OT- SASS

505stevec · Post by **505stevec** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:16 pm

How many of you are Cowboy Action Shooters? I wonder only because this seems like a logical step for levergun fanatics. I used to shoot in IPSC about seven years ago but it lost its appeal after a while due to cost of ammo and i just got busy with other things. Well I am considering SASS although I would have to buy a single six type handgun. The thought of "dressing up" kind of scares me also.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:18 pm

used to be it was fun just no time.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:37 pm

I'm with ya on the "dressing up " part. Though I'd probably do it if there was a local shoot.
I've been shooting IDPA for a couple years. I started w/ a 1911 but switched to my Glock/ 9mm because of the cheaper ammo. Running through 2-300 rounds of 45s was getting expensive.

Enjoying the competition a lot more than I thought I would. Competing w/ sixguns and levers would be even more fun!

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:46 pm

I think I am going to the SASS match this weekend in
Orlando Florida, Sat. & Sun. It looks like the competitors have a lot of fun!
This past weekend we had the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Assoc.
in town and the was a lot of fun to watch!
Check out myoutdoortv.com
Theres a bunch of Cowboy action shooting shows there
that you can watch right on you computer

Grizzly Adams · Post by **Grizzly Adams** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:01 pm

Huh, I guess I never thought about it as "dress up." Heck, 90% of the folks around here dress like cowboys anyway! What's the big deal with a pair of jeans, work shirt, boots, and a western hat?

As for Cowboy Action Shooting - well, it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on! Give it a try. There are a number of good clubs close to ABQ, including SASS's Founder's Ranch.

This is my club, and we have more folks from ABQ shooting with us than from any other place.

http://www.magdalenatraildrivers.com/

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:03 pm

My grandson and I joined a club back in October,We have not joined SASS yet but we will. It is really a great way to burn powder and have a ball doing it.

cutter · Post by **cutter** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:11 pm

I've been visiting the local clubs for a few months now. Tough decision, sure are a lot of rules. The safety rules are good, but they're not the ones I'm talking about.

I would get to buy a new SAA, of course. Actually three new SAA'a. That's cool. I'm just not sure about it. Looks like great fun, but the targets are too close.

I don't know, maybe I just need to get over myself and play.

...sure would be fun.

I would like to see 'gangster action shooting', now that would be really cool. 38 Super 1911's, Tommy guns, and pinstripes!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:17 pm

Just wish I had the time...

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:02 am

I ain't an expert... but I have been a member of SASS since 1987. SASS # 93. And my wife's # is.... 14. 1st and foremost - the amount of dress up you do is totally up to you. Just avoid ballcaps (except a pre-1900 one) straw hats (generally) or ones with large feathered bands (unless you're female and are not of the "cowboy" type). Avoid tennis shoes. You did know that broghams were pre-1900 didn't you? Wranglers are not as good as 501s, but, both are acceptable. When I started, snaps were not acceptable, but, this was in the days before the "B-Western" category. Now, the flashier the better, if you're into that type of thing.

Read the rules in the SASS Shooter's Handbook. Look at "CLOTHING and ACCOUTERMENTS" on page 2. Outside the firearms necessary it can be an easy sport to begin.

On the subject of guns, I'll offer the advice I've given every new shooter or prospective shooter in SASS I've had the opportunity to speak or communicate with: GO OUT TO A COUPLE OF MATCHES BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING! I can only guarantee this if you come to our club and I'm there, but... I'll loan you the guns necessary to shoot. And I'm pretty confident that unless you act the total idiot, that will pretty much be across the board. Sorta like Levergunitis, we love to share our obsession! As you will see, there are a extremely wide range of firearms that are acceptable in CAS. And at a match you will likely be encouraged to sample any number of different guns. From C&B revolvers to S&Ws and Colt SAAs and their clones. From Henrys (1860) to Henry Big Boys and all the appropriate pistol calibered leverguns in between. From simple side by sides, to 1897 Winchester shotguns.

I got to the point after a few months that my wife had to join me at the range for her to see me on her weekends. Our schedules were such that Sat & Sun were the only days we saw each other, until I started shooting Cowboy Action. Then I was an absent parent. We started our son competing in 1988 at age 10, by 12 he was the winning Jr. @ EOT. By 15 he was a threat to most adult shooters. His interest waned, but he still talks of the enjoyment of competing and the friends we've made in the sport.

