Introduction
Introduction to Single Action
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- Published on Monday, 29 November 2010 13:46
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INTRODUCTION TO SINGLE ACTION SHOOTING.
Single Action Shooting, also known as Western Action or Cowboy Action Shooting has been shot as a recognised shooting sport in Australia for over 15 years.
The name “Single Action” refers to the type of pistol used for this match, ie a revolver that must be manually cocked before being able to be fired . “Action Shooting” refers to movement within a “Course of fire” also referred to as a ‘Stage”. A match can include any number of stages depending upon the time permitting, ie half day, full day or for larger competitions over two or three days. What sets this type of shooting apart from most other shooting disciplines is the use of two pistols, a lever action rifle and a shotgun within each stage. The firearms used must replicate those designed within the period between approx. 1850 and 1900.
This is not just another shooting sport as it involves many facets including a dress or costume requirement, a large variety of firearms and calibres as well as propellant may be used. Holsters also can be of various designs and styles to reflect the period and functionality. Shooters also do not use their our name when shooting but shoot under an alias, eg Fargo Wells.
Due to the complexity of many matches, especially those involving movement, safety considerations have been incorporated into rules specifically designed to ensure safety is at all times is the priority. Whilst having fun is also paramount, it will always take second place to shooting safely. A qualified Range Officer guides the shooter through each course of fire and it is his/her responsibility to ensure the safety of the shooter and others on the firing line.
So what firearm choices are available for a shooter to use in this competition.
Pistols can be of various makes and calibres and usually range from 32 to 45. The most common of those is 38/357 due to the lower recoil and cheaper cost of reloading supplies. Many shooters however prefer more authenticity of the period and will use either 44.40 or 45.
Rifles used are normally lever action and limited to pistol calibres. Many shooters choose to use the same ammunition as used in their pistols.
Regarding the shotgun, the majority of shooters use a double barrel side by side in 12 gauge. Under and overs or guns with ejectors are not permitted. At club level, ladies or juniors may use 410’s although the type of loads used in the 12 gauge are light and normally cause no concern if the shotgun is fitted, mounted and shot correctly. Most shooters use what are described as Coach Guns, basically short barrelled side by sides with a minimum 18 inch barrel.
Holsters used must also reflect the period and look “cowboy’ with no synthetic materials allowed. Styles can vary from two side draw holsters to one strong side and one cross draw. Drop loop holsters can also be used and a wide variation in angles and bullet loops can also feature. Most shooters will also wear a separate belt for holding spare shotgun rounds and a few cartridges in case a reload may be required during a stage. Any requirement for reloading requires ammunition to be loaded from the body only and while they may be kept in a pocket, the time taken to retrieve would be costly in time.
In relation to dress requirements, boots, jeans, long sleeved shirt and a western style hat are all that is required for a basic outfit. After that you maybe as elaborate as you wish in reflecting a “western character”.
So now you know what firearms you use, how is a course of fire shot?
Firstly, a major safety feature on the shooting line is the use of loading and unloading tables. Firearms are only loaded at the loading table prior to shooting and are checked by another competitor. Whilst pistols can hold 6 rounds, only 5 are ever loaded and the hammer must be rested on the empty cylinder. Rifles can have up to 10 rounds placed in the magazine but the rifle is not levered and cocked until on the line and ready to use. Shotguns are staged open and empty at the appropriate shooting position. At the unloading table all guns are checked by another shooter to confirm all are empty prior to moving from the firing line.
A stage will usually involve 10 pistol, 10 rifle and approx 4 shotgun rounds.
The order in shooting firearms will vary between stages as will the sequence in engaging targets. The stage design is only limited by imagination.
Another major safety rule is to never sweep anyone with a firearm. During a stage, if the barrel of a firearm goes close to breaking a 180 deg. line (at R/Angle to the shooter facing downrange), the Range Officer will call ceasefire immediately and the shooter will be disqualified from that stage. A second infringement will result in the shooter being disqualified from the whole match.
How then is the match run and scored?
Firstly targets are usually made of steel with sizes varying according to guidelines published by the World Governing Body, The Single Action Shooting Society located in USA. In Australia the sport is governed by a division of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia which has the rights to hold the state and national titles. Individual clubs of course always have the right to vary rules subject to their own and state legislation.
Each stage is a timed event starting from the first shot until the last. Any misses incur a 5 second penalty for each miss, added to the total time. Any procedural mistakes involving shooting the course in a manner other than prescribed will result in a 10 second penalty. Safety penalties which are many and varied can include holstering a pistol with unfired rounds; not leaving the lever of a rifle open at the end of shooting and not removing empty shotgun rounds. Of course, with experience, these mistakes are less likely to be made, as the object is to complete a course of fire in the least amount of time. All shooters times are ranked in order of finishing times and the rank scores for all courses of fire are totalled to determine the fastest shooter.
Finally, at larger matches shooters compete in defined categories to enable a more equal competition.. These are based on calibres, firearms, age and sex of a competitor and type of propellant. Shooting style, ie pistols shot either two handed, single handed, or one in each hand and shot alternatively can also define a category. Winners of each category are acknowledged as well as an overall champion declared.
Kenton Valley monthly matches consist of a variety of scenarios usually made up on the day. Most are light-hearted and provide the opportunity for practice especially when scheduled just prior to an Club Open shoot. September is when the Club Championships are held and the Club Single Action Champ is chosen on this day. It follows that competition is usually a bit more serious on this occasion as the winner has bragging rights for the following year.
Visitors are always welcomed with prior arrangement.
Further information can be obtained from the following websites.
www.sassnet.com Home of Single Action Shooting Society - USA sasa.qir.com.au Single Action Shooting - Australia
www.southerndrifters.net Single Action Shooting - South Australia.
A copy of the Shooters Handbook containing the basic rules governing the sport can be downloaded from the SASS site ie www.sassnet.com .
Videos of Single Action Shooting can be viewed on UTUBE, just search for “Cowboy Action Shooting” and shooting stages as well as instructional videos are available.
November 2010.