MHicks

"The Classic cowboy and Frontier Plainsman categories both require period ammo, firearms, and clothing. And they do have a power factor minimum and maximum. B-western category requires conchos and popular TV and Movie firearms like the 1887 lever action 12ga, like schwartzy in term2." Classic Cowboy and Plainsman do have caliber restrictions (40 cal and above for Classic) but they don't have a higher minimum power factor. There is no maximum power factor, only a maximum fps, and they have the same minimum power factor requirement. One thing that alway strikes me as funny is that if you shoot a 45 Colt with 250 gr bullet at 850fps, 150 fps under the maximum allowed, some people will complain that you will ruin their targets. But they wlll turn around and use the same targets in a plainsman match with guys shooting 45-70's and not assume that the same targets will be damaged.

As far as cowboy (SASS) shooting, I've done it for over 10 years. For me the main attraction was shooting big bore cowboy revolvers and throwing a good sized chunk of lead downrange, as opposed to plinking with 22's. After a couple of matches, I started shooting black powder. Started with a sub-bp and quickly changed to all real black poweder, 44 specials or russians in the handguns (one handed, duelist style) and a 44-40 rifle. The same 200 gr. bullet in both. When I shoot my 45, it's with 250 gr. bullets. I decided I wanted to shoot what I would enjoy shooting, calibers and loads, and then try to be as competitive with them as I could. The other way to go would be to decide what guns, calibers and loads would allow you to be most competitive. The top shooters are generally not shooting the extreme light loads, but not heavy loads either. Now, I've cut down on the cowboy matches and shoot IDPA, USPSA and ICORE. But I enjoy all of them. I do like shooting double action revolvers and will eventually try it in USPSA but I'll leave the single action revolvers to my cowboy shooting. The same goes with my 1911's. They now have Wild BUnch side matches in SASS that use 1911's. But the way they are used doesn't interest me. I'd rather shoot them in the modern gun games. Mark

Our IDPA club announced that they were going to start an ICORE club at our range. I didn't have a revolver, other than a 44 special snubnose, and decided I'd get one. Of course I could already have competed in IDPA with one, but I have so far to improve with my semi autos that I didn't think I'd ever get around to shooting a revolver in IDPA. I got all my gear, 686SSR, pouches, speedloaders, holster and started shooting. I did not anticipate how much I would enjoy competing with a revolver. I love it. And then they came up with the Retro(now Classic) ICORE category to make it even better. Anyway I love it. Mark

Cigar guy. Most SASS matches will only have a couple of stand and deliver type stages. Even in regular matches you usually move between target arrays. Are you refering to Western 3 Gun as one of the newer types of cowboy shooting? In W3G you do shoot more on the move, a few rifle targets together, and as you move downrange you will shoot more rifle targets to your left and right. All the rifle targets won't be visible from one spot. The same is true with the revolver and shotgun targets. Also, the W3G targets have a center knockout in them. A hit anywhere on the target counts and if you knockdown the center you get a -1 second bonus. Clubs without the center knockout targets sometimes use IDPA targets with the center scoring area counting as the bonus. SASS Wild Bunch is supposed to be eventually stand alone, seperate matches from the regular SASS cowboy match. Some clubs are running them at the same time along with the regular cowboy match, but that is not the norm. Usually they are a side match seperate from the main match. I shoot 1911's in IDPA and USPSA and just have my fun shooting them there. I shoot the regular cowboy matches along with other side matches when they have them. Mark (Smokin Gator)

I know they have been having ICORE matches at the end of the month in Richmond. Looked on the website and could not find one scheduled this month on the 27th. Is there a match or are they having to skip the March match. thanks, Mark

Thanks for the help. I'm not having any problems with my current gun, but figure I might as well get a second one for a backup, just in case. Plus, who knows if I get something different I might like it better. I'm not in a hurry, but will get something when I run across the right one. Bones, it was great watching you shoot Retro at the IRC. thanks, Mark

