Who Was Your First?..... The First Cowboy....??

[Jim No Horse]

I ever met at a match was Dutch Van Horn. Always cool, always friendly, always dressed to the nines, guns to die for. I am piling my gear on the ground like some cartoon character building a funeral pyre when I hear, Would you like to share my cart? What a good idea I thought .....LOL...

[Buckaroo Bubba]

I don't remember the first person I met but the first two I will never forget were Split Rail and Stone Creek Drifter. Love those guys. I would have never been involved as long as I have if it were not for those two! I owe them A LOT!

[M.T Chambers, SASS#76185]

After shooting rifles at TCSC one day I saw two guys practicing on the action bays. I told my buddy that I wanted to go watch them and asked them if they minded if I watched,

"Oh no, try on the holsters and guns" say Asesino Scott and Antonio Bandito, that was 2007.

I gathered up all the equipment and went to my first match and had Humphrey Hook for my TO, I've "Luvved My Shotgun" ever since

 

MTC

[Jefro, SASS#69420]

Our first experience was at "The Carolina Belle's Bust Out" and their new shooter clinic. The instructors were Pretty Penny and Outlaw Joe Wales. The first shooters to come up and introduce themselves and offer some tips were J Mark Flint and Bat Masterson. Both were very helpful, and a couple of years later J Mark helped me out when we started shooting BP. If you ever see Bat Masterson he looks almost identical to the real one A big Thank You to all the folks that helped us alone the way.....Good Luck

 

JefroRelax-Enjoy

 

[Outrider Outlaw]

Went to what was billed as a practice at a local club that doesn't do matches but has a few cowboys.  We (the wife and I) wanted to see what it was about.  Cool Hand Carl, Boss Wheelwright and Dickie Dooright welcomed us and put guns in our hands to give it a try.  Well, you all know the rest of the story.

[Circuit Rider Jeff]

It was April 2016 when I ventured out to see the Elstonville Hombres shoot their monthly match. It was my first ever experience with cowboy action shooting, never in my life have I come across such a welcoming group of people and that continues everywhere I get to shoot to this day. A man stepped out to greet me that first day named "Lothario Rider" he said his friends call him "Lo", he pulled his pistols and long guns out and placed them in my hands gently showing me how they operate the best. Our friend Lo passed away this last fall and though I'm greatly saddened by his passing, I consider it an honor to have known and been able to shoot with him. Mostly I will try to Carry on the warm inviting cowboy way I was shown by him and his pards. Thanks Lo

[M D Lancaster]

Circuit Rider 

Nice tribute The cowboys we meet make interesting impressions on us

 It was a cold and dreary February day that I ventured out to an Indoor Shoot 

I saw a cowboy sitting at a table and he quickly said a warm hello That was All it took from there I was looking,touching and shooting guns of multiple cowboys and cowgirls

He really took me under his wing ,as did his wife Annie Dote They have guided me through buying my first set of guns ,helped me with my costuming and continued to instruct me in SASS

They have introduced me to so many other SASS shooters and continue to be my role models ,in this great game

 

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

2002 at Eastern Ontario Shooting Club; Rev. Damon Fire walked me through a stage using my 1858 C&B, an 1892 Rossi Puma and his loaner 1875

Thanks Mark for the great times.

[Matthew Duncan]

Midnite Desperado.  Son and I drove through a snow storm to watch a Cutter's Raiders match.  We stayed for the complete match, afterwards Midnite introduced himself, answered our questions and let the son fire Midnite's pistols.    

[Trailrider #896]

"Cathouse Bill" Blattler not only was my first contact with CAS, but was the pioneer introducing CAS along the Front Range of Colorado, more than twenty years ago.  Bill was always willing to let you try guns, and had a lot of tips on shooting.  He founded the Colorado Shaketail Shooters, and demonstrated the sport to a large number of formative clubs along the Front Range.  Sadly, Bill, "crossed the Divide" several years ago.  I miss him.

[Marauder SASS #13056]

A Boy Named Sue.

 

What a great character!

