Does Ruger Single Seven Birdshead qualify as a Pocket Pistol in SASS?

BluRidgDav · February 13, 2018, 04:21 PM

Trying to understand the different SASS rules.

On page 38 of the most recent Shooters Handbook (which seems to apply to Main Match revolvers?) it reads:

"Revolver Cylinders - Center-fire and rim-fire cylinders may have no less than five and no more than six chambers."

But on page 29, Pocket Pistols are described as:

"POCKET PISTOLS AND DERRINGERS Pocket pistols and Derringers are popular for use in side matches and are occasionally introduced as an additional firearm in main match stages. - A pocket pistol is a small frame, fixed sight, pre-1900 design revolver having a barrel length of four inches or less. Pocket pistols must be .31 caliber or larger. Model “P” Colts and clones and revolvers with swing out cylinders are specifically not allowed regardless of caliber, frame size, or barrel length. Pocket pistols may not be used as or converted to main match revolvers."

No specific mention of the number of chambers.

So, does the Single Seven Birdshead in .327 Federal with 3.75" barrel qualify for side matches?

Thanx, Dave.

Fingers McGee · February 13, 2018, 07:44 PM

I don't believe so. Single seven does not have fixed sights, is not a pre 1900 design and is single action.

BluRidgDav · February 14, 2018, 12:41 AM

Lipsey's has a special run of Stainless Single Sevens with fixed sights & birdshead grips. Same as the New Vaquero only smaller.

RU8163 - L.jpg

Hawg · February 14, 2018, 10:36 AM

It's still not going to qualify as a pocket pistol.

BluRidgDav · February 14, 2018, 01:51 PM

Well, that's too bad! SASS acceptance would widen it's marketability.

It still looks like a great single-action Kit Gun, with almost .357 power, in a smooth lightweight (2#) platform.

Driftwood Johnson · February 16, 2018, 01:33 AM

Quote:

"POCKET PISTOLS AND DERRINGERS Pocket pistols and Derringers are popular for use in side matches and are occasionally introduced as an additional firearm in main match stages. - A pocket pistol is a small frame, fixed sight, pre-1900 design revolver having a barrel length of four inches or less. Pocket pistols must be .31 caliber or larger. Model “P” Colts and clones and revolvers with swing out cylinders are specifically not allowed regardless of caliber, frame size, or barrel length. Pocket pistols may not be used as or converted to main match revolvers."

Model P Colts and clones refers to the standard Single Action Army and its replicas. These are specifically not allowed as Pocket Pistols, no matter how short their barrels, because Main Match revolvers may not be used as Pocket Pistols and vice versa.

"regardless of caliber, frame size,"

A Single Six, or Single Seven, or Single ten is basically a smaller version of a Model P, so they too may not be used as Pocket Pistols.

Quote:

I don't believe so. Single seven does not have fixed sights, is not a pre 1900 design and is single action.

There is no requirement for a Pocket Pistol to be double action, but because double action Pocket Pistols are allowed, somebody shooting a single action will be at a serious disadvantage because competition is usually based on time.

Quote:

Well, that's too bad! SASS acceptance would widen it's marketability.

Not really. Pocket Pistol matches are not a regular feature of most CAS matches. They usually only happen at the larger regional matches. So there is not much call for Pocket Pistols in CAS.

As far as I know, there is nothing currently manufactured that qualifies as a SASS legal Pocket Pistol. You have to find an old one.

Here are a few:

S&W 32 Single Action, 32 S&W caliber.

S&W 38 Single Action, First Model (Baby Russian). 38 S&W caliber.

S&W 32 Safety Hammerless 32 S&W Caliber

S&W 32 Safety Hammerless (Bicycle Revolver) 32 S&W caliber.

S&W 38 Double Action, 4th Model, 38 S&W caliber.

TruthTellers · February 16, 2018, 02:40 AM

Wouldn't the 1849/1862 Pocket models and 1863 Pocket Remingtons with conversion cylinders qualify? Those are made by Uberti/Peitta and meet all the requirements.

Crunchy Frog · February 18, 2018, 05:42 PM

I agree with Driftwood; in eight years of cowboy shooting I've never seen a pocket pistol used in a monthly match.

BluRidgDav · March 17, 2018, 06:16 AM

So then, could a Ruger Single-Seven be used as a main match pistol?
(only loading 5 of the 7 chambers, of course)

February 13, 2018, 04:21 PM	#1
BluRidgDav Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2001 Posts: 314	Does Ruger Single Seven Birdshead qualify as a Pocket Pistol in SASS? Trying to understand the different SASS rules. On page 38 of the most recent Shooters Handbook (which seems to apply to Main Match revolvers?) it reads: "Revolver Cylinders - Center-fire and rim-fire cylinders may have no less than five and no more than six chambers." But on page 29, Pocket Pistols are described as: "POCKET PISTOLS AND DERRINGERS Pocket pistols and Derringers are popular for use in side matches and are occasionally introduced as an additional firearm in main match stages. - A pocket pistol is a small frame, fixed sight, pre-1900 design revolver having a barrel length of four inches or less. Pocket pistols must be .31 caliber or larger. Model “P” Colts and clones and revolvers with swing out cylinders are specifically not allowed regardless of caliber, frame size, or barrel length. Pocket pistols may not be used as or converted to main match revolvers." No specific mention of the number of chambers. So, does the Single Seven Birdshead in .327 Federal with 3.75" barrel qualify for side matches? Thanx, Dave. __________________ Watch your top-knot.

February 13, 2018, 07:44 PM	#2
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	I don't believe so. Single seven does not have fixed sights, is not a pre 1900 design and is single action. __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

February 14, 2018, 12:41 AM	#3
BluRidgDav Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2001 Posts: 314	Lipsey's has a special run of Stainless Single Sevens with fixed sights & birdshead grips. Same as the New Vaquero only smaller. RU8163 - L.jpg __________________ Watch your top-knot.

February 14, 2018, 01:51 PM	#5
BluRidgDav Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2001 Posts: 314	Well, that's too bad! SASS acceptance would widen it's marketability. It still looks like a great single-action Kit Gun, with almost .357 power, in a smooth lightweight (2#) platform. __________________ Watch your top-knot.

February 16, 2018, 02:40 AM	#7
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,883	Wouldn't the 1849/1862 Pocket models and 1863 Pocket Remingtons with conversion cylinders qualify? Those are made by Uberti/Peitta and meet all the requirements. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

February 14, 2018, 10:36 AM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	It's still not going to qualify as a pocket pistol.

February 18, 2018, 05:42 PM	#8
Crunchy Frog Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 591	I agree with Driftwood; in eight years of cowboy shooting I've never seen a pocket pistol used in a monthly match.

March 17, 2018, 06:16 AM	#9
BluRidgDav Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2001 Posts: 314	So then, could a Ruger Single-Seven be used as a main match pistol? (only loading 5 of the 7 chambers, of course) __________________ Watch your top-knot.