Cowboy Action Shooting (TM) is a multifaceted international shooting sport in which contestants compete with firearms typical of those used in the taming of the Old West: single action revolvers, lever action rifles and side-by-side double barreled, pre -1899 pump or lever action shotguns.
The shooting competition is staged in a unique, characterized, "Old West" style. Contestants shoot in several one- to four-gun stages (courses of fire) in which they engage reactive steel and cardboard silhuette targets. Scoring is based on accuracy and speed. The truly unique aspect of Cowboy Action Shooting (tm) is the requirement placed on authentic period or western screen dress. Each participant is required to adopt a shooting alias appropriate to a character or profession of the late 19th centruy, or a Hollywood western star, and develop a costume accordingly.
There are four major categories in Cowboy Action competition based on the type of revolver and shooting style:
1. Tradition/Modern: competitors use a two-hand hold firing either fixed-sight or adjustable-sight revolvers.
2. Duelist: the revolver is drawn and fired with one hand.
3. Gunfighter: competitors may shoot with two revolvers simultaneously, one in each hand.
4. Black powder (Fronteirsman or Frontier Cartridge): Blackpowder is used in all fireamrs.
Shooting categories may also be broken down by gender, age, and costuming requirements.
Copyright 2006-2008 Oregon State
Shooting Association