Author Topic: Please Coach Me! (Read 1358 times)

BamBams · « **on:** October 22, 2005, 03:56:58 PM »

Okay fellas, I think I've got the CAS bug pretty bad. I've never done it, but I LOVE shooting single action revolvers, and I'm a decent shot.

There is a SASS range near me, and I am going there as a spectator next month to watch and learn.

I'd appreciate any handgun recommendations in 45 colt, and also leather recommendations, and any other recommendations from you fellas for a complete "newbie." I want to have LOTS of fun!

Oh yeah, my first name is Emmett, and I'm having a heck of a time trying to come up with good SASS alias for myself. I have NO imagination.

Big Hext Finnigan · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2005, 05:25:01 PM »

Howdy BamBams,

The most important thing to decide now is your motivation.. are you going to compete, to shoot fast or are you looking to reach back to your roots or boyhood fantasies?

Depending on where you plan to go, the gun choices will become less confusing.

Adios,

BamBams · « **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2005, 03:33:03 AM »

Definitely the "shoot fast" category for me! I think second priority would be to adopt a character of either law enforcement, or bank and train robber. *smiles* The bottom line, is that I want to have plenty of fun and meet great people. I've been doing some math around here, and it looks like about a $2000.00 expense to get starting right in terms of equipment and dues, etc. I'm really going to have to budget for this one!

I'm a very competitive person, but I'd be happy to just participate and have good time also. I've got nothing to prove. FUN is paramount.

leverfan · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2005, 03:39:33 PM »

Have you checked the Sass Wire yet? There's a classified section with tons of used guns and leather at great prices (and some not so great prices, so beware). If you really want to shoot fast, consider getting a rifle and handguns chambered for .357 mag or .38 special. If you get used Uberti pistols, and a used Rossi '92 or Marlin '94 rifle, plus a Stoeger SxS for your shotgun, you should be able to get your guns together for less than $1200, maybe under $1000. If you want to upgrade later, you won't have too much trouble getting your money back out of a set up like that, those guns are always in demand.

www.sassnet.com

Big Hext Finnigan · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2005, 04:11:13 PM »

Howdy,

If you go to other boards.. SASS Wire, The Open Range or CAS City, you will get different advice from different folks, all based on their own experiences. That would be a wise course of action.. but it will boil down pretty consistently.

If you want to shoot fast, you shoot 38s, by and large. If you want 45s, some of the following won't work.. but in the main it's all the same.
Ruger Vaqueros, old style. They are tank tough.. the new model doesn't have the hsitory yet. Get them in 357, get a pair with the same barrel length and grip.
Marlin Carbine in 357. Trim the magazine spring a bit and you'll get 10 357s if you want.
Baikal (now Remington Spartan) Coach gun. Tough, accurate and cheap. Even if you have to buy new, you can get all 4 guns for under $1600. And used are available, often.

Ammo is cheap enough to buy for a bit until you get into reloading (most do). This will buy you some time.

Leather is an interesting choice.. it's personal, needs to be practical, can't be too high for a newbie and needs to have some long term use. I recomeend San Pedro Saddlery leather from Mr. Bisley on Auction Arms or GunBroker. He has the basics in stock at an excellent price. You can get two holsters, belt and slide for under $200. (or at least ya could, it's been a few years since I bought from him.) Rick is an easy guy to do business with online.

More questions? Keep em coming.
Adios,

BamBams · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2005, 06:10:18 PM »

Hmmm....hadn't heard of the SASS wire until you guys just mentioned it. My plan is to observe this winter, and be ready in the spring to start participating.

I'm not sure, but I think I'll need some type of fast draw rig. I'll check out the "leather guy" you mentioned.

You know what has led me to this? I've gotten so bored with IPSC and IDPA. It's become sooooo competitive and snobbish around here. People are so darn serious about it all that they aren't having much fun anymore, and the guns don't even look like guns anymore - more like Star Wars equipment.

I started handgun shooting with a Super Black Hawk 44 mag. I could shoot turtles off logs at 200 yards with that revolver and some good handloads.

Anyway, I've always been a fan of the Old West. Sometimes I wish I was born back then. Hmmmmm......I wonder if I would be a hit if I dressed up like a minister? Ya remember that Clint Eastwood movie? HHAHAAHA.

I'll go and check out the SASS wire tomorrow night. I'm sure I'll have more questions. I guess I'll start with used guns.

Here's a question: Why .38 for speed? Can I not download .45 and get the same result? What's the difference?

leverfan · « **Reply #6 on:** October 24, 2005, 11:05:15 AM »

Quote from: BamBams

I'm not sure, but I think I'll need some type of fast draw rig.....

Hmmmmm......I wonder if I would be a hit if I dressed up like a minister? Ya remember that Clint Eastwood movie?.....

Here's a question: Why .38 for speed? Can I not download .45 and get the same result? What's the difference?

Nope, no fast draw rig needed. Fast draw is a completely different sport, and the SASS handbook clearly states that SASS is not fast draw competition. You need a good, sturdy, secure holster. I made all my own leather, which is one way I saved money. You don't save any on the first rig, but the upgrades are cheap because you already have the tools and the know how. Anyway, download the SASS handbook from the SASS wire, and read it well. It will tell you quite a bit about what you need to compete within the rules and the spirit of the game.

If you dressed like a minister, a la Clint in Pale Rider, you wouldn't be the only "man of the cloth" at a major event. It would go over pretty well. My starting duds came out of my own closet, however, along with a $9 straw hat (Walmart), and $29 cowboy boots (Sportsman's Guide clearance sale). Clothes are a big part of the fun for some folks, not so much for others.

There's no good, efficient load for the .45 Colt that uses a 125 grain bullet and 3 grains of powder, but such loads abound for the .38 and .357. It's hard to drop much below 200 grains on your bullet weight in the .45, if you want clean burning, consistent loads.

Finally, enjoy reading the posts on the SASS wire, and other places, but remember that not everything you read there is really all that big of a deal at the monthly local SASS matches. There are a lot of mountains being built out of mole hills on the internet, and plenty are being built on the SASS boards. Lots of folks are complaining that SASS is turning into an IPSC-like arms race, but that's not what I've seen at real matches.

Well, I guess I'll add just one more thing- don't forget about black powder. I shoot Frontier Cartridge, and it's a hoot to get everyone's attention with big booms, lots of smoke, and gouts of flame. My guns are: two 44 mag old style Vaqueros, a blued and case color EMF/Rossi '92 in 44 mag, and a nickel plated Stoeger SxS. They are all fueled with real Goex black powder, 32 grains of fffg for the 44s (with 200 grain Mav Dutchman big-lube bullet), and 65 grains of fg for the 20 gauge shotgun (with 7/8 ounce of 7 1/2 shot).

Lazarus Longshot · « **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2005, 03:39:14 PM »

BamBams,
Welcome to Cowboy Action Shooting!

Don't spend a dime on anything until you go to a match. Be sure and tell the folks there that you're an interested newbie, and I'll guarantee they'll fall all over themselves to give you advice, let you try their guns, recommend loads, etc.

There's a lot of good leather folks around the country, but there's usually someone local who does a good job, has a good turnaround time, and is real reasonable. I belong to several SASS clubs, and there's at least a couple of good leathermakers in each club. Some do it professionally, some as a side business. Again, ask around at the match.

I've been in quite a few competitive hobbies in my past; drag racing, sailboat racing, off-road motorcycle enduros and trials riding, football, you name it. This is the ONLY hobby I have ever been in that, when I screw up and have a bad day at a SASS event, I still have an absolute ball and go home grinning!!!!!

Have Fun!!!!