I currently shoot cowboy, and have for a few years now.
In my experience and from what I've seen at a matches, it is a poor policy having a mix of 44-40 and 45 Colt guns. You can mark the ammo however you want, it's still a poor policy.
I started with 38/357 handguns and a 44-40 rifle. Pretty hard to mix those up. I now have 38/357, 44 Mag, 44-40 and 45 Colt combinations. My rule is that I don't bring a combination that needs more than one over 40 caliber sized ammunition.
In fact I've considered dropping all but one of my over 40s. Probably won't happen as I like each of them for different reasons.
You are getting into the game with a less than ideal combo, not that it won't work, I have shot with up to 3 calibers at a match, but usually 2.
Some things to consider:
44-40 handguns are a bit difficult to source.
45 Colt handguns are plentiful.
44-40 rifles run cleaner than 45 Colt rifles.
44-40 caliber firearms have lots of variations in chamber size, neck location and bullet size requirements. Every time you add another gun, expect issues. I've had to change my setup with every additional firearm.
38/357 combos are the most popular, but aren't without their nuances.
Very seldom is my off hand handgun the same as my strong hand. I shoot double duelist and prefer a 38/357 in my off hand. The 38 Special was an offshoot of the 38 Colt and 38 Long Colt. It was introduced in 1898, and although not as cowboy as the 44-40 and 45 Colt, it was a cowboy caliber. The 38 Long Colt was introduced in 1875, the 38 Colt preceded it, and it was intended for 1851 conversions. More than enough history to be authentic.
I don't like dress-up, so my western wear is pretty simple, and for participating at a club level, the rules are a bit on the loose side.
The main thing is to get out there and participate. I started with only a pair of handguns and had to borrow a shotgun and rifle. At our club I think you could show up in a cowboy hat, and between the bunch, you could borrow enough to shoot a scenario. We've had cowboys show up that forgot to bring keys for their locks, and they were able to borrow enough to get them going.
If you were to buy a pair of 38/357 revolvers, and use your 44-40 rifle, that would be a good combo. A pair of Mason-Richards conversions would be awfully authentic looking. A pair of Ruger New Vaqueros would be a solid choice as well.
Add an additional 45 Colt handgun and use it and your existing 45 Colt rifle and handgun that would be a good combo as well.
Cowboy ammo is typically low velocity, 700 fps for handguns and around 1000 fps for the rifle. Your present loads may be a bit on the heavy side. I started with a still legal but high velocity 44-40 round and dented some targets on my first outing. I didn't use that ammo after that.
That's a brief overview of what I've learned, and I'm willing to share details if you're interested. I'm only a PM away.
You should check out the SASS forums on sassnet
My cowboy name is Big Boston.
Each of you could have your own cart and ammo box.
In my experience and from what I've seen at a matches, it is a poor policy having a mix of 44-40 and 45 Colt guns. You can mark the ammo however you want, it's still a poor policy.
I started with 38/357 handguns and a 44-40 rifle. Pretty hard to mix those up. I now have 38/357, 44 Mag, 44-40 and 45 Colt combinations. My rule is that I don't bring a combination that needs more than one over 40 caliber sized ammunition.
In fact I've considered dropping all but one of my over 40s. Probably won't happen as I like each of them for different reasons.
You are getting into the game with a less than ideal combo, not that it won't work, I have shot with up to 3 calibers at a match, but usually 2.
Some things to consider:
44-40 handguns are a bit difficult to source.
45 Colt handguns are plentiful.
44-40 rifles run cleaner than 45 Colt rifles.
44-40 caliber firearms have lots of variations in chamber size, neck location and bullet size requirements. Every time you add another gun, expect issues. I've had to change my setup with every additional firearm.
38/357 combos are the most popular, but aren't without their nuances.
Very seldom is my off hand handgun the same as my strong hand. I shoot double duelist and prefer a 38/357 in my off hand. The 38 Special was an offshoot of the 38 Colt and 38 Long Colt. It was introduced in 1898, and although not as cowboy as the 44-40 and 45 Colt, it was a cowboy caliber. The 38 Long Colt was introduced in 1875, the 38 Colt preceded it, and it was intended for 1851 conversions. More than enough history to be authentic.
I don't like dress-up, so my western wear is pretty simple, and for participating at a club level, the rules are a bit on the loose side.
The main thing is to get out there and participate. I started with only a pair of handguns and had to borrow a shotgun and rifle. At our club I think you could show up in a cowboy hat, and between the bunch, you could borrow enough to shoot a scenario. We've had cowboys show up that forgot to bring keys for their locks, and they were able to borrow enough to get them going.
If you were to buy a pair of 38/357 revolvers, and use your 44-40 rifle, that would be a good combo. A pair of Mason-Richards conversions would be awfully authentic looking. A pair of Ruger New Vaqueros would be a solid choice as well.
Add an additional 45 Colt handgun and use it and your existing 45 Colt rifle and handgun that would be a good combo as well.
Cowboy ammo is typically low velocity, 700 fps for handguns and around 1000 fps for the rifle. Your present loads may be a bit on the heavy side. I started with a still legal but high velocity 44-40 round and dented some targets on my first outing. I didn't use that ammo after that.
That's a brief overview of what I've learned, and I'm willing to share details if you're interested. I'm only a PM away.
You should check out the SASS forums on sassnet
My cowboy name is Big Boston.
Each of you could have your own cart and ammo box.
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