Contributed by Scott (aka Flaco Joe), Alaska 49ers
Cowboy Action Shooting™ (CAS) is a western-themed shooting sport utilizing a combination of different “cowboy” guns through various courses of fire against the clock. A number of sanctioning organizations engage in a form of western-shooting, but the largest organization is the Single Action Shooting Society® (www.sassnet.com), which recognizes hundreds of local clubs in every state and over 20 foreign countries. There are three SASS-affiliated clubs in Alaska, including the Alaska 49ers in the Anchorage-Mat-Su area, the Golden Heart Shootists Society in Fairbanks and the Gold Miner’s Posse in Juneau.
Shooting involves single-action firearms typical of the guns used in the taming of the 18th century “Old West”. SASS maintains a list of legal firearms, but most single-action revolvers, pistol-caliber, lever-action rifles, double-barrel, side-by-side shotguns, and certain pump-action and lever action shotguns are acceptable. Some vintage guns that are safe for shooting show up from time to time, but most competitors use modern reproductions which are generally made of more durable materials than guns original to the time period. SASS members are notoriously friendly and willing to let new shooters try out their guns, so they have a chance to handle and shoot a variety of different models and calibers to see which type of cowboy gun suits them best.
Cowboy action matches involve a series of various scenarios where shooters compete against the clock firing revolvers typically drawn from holsters and long guns that may start out held in the hands or staged on a prop or table. The number of rounds fired, the order in which each gun is used, and the number and arrangement of targets varies for each scenario. Targets are typically reactive steel plates that “ring” when hit, but knockdown plates and clay pigeons may also be used. Competitors may be required to shoot from a single location, or move to multiple shooting positions during the course of fire. The variety of targets and shooting situations adds to the fun and challenge. The raw time score for each scenario is increased by five seconds for missed target and ten seconds for procedural errors. The goal is to achieve the fastest adjusted time. Safety is paramount, so time penalties also apply to the final score for minor safety missteps. More serious safety violations may result in disqualification of the stage or the entire match. Of course, all competitors and spectators must wear appropriate eye and ear protection when any shooting is taking place.
One of the unique aspects of CAS is the requirement for participants to adhere to a “Western” theme and a state of mind known as “The Spirit of the Game”. Each participant is required to adopt a shooting alias that represents their character within the Old West genre. Each alias is registered with SASS and must not duplicate or be easily confused with any other member’s alias. Participants are also expected to dress in a style reminiscent of 18th century attire. Just imagine what actors in a western movie might look like or explore some vintage photos from the years 1850 to 1900. While some competitors wear a minimum of boots, a long sleeve shirt and a cowboy hat, other participants enjoy the costuming aspect of the sport as much or more than the shooting competition itself. Each member enjoys the sport in their own way.
One variant of CAS sanctioned by SASS is called “Wild Bunch”, inspired by the 1969 Western film of that name. This form of the sport uses firearms typical of the Old West just after the turn of the 20th century. Competitors fire 1911 pistols instead of revolvers and two models of pump-action shotgun are also allowed. Categories include “traditional” which involves military-specification pistols and “modern” which allows 1911s that have more contemporary features. Other than the type of firearms used, Wild Bunch stages are similar to cowboy action shooting stages with slightly different rules necessitated by the different firearm functions.
CAS is a family-friendly sport with a number of competition categories to suit the age and skill-level of every shooter. All competitors are strictly amateur, and anyone can participate in all sanctioned events. There are no cash prizes. Trophies, “bragging rights” and a whole lot of fun are the rewards. The focus of every event is to ensure everyone has a good time.
The Alaska 49ers encourage anyone interested in Cowboy Action Shooting to attend one of their regular matches at the Mat Valley Sportsman’s Range at mile 38.5 of the Glenn Highway a few miles south of Palmer. The club shoots year-round on the second Saturday and fourth Sunday of most months. They also hold the Alaska championship Wild Bunch match in May and the championship CAS match every 4th of July weekend. For more information, visit the Alaska 49ers’ website at www.alaskacowboyshooting.com.