DA's in SASS?

[Dr.Rob]

Ok so here's my thought, plenty of DA revolvers were made pre 1899.. so why don't we see more of them on the cowboy circuit?

Is it because there just aren't that many left.. or is it because we have no good period replicas?

I think a Cowboy shoot would be dandy with a New Frontier 1878 Colt or 1877 Lighting.

Maybe if Mr. Eastwood made a flim featuring one "Gimmie your Thunderer kid." (it worked for the Schofield) we'd see Uberti making new DA Lightnings etc.

 

[Jim Watson]

SASS does not allow double action main match revolvers at all; so there is no incentive to reproduce 19th century models. I have heard that NCOWS did, but they do not show any DAs among their approved guns on their www site.

There are probably some outlaw clubs that allow them, but you would just have to stumble across one.

 

[HankB]

In talking to SASS shooters, it seems they're more interested in playing their game based on TV's version of the Old West rather than historical reality . . . it's based as much on pretend stuff like dressing up like a cowboy, using a cowboy name, etc., as it is on shooting old guns.

Not that there's anything wrong with that . . .

 

[Dr.Rob]

Guess that answers it.

But I promise if I see a DA Lightning, Thunderer or 1878 replica I'll buy one.

 

[Brian D.]

Dr. Rob:

The DA guns have been discussed by the SASS hierarchy, I understand. Partly out of concerns for competitive parity, partly because of the rarity/frailty of the old designs like the Thunderer/Lightning, they decided to stick with single action revos. The SAs also just look and feel more "western." Now, some local matches will have side events for "Frontier Double Actions" like the Colts, .45 frame Webleys and the like, but nothing sanctioned. At one club, I bugged the match director to let in the Webleys, since the Mk1 (1880-something) looks about the same as the Mk. 6 (ca. 1915).... Hopefully I added something useful to the discussion.

 

[streakr]

SASS is a fantasy game and does specify single actions only for main match guns. Those are the rules and over 60,000 participants choose to live with that restriction. (www.sassnet.com) Is that any worse than what top competitors in IPSC have to do to remain competitive?

But SASS sanctioned side matches may involve anything; for example pocket pistols use any small caliber, DA or SA pistol made (or replica thereof) before 1900. I have several original S&Ws and Harrington & Richardsons in 32 S&W and 38 S&W that I use for CAS. Some clubs have "Wild Bunch" stages (named after the '68 Sam Peckinpah classic) using stock 1911A and A1s.

The old Colt DAs were fragile and firearms manufacturers make much better DA revolvers, so there is little market for reproductions.

Interestingly Cimarron Firearms (www.cimarron-firearms.com) makes a Lightning model that is smaller that traditional SAAs but is single action only. However it is recognized as a main match pistol.

Sadly Uberti is now owned by Beretta and their new SAA clones have modern style transfer bar firing pin system.

Streakr - new to the Forum