Okay, I'll shut up.

RSY · Post by **RSY** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:03 am

I won't knock it outright; but for me, personally, it falls somewhere between surreal and silly.

One has to ponder what the real folks being emulated from 100+ years ago would think of it all if they could see it today. If I'm not mistaken, they didn't spend their weekends running around in knee breeches, buckle shoes with white stockings, and tri-cornered hats shooting flintlocks at cardboard Redcoats.

However, one can't deny the boon to the shooting industry that it's been.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:08 am

cutter wrote:I would like to see 'gangster action shooting', now that would be really cool. 38 Super 1911's, Tommy guns, and pinstripes!

Some clubs are having "Wild Bunch" matches, where 1911s are the necessary handgun. I haven't been to ours yet, and don't know all the rules yet.

Teek · Post by **Teek** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:28 am

I guess I'm a non-participating member...I've been to a couple of matches as an observer, but I've never shot at a match. The participants sure have loads of fun, though! My work schedule won't allow it. I only get two weekends off in a row every six weeks, and I usually end up doing other things on those weekends. That's even assuming my weekends off actually correspond with a local monthly match! If I participated, it would be simply for the fun and cameraderie of it rather than the competition. The guys and gals here in the DFW area are some of the best CAS shooters in the world, as evidenced at End of Trail. Great people, too.

Teek

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:27 am

cutter wrote:I've been visiting the local clubs for a few months now. Tough decision, sure are a lot of rules. The safety rules are good, but they're not the ones I'm talking about.

I would get to buy a new SAA, of course. Actually three new SAA'a. That's cool. I'm just not sure about it. Looks like great fun, but the targets are too close.
I don't know, maybe I just need to get over myself and play.

...sure would be fun.

I would like to see 'gangster action shooting', now that would be really cool. 38 Super 1911's, Tommy guns, and pinstripes!

What I tell folks that think our targets are too big or too close is you just aint shooting fast enough. I have never seen a CAS target that couldn't be missed.
At our local shoot more than a third of our shooters are women folk. You talk to any of them and they will tell you if it wasn't for the dress-up and the big easy shooting targets they wouldn't be there, and you know what, neither would their Hubby's. At least most wouldn't get to shoot. Whatcha thinks gonna happen if we go to big guns and little target. Them lady folks and there hubby's won't be back.

Bottom line is SASS aint about highly competitive testosteron drive extreme gun handling skills.
SASS is structured so everybody can come play, shoot any style you want. Big guns, little guns, smokin gun, non smokin guns, one hand two hands, two guns, real old folks to real young kids. That is why it's the fastest growing gun game ever.
When you see one of the really fast CAS shooters shoot a stage of 2 pistols loaded with 5 rounds each, a rifle loaded with 10 rounds and a SXS shotgun loaded on the clock with 4 rounds two at a time and they do it in 25 seconds or less then you will understand why it is what it is.

Yep, you need to go play.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:09 am

I started shooting CAS in '93. Lots of fun, the commaderie is fantastic, the targets are easy AND it gets lots of folks who are not gung-ho gun people into the sport of shooting and joining the NRA, SASS, and various gun rights organizations. This to me, is the most important function of CAS.----------education and proliferation of our rights

You don't have to worry about the dress-up thing. I wear what I usually wear--jeans, cowboy hat and instead of Redwings, I put on a pair of Abileens. Maybe throw on a vest. Leather holsters and bullet pouches gives you that "look".

I don't do much CAS shooting anymore as the long range buffalo shoots and NRA silhouette take up most of my time but I still heartily recommend it. Also, friends are made very easy--they come up to you.------Sixgun

Slick13 · Post by **Slick13** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:12 am

RSY wrote:I won't knock it outright; but for me, personally, it falls somewhere between surreal and silly.

Silly is about the best way you can describe a shooting "sport" that has costume requirements. If it was purely shooting, I'd give it a chance, but when I'm required to dress up and have an alias, no thanks.

They have made sure guns like they Winchester 66, 73, 76, 86, 95 etc are still being made, so gotta give the sport credit there.

~Michael

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:35 am

Slick13 wrote:
RSY wrote:I won't knock it outright; but for me, personally, it falls somewhere between surreal and silly.
Silly is about the best way you can describe a shooting "sport" that has costume requirements. If it was purely shooting, I'd give it a chance, but when I'm required to dress up and have an alias, no thanks.

