Beginner Guns

kmeyer

Hi all. I'm new around here, but not around shooting. I live in SE Wiscosnin and I've been thinking seriously about taking up this hobby. I have a few questions. I currently deer hunt with a Blackhawk 44 mag and have quite a few other handguns. It appears from most of what I have read is that one needs a lever action rifle and 2 SA revolvers in SASS events. Is this how the "Good Guy Posse" shoots are done as well? Or can one enter a shoot with just one revolver? I don't think I would use my 44 mag for this as it is sighted in for hunting charges. I probably would buy a Blackhawk 45LC and shoot cowboy loads.<br />
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I also have a Single six 22. Are there classes for the 22's? <br />
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I understand there is a traditional class for fixed sight guns and a modern class for adjustable sight guns. Do you run both?<br />
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Lastly, I have had my eye on a Henry lever action at the following link: http://henryrepeating.com/h006_bigboy.cfm<br />
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Would this gun qualify for shoots since the rear sight is adjustable or must they be fixed?<br />
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Thanks in advance for any advise given. I imagine this could be a really fun hobby!!!

dd

Howdy,<br />
<br />
Welcome to the Hitching Post.<br />
<br />
As a SASS affiliated club, we follow the SASS guidelines as close as possible while cutting newcomers some slack to help them get started. We'd be happy to help out in any way we can to get you started in this great sport.<br />
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Yes, the Ruger Blackhawks are legal in the Modern class - adjustable sights. You can use just one, but I think you'll get real tired of the reloads on the clock. Our folks are real friendly and many will offer to let use one of their pistols until you get all your gear. The .22 single actions are restricted to the Buckaroo category for youngsters.<br />
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The Henry Big Boy is a legal rifle but reloading that type of magazine on the clock can present problems. Most folks prefer Marlins, 1866 & 1873 replicas. Rifles can have fixed or adjustable sights, except no receiver sights.<br />
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I'd say to hang around here, ask questions here and on the SASS wire and you'll get a lot of good advice and help getting started. When I started I got all the guns I thought were "cool" only to find that while legal, they didn't serve me well in competition. <br />
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Glad to have you with us.<br />
<br />
<img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/gunfighter.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':gunfighter:' /> <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/gunfighter.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':gunfighter:' />

jeweler jim

Kmeyer,<br />
<br />
Think you'll find that all on the Good Guys Posse will be more than accommodating with regard to getting you started. You've got two cowboy shoots that are relatively close to where you live (our home range Kocheese Kanyon and Bristol). Unfortunately the season for shoots is over in our neck of the woods, but spring will get here eventually. Rather than jumping in with both feet you might want to dip your toe in the water first. Come to a couple of shoots to see what it's all about before investing in the necessary hardware. I've been known to let my iron be used by other shooters who are deciding what they are going to shoot when they buy their own. Think you find that there are others who will lend you the guns and possibly the leather at the shoots, but again I would recommend coming out to a couple shoots first and meeting up with the posse. Two shoots in about the limit before you'll be unable to just watch anymore without joining in. The biggest difference between this and other shooting disciplines is the helpfulness and willingness to get a shooter set up and continue to help them develope their skills without worrying about them beating your time as they progress. But then there's shooters like me who will never be competitive.

Lawman Wolf

Welcome aboard Kmeyer you will find this to be one of the best groups around and cowboy action shooting more fun than a person should be allowed to have. Put the two together and you can't keep the smile off your face even during the dreaded off season.<br />
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Many of these guys have been around a lot longer than I, however as a third year shooter in this discipline of shooting I'm on my third set of guns (pistols/rifles) my wife is on her second. I do learn something from my mistakes so my son is still on his first . Like Dangerous Denny and Jewler Jim have indicated take your time, find what you like and it's not just about the guns, many guns are SASS legal. You also have to decide what type and style of shooter you want to be and then get guns to fit you. <br />
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The most important decsion is the one you have already made and one you won't regret, welcome to cowboy action shooting. <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/good.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':good:' />

jeweler jim

Kmeyer,<br />
<br />
So you know, Wolf is holding the patent rights on modest & humble. The son that he mentions has already won more awards at local, state and regional level than most of the rest of the posse put together and that doesn't take into account Wolf's level of accomplishments for himself. You could do well to get "what and how" from the "Wolf pack." If you click on the "Good Guys Posse Members" icon and scroll down to #50 & 51 you'll see some of their accomplishments. <br />
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I on the other hand will brag about completing a match without shooting myself in the foot or biting it off after I have inserted in into my mouth.

