grin:

ÇR

leverfan · « **Reply #3 on:** September 26, 2004, 08:09:41 PM »

Many thanks for the replies.

The "friend" that wants to try cowboy action shooting is Mrs. Leverfan, and she spent a good part of her Saturday at a gun show, checking out different guns. She didn't want replies to be colored by any reference to her gender, which is why I posted as if looking for guns for Gilligan. In the past, when she's asked questions for herself, some fellows have a tendency to under-estimate how much she can handle, based on her gender. After years of shooting 12 gauges, 44 mags, and big-bore lever guns, mostly better than I can, this gets under her collar.

Matches and clubs are hard to find in our area, and she was wondering if there are any books/videos that give a basic idea of what a match involves. She still hasn't decided between cap and ball or brass cartridge in a competition revolver, for example, and she'd like to know what the stages are likely to involve before she buys herself a new pile of guns. There is one club that gives a basic overview of the game about one hour from here, but you have to have your own guns, first. I guess cowboy action just hasn't caught on here, yet. We're thinking about going to one of the regional or national matches in the near future, but the more she learns, the merrier she is.

Just between you, me, and the rest of the world, I think she just wants to get involved in the sport for the clothes, but she's one heck of a good shot, too.

Cheyenne Ranger · « **Reply #4 on:** September 27, 2004, 02:14:46 AM »

SASS is now putting on a TV series that is on OLN. Here in the CTZ it comes on Sun at 4 PM. Now I know these are the top guns of the nation but it does give you an idea about what is going on at the club level (granted at a much slower speed).

We are working within our club to get female teachers or an all female posse for the new lady shooters. Worst person to teach the Mrs. is the Mr. Good way for him to die!!!

Let us know how it goes.

ÇR

Camille Eonich · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2004, 02:15:32 PM »

Levergun, here's a link to clubs in WA Best thing to do, and it's what we did when we were thinking about getting into CAS, is go on out to a match and watch. If the clubs there are anything like they are here they will reel you right in and having you trying out different guns before you leave that day. :grin:

We went to three matches before we got our gear together, two before we started acquiring stuff, and learned so much from just hanging around that we felt right at home our first match. Didn't hurt any that more than a few people took us under their wing and were right there with us the first time that we shot. One guy even took us to the range the week before and set up a couple of stages, made us go through the loading and unloading just like at a match and gave us pointers on everything that he could think of.

Best favor that you can do before you start buying stuff is go to a few matches IMHO. Good luck and happy shooting.[/url]

leverfan · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2004, 05:00:54 PM »

Camille-

That's good advice. We've already decided to put off any purchases until after we go to some local shoots, as well as the northwest regionals. With so many manufacturers bringing examples of their guns to the regionals, Mrs. Leverfan is hoping to find some that suit her. In the meantime, she's researching the people and clothing of the west during the Victorian era.

Prof. Fuller Bullspit · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2004, 07:51:19 AM »

You know how people used to ask, "What handgun should I get for home defense?" and the standard answer was, "Get a .357 magnum revolver from a major gun maker."

Well there is a standard answer for CAS shooting too.

.357 magnum Rugers (shoot .38's)
.357 magnum Marlin (shoot .38's)
A double barrel shotgun from a major maker or a '97 clone with the TNN getting the nod for quality if you can get it.

The thinking is that .38's are cheaper to shoot etc. etc., Rugers are well built and have good re-sale value, etc.

Basically if you have to ask, then you probably are just starting and these are the "safe" recommendations. They are made knowing that they will server the majority very well.

Then comes a flood of personal preference etc.

leverfan · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2004, 10:41:22 AM »

Fuller-

Mrs. Leverfan isn't sure what class she wants to shoot in, and your picks would limit her quite a bit. While we're both very familiar with several firearms, including the Ruger Blackhawk, Marlin 94, and so on, Mrs. Leverfan is looking for guns that suit her hands and her interest in history. She's actually started to lean towards some of the cap and ball revolvers (which would save me the trouble of reloading her match ammo for her :grin: ).

It's true that we are new to the cowboy action shooting sport, but Mrs. Leverfan has been shooting since she was 16 or 17, and I'm sure that whatever she ends up choosing will be right for her. What she doesn't want to do, is buy an entire battery of guns, then find out that they aren't suited to her or the class of competition that catches her fancy. At this point, she seems to be leaning towards Frontier Cartridge or Frontiersman, but her ability to shoot equally well with either hand also has her interested in Gunfighter. I guess she likes to peer through clouds of smoke while she shoots, we'll see what she settles on.

Thanks to all for the advice we're getting here, it's all helping.

Prof. Fuller Bullspit · « **Reply #9 on:** October 21, 2004, 11:57:51 AM »

The other bit of advice that is 'generic' is to go to a match to see what others are shooting. In most cases you will be invited to give some a try.

Given her interests in blackpowder and history you might check out http://www.brimstonepistoleros.com/bpforum/ the fine folks there specialize in black powder!

Your goal of not having to buy and then buy again is laudible. Many people get into this game not knowing what options it has as far as categories, black powder and of course style points. If you went to a match or two you would perhaps get enough of a sense of where you were headed to get what you want/need from the start.

Sounds like your wife is going to enjoy CAS as much as you. It's good to see more women involved, especially women who are thoughtful about these kinds of choices!

Camille Eonich · « **Reply #10 on:** October 21, 2004, 03:40:49 PM »

Quote from: leverfan

Camille-
In the meantime, she's researching the people and clothing of the west during the Victorian era.

She can get a lot of advice on clothes and fashion of the century here

alpacker · « **Reply #11 on:** December 03, 2004, 08:38:46 PM »

She shoots .44 mag and .444 so for Cowboy Action Shooting, I think she should try a Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt with a 5 inch barrel and also get a Marlin lever action in .45 Colt and a 12 Gauge side by side either by Stoeger or Baikal.

leverfan · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2004, 01:39:04 PM »

alpacker-

She's got a pair of EMF Dakotas that we bought from Graybeard. They're 45s. Since speed is important, the traditional load of 37 or so grains of powder under a 255 grain bullet isn't going to work for competition. She had a lot of fun making smoke and flames with it, though. Load development continues.

For a shotgun, she's ordered a Stoeger nickel plated 20 gauge. The rifle is still in the works, but a '73 replica is her first choice.

We'll probably experiment with other calibers if she sticks with it. If she gravitates towards Frontier Cartridge, a set of guns in .38 WCF would be nice.