CAS question about gun leather rigs... what set up?

popcan

popcan

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I was looking at a bunch of pics from various CAS shoots... and all the different rigs for revolvers people wear....

  • What is the most practical set up?
  • Is it better to have some shotgun shell loops built onto the gunbelt, or have them on a seperate belt? How many extra shot shells do you need?
  • Do you really need loops for extra pistol cartridges? How many?
  • Prefer a drop-loop holster on the strong side?
  • Is a 2nd gun cross-draw holster better than two "strong side" style holsters?

Then there's the question of which caliber is most popular.... 38/357? 45?

Wow, I never knew it could be so complicated! :eek: :D
 
Well, it is a very personnal thing.

My shotshells are on my belt. Some prefer to have a separate belt so they can put the shotshells a little higher. Best is that you try differents setup: ask other cowboys next match!

As for the number of shotshell, i carry 8 on the belt (4 double loops) plus a few extras in my vest pocket in case i drop one or need to reload just one (i use a sxs). Also, if the match director like to have more or fewer shotgun targets in a stage, you will have to adjust your carrying capacity.

I don't think you need to have loops for pistol cartridges. They sure looks cool, but you won't load from the belt anyway except for an occasionnal round or two. You can easily carry those in your pockets if a stage ever says so.

I don't like crossdraw but some don't like to have to pass the revolver from a hand to the other. It also depend what categorie you choose: some don't allow cross-draw, some don't allow drop-loop.

Caliber? Unless you shoot in the Classic Cowboy category, you can choose any caliber you want. It's really a matter of personnal preference! I do like the recoil of 30 grains of black powder in a .45 colt in my hand. And i am probably slower than many other shooters. If you can try a .38 and a .45, that will give you a better idea.

But the most important advice i can give you is: shoot safely and have fun in cowboy action!
 
- I have several gun belt set-ups depending on what costume or character I'm portraying that day. sometimes I use two strong sides and then at the next shoot, one cross draw with one strong side. When I use the two strong sides I shoot with both left and right hands.

- I use a four round slide on for my shotgun rounds with two extra in my vest pocket.

- You do not need a gun belt with extra cartridges. If you have to reload on the clock I just carry a couple of extra rounds in my other vest pocket.

- If you mean a buscadero rig (hollywood style) then I have one with two strong side holsters and one single buscadero rig with a cross draw. I also use the standard rig ie John Wayne style with a cross draw.

- regarding your 2nd last question....it's a matter of personal preference. Which ever you feel comfortable with.

- I use .38/357. I use .38 casings in my revolvers and .357 casings in my rifles. Once again it is a matter of personal preference however, .38/.357 is a lot cheaper to reload that 45's.

Hope I was of some assistance. Cheers!
 
popcan said:
Then there's the question of which caliber is most popular.... 38/357? 45?
Click to expand...
I too am new to this, but I have asked a lot of questions and the answers I got back says that when choosing Caliber you need to ask yourself what are your objectives. If you want to get fast, lower recoil will help, so .38spl, cost .38 is a lot less expensive than .45LC. I chose to go .38/.357 for those 2 reasons and the fact that I don't reload yet and these are a lot easier on the pocketbook. As far as which Caliber is more popular, I'd guess from what I've seen .38spl.
Rigs, I think that depends on personnal preference. I am going with a Buskadero style strong side with Crossdraw for my 1st one. I can easily see that I'll be buying more as things progress.
Check out this site; http://www.gandjleather.com/page8.html They've got some of the nicest rigs.
Hell isn't this fuuun!!
Have a Blast!!!
:dancingbanana::dancingbanana::dancingbanana:
 
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I have chosen to go with 2 strong side holsters as there is less chance on getting a stage DQ with 2 strong sides, than with a cross draw if you don't do the "dance" correctly. I like pistol cartridges on the belt as they are readily accessible, you only need a max of 10 though. I prefer my shotgun shells on my gun belt as they are always in the same place and never ride up. I reload .44 magnum, cost isn't as an important factor as being able to see the bullet holes on a paper target at a club match when your over 50 and wear bi-focals!!!

img0322acr8.jpg

Shot at 2007-12-27
 
Cagunman, you got it right about the "dance"

Popcan, you got it right about transfering the gun.

