From "get that away" to "I want to play" in 8 years

[HighVelocity]

When my wife and I met 8 years ago she was very afraid of guns. Not anti but just didn't want anything to do with them herself.
I kept my hobby low key but still kept it. Gradually over the years she got used to guns being around and realized they weren't going to sneak out in the middle of the night and hurt her.
Finally about 2 years ago she asked me to take her to the range one weekend. I started her out with my Grandfathers High Standard Double Nine 22 Single action and she loved it. For a while it was once a month, then once a week. Worked up to a 38 and then a 9mm. Finally she asks me if she can shoot "the silver gun", Springfield Champion in Stainless. I have since relinquished that one to her as she shoots it very well and constantly refers to it as hers.
Last night we went to the range for happy hour and killed a few hundred rounds and a pile of paper badguys.
On the way home in the truck, out of the blue she says. "I want to try Cowboy Action Shooting". Where did that come from? Apparently she saw some pictures on the net somewhere of a competition and she thought it was very cool. I asked her what she would be shooting in said competition and she said she wants a Ruger Vaquero in 45LC. I guess she's put a lot of thought into this and I'm going to need make some budget changes.

Where do we look to get started?

 

[Bob F.]

Can't help you, but congradulations! Your patience has paid off handsomely!!
Stay safe.
Bob

 

[TarpleyG]

My wife has gone from "no way I will ever compete" to "I might want to try IDPA with you" over the past year. I just need to get her out there with me one weekend when it's slow.

CAS, huh? Well, at least she is expressing interest. Does she want to dress up and everything too? I have thought about trying it but I don't have any gear yet and I'm not too crazy about playing dress-up.

Greg

 

[psyopspec]

Awesome results, gentlemen, shows that anyone can be taught!

 

[shooter58]

Try this site:

www.sassnet.com

 

[Werewolf]

I asked her what she would be shooting in said competition and she said she wants a Ruger Vaquero in 45LC. I guess she's put a lot of thought into this and I'm going to need make some budget changes.

Budget changes is an understatement.

CAS requires two pistols, 1 rifle and one shotgun. Add to that the costume (which ain't cheap) and you're gonna spend a sizable chunk of change - I know I did.

Regarding the Ruger Vaquero's in .45LC - don't (the cylinder throats are undersized - extremely common problem with this model). The two I have leaded up something fierce until I had the throats reamed to .4525.

I would strongly recommend a couple of Beretta Stampedes or even a Rossi in .45LC if that's the caliber she wants to shoot. OTOH if she is willing to go to a .44 or .38 then the Vaqueros will be fine.

CAS is meant to be fun and a major part of that fun is dressing up. Don't skimp on the costume; though if she's not sure she will stick with it then you can get away with jeans, boots and a hat.

 

[HighVelocity]

Thanks for the link shooter. Through that link I found a match we can go watch this Saturday. http://www.comanchevalley.org/

Werewolf,

I've already steered her away from the Vaquero 45LC. I basically told her that being on a budget we should look at things that were less expensive to shoot like 38's.
So the hunt is on for a couple of 38cal single actions and a lever action that will shoot the same ammo. The shotgun I'm not sure of. From what I have read so far I gather that the shells cannot eject themselves on a dbl barrel and if it's a pump it has to have an exposed hammer.
What do you recommend for the budget minded beginner?

As far as the costume goes, she is a sewing fanatic so she's already stated she'll be making her own.

 

[boo586]

Get into reloading!!!

What ever caliber you decide on, get into reloading and get a progressive of some sort. Because you will be shooting a lot!!!

Matching pair of single action sixguns: Uberti, Berreta, taurus or Ruger.

Rossi (aka Puma) or Winchester lever action rifle in matching caliber

Stoeger, coach gun with exposed hammers in 20 or 12 gauge

I wish I had time to get into cowboy action shooting.


Boo586

 

[Werewolf]

^^^^^^^^^

+1...

That's almost my exact setup.

Win 94 .45LC
2 Ruger Vaqueros .45LC
Stoeger Coach Gun 12 ga

If I had it to do again the only changes I'd make are dump the Rugers and pick up Beretta Stampedes.

Regarding cost of .45LC ammo - yep it's expensive but for less than 100 bucks you can buy a Lee 4 hole turret press and the reloading dies. With that (and powder, primer, bullets and brass of course) you can reload 50 .45LC rounds for about $4 which is a huge savings.

Reloading is not hard and for CAS a lot of folks reload the .45LC to a very light 750FPS or less. One guy I know has them popping out of the end of his revolvers at 680 or so. Very light recoil and almost non-existent in a lever gun.

AND besides 45 Colt is historical and .38 Spl isn't.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Good for you and your wife both!