Cowboy Certification / Course?

Freedom Ventures

Freedom Ventures

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Some of the guys at my club want to start a cowboy section.

They tell me they'll be drawing the loaded six shooters from holsters, running around the range in cowboy boots with loaded rifles, etc.

It sounds like fun.

As president of the club, I have to worry about liability for the whole club. Right now, if someone shoots thier foot at an IPSC match; when the investigation (or civil lawsuit) follows, the IPSC guys can show the training and certification that the person recieved, and the training and certification that thier instructor recieved. I'd like our cowboys to be able to do the same.

Is there a cowboy shooting qualification or introductory course out there that we can copy / borrow?
 
I've been shooting CAS for 4 years now, and there is nothing formal like the Black Badge course that I am aware of.

PROVIDING YOUR LOCAL CLUB FOLLOWS SASS RULES, While safety is paramount, don't be too concerned just yet ... CAS is not generally as competitive as IIPSC ... it's more for fun. Also, revolvers are only loaded with 5 shots and are not carried in the hand loaded - draw shoot, holster empty gun. Shotguns are never carried loaded, and rifles are never carried with a live round in the chamber.

It's lots of fun, and I find it inheirently safe.

JB
 
Shooting Cowboy Action is actually safer than shooting IPSC. Not as much silly running around (yes, I shot IPSC for 10 years). The best advice I can suggest is that is that you go to http://www.sassnet.com/ and down load the manuals. This will give you a comprehensive idea for organization as even clubs that are not affiliated with SASS follow their rules.
 
Sean, aside from Canada, does the Black Badge Course exist anywhere else in IPSC land? I ask because this whole concept that you must have this course or that course in order to shoot is getting way out of hand. At what point does the individual have responsibilities here?

I know we have lived under a "Liberal Government" for sometime now but we really remain a country that is inhabited by independent minded people. Is this yet another area of our lives that we have to be instructed on?

Take Care

Bob
 
Handguns are holstered with the hammer down on an empty chamber. Each gun is inspected before leaving the loading table. They can only be cocked when pointed down range. Loaded guns are not re-holstered. You shoot them until they are empty.

We don't allow movement with a gun that has a live round in the chamber. If a stage requires movement, you shoot the target and leave the hammer down on the shot round, then you move to the next location and then are allowed to chamber a live round and continue shooting with that gun.

The limitations on the guns and on the course of fire make a holster qualification course unnecessary.

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Freedom Ventures said:
Some of the guys at my club want to start a cowboy section.

They tell me they'll be drawing the loaded six shooters from holsters, running around the range in cowboy boots with loaded rifles, etc.

It sounds like fun.

As president of the club, I have to worry about liability for the whole club. Right now, if someone shoots thier foot at an IPSC match; when the investigation (or civil lawsuit) follows, the IPSC guys can show the training and certification that the person recieved, and the training and certification that thier instructor recieved. I'd like our cowboys to be able to do the same.

Is there a cowboy shooting qualification or introductory course out there that we can copy / borrow?
Click to expand...


Sean;

Ay Grenville it is encouraged that the black badge course is
taken simply for the safety aspects. Although I do not beleive
it is mandatory it certainly gives MOST shooter's a good handle
on firing a loaded handgun from a holster.

Sig
Dvc
 
Flip1 and Garand; thanks - I've downloaded the SASS manuals - that's a lot of help. Rudy - that's a lot of help with that description. Thanks too.

Bob; Versions of the IPSC black badge exist in practically every European country, Austrailia and parts of Asia. About the only place it does not exist regionally is the USA, where it is partially implemented in some states.
I'm not going off topic and debate the merits of safety certifcation in action shooting sports. I just need some of the structure of cowboy shooting.

Thanks for that info too, Sig...
 
Garand said:
Shooting Cowboy Action is actually safer than shooting IPSC. .
Click to expand...

Given the outstanding safety record of both sports...I think a more appropriate statement would be..."Cowboy Action is every bit as safe as IPSC" :p

Sorry for the thread drift...I couldn't help myself :evil:
 
If you can find a SASS member in your area that has taken the SASS RO2 course he or she is qualified to act as an instructor for the SASS RO1 course. The RO1 is a very rudimentary CAS safety and familiarity course. The RO2 is much more indepth however there are only a handful of instructors in Canada that are qualified by SASS to act as RO2 instructors. (I only know of 2 in Western Canada.) All SASS Territorial Governors must be RO2 qualified so if you check the TG list on the SASS home page you may find somebody from your area.
Hope this helps.
 
SASS/IPSC rule books are great baseline guides for organizers of matches to utilize. Both books cover virtually every conceivable aspect of the two sports. In the case of major awards (cash, firearms, high value items) being presented for a match, these manuals are needed in order to ensure that all competitors are playing on an even and equal basis. Organizers who are sponsoring matches on a local or even regional level and have limited resources to invest in high value prizes may find the rule books rather cumbersome. In these cases the rule books are flexible enough to ensure the matches are enjoyable and safe to all in attendance.
The baseline concept of organizing and sponsoring shooting events, in general, is the promotion of the shooting sport, and to introduce new firearms owners to the enjoyment and fun of casual informal competition.
Cheers
 
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HOWDY; If you read and follow the SASS rules ,you will have a safe and fun time. After being part of cowboy shooting for 20 years and shooting from here to RATON New Mexico I feel a IPSC or PPC course does not make a better cowboy shooter . As there is many limits on what you can do when you have a loaded gun in hand it is more a "stand and deliver " type of shooting .
Loading and unloading table at each stage properly maned will give all a warm and safe felling.
I have lost count of the number of first time CAS shoot at this club I have attened. All were safely done , Many with limted props ( a chair and a bail of hay )
Fear of the unknowen seems to be more of a issue than the match ,
Most club matchs are a lot more relaxing than the state and region champion matchs but no less safe as they all follow the same rules and procedure .
Keep the stages simple ,straight forward , clear written out instructions on each stage .
PRIZES, this is Cowboy action shooting. WE DO NOT NEED NO STINKING PRIZES ! Luck of the draw gifts are well that is OK .
 
Vicious
I agree that CAS matches run under SASS rules are inherently safe. However, as explained in the SASS Range Operations course, CAS ROs or timer operators help to guide a shooter safely through the course of fire. This is not true of IPSC or other shooting sports that I am aware of. First time CAS shooters should not be a problem, but in my opinion ROs and timer operators should have some familiarity with the SASS RO course.
 
Howdy , Mr Lefty.
Yes the RO courses are needed by at at least a few at each match to help others .I and Lilabell are RO1 certified . There are others who are RO2 and TG in Ontario so we are well covered. I would love to be able to shoot a match in Nova Scotia .
 
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