Cowboy Action-getting started

Nick S. · September 25, 2019, 04:05 PM

Thinking of joining a local cowboy action. So far I have a Taylor Cattleman in .45 LC, Charles Daly double bbl 12 g. Looking for a lever action also in .45lc. What should I be looking for ; make, barrel length, D shape lever, etc? Still need a 2 holster rig too. Already have the hat & boots.

Driftwood Johnson · September 25, 2019, 06:57 PM

Howdy

My advice is to go to the SASS Wire and ask. You will get lots and lots of advice.

https://forums.sassnet.com/index.php.../12-sass-wire/

By the way, I'm not sure what you mean by a D shaped lever, but if you mean the big John Wayne style lever loop, forget it. Not very practical.

DockRock · September 25, 2019, 10:30 PM

Agree with Driftwood. If there's a local shoot near you, attend before buying anything. See what folks are usung. Ask questions. There are a lot of folks in CAS that would like nothing more than spending a morning sharing their "wisdom" with a greenhorn. ;-) Make sure to get multiple opinuins. Between SASS Wire and the local shoot, you should get all the info you need and more. You may also get good leads on folks aging out of the game that have good rigs to sell.

Oliver Sudden · September 26, 2019, 09:13 AM

Yep, go to that local shoot and in my experience people there will offen let you try their guns and do everything to lead you a stray, I mean help you get started.

Nick S. · September 26, 2019, 10:29 AM

Thanks guys. It's just that there's 3 local gun shows this weekend & I was hoping to score a deal on a lever action or rig (used). Sometimes there's a table set up by one of the 2 cowboy action groups in my area. Maybe I'll get lucky and be able to pick their brain. Last time I remember one of them saying stay away from Henry & go with one of the Italian companies. He also said you don't need the "D" shaped handle on the lever. But they look so cool. So I get it if you don't "need" one, but is there a major negative issue with them?

Hawg · September 26, 2019, 04:26 PM

Most CAS shooters don't like the Henry because of the way they try to make an association with their company to the original Henry. Plus it has no historical counterpart but then neither do Rugers.

Oliver Sudden · September 26, 2019, 05:51 PM

The Henry company rifle doesn’t run as fast by some people’s opinion. Many like the 1873 copy Winchester. I run one of them and the wife likes her 1894cb Marlin rifle. I lightened the action a bit on the Marlin but the Winchester needed nothing.

Nick S. · September 26, 2019, 06:59 PM

So who makes a good 1873 Winchester clone?

Oliver Sudden · September 26, 2019, 08:18 PM

Uberti

Hawg · September 26, 2019, 08:37 PM

Uberti. Miroku makes a better one but it's priced accordingly.

44 Dave · September 27, 2019, 02:50 PM

If you are into .44-40 or .38-40 an original was my choice.

Driftwood Johnson · September 30, 2019, 12:21 PM

Howdy Again

I hope you did not run out and buy something before visiting a match or two.

We always advise against buying any equipment before attending a match and trying out some guns. It can save a lot of heartache if you run out and buy something before you have had a chance to handle some guns and ask CAS shooters questions.

Count me as one who does not care for the way the modern Henry company tries to associate their company with the original guns made by the New Haven Arms Company, the original maker of the Henry rifle. Also, the Big Boy and many other rifles made by HRAC do not work out very well in CAS.

As for 44-40 or 38-40, I have both replicas and originals chambered for 44-40. I do have an original Winchester Model 1873 chambered for 38-40.

Trum4n1208 · October 1, 2019, 09:06 AM

There's no practical advantage to the big "D" ring lever, but the difference in speed between it and a standard lever would probably only be noticeable to people who are really into it. If you're just there to have fun, then go for it, get what makes you happy.

Plus, it makes your rifle easier to operate with gloves. So if you use this rifle for anything else, that's an added benefit.

Nick S. · October 1, 2019, 07:24 PM

I plan on attending a match as soon as I can. In the mean time I'm talking to as many as I can at gun shops & my local shooting range. One guy was singing the praises of a Winchester even though they're made in Japan now.

DockRock · October 1, 2019, 09:04 PM

That's because Miroku makes a nicer rifle than anything that Winchester made in New Haven from the mid 1960s until its effective demise 20 odd years later.

You kind of need to decide what you want out of CAS. Do you want to win matches? Because that generally means tuned short-stroked 1873 Win clones, race-tuned SAA, and and a short stroke 1887, for example. Do you want authenticity? Because you get into five figures immediately with a full suite of original firearms. Do you want the fun of shooting black powder? Because that's really a Marlin and double-barreled proposition. Are you into the costume side? Batwing chaps and a diamante 20 gallon hat? Not my sort of thing but if so, go for it.

Going to matches reading about matches in the Cowboy Chronicle, surfing SASSwire are all ways to help you decide how to spend money efficiently before you get spending.