I went ahead last year and got a 4" S & W 686SSR to shoot in ICORE Retro and for it to also be legal in IDPA. I'm eventually going to get another revolver set up for strictly ICORE (still in Retro) and was wondering what seems to be the more popular models and barrel lengths. I was thinking of looking for a 6" 586 but haven't really tried any other models, K frames or other options. Thanks for any input. Mark

Anyone know what time they will be shooting the classifier stages on Thursday at the IRC? Also, What is the Friday, Saturday schedule like? My first time and trying to make plans for visiting family when I'm there. Thanks, Mark

jmorris, on 19 May 2010 - 09:47 AM, said: If you really want to split hairs USPSA should DQ everyone after they unload, show clear and reholster. 10.5.11.1 A single action self-loading pistol with the safety not applied. That doesnt differentiate between loaded or unloaded. I guess you missed the reference that comes just before the above stating that it applies to loaded guns. (10.5.11) Holstering a loaded gun in any of the following conditions. Mark

At a big match with the courses of fire at the IRC, how many speedloaders do you need to be able to carry to get through the highest round count stages? Retro division. I will be going for the first time, not having a bunch of experience shooting ICORE and want to make sure I'll be set up. My local IDPA club started having ICORE matches last year and those are the only ones I've shot in. thanks, Mark

I've just shot in a few ICORE matches at our local club. We will be starting up again in the spring. I used the grips that came with the gun. Who are some popular grip makers and which of their styles seem to be the most popular for shooting revolver matches. My gun is getting some action work done on it right now, I'm wanting to get set up for next years. thanks, Mark

I've shot in cowboy action matches for about 9 years. Just about 2 years of IDPA and now have a few matches under my belt in ICORE. I plan on trying USPSA next. I'll be going to my first sanctioned IDPA match (Ca. State) in October. I go out shooting with some of the guys I know at work and I know that some are interested in trying some competition. I think a lot of shooters are missing out on a lot of fun because they are nervous about getting out in front of other shooters and seeing how they compare. It's easy to think that you need to practice more before you get out there, but I tell them to come on out, in a few months you won't be the new guy anymore. I did get one guy to come out. He had a great time but his work schedule changed and he had to put it on the back burner for the time being. Mark

Hi everybody. I just got off the phone with the main man at the club. He said that he had done some checking and they determined that there was nothing in the rules saying the CZ75B or other guns with no decocker can't be used hammer down in SSP. He just said to be careful as I was risking a DQ. Also, to let the RO know what I was going to do ahead of time. We talked about this and some other topics I've seen discussed here. He said he won't be there this month, but that he was going to contact the other officers at the club and let them know that what I wanted to do was legal. So, it worked out ok. thanks for all the replies. Mark

Thanks guys. Being new to IDPA when I had seen this topic discussed it sounded like it had been questionable in the past, but that by now local clubs should be aware that this is ok. I'll talk to them at the local club and see what happens.

Hi. I revived this thread because I attempted to use my CZ75B 9mm to shoot SSP at a local IDPA match today. This is not intended to bash these guys or the club, I had a great time. Using the information that I received last year on this thread asking about being able to lower the hammer on a gun without a decocker to shoot SSP, being IDPA legal, I got the CZ. I shot a few matches at this club at the end of last year shooting the same gun using the safety in ESP. I thought I'd just shoot a couple of matches and try to show that I am a safe shooter. Anyway today they told me that they didn't think that it was legal, that I had to have a gun with a decocker so I finished the match shooting ESP. I also said that I was aware that I was taking a risk of being DQ'd if I managed to have a negligent discharge. Is there somewhere that specifically lists the CZ75B, with the need to actually manually lower the hammer, as IDPA legal for SSP. If I'm correct how can I show them? In talking to the RO about the situation, I said that I was aware that in some of the shooting sports that although something may be legal in the sport, that a range might have a rule that forbids a particular practice. Thanks,

Thanks. I have looked through the rulebook quite a bit. I had read that you are allowed to do trigger/action work, but didn't see anywhere that actually listed a limit. I know some shooting sports will have some other guidelines other than the actual rulebook that will define some things. Of course it wouldn't make any sense to get to the point of not being reliable. Mark