They have made sure guns like they Winchester 66, 73, 76, 86, 95 etc are still being made, so gotta give the sport credit there.

~Michael

Sounds like you grew up too early and too serious

When I look at the multiplied thousands that dress in goofy outfits and go watch a buch of guys chase a bag of air up and down chalk stripes, cowboy action looks pretty normal.

Actually, one of the basic ideas behind CAS is to have fun. For some that is a strange concept, even among CAS shooters. Thankfully the majority of them understand it.

505stevec · Post by **505stevec** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:44 am

So you have to dress up? This is a definate requirement? I was looking at the SASS website and thought about going to their End of the Trail deal in June 08. Maybe that will tell me more .

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:55 am

Teek wrote:I guess I'm a non-participating member...I've been to a couple of matches as an observer, but I've never shot at a match. The participants sure have loads of fun, though! My work schedule won't allow it. I only get two weekends off in a row every six weeks, and I usually end up doing other things on those weekends. That's even assuming my weekends off actually correspond with a local monthly match! If I participated, it would be simply for the fun and cameraderie of it rather than the competition. The guys and gals here in the DFW area are some of the best CAS shooters in the world, as evidenced at End of Trail. Great people, too.
Teek

Whatcha doin' THIS weekend? Either day? I'm toyin' with the idea of campin' out @ the range & shooting both days!

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:58 am

I participated in the 90s and got out of it just after the turn of the century. I enjoyed the friendship and shared experience aspect, and of course the shooting. I fully supported the safety rules.

I did not care for the squabbling over other rules regarding guns and clothing. Example: The Marlin 1893 shotgun was "legal" to use for a long time, but then due to a couple guns coming apart they were banned from use. IMO, when using ANY older firearms, care should be taken as to the condition of the gun and the power of the loads.

Some individual clubs and matches had variations in rules. Wester-looking boots with rubber soles were OK in one match, but needed to be leather-soled in another match. Zippers OK here, but you need buttons if shooting there. I drove 2.5 hrs one way to a match and forgot to put my western boots in the car. I was wearing black running shoes, and the only other footwear in the car was a pair of leather flip-flops. One of the match mucky-mucks said I needed period footwear, a couple other guys said "Let him shoot anyway." Mucky-muck said it wasn't fair to the shooter with leather-soled period footwear. Another guy suggested they just give me penalty points. In the meantime I walked to the car and pulled off my running shoes and socks, came back and said I shoot the match barefoot. Nothing in the rules about that, they let me. And that was the last formal match I shot in.

Nowadays, a bunch of friends and I shoot against the clock from time to time using stages that we put together, mind safety rules, and have a lot of fun at little or no hassle or expense.

To each his own.

Noah

Dastook · Post by **Dastook** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:01 am

Thanks JimT, I can't believe shooters are criticizing other shooters. Lets leave that to the whackos on the left. It is a lot of fun where you make friends with many like minded shooters. If they donâ€™t think it is a challenging sport, they are dead wrong. Many of these shooters are extremely good. They are branching out and winning national and international championships in other shooting disciplines. I found most who criticize SASS are those that havenâ€™t tried it and are jealous of it because it is taking so many shooters out of the other disciplines like which may be shrinking in numbers as SASS is growing.

RSY · Post by **RSY** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:43 am

Dastook wrote:I can't believe shooters are criticizing other shooters.

Where do you see that in this thread? As far as I can tell, this has been limited to a civil discussion of a certain event/style of shooting.

Just because I don't like something but you do, that means I'm directly criticizing you??? With all due respect, surely, you have thicker skin than that.

scott

RSY · Post by **RSY** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:46 am

Noah Zark wrote:In the meantime I walked to the car and pulled off my running shoes and socks, came back and said I shoot the match barefoot. Nothing in the rules about that, they let me. And that was the last formal match I shot in.

Actually, you were probably more "period correct" barefoot than some of the get-up's I've seen folks wear.

Dastook · Post by **Dastook** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:10 pm

RSY wrote:I won't knock it outright; but for me, personally, it falls somewhere between surreal and silly.

One has to ponder what the real folks being emulated from 100+ years ago would think of it all if they could see it today. If I'm not mistaken, they didn't spend their weekends running around in knee breeches, buckle shoes with white stockings, and tri-cornered hats shooting flintlocks at cardboard Redcoats.

Even though you say "you don't knock it outright" you go right on and do it.