kmeyer

Thanks for all the replys. I do realize the best thing is for me just to attend the next shoot in spring. I may pick up the Blackhawk 45 anyways over the winter as I've wanted one for awhile. Can't decide between the Vaquero or Blackhawk. I really like the Vaquero's, Colt and Uberti's as well. Attending a shoot might make that decision easier. Do most members shoot more traditional style guns like the Vaquero style? <br />
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I've also read alot of people like to buy .357's and then shoot 38's out of them for the lack of recoil. I've only shot a hot 45colt load and of course that kicked like a mule. I would think that the cowboy loads would be fairly mild and could even be handloaded even milder.<br />
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Thanks again for all the input. Hope everyone had a great holiday yesterday!!!

dd

There are those who prefer the "authenticity" of the 45s and 44s, some even using black powder or cap-'n-ball exclusively. Then there are those of us who have migrated to the cheaper alternative of the 38s/357s or, in some cases, 32s. This is a game to suit many tastes but always to have fun and fellowship!<br />
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<img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/gunfighter.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':gunfighter:' /> <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/gunfighter.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':gunfighter:' />

Big Grit

I would'nt worry about shooting the .44 with either lighter loads or .44 specials. Your point of aim probably won't be that far off as we shoot large targets close. That said, you can never have too many guns in the closet to choose from. I have somehow acumulated enough different ones to shoot any category I wish to. Big Grit

Devereaux

Man, words of wisdom there for you, Kmeyer.<br />
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The biggest is to learn some more before you jump in with both feet - kind of like finding out how deep the water is before diving.<br />
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You will have fun shooting .45 LC. I have done so for several years, and enjoy it. BUT it is expensive to load, and heavy to carry around. Next year I am shooting .38 spl. Got all new guns for that. I may still from time to time go back and shoot the big stuff, just for grins. Plus I have really beautiful US Firearms pistols, ivory grips and all. <br />
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All the different classes, class requirements, etc. can be a little daunting to the newcomer. After a while it doesn't seem quite so intimidating. But at the start, it seems unnecessarily complex. You really won't know where you want to shoot until you have been exposed to it a little. I just got lucky and found the class I liked right off. But most don't like shooting Gunfighter as it takes shooting with both hands, alternating, etc. <br />
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There is also the question of an alias and the persona that it represents. You will develope that over a little time. I guess from ole MGS out in Idaho all they care about is how fast you shoot. Around here there seems to be more to it. Allows for us not so great shooters to have fun and not feel so out of place. It is not like IPSC. Guns are as much a thing of beauty to be looked at and talked about, as they are to be shot. Gear comes in a variety of types, from more traditional to Hollywood. Look around, talk to a lot of people about their guns and gear, visit the gunshops and look at some of the available stuff. <br />
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And as Grit says, you can never have enough guns, so if something gets your eye and you can't live without it, well - DON'T. Buy that sucker and worry about what you shoot later.

Push the Button Wyatt

Kmeyer,What every one has said so far is right.You being from southeast Wi.,if you can get over to Delavan stop by "Dam Road Gun Shop"as for Mike and I know he'll be more than happy to talk to you and show you some of the many guns he carries,and he won't be a pushy salesman.Mike is a SASS member,and a member of the "Good Guys Posse",that way you can see and handle some of the guns we use at our shoots.Hope to see you at our shoots in the spring,you'l enjoy it i'm sure.PS,Mike is at his shopmost week days,most mornings,call ahead if your driving a distance.

kmeyer

Thanks again for the continued advise. Since shooting is done at close ranges, I'm curious how mild the 45colt cowboy loads are or if you could reload them even milder to get closer to 38 recoil and 38 expense. I have a buddy that reloads and I may get into it as well.

Saguaro Kid

Looks like Dev finally succumbed to the gamer disease. Sad day for the .45's.<br />
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kmeyer, <br />
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As dev mentioned, look before you leap. If you buy the Henry and decide you don't like it, it might be a little tough to get rid of.<br />
<br />
SK

Saguaro Kid

kmeyer, <br />
<br />
Welcome to the Hitching Post, look forward to shooting with you. If you'd like to try anything you see at one of our matches, arrangements can be made for after the match to test some stuff out.<br />
<br />
SK

kmeyer

Do more people shoot traditional or in the modern class? Or would you say it is pretty even?

Big Grit

Aren't too many people shooting modern class anymore. That's probably the biggest reason to buy fixed sighted guns, more classes are available to the shooter. Big Grit