Shooters Handbook Table of Contents

Home , Blank (cartridge), Cowboy action shooting

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SINGLE ACTION SHOOTING SOCIETY...... 1 SPIRIT OF THE GAME ...... 4 EQUIPMENT AND SHOOTING CATEGORIES...... 4 RIFLES...... 5 SHOTGUNS...... 5 REVOLVERS...... 7 MODERN ...... 7 TRADITIONAL...... 8 FRONTIER CARTRIDGE ...... 9 DUELIST ...... 10 GUNFIGHTER...... 10 FRONTIERSMAN...... 11 CLASSIC COWBOY/COWGIRL ...... 11 AGE AND GENDER-BASED CATAGORIES...... 13 SIDE MATCHES ...... 16 THE PLAINSMAN...... 16 POCKET PISTOLS and DERRINGERS ...... 17 LONG RANGE (or PRECISION) RIFLE...... 18 SASS MOUNTED SHOOTING...... 21 FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS...... 22 SHOOTERS HANDBOOK HOLSTERS, CARTRIDGE BELTS, AND BANDOLEERS...... 24 MAIN MATCH AMMUNITION ...... 26 ELEVENTH EDITION SCORING AND TIMING ...... 27 January 2005 RANGE OPERATIONS ...... 31 SAFETY PRACTICES ...... 35 COPYRIGHT 1987, 1989, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, SELECTING AN ALIAS...... 43 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 CLOTHING AND ACCOUTERMENTS...... 45 Single Action Shooting Society®, Inc. OUTLAWED ...... 48 All Rights Reserved

SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition The truly unique aspect of Cowboy Action SINGLE ACTION SHOOTING SOCIETY Shooting™ is the requirement placed on The Single Action Shooting Society is an inter- authentic period or western screen dress. Each national organization created to preserve and participant is required to adopt a shooting alias promote the fast growing sport of Cowboy Ac- appropriate to a character or profession of the tion Shooting™. SASS endorses regional late 19th century, or a Hollywood western star, matches conducted by affiliated clubs and annu- and develop a costume accordingly. ally produces END of TRAIL, the World Cham- pionship of Cowboy Action Shooting & Wild Your SASS shooting alias is exclusively yours. West Jubilee™. In the tradition of the Old West cattle brand reg- istries, SASS prohibits one shooter duplicating Cowboy Action Shooting™ is a multifaceted another’s alias. There is only one Tex, one Kid amateur shooting sport in which contestants Curry, and one Loophole Pettifogger. compete with firearms typical of those used in the taming of the Old West: single action re- SASS affiliated clubs are required to respect the volvers, lever action rifles, and side by side dou- sanctity of SASS members’ aliases and shooter ble barreled, pre-1899 pump, or lever action numbers, using them in their articles for publica- shotguns. The shooting competition is staged in tion in The Cowboy Chronicle and giving them a unique, characterized, "Old West" style. preference over local club members who are not SASS members, and are using a duplicate alias. Contestants shoot in several one- to four-gun stages (courses of fire) in which they engage American history buffs and serious shooters reactive steel and cardboard silhouette targets. alike agree the use of vintage firearms, authentic Scoring is based on accuracy and speed. costuming, unique targets, and fast action make Cowboy Action Shooting™ one of the most

Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 1 Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 2 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition interesting of all shooting sports for both specta- SPIRIT of the GAME tor and contestant. As the game of Cowboy Action Shooting™ has This handbook includes the specific rules, regu- evolved, our members have developed and lations, and general guidelines adopted by the adopted an attitude towards their participation Single Action Shooting Society. The SASS we call “The Spirit of the Game.” Competing in Range Operations Basic Course and SASS “The Spirit of the Game” means you fully Range Officer Training Course offer an in-depth participate in what the competition asks. You do interpretation and further clarification of these not look for ways to create an advantage out of rules. The very latest version of the Shooters what is or is not stated as a rule or shooting pro- Handbook can always be found on the SASS cedure. Some folks would call “The Spirit of the web site, . It is the intention Game” nothing more than good sportsmanship. and hope of SASS these requirements will serve Whatever you call it, if you don’t have it, to preserve and protect Cowboy Action Cowboy Action Shooting™ is not your game. Shooting™ from the gimmickry and technical gamesmanship that have had such a negative EQUIPMENT and SHOOTING effect on other shooting disciplines. The foun- CATEGORIES ders of SASS believe END of TRAIL and club Originals and reproductions of firearms and annual matches are as much an opportunity manufactured during the early to late 1800's, for fun and fellowship as they are shooting including Colts, Winchesters, Remingtons, competitions. Smith & Wessons, Marlins, Sharps, and Henrys, are allowed in SASS competitions, so long as they are in safe shooting condition.

SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition RIFLES is allowed. Lever or slide action single bar- Main, Team, and Side Matches (not Long Range rel, tubular feed, exposed hammer shotguns or Precision Rifle) of the period are allowed, whether original or replicas. Military configurations are not Any lever or slide action, tubular fed, exposed allowed. Certain shooting categories require hammer rifle or carbine manufactured between a specific type of shotgun and ammunition 1860 and 1899, or any reproduction thereof. to be used. Please see the shooting catego- • Centerfire, .25-20 caliber or larger. ries for further information. • Rifle must be in a "pistol" caliber (examples • No larger bore than 10 gauge and no smaller include, but are not limited to, .32-20, .38 than 20 gauge. Special, .38-40, .44-40, and .45 Colt. No • All shotguns must have a barrel over 18" in “rifle” calibers such as .30-30 or .38-55 are length. allowed.) • Number 4 lead birdshot or smaller must be • Only 1860 to 1899 period style original used in all events (no steel or plated shot). or replica open iron sights or tang- • Magnum and high-velocity loads are not mounted peep sights are allowed. allowed. • Barrel must be over 16" in length. • Pump and lever action shotguns are allowed • Rifles with box magazines may not be used. to load no more than two rounds at a time in the main match stages unless specified in the SHOTGUNS stage description. In team events, shotguns Any side-by-side or single shot shotgun may be loaded to their maximum magazine typical of the period from approximately capacity. 1860 until 1899 without automatic ejectors,

Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 5 Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 6 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition REVOLVERS Examples: Colt New Frontier, Ruger Blackhawk Cowboy Action Shooters are divided into six and .32 caliber Single Six, and Ruger New basic categories: Modern, Traditional, Frontier Model Bisley. Cartridge, Duelist, Gunfighter, and Frontiers- man. A shooter's category is determined by the TRADITIONAL type of “six-gun,” propellant, and shooting style Single action cartridge, percussion, or blackpow- used. der cartridge conversion revolver manufactured prior to 1896, or reproduction thereof. Although the .32 caliber revolvers and .36 caliber cap and ball pistols are legal, they may not • .32 caliber or larger. be powerful enough to handle all reactive • Must have non-adjustable, traditional, targets. To the extent possible, reactive targets notch-style sights. Dovetailed front or rear are set to fall when squarely hit with a standard sights are acceptable for percussion and .38 Special 158 gr. factory load. blackpowder cartridge conversion firearms if they conform to sights commonly found MODERN on the originals. Any .32 caliber or larger single action revolver • May use any appropriate propellant. with adjustable sights. Examples: Colt SAA; Ruger Vaquero; Smith & Two Traditional revolvers cannot be used in the Wesson American, Russian, or Schofield; Rem- Modern category. For two-revolver stages, it is ington Models ‘75 or ‘90; Bisleys; and their permissible for one revolver to be a Traditional reproductions. style handgun. For one-revolver stages, a Mod- The Ruger Old Army percussion revolver with ern handgun must be used. traditional, non-adjustable sights is a “Tradi-

SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition tional style” pistol. The same gun in the model DUELIST having adjustable rear sights must compete in the Requires a Traditional style single action re- Modern category. volver cocked and fired one-handed, unsup- ported. The revolver, hand, or shooting arm may FRONTIER CARTRIDGE not be touched by the off-hand except when Traditional style percussion or cartridge single resolving a malfunctioning pistol problem or action revolvers of original manufacture prior to when transferring the revolver from one hand to 1896 or reproductions thereof. the other. Any SASS legal shotgun, rifle, or propellant (blackpowder or smokeless) may be • .32 caliber or larger. used. • Must use blackpowder in all loads (rifle, six-gun, and shotgun). GUNFIGHTER • Must use a side by side or lever action shotgun in the main match stages. This category requires two Traditional style single actions, both shot Duelist style, one right • Any SASS legal pistol caliber rifle is handed and the other left handed. Any SASS acceptable. legal shotgun, rifle, or propellant may be used. Frontier Cartridge Duelist is also recognized. Two standard holsters are required, one on each See Duelist description below for required shoot- side. No cross-draw or “butt-forward” ing technique. configurations are allowed. NOTE: Frontier Cartridge competitors may use When a stage calls for 10 pistol rounds in a sin- any SASS legal firearms and propellants in team gle sequence or the use of only one pistol for the and side matches. stage, the Gunfighter may draw both pistols and engage the targets. The Gunfighter shall shoot

Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 9 Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 10 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition the targets in exactly the same sequence as pre- • Calibers: .40 caliber rimmed cartridges or scribed in the stage scenario. larger - pistols and rifle (e.g., .38-40, .44 Special, .44 Russian, .44 Mag, .44-40, .45 Both pistols may be cocked at the same time, but Schofield, .45 Colt) or .36 caliber cap & ball must be shot one at a time to facilitate scoring. or larger. A Gunfighter may not holster pistols until all rounds are expended unless the pistols were • Ammo: SASS legal ammo - smokeless or drawn at the wrong time or a pistol/ammunition blackpowder malfunction has occurred. • Rifles: Any 1873 or earlier manufacture SASS legal rifle or a replica there of (e.g., If the stage scenario requires the use of another 1866 Winchester, 1860 Henry, 1873 firearm between the pistol sequences or the Winchester) shooter’s hands are otherwise constrained (e.g., • Shotguns: SASS legal external-hammer rolling the dice between pistol sequences), the double barrel or lever actions pistols must be drawn and shot one at a time. • Costuming: Must choose at least five of the requirements listed below. All clothing FRONTIERSMAN items must be worn appropriately during all Same as Frontier Cartridge except handguns are shooting events and awards ceremonies. limited to .36 caliber or larger percussion pistols Chaps, spurs, cuffs, tie or scarf worn shot Duelist style. loosely around the neck or with scarf slide, vest, pocket watch with full-length CLASSIC COWBOY/COWGIRL chain, jacket, sleeve garters, knife, botas, • Handguns: Any SASS legal Traditional leggings, braces; no straw hats allowed. Category pistols shot Duelist Style

SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition • In addition to the above items, ladies may propellant, and (non-Gunfighter) shooting style choose from the items listed below in order can be used. to compete within this category: • Juniors are persons aged 16 and under. The Period watch, split riding skirt, bustle, category may be sub-divided by age and hoops, corset, Victorian style hat (straw gender. Suggested divisions are “Young allowed), period jewelry, period hair or- Guns” aged 14 through 16 and “Buckaroos” naments (e.g. feathers), snood, reticule 13 and under. Caution is urged in allowing (period handbag), period lace up shoes, competitors under age 14. Local laws, regu- camisole, bloomers, fishnet stockings, lations, and insurance requirements may pre- feather boa, cape. vent matches from offering some age • No Buscadero or drop loop holster rigs groups. allowed. • All boots must be of traditional design with Parental consent and supervision is required leather or smooth rubber non-grip enhancing for all competitors under twenty-one years soles. of age. • Hats must be worn for the entire match. “Buckaroos,” aged 13 and under, may use pistols, rifles, and shotguns meeting the external standards but may be chambered in AGE AND GENDER-BASED CATAGORIES .22 LR for pistols and rifles and .410 caliber SASS additionally recognizes protected shooting for shotguns. Standard velocity ammunition categories based upon age and gender. These for these firearms must be used. categories incorporate the following standards. • The women’s category may be sub-divided Unless otherwise stated, any SASS legal firearm, according to the use of Modern and Tradi-

Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 13 Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 14 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition tional handguns as well as shooting style, ditional, a Frontier Cartridge, or a Duelist e.g., Lady Duelist. competitor. • Forty-Niners are competitors 49 years of age SIDE MATCHES or greater. Forty-Niner Ladies Category is also recognized. THE PLAINSMAN • Seniors are competitors 60 years of age or The event requires two .36 caliber or larger Tra- greater. Senior Ladies and Senior Duelist ditional style percussion revolvers, shot Duelist are also recognized senior categories. style. • Elder Statesmen/Grand Dames are competitors 70 years of age or greater. • Must use a SASS legal single-shot rifle firing a traditional blackpowder rifle or pistol Note: Only juniors may shoot as Juniors. Only caliber cartridge (e.g., not a .30-30). The females may shoot as Women. Only seniors rifle may have spring-actuated ejectors if may shoot as Seniors. Only Forty-Niners can they are standard for that rifle. shoot as Forty-Niners. There are no men’s cate- • Must use a side by side, with or without gories. No competitor is compelled to shoot in exposed hammers, or lever action shotgun. one of these categories by reason of his or her • Must use blackpowder in all loads (rifle, age or gender. A competitor may compete in pistol, and shotgun). any category for which they qualify. Any woman, junior, or senior who wishes to compete under one of the six basic shooting categories may do so. For example, a junior female shooting a Colt one handed with blackpowder rounds may elect to shoot as a Junior, a Woman, a Tra-

SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition POCKET PISTOLS and DERRINGERS .22 Magnum Derringers are not allowed. Pocket pistols and Derringers are popular for use in side matches and are occasionally introduced LONG RANGE (or PRECISION) RIFLE as an additional firearm in main match stages. SASS long range or precision rifle competition is different than main match rifle competition • A pocket pistol is a small frame, fixed sight, with more emphasis placed on precision shoot- pre-1900 design revolver having a barrel ing at longer ranges, with time being a secondary length of four inches or less. Pocket pistols scoring factor. Scoring for these matches is de- must be .31 caliber or larger. Model “P” termined by the number of hits, with either of Colts and clones and revolvers with swing two methods used to break ties. At the match out cylinders are specifically not allowed re- director’s option, either total time used to shoot gardless of caliber, frame size, or barrel the required number of shots or a shoot-off may length. be used to break ties. • A Derringer is defined as an external hammer, fixed sight, breech-loading or percus- There are four categories in long range or precision ignition, small frame pre-1900 design sion rifle competition, plus one optional firearm having one to four barrels up to category: three and one-half inches long. Derringers • Lever action, pistol caliber must be .22 caliber or larger. The • Lever action, rifle caliber Remington style over/under barrel • Single Shot configuration and the Sharps four-barreled • Buffalo Single Shot Pepperbox are typical SASS legal • Open Category (may be used at the match Derringers. directors option to include those firearms not

Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 17 Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 18 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition covered by the four official Long Range • “Rifle Caliber” competition rifles must use Categories) traditional, period, rimmed cartridges. No cartridge chambered for use in any SASS Blackpowder categories can be added to any or approved main match pistol or rifle may be all of the basic categories at the option of the used in the “Rifle Caliber” competition. match director. Each category competes within Thus, .30-30 WCF, .38-55 Marlin & Ballard, itself. .43 Spanish, or .45-70 Government car- Basic Rules for the Long Range Competitions tridges would be legal, while a .375 Win- chester, .444 Marlin, .32-20 WCF, or .44-40 • Front barrel sights may vary from simple WCF would not be legal. blades to period hooded wind gauge designs • Any propellant powder may be used (with using interchangeable sight inserts and hav- the exception smokeless powder is not al- ing a spirit level mounted integral with the lowed in the Buffalo Single Shot sight or sight base. competition). • Rear sights must either be open iron sights • Regardless of category or caliber, bullets mounted on the barrel or original style tang used in long range and precision rifle or stock wrist mounted peep sights. Long matches must be made of pure lead or lead range rear barrel mounted sights of the flip- alloy having a plain base, gas checked, or up ladder type may use a peephole drilled paper patched configuration. through the sliding sight leaf. An example of this is the various ladder type sights used Lever Action Rifles used in long-range on the Springfield trapdoors. matches, whether pistol or rifle calibers, must be • Optical and receiver mounted sights are not originals or replicas of rifles manufactured allowed. during the period from approximately 1860 until

SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition 1899. Lever or slide action, tubular feed, fire in the shortest period of time shooting exposed hammer rifles or carbines are allowed, balloons with match supplied .45 caliber blanks. providing they are in safe working condition. Please see the SASS Mounted Shooters Handbook for additional information. Single Shot and Buffalo Single Shot firearms must be originals or replicas of single shot rifles FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS manufactured during the period from approximately 1860 until 1899. All rifles MUST have A number of general restrictions are listed exposed hammers. The caliber and cartridge below. A far more inclusive list of allowable rules for the “Rifle Caliber” firearms noted firearm modifications is available in the above under basic rules also apply to Single Shot Range Operations Basic Safety Course and Buffalo Single Shot rifles with the exception materials. Buffalo Single Shot rifles must be .375” caliber • Firearms of all approved types should be or larger. maintained in as original exterior condition as Buffalo Single Shot competition has further possible. The firearm must “look” period. restrictions requiring original or replica rifles to • No visible external modifications other than be a design of US manufacture. Spring-loaded (non-rubber) grips, recoil pads on shotguns, ejectors are also prohibited, except for Spring- and leather wrapping (e.g., rifle levers) are field Trapdoor Rifles. allowed. • Contemporary rubber grips, modern target grips, and grip tape are not allowed. Re- SASS MOUNTED SHOOTING placement grips of wood, ivory, pearl, stag SASS Mounted Shooting is a special event horn, bone, and the like are perfectly accept- where experienced riders traverse a course of able so long as they are not severely custom-

Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 21 Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 22 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition ized to constitute a "target" grip. That is, they • A stage disqualification is issued for use of must be of original shape and scale. any non-legal SASS firearm at matches above • Minor exterior modifications and cosmetic the club level. engraving are acceptable so long as the overall • Sights may be altered to allow the gun to shoot outward appearance of the firearm is not al- to point of aim so long as the resulting sights tered. Cosmetic embellishment such as en- appear to be “period.” graving is permitted to the extent it does not • No more than two main-match pistols may be create a competitive advantage. For example, worn to the firing line. back strap checkering or stippling is not allowed. Engraving your alias on the back strap General “Spirit of the Game” guidance … if you is permissible. have to ask permission to use something because it offers you a competitive advantage, the re- • Modifying the stock length to fit you or sponse will nearly always be “no.” changing a barrel to a different legal length is acceptable. HOLSTERS, CARTRIDGE BELTS, and • Colored sights and sight inserts are not al- BANDOLEERS lowed. Sight outlines or inserts must be blackened or removed (e.g., Marlin's Cowboy • All handguns must be carried in a safe hol- Rifle factory sights). ster capable of retaining the firearm through- • Trigger shoes, compensating ports, counter out a normal range of motion. weights, bull barrels, and all other such modi- • Main-match holsters must be located one on fications are prohibited. each side of the belly button and separated by at least the width of two fists at the belt. (Note: Pocket pistol and Derringer holsters are not “main-match” holsters.)

SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition • Holsters may not depart from the vertical by • Shotgun ammo loops may not accommodate more than 30 degrees when worn. more than two rounds per loop, and ri- • Ammunition required for reloads during the fle/pistol ammo loops shall accommodate course of any stage must be carried on the only one round per loop. shooter's person in a bandoleer, belt, pouch, • Ammo belts must be worn so all ammo is or pocket. Rifle and pistol ammunition may positioned at or below the belly button. not be carried in a shotgun loop. No am- • Shotgun ammo loops must conform to the munition may be carried in the mouth, ears, shooters contour (i.e., not tilt out from the nose, cleavage, or any other bodily orifice. belt). • Bandoleers, cartridge belts, and pouches • Cartridge loops mounted on a firearm's must be of traditional design (e.g., bando- stock or forearm are not allowed. leers must be loose and not secured in any way to prevent movement). Modern drop MAIN MATCH AMMUNITION pouches, combat-style shotgun loops, wrist • Revolver ammunition must have a muzzle or forearm bandoleers, and such are not velocity less than 1,000 fps. Rifle ammuni- allowed. Pouches shall have a flap and must tion must have a muzzle velocity less than carry their contents loose, with no special 1,400 fps. Shooters may be held responsible provisions to organize the contents for rapid for damage caused to a target or injury to retrieval. Leather belt slide ammo loops are personnel due to “bounce-back” because of acceptable, however, shotgun shell slides inappropriate ammunition. This major may not be worn over shotgun belts. safety violation is grounds for “instant • Cartridge loops must not have a metal or disqualification” and ejection from the plastic liner. match.

Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 25 Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 26 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition • Revolver and rifle ammunition may not be score for all stages fired is ranked for place of jacketed, semi-jacketed, plated, gas checked, finish, either over all or by category. or copper washed. It must be all lead. Mo- At END of TRAIL, SASS Regionals, and at the lydisulfide coated bullets or equivalent are discretion of each affiliated club, rank scoring is acceptable. used. • Revolver and rifle ammunition must be of “single-projectile” design. “Multiple-projec- Rank scoring is recommended when all the tile” bullets are illegal. stages in a match are not of approximately the • Ammunition with bullets recessed below the same duration and degree of difficulty. case mouth is disallowed. The alternative to rank scoring is scoring based • Throughout this manual, blackpowder upon total time (total raw time plus penalties). means blackpowder, Pyrodex, 777, APP, or comparable propellants intended for muzzle Overall winners, often including both the top loading firearms. Propellants containing ni- male and top female competitors, are tradition- trocellulose are prohibited. Any combina- ally recognized at SASS matches. The “best tion of smokeless and blackpowder (so score” for the main match stages determines the called duplex loads) is specifically overall winner. prohibited. Rifle, pistol, and shotgun targets must be en- SCORING and TIMING gaged with the appropriate type firearm. A “miss” is defined as the failure to hit the SASS matches are scored based upon elapsed appropriate target type using the appropriate type shooting time and added penalty points for firearm. Missed targets are scored as five- missed targets. Each stage is scored individually and, in most club matches, the total combined

SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition second additions to the competitor’s raw time for second major infraction in the match shall result the stage (at annual matches and above). in the shooter’s ejection from the range. “Major” infractions include a dropped gun, an Procedurals are unintentional “mistakes” where accidental discharge that impacts within ten-feet the competitor engages the stage in a manner of any person (an impact within five-feet is a other than the way it is supposed to be shot. match disqualification), violation of the 170 Procedurals are scored as ten-second additions to degree safety rule, “sweeping” any person with the competitor’s raw time for the stage, no more the muzzle of a firearm, and similar acts that than one per stage. have high potential for personal injury. A stage disqualification is issued for each stage In the event a competitor feels a range officer’s in which a non-SASS legal firearm is used at ruling is in error, the ruling may be politely and matches above the club level. immediately appealed to the Rangemaster/Match Minor safety infractions occurring during a Director. The Rangemaster/Match Director will course of fire that do not directly endanger per- consider the appeal on grounds of policy and sons result in a ten-second penalty being added rules interpretation only, and their decision is to the shooter's time per occurrence for that final. At major matches special protest juries stage. "Minor" safety infractions are occur- comprised of Territorial Governors may be em- rences such as failure to open a long gun's action panelled to aid the Range Master/Match Director at the conclusion of a shooting string or failure in making a reasonable judgment. to return a handgun to its holster at the conclu- Failure to Engage sion of a shooting string. A “failure to engage” occurs when a competitor Major safety infractions result in the shooter’s willfully or intentionally disregards the stage disqualification from the stage or the match. A

Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 29 Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 30 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition instructions in order to obtain a competitive ad- Ask any experienced Cowboy Action Shooter, vantage (i.e., taking the penalty would result in a and she or he will tell you there is no such thing lower score or faster time than following the as a target too big or too close to miss! instructions) and is not assessed simply because A more detailed guide to match design is avail- a competitor “makes a mistake.” In such a case, able in the Match Directors Guide. in addition to any penalties for misses, a 30-second failure to engage/Spirit of the Game penalty • Metal and paper targets of generous size are is assessed. used. Reactive targets such as pepper pop- pers and falling plates are used when practi- RANGE OPERATIONS cal to enhance shooter feedback and Cowboy Action Shooting™ is not intended to be spectator appeal. a precision shooting competition. Small targets • Targets are set at close to medium range. and long distances take the “action” out of the There are no absolute rules, but we suggest game and make it more discouraging for newer the following distances, by firearm, if using shooters. a target approximately 16” X 16”: • Revolver - 7 to 10 yards Both experienced and inexperienced shooters • Shotgun - 8 to 16 yards want hits on their targets. Some folks just hit (or • Rifle - 13 to 50 yards miss) a little faster than others. Too many misses, or the perception the targets are too diffi- • Derringer/Pocket Pistol - Point blank to cult to hit, discourage folks from continuing to three yards (paper, cardboard, or balloons play, especially the less proficient shooters. only. It's too close to safely shoot steel.) • Handguns are returned to leather (reholstered) with hammer down on an

SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition empty chamber or a spent case at the reshoot may be granted. On a reshoot, the conclusion of the shooting string, unless the competitor starts over clean, carrying only shooter has been specifically directed accrued safety penalties with him. otherwise. • The role of the Range Officer is to safely as- • Only Gunfighters may have two loaded pis- sist the shooter through the course of fire. tols in their hands at once. Coaching and constraining the shooter from • Competitors choosing to use six-shot per- unsafe acts are expected when appropriate, cussion revolvers may load and cap only minimizing procedural and safety penalties five chambers. If a particular stage requires whenever possible. a one shot reload, the sixth chamber may be • Failure to stage guns or ammunition at the charged at the bench and then capped “on designated position(s) is the fault of the the clock.” A complete reload is handled by competitor and scored as a procedure unless staging a loaded, uncapped revolver down the competitor is able to correct the situation, range or switching uncapped cylinders and unassisted, while in the process of capping under the clock. completing the stage under the clock. • SASS matches above the club level are “no • It is expected the Range Officers will be the alibi” matches. Once the first round goes responsible parties for observing and resolv- down range, the competitor is committed to ing all safety related matters occurring in the the stage and must finish the shooting prob- loading, unloading, and firing line areas. lem to the best of his ability. Reshoots are However, any shooter who observes a safety not awarded for ammunition or firearm mal- infraction not seen by the Range Officer(s) functions. However, if there is a range fail- should call the infraction to the Range Offi- ure (failure of props, timer, or the range cer's attention, at which time the matter will officers) beyond the competitor’s control, a be resolved.

Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 33 Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 34 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition SAFETY PRACTICES Shooters shall adhere to the following safety First, Last, and Always rules: Our sport, by its very nature, has the potential to 1. Treat and respect every firearm at all times as be dangerous and a serious accident can occur. if it were loaded. Every participant in a SASS match is expected to 2. Muzzle direction is important between, be- be a safety officer. Each shooter's first re- fore, during, and after shooting a stage. A sponsibility is for his or her own safe conduct, muzzle must not be allowed to “sweep” the but all shooters are expected to remain alert for other participants at any time. Long guns actions by others that are unsafe. shall have their actions open with chambers and magazines empty and muzzles Any Range Officer or shooter may confront any pointed in a safe direction when trans- participant about an observed unsafe situation, ported at a match. Failure to manage safe and it is expected the matter will quickly be cor- muzzle direction is grounds for disqualifica- rected and not repeated. Any argument concern- tion from the stage, and for repeated offenses, ing the correction of a safety related matter can from the match. be expected to result in that shooter being 3. All firearms shall remain unloaded except ejected from the range. when under the direct observation of a Range Officer on the firing line or in the loading area. 4. All loading and unloading shall be conducted only in the designated areas. NOTE: Percus- sion revolver shooters must exercise care to ensure they maintain safe muzzle direction

SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition during loading and have fired or cleared all is cocked, the round under the hammer must capped chambers prior to leaving the unload- be expended or ejected in order for it to be ing area. It is not permissible to seat percus- returned to a safe condition. Shotgun shells sion caps on a revolver’s nipple using the may be removed if necessary without penalty gun’s hammer. in order to return the firearm to a safe 5. Dry firing at the loading table is not allowed condition. and results in a stage disqualification. Dry 9. If a firearm is shot out of sequence or from firing is allowed at designated safe areas. the wrong position, the shooter will be Dry firing is defined as the act of bringing the awarded a single procedural penalty. In this gun into a shooting position, cocking the situation, if the shooter elects or is forced to hammer, and pulling the trigger as if to cause miss an appropriate target due to unsafe an- the gun to fire normally. gles or target availability, a round may be re- 6. Six-guns are always loaded with only five loaded to avoid a miss penalty (the dreaded rounds and the hammer lowered and left rest- “Double Jeopardy” of a procedure and miss). ing on the empty chamber. Five shooters This does not mean a shooter may reload a ri- may load five rounds, but the hammer must fle or pistol at any other time to make up a rest on a dummy chamber or safety slot in the miss. Unfired and ejected rifle rounds may cylinder so the hammer does not rest on a be reloaded. live round/cap. 10. The shooter shall not cock his revolver until 7. No cocked revolver may ever leave a the firearm is pointed safely down range. shooter’s hand. Any accidental or premature discharge of 8. Once a pistol is cocked, the round under the any firearm impacting within ten-feet of the hammer must be expended in order for it to shooter is unsafe and will result in disquali- be returned to a safe condition. Once a rifle fication from the stage or, if less than five-

Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 37 Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 38 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition feet, from the match. A second stage dis- safety violation. Broken guns still contain- qualification shall result in the shooter's ing rounds do not warrant penalties so long ejection from the match. as the malfunction is declared and the gun 11. Rifles may be staged down range from the made safe. shooter with the magazine loaded, action 15. All shooters must demonstrate rudimentary closed, hammer down, and chamber empty. familiarity and proficiency with the firearms 12. Shotguns are always staged open with being used. Shooters are expected to per- magazine and chambers empty and are form within their capabilities at all times. loaded on the clock unless the stage begins SASS matches are not the forums in which with the shotgun in the shooter’s hands. to learn basic firearms handling. Mule-eared shotguns can be cocked at the 16. SASS matches are not fast draw competi- beginning of a scenario, whether staged or tions. Any unsafe gun handling in the in the shooters hands. Long guns are never course of a draw from the holster or any staged with their muzzles on the ground. "fanning" will result in the shooter’s dis- 13. Long guns will be left open with magazines qualification from that stage. “Slip-ham- and chambers empty at the conclusion of mering” is not the same as fanning and is each shooting string (i.e., whenever the gun legal. leaves the shooter's hands during or at the 17. Extreme care must be exercised when draw- end of a stage). This does not apply to “re- ing a pistol from a cross-draw or shoulder staged” guns. holster or returning the pistol to leather. 14. A live round left in the chamber constitutes The user must “twist” their body, if neces- a stage disqualification. Any other rounds, sary, to ensure the muzzle never breaks the live or empty, left anywhere in a long gun in 170-degree safety rule during the process. which it was loaded is a ten-second minor Failure to ensure the muzzle is always down

SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition range is grounds for an immediate stage dis- stage or “ejected” from any firearm is con- qualification. A second infraction during sidered “dead” and may not be recovered the same match is grounds for match dis- until the shooter completes the course of qualification. (Note: The 170˚ safety rule fire. The round must be replaced from the means the muzzle of the firearm must al- shooter’s person or counted as a missed ways be straight down range +/- 85 degrees shot. Staged ammunition dropped back in any direction. If a competitor “comes where it was staged is not considered close” to breaking the 180-degree safety “dead.” plane, the 170-degree safety rule has been 21. The unloading officer or Range Officer violated, and the competitor is at fault.) MUST inspect all firearms before they leave 18. When changing location during a stage, all the shooting stage. All rifles and pump or firearms being carried must either have the lever action shotguns must have their action hammer down on an empty chamber or cycled for the inspecting official. All pis- spent case, or have the action open. tols, whether used or not in the stage, must 19. A dropped unloaded gun on the firing line also be inspected. (loading table to unloading table) results in 22. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the the shooter's disqualification from the stage. range area for all shooters, guests, range of- A dropped loaded firearm results in a match ficers, and others, until shooting is done for disqualification. A shooter may not pick up the day. No shooter may consume any alco- a dropped gun. The Range Officer will re- holic beverage until he or she has completed cover the gun, examine it, clear it, and re- all of their shooting for the day and stored turn it to the shooter. their firearms. 20. Ammunition dropped by a shooter in the 23. No shooter may ingest any substance that course of reloading any firearm during a will affect his or her ability to participate

Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 41 Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 42 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition with a maximum state of awareness and in a alias. SASS headquarters is the final arbiter of completely safe manner. Both prescription whether an alias is acceptable or not. and non-prescription pharmaceuticals that These rules are enforced in accepting a new alias may cause drowsiness or any other physical for SASS registry: or mental impairment must be avoided. 24. Hearing protection is highly recommended • It must be “printable” before a wide and eye protection is mandatory in and audience. around the shooting areas. While small, pe- • No duplications are permitted. riod glasses look great, full protection, high • If it SOUNDS the same, it is the same. impact glasses are strongly recommended. • Adding “too,” “II,” etc. is not acceptable. Such protection is recommended for every- • “Ranger” could become “Texas Ranger” but one when in the range area, and eye protec- not “The Ranger.” “John Henry Chisum” tion is mandatory for spectators when could be modified to “Jack Chisum” but not within direct line of sight of steel targets. “John H. Chisum” or “Jon Henry Chisum.” 25. Only registered competitors may wear • Historical names may not be modified to firearms. make them different. “Wyatt Earp” and “Marshal Wyatt Earp” are considered the SELECTING an ALIAS same. Every SASS member is required to select a shooting alias representative of a character or The SASS Alias Registry changes daily. Tele- profession from the Old West or the western film phone or fax the SASS office to confirm the genre. Your alias may not in any way duplicate availability of your alias choice. or easily be confused with any other member’s

SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition If an acceptable alias is not selected, the mem- The best way to develop a costume is to first ber’s SASS number will be used. All subse- decide on a character or profession you wish to quent name changes are subject to a “name portray. (This is also a good way to decide on change fee.” your shooting alias.) SASS members have adopted the personas of bankers, blacksmiths, CLOTHING and ACCOUTERMENTS lawmen, gunslingers, railroad engineers, saloon Cowboy Action Shooting™ is a combination of girls, schoolmarms, East Indian British cavalry, historical re-enactment and Saturday morning at U.S. Army cavalry, mountain men, trail cow- the matinee. Participants may choose the style boys, prairie women, American Indians, and of costume they wish to wear, but all clothing silver screen heroes ... you name it! must be typical of the late 19th century, a B- Once you have adopted your character, do a little western movie, or Western television series. research. Go to the library and look at historical SASS puts a great deal of emphasis on costum- photographs depicting your character. ing because it adds so much to the uniqueness of Determine the clothing items you need, and our game and helps create a festive, informal begin your search. atmosphere that supports the friendly, fraternal There are many commercial suppliers of tradi- feeling we encourage in our competitors. tional western clothing and accouterments who All shooters must be in costume, and we encour- advertise in The Cowboy Chronicle. age invited guests and family also to be cos- The other way to go is on your own. Visit your tumed. Shooters must remain in costume at neighborhood thrift stores. Look for lightweight all match events: dinners, award ceremonies, wool slacks with plaid or vertical stripe patterns dances, etcetera. or old formals, for example. Men, remove the

Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 45 Copyright, Single Action Shooting Society, Inc. 46 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition Eleventh Edition belt loops from the slacks, add suspender but- representative of the type of shirt worn in the tons, and presto, you have a pair of Old West late 1800's. trousers. Ladies, take the old satin, silk, or If you know a good seamstress or tailor, many whatever formal, add a little lace, change a hem patterns for Old West clothing are available. line, add a feather boa, and a hair comb ... voila, Any large fabric shop will carry cotton goods you're a saloon girl. adaptable to great western wardrobes. Another possibility exists with the commercial Visit with the other shooters at your local club. costume rental companies. Many of these firms They have great ideas about how to assemble a offer a good selection of authentic western Cowboy Action Shooting™ wardrobe. wardrobes. Don't want to get that involved in developing OUTLAWED your costume? Well, okay. • Modern shooting gloves Denims of the Wrangler, Levi, and Lee variety • Short sleeve shirts are acceptable. Designer jeans (the ones with • Modern feathered cowboy hats (Shady the colored piping and name embroidered on the Bradys). Straw hats of traditional design pocket) are not allowed. (e.g., Stetson, Bailey, sombreros,) are acceptable. Contemporary cowboy shirts with snap fronts • Designer jeans are okay, but not even very B-western. • Ball caps Inexpensive cotton work shirts with button fronts are available at Sears, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, • All types of athletic shoes or combat boots and J.C. Penney stores. These are much more no matter the material from which they are constructed.

SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005 Eleventh Edition • Clothing displaying manufacturer’s or sponsor’s logos. • Nylon, plastic, or Velcro accouterments Mainly, SASS wants our participants to be safe, have fun, develop their competitive shooting skills, and enjoy the rich traditions of the Old West. We ask you join us in the friendly spirit SINGLE ACTION SHOOTING SOCIETY of competition and preservation of our heritage. 23255 La Palma Avenue Yorba Linda, CA 92887 (714) 694-1800 FAX: (714) 694-1815 e-mail: [email protected] Web Page www.SASSNet.com