Cherokee · Post by **Cherokee** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:17 pm

I tried CAS and I liked it. If you have tried it and don't like it, OK. If you haven't tried it, maybe you should, you might like it.

I've been shooting Ruger SA's since late 1950's. Added LA rifle and SxS shotgun and I was set when SASS came along. Really do enjoy it. Big matches get to be a pain because of all the "down" time, but that's OK with me.

I like it a whole bunch more than watching some group of players play some sport, at the stadium or on TV. In CAS, I'm part of the action, not a viewer.

RSY · Post by **RSY** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:16 pm

Dastook wrote:
RSY wrote:I won't knock it outright; but for me, personally, it falls somewhere between surreal and silly.

One has to ponder what the real folks being emulated from 100+ years ago would think of it all if they could see it today. If I'm not mistaken, they didn't spend their weekends running around in knee breeches, buckle shoes with white stockings, and tri-cornered hats shooting flintlocks at cardboard Redcoats.
Even though you say "you don't knock it outright" you go right on and do it.

Look, there are far too many people that I've come to know and respect over the years on this forum who love the CAS/SASS game for me to write it off completely. They enjoy it, and I have to respect that, whether I "get it" or not.

Nowhere did I make a sweeping, negative absolute judgment about the game. Instead, I stated that it wasn't to my taste and followed with an illustration as to why that's the case and my thinking on the matter.

longarm4146 · Post by **longarm4146** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:48 pm

SILLY? Last time i looked at a bunch of golfers hitting the course they were attired for the sport......same with softball players, handball players, if you swim you usually wear swimming attire.....iffin it ain't your cup of tea so be it, but after almost 20 yrs I still get as excitied about going to a SASS match as I did in 88 or 89. I don't feel silly, and to me a SASS match is about as much fun as you can have wearing clothes. Like Griff and them said, don't go out and go hog-wild buying new stuff....come to a few matches and someone will lend u what you need and check it out first hand......As far asa targets being to big and close, thats different at most any range and If I'm hitting all the targets then I'm shooting to slow.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:55 pm

For those you that haven't tried it, I'll say simply, you don't really know what you're missing. For those of you that think the costuming is "silly," I suppose you feel the same about NSSA participants or Buckskinners. To you I'll say that most everyone is a little self-conscious at their first attempt at anything that's outside their "comfort-zone."

Some of these folks would be quite put out by your referring to their hours upon hours of research and work on the historical accuracy of their "costumes." And, quite honestly, some costumes ARE downright silly. One I am guilty of, is the attempt of a middle-aged, portly gentleman to appear like a trailhand that's been following a herd north for 3 months, eaitng beef, beans & bisquits and spending 18hrs a day in the saddle! Ooops, did I say that out loud?

On the ther hand, maybe Great-granddad did just that. And this is their way of respecting their forebears. Actually, maybe they deserve a great deal of respect for being out dressed in the cotton & wool clothing of the period in the 90 degree heat w/95% humidity or the 4o degree windy chill on the Texas plains for a few hours of their leiasure time instead of a heated/air-conditioned indoor range shooting great-grandpa's guns. (That's not my exuse, I just like lookin' silly in my buckskins, mocassins, 5" brimmed hat, wearin' a brace of '51 Navies!)

Ya'll can poke fun @ me all ya want; but ya have to get in line; behind ME!

505stevec · Post by **505stevec** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:01 pm

Griff wrote:For those you that haven't tried it, I'll say simply, you don't really know what you're missing. For those of you that think the costuming is "silly," I suppose you feel the same about NSSA participants or Buckskinners. To you I'll say that most everyone is a little self-conscious at their first attempt at anything that's outside their "comfort-zone."

Some of these folks would be quite put out by your referring to their hours upon hours of research and work on the historical accuracy of their "costumes." And, quite honestly, some costumes ARE downright silly. One I am guilty of, is the attempt of a middle-aged, portly gentleman to appear like a trailhand that's been following a herd north for 3 months, eaitng beef, beans & bisquits and spending 18hrs a day in the saddle! Ooops, did I say that out loud? On the ther hand, maybe Great-granddad did just that. And this is their way of respecting their forebears. Actually, maybe they deserve a great deal of respect for being out dressed in the cotton & wool clothing of the period in the 90 degree heat w/95% humidity or the 4o degree windy chill on the Texas plains for a few hours of their leiasure time instead of a heated/air-conditioned indoor range shooting great-grandpa's guns. (That's not my exuse, I just like lookin' silly in my buckskins, mocassins, 5" brimmed hat, wearin' a brace of '51 Navies!) Ya'll can poke fun @ me all ya want; but ya have to get in line; behind ME!

