Cowboy Action Shooting Firearms and Ammo

'Tie down' holsters? In my opinion, a matter of personal choice. Or, shooting category. You'll likely see this type of system favoured more by B-Western competitors, due to the low-slung holsters required in that category. Here, they do offer a definite advantage in securing the holsters in place. Not so much in other categories, where holsters tend to be positioned higher on the belt. Though some shooters still favour them, to anchor their holsters in place. Order your rig with tiedowns, if you like. You may never use them. But they may come in handy, sometime. Personally, I haven't had a need for them.
As for period correct clothing outfitters, there are plenty to choose from. Most, in the States. 'Wild West Mercantile' is a good one. Period correct clothing, for any shooting category. 'The official clothier of SASS'...according to the site. I've purchased a number of clothing items from this site over the years. No complaints.
Should you like to see more, go to the 'Single Action Shooting Society' website, and peruse the 'Cowboy Chronicle', for even more choices. Another good choice: 'J. Hornaday Dry Goods' (also featured in Cowboy Chronicle). I particularly like their "Cooler Cowboy' shirts. They work, as advertised. If you prefer custom-made duds....'Cattle Kate', out of Idaho, is well known for top quality products. One Canadian source I like: 'Frontier Western Shop'. This is a western tack shop situated in Claresholm, Alberta. Maybe not so much period correct, for clothing styles. But, a good place to order hats, boots, scarves, etc. Also: 'Last Best West', likewise in Alberta. Great source for hats, in particular. Plus leather goods(belts, holsters, chaps, etc.) and other period items. You may already be able to locate boots, etc., locally....but I'll throw these out there for those in the general vicinity.
There are a whole bunch of other sources that don't come to mind, right offhand. But, at least this limited info should point you somewhat in the right direction. A much cheaper, though still perfectly allowable option, is to simply wear a pair of bluejeans, longsleeved shirt, cowboy hat and boots, as your 'cowboy' attire. Lots of shooters take that route. Though most, including myself, prefer to look the part, by dressing as 'cowboy correct', as possible. After all, isn't that a big part of the fun of cowboy action?
Hope this helps.
 
As Garand already mentioned: Used clothing stores are also a good source. My brother-in-law and his wife get a lot of their clothing items, at these places. Plus, save a ton of money. If you know someone who is also handy with making clothing(Garand, you are a lucky man), you can also acquire a lot of your stuff, that way. My wife used to make a lot of my cowboy 'costumes', until prevented by illness. But worth looking into. You may know someone locally, who can help you out.
 
Alex, you are correct, I am blessed with the lady I married. I kind of figured that out when I had to buy her 11 guns until she found 7 she like to compete with!
 
Winchester 73 (Mirouke made in japan)are almost perfect as is and will work well. But less after market parts but less needed. Fixed sights let you be in all categories.ie Vaquero.
 
I can answer the Winchester Mirakou vs Uberti. I have a Cimarron '66 in 38 Spl. and recently bought a Mirakou Winchester '73. There are more "kits" and such for the Ubertis. That being said the stroke in my '73 is just a wee bit longer than the stroke of my '66. But my '66 has a kit in it.

The Mirakou '73 lacks a bit of the fine detail machining and polish of the Uberti. The Winchester lifter is a bit crude, but it isn't as fussy about the ammo. It feeds nice.

I use my '73 as my main rifle, and it is mostly as it came out of the box. I took it apart to check the internals, and just cleaned and lubed it.

My Cimarron has a short stroke kit and a lightweight lifter. It's also on it's third ladle. Broken ladles are a '66 thing, the '73 fixed a bunch of design flaws of the '66.

You nentioned 16 1/2" barrels, not holding 10 shells in the mag would be a deal breaker. To slow to load extras on the clock.

All lever guns are particular on ammo, especially the OAL. A Marlin 1894 is not a bad choice for cowboy, but stick with 357.

I'm a fan of the '97, but don't leave home without a spare.

That is the simple answer, I left out tons of the details.

I started shooting 3 years ago. I no longer use any of my original kit. My advise, buy a cart, good leather and use what you have. Borrow what you need to finish your kit. Cowboys are a friendly bunch. I was admiring the new '73 that the cowboy beside me had in his cart, so he says try it. I asked if it was OK if I used my own ammo. Sure, have fun, was his reply.

My one hipgun is a NMV, the other is a BH. Both were purchased used off CGN. Both have spring kits and the BH has a NMV hammer fitted. The adjustable sights on the BH are nice if you change up ammo.

Painted bullets are something I'd recommend you consider.

Nitro.
 
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nitro-express said:
I started shooting 3 years ago. I no longer use any of my original kit. My advise, buy a cart, good leather and use what you have. Borrow what you need to finish your kit. Cowboys are a friendly bunch. I was admiring the new '73 that the cowboy beside me had in his cart, so he says try it. I asked if it was OK if I used my own ammo. Sure, have fun, was his reply.


Nitro.
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I always carry a complete set of backups for my wife and myself for any match we go to, especially those south of the border. I've lost count on how many times over the last 23 years that I have lent out backups to others after their kit broke down. I do have one rule though, my gun, my ammo. I know that combination will work flawlessly for the shooter that borrows the gun. During the early '90's I was shooting a 3 gun match and I shared my AR 15 with a friend, he used his ammo and I ended up paying for the repairs to the bolt on my gun.
 