In both case there is a risk of disqualification: if you break the 170 degrees rule or if you drop the gun...
 
I have a shotgun slide (goes over the belt buckle) -6 rounds, most stages require 4, a couple extra is good in case you drop one while loading. If it take more than 4 per stage, I slip 4 more more in my pocket and do the first load from the shells in my pocket.

Holster is a real personnel set up- I have a double strong side, put I also have a cross draw holster I can slip on in place of the left hand holster. The dance is easy to do, although there is pending some suggestions on SASS about using a "cone" concept so you won't have to do the dance. Don't know if all clubs in Canada will accept it or not, certainly one of the clubs I shoot at say they will refuse.

Carrying some extra rounds for your rifle in the belt loop is a good idea as well since some stages allow you to add extra rounds if one or more don't feed properly or go bang when you pull the trigger. You'll have to check if this is ok in your club or not.
I shoot 38 spl because it fits both the rifle and handguns (357 mag) and it's cheaper than 45 LC if you don't reload yourself. Keeping both pistol and rifle in the same caliber is a good idea though.

Good shooting, you'll enjoy CAS.

Niagara Glenn
 
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Shot with FinePix E550 at 2007-12-26

Winchester M97 Trench Gun (DOM 1945)- Wild Bunch Cowboy Matches
Winchester M97 (DOM 1913) Standard Match shotgun gun
Winchester M97 (DOM 1906) Backup shotgun,

I've also bought 2x 20" double barrel coach guns (1x12 ga, 1x16 ga) in the last 6 months as my fiancee started shooting cowboy action and can not operate a pump gun easily.
 
20 ga is certainly eleigable but remember that a lot of folks find they prefer a smaller coach gun style. And unless you buy one of the versions that uses chokes this often means cutting down a longer barrel gun. And that means cylinder choke which isn't going to be as good for hunting.

the folks in my club were saying that the "cone of safety" for the cross draw isn't going to fly. Too much risk of someone lifting the barrel while it's pointed back if they are not careful. And too much risk of them angling it in and sweeping their own body if they over compensate about ensuring they don't raise it too high until it's pointed to the front.

Even with the dance I still prefer the cross draw because I'm grabbing it with my strong hand even if I have to do the cross draw pivot to keep it downrange.

I'll go with a double strong side rig when I go with the two handed "Gunfighter" style shooting.
 
popcan said:
I'm just thinking that if I got one in 20g, it could do duty on chickens too. I dislike using 12g on grouse.

SxS or pump? which is best?
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You also need to remember that you can't have ejectors, extractors are OK. I went with 12ga IGA coach gun supreme they make it with CAS in mind, it has extractors and removable chokes I attached a link to their site. Take a look. Shells are cheap too, I bought a brick of 100 rounds at Canadian Tire for about $33.00 taxes in. I had it at the range and it shoots great plus it don't look so bad. Of course it will need a little tuning but not much I don't think. The empties already slide right out as is, it will need loosenning up on the break.

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/php.firearms/stoeger_coach_gun_supreme

I agree with BC RIDER I'd rather use my strong hand out of a cross draw, less chance of dropping the gun than transfering to strong side from my left.
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popcna, thank you for asking these questions; I am not planning on shooting CAS soon, but the thought could cross my mind.

If you are looking for a holster, you should contact Joe Laroche at Laroche Leathers (he has a website); I have a holster belt that I will be using as a dress belt and when I was at his place I was looking at some of his cowboy holsters nad his work is amazing.
 
COREY said:
popcna, thank you for asking these questions; I am not planning on shooting CAS soon, but the thought could cross my mind.

If you are looking for a holster, you should contact Joe Laroche at Laroche Leathers (he has a website); I have a holster belt that I will be using as a dress belt and when I was at his place I was looking at some of his cowboy holsters nad his work is amazing.
Click to expand...

How is Laroche doing?
I heard he had a leg amputated.
Is he getting around OK?
 
The belt & holster shown on the previous page came from J-B Leather, Box 102, Strome, AB, TOB 4HO and the shotgun slide ons came from Trailrider Products in Colorado.
 
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