Ok, ok you convinced me

Maybe I will see you at the End of the Trail shoot in June. First off i need to buy a gun or maybe two

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:47 pm

Never thought I'd hear an American, especially a levergunner, say that dressing up like a cowboy looked silly! I have always worn my jeans and cowboy boots over here and don't care what any British dudes think!

jazman · Post by **jazman** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:04 pm

Great post and information, learned a lot and it sounds like a great time to me. Jim

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:44 pm

Dastook's on the right track. Have you seen some of these guys shoot? I think you'd be nuts to try and beat them with a semi-automatic. Let alone watch them shoot a lever action rifle. Google it. There's some videos out there of guys shooting 10 rounds in like 1.7-2.2 seconds. Unbelieveable.

I'll say one thing I don't care for is the squabbling over the rules. It gets old.

cas · Post by **cas** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:53 pm

Nate Kiowa Jones wrote:
cutter wrote:but the targets are too close.
What I tell folks that think our targets are too big or too close is you just aint shooting fast enough.

That's exactly what I said.
And that's what I've been saying about the local IDPA targets too. (and I'm shootin' faster'n everyone else.)

I want an in between shooting sport... with more aiming.

Cowboy silhouette maybe.... medium and long range revolver and levergun.

Hank Dodge · Post by **Hank Dodge** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:31 pm

I've been doin' it now since about '96 I think. I enjoy the heck out of it. I honestly don't get out as much as I like; but, I've tried to shoot a few major shoots a year along with a monthly match every now and then. The folks that I've met in the game are top notch. I've always been a bit of a "cowboy", so the outfits and the guns etc. are normal to me. I've dressed the part for two and a half weeks at End of Trail in all weather conditions many times; it feels natural to me now. If you head to town for supplies, folks ask a few questions, but most think that it's pretty darn cool and want to learn more about it. At least cowboy outfits are functional; I could never do one of those Renaissance or pirate type gatherings that some folks do for that long. Camping out in the mud and the rain playing cowboy just seems to fit.

Hank

Grizzly Adams · Post by **Grizzly Adams** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:24 am

I always get a kick out of those who get their knickers in a twist over the "dress up" part of Cowboy Action Shooting." I mean, really, what else do they think they would wear to shoot in a "Cowboy" Action match! Shorts and a T-shirt?

Now THAT would be silly!

Seriously, the only two categories that require the participant to dress beyond the basics of a work shirt, jeans (not-"designer"), basic cowboy boots and a western hat, are "B Western" and "Classic Cowboy." Those two categories do have unique clothing requirements.

As for those "close" targets.....well, come out and try it. Most folks get humble pretty quick!

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:52 am

Looks like it could be fun. I observed part of a match back in '99 or so. I just hope the matches today are more peacable than the brutal feudin' and squabblin' I see on the SASS forum.

LeverBar · Post by **LeverBar** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:04 am

A fellow I worked with invited me to attend one of their matches.

The atmosphere was tangible--enjoyment all around. Smiles, conversation, drooling on firearms. Very friendly, open people.

The attire was not a detriment to anyone's having a good time. It added to it. People were helping each other with suggestions, comparing outfits, getting psyched for the next gathering.

Much more comfortable for me to see the Western attire than what I get off my television on prime-time "family" shows: I was going to make a list here, but that would likely blow a hole in the thread, so I'll cut it short. Cross-dressers and transvestites--Writers seem to believe that is funny, but the only laughing I perceive is that inane laugh track.

Maybe I should have just stayed focused on how enjoyable the SASS events are? Oh, well.

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:34 am

Personally, I didn't have a problem with costuming, and I still don't. Costuming adds to the experience.

My beef was with some match organizers' obsession with rules, which varied from match to match. One got the impression that it was about adherence to rules, not about shooting safely, enjoying cameraderie and guns, and having fun.

That said, this thread has rekindled my interest a bit, and now that I have some time, my wife and I may start attending some of the shoots in eastern PA. I've met some of the folks that shoot in them at eastern PA gun shows and they seem to be all about enjoying the sport.

