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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 silhouette 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 century, 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 (Frontiersman or Frontier Cartridge):
Blackpowder is used in all firearms.
Shooting categories may also be broken down by gender, age, and
costuming requirements.