The 1866 rifles have always suffered from problems with their ladles/spoons snapping off. Usually at the worst possible time, in a major match. The fault lies with the end of the ladle. The cartridge supporting end is just a thin piece of metal turned 90 degrees. Which will suffer from metal fatigue and eventually snap off, with the hard use seen in cowboy action. Rendering the firearm inoperative. Been there...done that. The cure: Either silver solder a supporting brace behind the tab. Or: A dab of JB weld behind the tab. I've used this second option with several rifles, including 1873's. All seem to be holding up well, so far(going on 5-6 years, with one). A cheap and easy fix.

I fully agree with all the positive comments about the Miroku-Winchester 1873 rifle. Overall build quality is outstanding. Mine took very little in the way of tuning, to get it competition ready. Opinions vary, whether the Miroku-Winchester factory bolt/firing pin extension's internal safety features are a weak design point. Prone to eventual failure. Personally, I haven't seen that. Still, the more complex a machine is, the more likely it might fail. So....I replaced it, anyway. I do like to operate on the KISS principle. Plus, installed a Pioneer Gun Works Speed Sight, in place of the factory front sight(All replacement parts mentioned are available from Rusty Wood). A little judicious polishing of the internals, and it was ready to go. Mine won't quite run as fast as my short-stroked Uberti 1873's . But, still pretty fast.

For a while, Pioneer Gun Works did offer a short stroke kit for the Miroku rifles. Unfortunately, the kits have been discontinued. After some complaints of timing problems. I believe PGW is working on a new design. If successful, I believe this will put these rifles on even par with Uberti, as top contenders.

For those folks who currently own Ruger New Vaqueros and may wish to switch to a lower profile hammer: These are easily replaced with Ruger, Super Blackhawk hammers. Most, are a simple, drop-in fit. You can order these through Numrich Gun Parts.
Hope this info is useful.

Al
 
I agree with Garand. "My gun....my ammo." Since you have no idea what loads the other fella may be using. Some....as Garand mentioned, may end up damaging your rifle. Its always a good policy to include ammo that you know is safe to use, with borrowed rifles. I always do. My only caveat: Please try to recover the brass. Depending on calibre, some of it can be expensive to replace.
Also, as Garand mentioned, its a wise policy to include backup guns, as part of your competitive gear. Why? Peace of mind. Had a main match rifle fail at a major competition, only last year. No big deal. Simply swapped out one rifle with the other...and continued on. Sure, hauling the extra gear along can be an inconvenience. Still....a little inconvenience is way better than the stress of knowing you're holding a tomato stake in your hand...while that place in the Win column quickly slips away. Food for thought.

Al
 
Backup guns; if you really get into this sport you will end up travelling a lot. In the last 8 years for example I have shot matches in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and Arizona. From my home to Phoenix Arizona is a 27 hour drive. When your gun breaks down in that situation you either pull out your backup or you pack up and flush thousands of dollars in gas, food, hotels down the drain.

In 2015 I was shooting my second stage of a Wild Bunch match at the SASS Nationals in Phoenix, on my second mag, the 2nd bullet of the mag went down range, I shifted my aim, looked down the rear sights of my 1911 and seen nothing. My front site had vaporized, finished the stage with multiple misses then went back to my gun cart put away my damaged 1911 and holstered my backup and finished the match. If you are in this game long enough multiple guns are guaranteed to break down, especially if you frequently use a Winchester 97. Before my wife suggested(very strongly) I buy a SxS, I had 3 97's, one to shoot, 1 in for repair and 1 for spare parts/backup.
 
Garand said:
Backup guns; if you really get into this sport you will end up travelling a lot. In the last 8 years for example I have shot matches in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and Arizona. From my home to Phoenix Arizona is a 27 hour drive. When your gun breaks down in that situation you either pull out your backup or you pack up and flush thousands of dollars in gas, food, hotels down the drain.

In 2015 I was shooting my second stage of a Wild Bunch match at the SASS Nationals in Phoenix, on my second mag, the 2nd bullet of the mag went down range, I shifted my aim, looked down the rear sights of my 1911 and seen nothing. My front site had vaporized, finished the stage with multiple misses then went back to my gun cart put away my damaged 1911 and holstered my backup and finished the match. If you are in this game long enough multiple guns are guaranteed to break down, especially if you frequently use a Winchester 97. Before my wife suggested(very strongly) I buy a SxS, I had 3 97's, one to shoot, 1 in for repair and 1 for spare parts/backup.
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I do love the 97's, they do grow on you. At first I found them to be a bit of a contraption, which they are. I never go to a meet without a spare 97. I also have a spare lever and a spare handgun. When I raced we had an expression, a "pair and a spare", and the "spare you leave at home will be the spare you'll need."

Beware when buying a used 97, unless it has been gone through recently, by someone that knows 97's, it probably has issues. They are a bit complicated mechanically and attract abuse like no other shotgun. On my shopping list of parts to keep an eye out for are a magazine tube or 2, a magazine spring, at least 2 action extensions, a three screw forend and a butt stock or 2. I prefer the Prince of Wales style grip, a 13 1/2" length of pull, and with a positive pitch to the butt.

I have a pair and a spare, two more that I'm working on and a 16 ga that followed me home one day. 6 in all.

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My main gun on the bottom, and the clone on top is my spare.

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A pair of my levers, with a spare.

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My favourite rear sight, it just screams cowboy.
 
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