Welcome to the world of Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS)! Sanctioned by the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS), this style of competition, is a unique mix of historical reenactment, competitive multi-gun shooting, and pure Old West nostalgia.

Here is a breakdown of what you need to know to get your boots in the stirrups.

Pro-Tip for Beginners

Don’t buy anything yet! Cowboy Action shooters are famously friendly. Come to one of our monthly practice shoots, and watch a match with eye and ear protection, someone will almost certainly offer to let you try their guns and gear. This helps you figure out which guns, leather, and "category" (like Duelist, Gunfighter, or Classic Cowboy) fits you best before you spend a dime.

1. The Spirit of the Game

The most important rule in CAS isn't about how fast you shoot; it’s the Spirit of the Game. This means fully participating in the "persona" of the Old West.

• The Alias: Every shooter picks a unique cowboy name (e.g., "Texas Jack" or "Blueberry Kid"). Once registered with SASS, that name belongs only to you.

• The Costume: You must dress in 19th-century attire. At a minimum, this usually means a cowboy hat, long-sleeved Western shirt, jeans or "ranch" pants, and leather boots. No baseball caps or sneakers allowed!

2. The Tools of the Trade

To compete, you typically need four guns, all designed or manufactured before 1900 (or modern reproductions):

• Two Single-Action Revolvers: Usually .32 to .45 caliber. You only load 5 rounds in each (keeping the hammer on an empty chamber for safety).

• One Lever-Action Rifle: Must be in a pistol caliber (e.g., .38 Special, .45 Colt). No "modern" rifle calibers like .30-30 are allowed in main matches.

• One Period Shotgun: Usually a side-by-side (without automatic ejectors) or an 1897-style pump action with an exposed hammer.

3. How a Match Works

Matches are divided into Stages. Each stage is a "mini-movie" scenario (e.g., "You’re defending a stagecoach from outlaws").

1. The Scenario: You’ll be given a specific order to engage targets (e.g., "10 rifle, 10 pistol, then 4 shotgun").

2. The Timer: On the "Beep," you fire as fast and accurately as possible.

3. Scoring: It is a game of time. Your score is your raw time plus penalties—usually 5 seconds added for every missed target and 10 seconds for a procedural error (shooting targets in the wrong order).

4. Safety & Loading

Safety is the absolute priority. We’ll walk you through your first stages to make sure you do so safety.

• Loading/Unloading Tables: You never carry loaded guns between stages. You load at a designated "Loading Table" under supervision and clear your guns at an "Unloading Table" immediately after shooting.

• The 170° Rule: Your muzzle must always point downrange. Breaking the "170-degree" safety plane results in an immediate disqualification for the stage or match.