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In the early 1980s a few devoted shooters, notably Harper Creigh of southern California, devised a wonderful new sport called Cowboy Action Shooting. Harper and some of his cronies, now known as The Wild Bunch, developed the Single Action Shooting Society, “SASS”, to promote a safe and fun way to enjoy a little taste of the old west.
SASS, the Single Action Shooting Society, is now a worldwide organization claiming something around fifty thousand members, with dozens more joining each day. SASS issues our aliases "Cowboy Names" no two members can have the same name. You select your own alias, and it can be just about any late 1800s western hero, desperado, movie character, or even made up name like "Lead D. Spencer". The founder of SASS, Harper Creigh, is “Judge Roy Bean” SASS #1. For comparison, the author of this web page is Judge J.R. SASS #37031. But remember, since we now have over fifty thousand members, your chosen alias may be already taken.
Like all organized shooting sports, CAS, "Cowboy Action Shooting" holds safety in the highest regard. You just can't be too safe around firearms, and CAS does this even better than many other shooting sports. Guns are always holstered, unloaded, until just before the shooter steps up to the line. Loading and unloading is always monitored by an experienced member. An RO, "Range Officer", and three people, acting as counters, keep an eye on things during the actual shooting.
Unlike many other organized shooting sports, CAS places fun second only to safety. Many shooting sports seem to place way too much emphasis on competition. Their shoots can be a very stressful event for many. CAS, on the other hand, says, "If you aren't having fun, maybe you should take up bowling”".
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A big part of the fun is dressing up like your favorite western hero, fictional or otherwise. SASS even has a member called, and dressed like, Howdy Doody. (Don't know if "Buffalo Bob Smith" is also a member :)
Dress like a Riverboat Dandy, a Marshal, a Stage Coach robber, or just a hard working cowboy. It's up to you. First timers, newbies, and spectators, are not required, but encouraged, to dress in western gear. In this vein, unless you are on-call or waiting for an organ transplant, please leave your cell phone or pager in the car. |
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Each event consists of from 4 to 6 "Stages" where the members who are organized into posses of between 10 to 15 shooters each, take turns shooting the particular scenario for that stage.
When their time comes, they are called to the firing line where they stage their rifle and shotgun in stands
at the line. The RO "Range Officer" asks them if they understand the coarse of fire, then asks,
"Shooter ready?". When the shooter affirms they are ready, the RO says,
"Stand By!",
he then starts the timer. A buzzer is sounded, and the shooter draws his pistols from their holsters and
commences to engage the targets. After he or she has exhausted their six-guns, they pick up
their shotgun, loads it and engages at least two shotgun targets. The shotgun targets are usually engaged
more than once, forcing at least one reload.
After the shooter has completed the coarse of fire for the shotgun, it is replaced
(unloaded and open) in the stand, and they retrieve their rifle and engages several long
range targets until the rifle is empty, (usually 10-rounds). The weapon firing order may vary from
stage to stage.
During the entire stage a timer has been running. At the end of the shoot, the time is added up and misses
are counted to compute the shooter's score for that stage.
The RO will tell the shooter to pickup their weapons and proceed to the unloading bench, usualy to the
right of the stage, where they will be expected to remove the spent cartridges from the pistols and
demonstrate, to the person at the bench, that all firearms have been unloaded, cleared, and made safe.
After the shooter has replaced their long guns in his or her shooting cart, they are expected to volunteer to
pickup brass, count misses, or work one of the benches.
This continues until all members of the posse have shot that particular stage. They then proceed to the
next stage and repeat the above. Each stage is different and may, with the use of props, represent
a salon, jail house, stage coach, or other western setting. Some stages may be equipped with a stationary
or spring-mounted prop that simulates a horse. The shooter will be expected to engage all targets from
horseback, during this stage.
Some events will have "Side Matches" where the shooters will be offered the experience of shooting their
pocket gun, "Derringer" at a simulated card cheat across the table from them. Other side matches
may offer vary long-range rifle contests, or other unique shooting experiences.
Two or three shooters at a time are called up to the loading bench, an area to the left of the stage, where
they load their firearms, under supervision, for the next shoot.
Cowboy Action Shooting is a way to have more fun than a body should be able to have with all their clothes on. Speaking of clothes, which may be one of the reasons that this shooting sport has more lady members than all others put together. It's not just the dress for some of our better lady members, many can shoot the eyes out of a newt at 50-paces.
Come on out and watch us some Sunday (See Here for maps and directions.) Shooters & Spectators Welcome
(See Other Clubs for contact information on other northern California clubs.)If you are a SASS member, bring your Shoot'n Irons and join in on the fun. If you are not yet a SASS member but are an experienced shooter, come anyway. Whither you have all the guns you need or not, show up and someone will loan you enough stuff to join in on the fun.
Please remember, we usually shoot in undeveloped areas that may have less than four-star sanitary accommodations, and little or no drinking water. Bring portable shade & drinking water.
Please bring ear & eye protection. And remember to bring plenty of drinking water.
(No Alcoholic Beverages Please!)