Thinking about 'cowboy action'- what rifle?

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Hi folks....what are people using for this?

I'd like a lever action in 38/357, but think I read that some designs ONLY work with 357?

And I've only recently joined so I'm still waiting for EE access.

What rifles should I be considering?

Thanks!
 
My local Canadian tire is also a Winchester dealer so I got my 73 there. I'd look on the Winchester website to try and find your closest dealer. Or if you want a "race" ready uberti rifle check out rustywood.ca
 
James1873 said:
My local Canadian tire is also a Winchester dealer so I got my 73 there. I'd look on the Winchester website to try and find your closest dealer. Or if you want a "race" ready uberti rifle check out rustywood.ca
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Hmmm... never really thought about Cdn Tire for that -thanks!
 
Honestly, if you're just getting into the sport, I'd suggest a less expensive option than a 73' or a 66' . Even though a slicked up, short stroked 73' in .38 is likely the fastest option, what you want is a dependable rifle that can teach you the skills to benefit from a better rifle. If you spend the extra money on ammo and practice you will likely get more benefit than if you just hop into a $2000 dollar gun. Another thing to think about is Wild Bunch, if you decide to shoot Wild Bunch you will need a rifle in .40 cal or above, so a .38 or .357 won't cut it. Personally I went with a 92 Rossi in .44 magnum and did a decent action job and haven't regretted it a bit.

More often than not, shooting well is more about the guy behind the gun and a bit less about the gun itself. You don't hop into a F1 car the day you get your drivers licence. Rossi's and Marlin's are among the most common guns at Cowboy Action Shoots, they are solid, reliable and inexpensive guns. All thats needed to make them race ready is a spring kit, a one piece firing pin for a marlin and some internal polishing. Just my opinion, Skokie.
 
Your financial limitations on starting the sport will set the parameters for what rifle to get.

There are basically 3 levels of financial involvement to consider...$1600-2000 for top of the line 73 Uberti or Miroku ...

$900-$1100 or so , a very "usable for serious competitions" Model 94 Marlin or 66 Win clone...

Under $900, bottom of the barrel, any of the 92 or 94 Win actions (ROSSI, Miroku etc.) Excellent guns for plinking or beginners that are there for the fun of just "doing it", and never plan on "getting better" and seriously competing in the sport.

I don't agree with the "start cheep" to learn on. Buy cheep only if that's the level were you want to continue competing at. The better guns for the sport will not deteriorate over time, they continue to work very well...its you who will get better with time using one, not as easily done with a gun that is prone to stove-piping and ejecting live rounds.
 
Having the rifle be the same caliber as your pistol is a consideration ie. 44-40, 45LC. Winchester model 92 or clone is slicker (and more authentic to the real lever action of the old west) than 94.

Model 73 is the real deal and can have a short-stroke toggle lock kit installed if you wind up becoming a real "contender".
 
Camp Cook said:
Go Marlin 1894 buy the best first.
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Marlins are a really good choice, the old ones are excellent, so far the newer ones I've seen are doing well too. The ones I would avoid are the Henry Big Boy rifles, I have seen a couple jam badly, and if nothing else they load from the muzzle like a .22 lr which can be an issue at some loading tables or if you have a reload on the clock.
 
I have one, they are nice looking, but keeping the gun pointed down range while you are filling the mag tube can be a pain. The traditional loading gate is much better
 
fingers284 said:
Your financial limitations on starting the sport will set the parameters for what rifle to get....
I don't agree with the "start cheep" to learn on. Buy cheep only if that's the level were you want to continue competing at. The better guns for the sport will not deteriorate over time, they continue to work very well...its you who will get better with time using one, not as easily done with a gun that is prone to stove-piping and ejecting live rounds.
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Thanks to all for their suggestions.

I tend to be a 'cry once buy once' shopper so now I've got a lot to think about.
 
I had a Marlin Cowboy when they first came out. It was perfect for CAS and very good quality. I won several matches with it.

But I was swayed into trading it on a Uberti 1873. It is a beautiful rifle but if I had it to do over again I would stay with the Marlin.
 
southwest maddog said:
I had a Marlin Cowboy when they first came out. It was perfect for CAS and very good quality. I won several matches with it.

But I was swayed into trading it on a Uberti 1873. It is a beautiful rifle but if I had it to do over again I would stay with the Marlin.
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Would an 1894CSS- stainless- be out of place?

Hate to say it but I'm really starting to like stainless firearms for reduced maintenance.
 
Stainless is fine for SASS, the only consideration is that if it's really shiny it can be hard to pick up the sights at outdoor matches, not the end of the world though. If you go to http://www.sassnet.com/Shooters-Handbook-001A.php and download the shooters handbook, it has all the Firearms Conventions and Requirements which for the most part any small club matches follow, and definitely the large SASS Sanctioned matches do follow. Lots of helpful info in there on all aspects of the game. If you do get a Marlin make sure to install a one piece firing pin and some lighter springs, makes a world of difference.
 
I shoot a Uberti Henry , The front end loading is not an issue for me. On the line reloading is likely a little slower than the side loading gate. I find the rare times when an on the stage reload is required is is usually only one and I drop it in from the top rather then going to the tube. I know a couple of cowboy's who have short stroked the Henry's. But it would take more than a short stroke kit to make me a winner LOL. I have a 66 and a Marlin as well but I think the Henry is very traditional which is why I also shoot a hammer double shotgun. Cowboy shooting is TRADITION.
 
I started shooting in local CAS matches about 10 months ago after a 25 yr absence from the world of firearms. My first rifle was a Chiappa 92 in .357 which would NOT cycle .38sp rounds and my USFA revolvers would ONLY shoot .38s so I took 2 types of ammo to matches. Not a big deal but a little less convenient. As my technique improved and I got some experience I moved from the bottom of the pack in each match to the middle of the pack (ie something like 10th out a field of 20 or so).

I didn't really feel that my guns were holding me back except for the occasional jammed or jacked round when I was careless operating the 92 or trying to run it too quickly.

I then had the chance to buy a Uberti '73 that came out of Longhunter's shop , short stroked and slicked action and suddenly it was raining brass!!! The difference was amazing!

On good days I can now finish in the top 4th of the pack pretty constantly. In large part that's due to better technique and being more relaxed I'm sure, but my new rifle has definitely helped. So much of the CAS game (like all shooting sports ) is a mental game and having confidence in your equipment is key to staying focused.
 
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