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 In our first issue, October 1999, I discussed the objectives of our
magazine and my view of what should be included under cowboy
action or Western-action shooting.
Since then, our readership has grown to include so many
new shooters of the sport that I think it is worthy of
addressing this subject again.
From my perspective, cowboy action shooting and
Western-action shooting are not good enough descriptions for
what they should cover.
First
and foremost are the participants - these are people who not
only participate in the actual shooting events, but those who
also participate in related fields associated with the
"frontier." This
includes spouses and family members who may not shoot but
support our sports and heritage, vendors of Western (and yes,
Eastern) frontier accouterments, and those with an appreciation
for 19th century
America - its clothes, guns, lifestyle, homes, and furniture,
as well as the mystical frontiersman, the cavalry, the
homesteaders, and, of course, the cowboy.
Most of these people also embody a philosophy of "my
word is my bond," and the spirit of the "cowboy way."
They help each other and are especially gracious to new
shooters.
The
guns of the sport include all firearms made prior to 1899 and
replicas thereof. Though
our emphasis remains on single-action revolvers and lever-action
rifles, there are events that can be set up for other period
correct firearms. I
have seen side matches using the Krag and double-action
revolvers of the period, as well as the big-bore lever-action
rifle, single-shot rifle, and the .22.
They certainly seemed appropriate to me.
Various classes have evolved in not only how we shoot,
but also the type of firearms we shoot.
I am sure that you will occasionally see a side match
using the guns of the Wild Bunch in the future, if you haven't
already. Some
shoots have even had side matches using muzzleloading flintlocks
and tomahawk throwing. Is
this appropriate? You
betcha! In the Old
West, as well as on the East coast, there were probably as many
muzzleloaders being used in the 1880's, as there were
cartridge firearms.
I
consider our primary sport to be cowboy-action shooting, using
various scenarios but limited primarily to single-action
revolvers, lever-action hammer rifles, and hammer shotguns or
doubles without ejectors. However,
the feel of the Old West would not have been the same without
the sound of a big .50 Sharps and the smell of black powder.
The inclusion of buffalo matches, lever-action
silhouette, and black powder cartridge silhouette (BPCRS) events
must be included. Side
matches with Krag rifles, .22 lever and pump hammer rifles,
cap-n-ball (like the Plainsman event), double-action revolvers,
the derringer, an original Rolling Block, a flintlock, and
others make the sport more versatile as well as fun.
Stages that include some of these, along with scenarios
that are more tuned to a little luck or chance, have a place
right next to the stage that is specifically designed for the
fastest gun.
Editorial
Continued
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