September 25, 2019, 04:05 PM	#1
Nick S. Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 152	Cowboy Action-getting started Thinking of joining a local cowboy action. So far I have a Taylor Cattleman in .45 LC, Charles Daly double bbl 12 g. Looking for a lever action also in .45lc. What should I be looking for ; make, barrel length, D shape lever, etc? Still need a 2 holster rig too. Already have the hat & boots.

September 25, 2019, 06:57 PM	#2
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy My advice is to go to the SASS Wire and ask. You will get lots and lots of advice. https://forums.sassnet.com/index.php.../12-sass-wire/ By the way, I'm not sure what you mean by a D shaped lever, but if you mean the big John Wayne style lever loop, forget it. Not very practical.

September 25, 2019, 10:30 PM	#3
DockRock Member Join Date: August 19, 2019 Posts: 58	Agree with Driftwood. If there's a local shoot near you, attend before buying anything. See what folks are usung. Ask questions. There are a lot of folks in CAS that would like nothing more than spending a morning sharing their "wisdom" with a greenhorn. ;-) Make sure to get multiple opinuins. Between SASS Wire and the local shoot, you should get all the info you need and more. You may also get good leads on folks aging out of the game that have good rigs to sell.

September 26, 2019, 09:13 AM	#4
Oliver Sudden Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 272	Yep, go to that local shoot and in my experience people there will offen let you try their guns and do everything to lead you a stray, I mean help you get started.

September 26, 2019, 10:29 AM	#5
Nick S. Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 152	Thanks guys. It's just that there's 3 local gun shows this weekend & I was hoping to score a deal on a lever action or rig (used). Sometimes there's a table set up by one of the 2 cowboy action groups in my area. Maybe I'll get lucky and be able to pick their brain. Last time I remember one of them saying stay away from Henry & go with one of the Italian companies. He also said you don't need the "D" shaped handle on the lever. But they look so cool. So I get it if you don't "need" one, but is there a major negative issue with them?

September 26, 2019, 04:26 PM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Most CAS shooters don't like the Henry because of the way they try to make an association with their company to the original Henry. Plus it has no historical counterpart but then neither do Rugers.

September 26, 2019, 05:51 PM	#7
Oliver Sudden Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 272	The Henry company rifle doesn’t run as fast by some people’s opinion. Many like the 1873 copy Winchester. I run one of them and the wife likes her 1894cb Marlin rifle. I lightened the action a bit on the Marlin but the Winchester needed nothing.

September 26, 2019, 06:59 PM	#8
Nick S. Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 152	So who makes a good 1873 Winchester clone?

September 26, 2019, 08:18 PM	#9
Oliver Sudden Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 272	Uberti

September 26, 2019, 08:37 PM	#10
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Uberti. Miroku makes a better one but it's priced accordingly.

September 27, 2019, 02:50 PM	#11
44 Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2013 Posts: 584	If you are into .44-40 or .38-40 an original was my choice.

September 30, 2019, 12:21 PM	#12
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy Again I hope you did not run out and buy something before visiting a match or two. We always advise against buying any equipment before attending a match and trying out some guns. It can save a lot of heartache if you run out and buy something before you have had a chance to handle some guns and ask CAS shooters questions. Count me as one who does not care for the way the modern Henry company tries to associate their company with the original guns made by the New Haven Arms Company, the original maker of the Henry rifle. Also, the Big Boy and many other rifles made by HRAC do not work out very well in CAS. As for 44-40 or 38-40, I have both replicas and originals chambered for 44-40. I do have an original Winchester Model 1873 chambered for 38-40.

October 1, 2019, 09:06 AM	#13
Trum4n1208 Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2013 Posts: 173	There's no practical advantage to the big "D" ring lever, but the difference in speed between it and a standard lever would probably only be noticeable to people who are really into it. If you're just there to have fun, then go for it, get what makes you happy. Plus, it makes your rifle easier to operate with gloves. So if you use this rifle for anything else, that's an added benefit.

October 1, 2019, 07:24 PM	#14
Nick S. Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 152	I plan on attending a match as soon as I can. In the mean time I'm talking to as many as I can at gun shops & my local shooting range. One guy was singing the praises of a Winchester even though they're made in Japan now.

October 1, 2019, 09:04 PM	#15
DockRock Member Join Date: August 19, 2019 Posts: 58	That's because Miroku makes a nicer rifle than anything that Winchester made in New Haven from the mid 1960s until its effective demise 20 odd years later. You kind of need to decide what you want out of CAS. Do you want to win matches? Because that generally means tuned short-stroked 1873 Win clones, race-tuned SAA, and and a short stroke 1887, for example. Do you want authenticity? Because you get into five figures immediately with a full suite of original firearms. Do you want the fun of shooting black powder? Because that's really a Marlin and double-barreled proposition. Are you into the costume side? Batwing chaps and a diamante 20 gallon hat? Not my sort of thing but if so, go for it. Going to matches reading about matches in the Cowboy Chronicle, surfing SASSwire are all ways to help you decide how to spend money efficiently before you get spending.