Girl friend got a fidget spinner, I schoffed and suggested she start spinning revolvers instead. She actually sounded pretty interested and as a side bonus, it would get her away from the tupperware guns

Anyways, it got me thinking of SASS again (something I think about every few years, read the rules and thats as far as it gets).

So I have a few questions:

1- Ruger blackhawks are mentioned in the rules, are the really allowed in standard form?

2- Is 41 magnum allowed?

I ask this because I shoot 41 mag, want a 41 mag blackhawk, and if the gun could be modified (converted to fixed sight if needed) to shoot in SASS that would kill two birds with one stone.


BUT.... I'm a snubby shooter at heart, so it looks like the pocket pistol side match would be more my style.

3- What kind of revolvers would be legal for those matches? The rules say swing outs and colt Ps are illegal, but doesn't give me examples of what IS ok.

Those new 44 mag 3" blackhawks are pretty sweet looking guns and I wouldn't mind running a pair of them.

*edit* I really like the looks of these too and I wouldn't mind playing with a pair of them:
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/644111306

It has been a long time since I shot in SASS, but at that time a Blackhawk was OK. It places you in the "Modern" class, due to the adjustable sights. Colts, all of the Italian Colt copies and Ruger SAs Vaquero, Blackhawk, Single-Six (in .32 H&R or .327 Federal) are all legal. Caliber .32 or above for adults. Same requirement for the rifle/carbine (pistol caliber cartridges only - no .30-30s, .45-70s, etc)

Not sure about the .41 Mag, since it is not strictly derived from a pre-1898 cartridge (the .44 Mag is sometimes referred to as a ".44 Russian Extra, Extra Long" and the .357 as a .38 Loooong Colt) but the place to check is your local club, which may be more lenient for a newbie.

Pocket Pistol is typically shot with top-breaks and derringers. It is fun ringing steel with .38 S&W or .32 S&W revolvers. This is usually a side match consisting of only a few rounds, so if you want the full experience, you'd want the larger revolver as well.

Your best bet is to contact a local club, visit a match with the GF as observers and see if it trips your trigger. You might find that someone will offer you the loan of enough gear to run through one stage as a trial.

One word of caution: outfitting two of you with the clothes and firearms required (2 revolvers, pistol caliber rifle and shotgun), leather and other do-dads and ~200 rounds +/- per match each can get expensive. Setting up myself, wife and one son 15 years ago is a memory of mixed pain and pleasure.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

He can use the same guns for both his GF, and himself in matches. I have seen SASS members do this years ago. Most of the clothing is not bad, jeans, cowboy hats, and boots. I haven't shot for a couple decades, but lace up boots were allowed. No t shirts allowed, but some shooters wore henley shirts(button up t shirts with long sleeves).

The investment for guns if you do not have them will be stiff, even for one set. Two revolvers, 400 dollars each on the low end, probably around 600 for a lever pistol caliber rifle, and about 300 for the shotgun.

Yup. I showed up for my first match wearing jeans, boots and a blue work shirt. When it got expensive was when my wife discovered cowgirl couture and how pretty stainless Rugers are and how nice they look in floral carved leather. Still, as a fun activity you can do together, its right up there.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Thanks for the responses guys.

Now i understand why the some magnums are in while others are not, it makes sense.

I have my grandfather's colt SAA, so there is a single action that she can at least get her hands on to try out and since we are going into summer i might be able to find a match that she can watch.

I still might buy that uberti sheriffs because I love little guns. =)

Everything you ever wanted to know about SASS is right here:

SASS-Home of Cowboy Action Shooting

(c) Single Action Shooting Society 2016

Click on Shooter's Handbook and all the rules are there.

I think they will allow .41 Magnum, I know they allow Blackhawks (see above) so the next question is can you obtain the appropriate ammunition? You cannot shoot jacketed rounds; the bullets must be all lead - shape is not an issue. Moreover, full house magnum loads will be a problem for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is it slows you down, and can damage targets and cause ricochets. There are rules for that, too.

Tried a Cowboy load in 41 mag..

If you do a search for "41 magnum cowboy load" you will get a lot of answers.

Remember, if you are going to play the game to its fullest you want more than side action guns. Some matches won't have side matches for pocket pistols or derringers. Period correct revolvers, rifles, and shotguns are required. Again, it is in the rules.

If you lived in Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, etc., I would submit you would have the clothes you need to commence the cowboy action shooting game. If CNY = Central New York then it's a maybe.

1- Ruger Blackhawks in standard form have always been allowed. See above.

2- .41 magnum is probably allowed as long as the bullets and velocity are within the rules. See above. Another issue is the rifle. I don't think anyone makes a lever action or pump action period-type rifle in .41 caliber but I could be wrong. No sight changes are needed on the revolvers.

3. Pocket pistol side matches take a few seconds to shoot. If that's what you want to do you'll be terribly bored. Short barreled S&W-type break top double actions are typical, whether S&W, Forehand & Wadsworth, Harrington & Richardson, etc. "Modern" guns like snubby J frames do not participate, not in anything CAS, and for side matches neither do Sheriff's Model Colt Model Ps. Those are main match guns.

I showed up at my first match wearing jeans, boots, cowboy hat, western-styled shirt, and a vest. I bought many related items from that time forward but I never shot a match when i was not in that exact same outfit, a western shirt, boots, jeans, and a vest. I never got fancier than that although some of the vests were a little showy.

I started with a 4.5" barreled Ruger Vaquero (old style) and an Armi San Marco Colt Model P replica, both in .45 Colt, and a Rossi Model 92 in .44-40, plus a 100 year old Utica SxS 12 gauge shotgun. Eventually I sold all of those and used two matched Ruger Vaqueros (old style) in .45 Colt, a Rossi/Navy Arms Model 92 in .45 Colt, and a Winchester Model 97 pump in 16 gauge. Someday i will get back to playing that game, I hope.

SASS #7802