Cowboy Action holster rigs

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Tayne

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Jan 8, 2019
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Iowa
I'm very interested in trying out cowboy action shooting, but I've discovered that the baseline requirements are a significant barrier to entry. The nearest club that hosts matches is a couple hours away from me, so I don't have the easy ability to stop by and get preliminary information from participants.
I've already got a couple of the guns needed (a Colt SAA replica and a lever-action repeater) and am collecting the rest, but my understanding is that I also need a two-gun holster rig to compete. Based on some cursory web searches, it appears these run from $200-$500+. Does anyone know if there's a simpler (read: cheaper) way to get a rig? Does it need to be a full-blown leather belt and holsters?
 
Cannot add much to the above except endorsement. Don't buy anything until you have been to a match and spent some time on SASS Wire (the on-line forum). People are aging out of SASS at a phenomenal rate, so you will get a deal, but best to go to a match and talk to foks in your "local" club first.
 
BLUF: CAS is an expensive sport, in some ways more expensive than other shooting sports due to the "costume" requirements in addition to the 4 required guns (maybe a 5th when you start the side matches).

As the other's said, attend a match, they're usually pretty lenient on the new shooters when it comes to the "costume". Folks are always willing to lend equipment. I wouldn't buy a holster/belt combo until you figured out your "style" of draw and then try to buy used. For instance some guys go "Gunfighter" which means guns in both hands simultaneously and implies your standard two gun rig set up for left & right hand draw. I shot "Duelist" with a crossdraw setup, for a right hand only draw.

I've still got my rig, which I haven't used in years since changing to BPCR matches, then 3Gun and IDPA. My holsters/belt were made by a writer for Guns & Ammo and "True West" named Phil Spangenberger, who "back in the day" (70s) preceded SASS & CAS. Part of the reason I'll never part with them.
 
Thanks everyone. I will take your advice and head up to the "nearby" club in the spring when they start having matches again. I guess it'll be a long winter... ;)
I should have mentioned that I've already achieved what I consider the most significant part of my future costume: I grew a decent handlebar mustache. That only cost me my wife's affections, so I guess you're right that this is an expensive sport, Chuck R. :-D
 
STOP BUYING!

Visit several matches, the larger the better, before spending money. You have no idea what kind of cowboy you are yet.

Most clubs have shooters who want to sell good guns when you finally decide what suits you.

I'm delighted you are interested in the game, but you can dig yourself an expensive hole very quickly by purchasing stuff that you later find is not appropriate for your categories of choice.

Probably the best investment you could make right now would be to attend one of the cowboy action shooting schools, like the one Evil Roy offers in Texas. Learning the right way to play the game will lead you to make appropriate equipment choices. There may be other learning opportunities closer to you, also. Make friends on the SASS Forum for support.

Link:

https://forums.sassnet.com/index.php?/forum/22-sass-forums/
 
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Thanks for the advice J-Bar. My cowboy guns are both guns I already have and would have purchased anyway regardless of whether I join SASS and start competing. But from what everyone is telling me here, I will hold off until after I go to a match before buying more.
 
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