I just bought a CZ75B. Also went to a nearby IDPA match and got to see how things went and talk to some shooters. I really need to get some trigger work done. With the CZ I figure I'll be shooting primarily SSP and maybe som ESP. Are there any actual legal limits to what the trigger pull must be? I have been checking around and can get and approx, 8lb dble/3.5lb single or a 6.5-7 lb dbl with 2lb single action trigger pull. I can swing it, but any of you have any input on the subject? thanks, Mark

First, I have not shot IDPA yet. I've been checking out the IDPA website and other places like this to pick up information. Please, correct me if I'm wrong or have information that is out of date. I thought that you weren't supposed to put extra rounds on a target to get to slide-lock purposely. If it happens sometimes, ok, but that you weren't supposed to do it all the time on a continuous basis. thanks, MH

Wow. Thanks for the quick replies guys. Right now I'm out of action for a while, just had rotator cuff surgery a month ago. I shoot cowboy action and have been thinking I might be able to shoot handguns for a while before I'm ready to put a shotgun up to my shoulder. I do have a Springfield 1911 but am looking at getting a S & W 686 or considering a CZ 75 or 85. I had read on another board somewhere of a shooter at a small local match where the RO had a problem with him manually lowering the hammer on a gun with no decocker. I didn't know if this RO didn't know the rules or if the decocker versions were required. Any other opinions would be welcomed. Thanks,

First, I'm just checking out some questions I have, haven't shot IDPA yet. In SSP you start with hammer down and round in the chamber. With the CZ 75B there are guns with and without the decocker. The gun without the decocker does also have a firing pin stop that supposedly makes it safe to manually lower the hammer. The decocker model obviously, you just use the decocker. The CZ 85 doesn't have the firing pin block to aid in safely lowering the hammer. Some information I have seen was advising to use the CZ 85 in IDPA because the trigger can be tuned better than the decocker or model with the firing pin block. Are there any problems manually lowering the hammer at IDPA matches with guns without the decocker? Correct me if I'm wrong on any of the above points.

No power factor. There is a big discussion on the SASS board about possible future power factors or a couple of specific categories with power factors. Here's a link to a local W3G stage in Sacramento. The video is shot with a camera on a headset to give you a shooters eye view. We use cardboard sillouete targets with a scoring ring in the center and steel plates. This is shooting with all blackpowder loads 44 special handguns, 44-40 rifle and 12 guage double barrel shotgun. www.gc3g.com/Vids/October05/SmokinGator.wmv

I've been shooting Western 3 Gun for a couple of years. There aren't too many clubs around the country yet, still growing. I've been to the last 2 World Cup matches in Piru, Ca. They really go all out on setting up the stages. You have the chance to shoot on the move and also many targets have knockouts in the center of the targets for a minus one second bonus. It puts more of a premium on accuracy. At the World Cup they have amateur and pro divisions. The pro division pays a higher entrance fee and have cash and prizes. Amateurs get very nice plaques for prizes. The monthly matches are for bragging rights only. SASS shooters can shoot the match at any speed they feel comfortable and safe.

I have only shot steel challenge once with my 1911. I was considering getting the Ruger 22/45 with the 5 1/2" bull barrel. I got on here to check and see what was being used and it looks like this Ruger setup should get me started. THanks

Got back a little while ago from my first Steel Challenge match. I had a great time. Started off just being very deliberate, wanting to be safe with my draw. As we went along and I got a bit more comfortable, I picked up the pace a little. Not one malfunction of any kind with my Springfield Loaded 1911. Next time I'll try both the 1911 and my single action revolvers. This forum really helped as far as familiarizing myself with the stages and procedures before actually getting out to a match. I'll be back. Mark

I'm shooting in my first Steel Challenge match tomorrow at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center. My buddy e-mailed me to see if I was coming down. I said, enough with the talk, I'll be there. I haven't really shot my 1911 that much, but I guess I'll give it a go. Got to start somewhere. I have been shooting Cowboy Action for 6 years or so and this will be the first competition outside of that. Actually I think it is described as a Steel Challenge "type" match. I guess I'll find out what that means or if it strictly Steel Challenge by the rules. I know I'll have fun. Mark