Noah

Dakota Mike · Post by **Dakota Mike** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:15 am

I shoot SASS. I did USPSA, IDPA, Steel Challange, Falling Plates etc.. Cowboy is a lot of fun, try it.

Hook · Post by **Hook** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:44 am

After checking into the Sahara recently to attend a conference, I was surprised to see dozens of nattily attired 'westerners and saloon girls' hanging in the casino as I was heading to my room. I had pretty well guessed what was going on before getting to the elevator and later verified that the SASS meeting was under way.

As soon as possible, I found the exhibit hall and spent some time looking over the goods. There were quite a few firearms in evidence, but about 2/3rds of the booths were selling period clothing and accoutrements. I would think that the value of the clothes probably exceeded the value of the guns many times over.

I honestly don't think I could get 'into' that part of SASS, but I could surely enjoy the shooting and camaraderie. The only negative about the whole thing was when I passed one booth where the owner was dressed in a Confederate officerâ€™s uniform. Being a lifelong resident of Alabama and trying to be complimentary, I remarked, "Boy, you'd fit right in down in Alabama!â€

Hank Dodge · Post by **Hank Dodge** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:17 am

Hook.....don't feel slighted by that fellows response at the convention. It gets pretty hectic there for the vendors at times. It's gonna' sound weird, but I "forget" about how I'm dressed sometimes and I know others do as well. I'd bet that he just "didn't get it".

Like all things, there are a few folks with an attitude about something. But, honestly, the vast majority of the men and women involved in this game are genuinely great folks. Get out and give it a try.

Hank

Hook · Post by **Hook** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:47 am

Thanks, Hank. It really didn't bother me...I was just a little surprised. The VERY positive attitude from everyone else there more than made up.

I have no doubt that SASS is made up of primarily class individuals, as is most every other shooting fraternity that I have been involved with!

SR James · Post by **SR James** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 5:18 pm

I've been a SASS shooter since about '94. I still enjoy it as much now as I did when I started.

As far as the "dress code", the requirements are pretty minimal. You can pretty much do as little or as much as you like. I'm always amused by IPSC shooters who make fun of cowboy shooters dressing up. Meanwhile they are standing there looking like a member of the LAPD SWAT team when they are neither LEO nor military in their real lives.

Most SASS shooters are great people, always ready to help out a newbie.

Icebox · Post by **Icebox** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 6:26 pm

Dress up? Costume? What the heck are ya talkin' about!
When I shoot CAS, I get to dress normal.......

Icebox

Texican · Post by **Texican** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:28 am

SR James wrote:I've been a SASS shooter since about '94. I still enjoy it as much now as I did when I started.

As far as the "dress code", the requirements are pretty minimal. You can pretty much do as little or as much as you like. I'm always amused by IPSC shooters who make fun of cowboy shooters dressing up. Meanwhile they are standing there looking like a member of the LAPD SWAT team when they are neither LEO nor military in their real lives.

Most SASS shooters are great people, always ready to help out a newbie.

(1) Me too. (2) Absolutely agree (3) Yup.

I love SASS/CAS; it's most often like a church picnic/social with a shooting match going on. Noobs are welcome and encouraged.

As for the costuming - what about other sports without a dress code requirement but yet still cause folks to want to show off? Face painted fans in football come to mind. And how many guys afraid of wearing a cowboy hat go to bed wearing NASCAR jammies?

Whether you call it "practical" or "defensive" other shooting sports are still just games. I just happen to play one called "cowboy action shooting", and have a darn good time doing it.

MY ONLY POINT OF ADVICE FOR NEWBIES: is DO NOT purchase anything until you have observed a couple of matches and learned more about the sport. Often folks will let you shoot their firearms to get a feel for what you may like. [EX: the Winchester Wrangler with Large loop lever may be the gun you've always wanted since seeing True Grit but as a match gun loses some of the charm the first time you are told to 'load 10' in a gun that holds 9.]

Just my two cents,

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:20 pm

Icebox wrote:Dress up? Costume? What the heck are ya talkin' about!
When I shoot CAS, I get to dress normal.......

Icebox

Now that was the answer I was expecting!

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:09 pm

I am 69 years old and wear what I have worn since I could walk. Levis boots and felt hat everyday,starched and ironed Levis on Sunday for church. My 19 year old grandson is the same way, and has bought all of his own guns. since we started CAS he did buy another Ruger NV .357,so we go and have fun dressed like we do everyday.