[Bullett Sass 19707]

Cowtown,  in Mountain Home Idaho at the first shoot they ever did.  Smokin Oregon and I had one pistol each, a rifle between us and a shotgun between us.   That was 1992 and I am still shooting.  Bullett 19707

[Griff]

Ran into a fellar what went by Hangfire Hank at the local gun club... gave me directions and instructions on what to bring.  1st "cowboy" I met was either some silly cowpoke named "Tex", or a serious looking character named "Judge Roy Bean"... I believe it was Hipshot who loaned me a mdl '92 Winchester as my mdl 94 in .30-30, even with it's downloaded lead bullets, had been recently deemed illegal as a main match rifle!  I don't even think they'd even thought about starting SASS back then!  Oh, the changes that have been made!

[Joe LaFives #5481]

The Fixer and City Slicker.  Ran into them at Rio Salado in 1994, I'd brought an 1860 Army and a Ruger Blackhawk to shoot.  It was team match day and I shot with them as they loaned me pistols, rifle and shotgun.  The Fixer still shoots and is on the Winter Range Board with me.  City Slicker has not participated for quite a long time but was one of the original ACSA board members from the early 80's. 

[Hoss]

First match, I hear from across the parking area "find looking pair of pistols you got there" Verdadero Dan.  He is now my traveling partner, we've put many a mile on my truck driving to matches all around the Lone Star state. We have solved most of the worlds problems, if only the world would listen! 

 

Then there was the time I pulled into a match and hear a voice that sounded like a 1963 gravel truck with no muffler holler " Is that you Hoss"? None other than Jim No Horse.  Jim and I hit it off, and have been trading insults ever since.  I'm honored to call him friend (but I ain't sayin that to his face!) 

[Rance - SASS # 54090]

Second Chance.. 2003

He had bugged me for years to come out and join them..

I never did until the fall of 2003..

He furnished (shared) his pistols, rifle, leather, shotgun and all the ammo..

We shot 6 stages at the River City Regulators in Chillicothe, IL.

LOVED IT!!

That winter I traded and purchased all my guns.. '66 Yellowboy, pair of Vaquero's,

a Stoeger 12 ga. SxS, Kirkpatrick Leather,  A reloader.. Dillon 550?.

Primers, brass, powder and bullets..

I hit the ground running the Spring of 2004..

My first match that Spring.. My loading gate broke on my '66..  

this fellow walked over and started taking my '66 apart.. 

I thought to myself who the heck is this guy..

I was told "That's Spur" (you know Spur's Short Strokes)

He invited me to bring my rifle to his home next weekend

and he'd fix my loading gate (reinforce it) 

My wife ( Sharon aka Lacey Corsette now) went with me over to Spur's home.... We met Uh Oh there..

We've been good friends ever since..

 

Rance.

Thinkin' I was a lucky dog..  

[Jim No Horse]

I think what is great about our game is that these stories come from alll parts of our country....Now Hoss....my voice sounds like what??? LOL

[Lee Ridgeway]

It was  June 2014 at the Westshore Posse match that my daughter, now "Killer Rabbit", and I met our first Cowboy "Most Wanted". We were already members of the main club and decided to check out Cowboy Action on a trip to the range. We were there about 5 minutes when "Most Wanted" saw us and came over and explained the game and even offered to let us try it  after the match. From that point we were hooked and along the way have met a lot of great Cowboys and Cowgirls that we now call friends. 

[Captain Bill Burt]

Easy Rider, then MD for Doc Holliday's Immortals.  He spent an afternoon teaching me the finer points of CAS.

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

The first cowboy I met was Hubby, Jess Brown, who started shooting several years before me. The first match (annual) I attended (not a shooter yet) was High Sierra. The first match I shot was Murieta Posse at Sacramento Valley Shooting Center. The first annual I shot (my third match) was Arroyo Cantua, hosted by The California Rangers, at the Van Vleck Ranch.

[Raincrow]

I'm still real new but have to give a tip of the hat to the folks I met at a wet cold RUCAS shoot in February. Lawbreaker, from the Cascade Ghost riders has been very helpful and on the phone, in Email and at the wet meet I made. I had hoped to see them this weekend but am getting over an awful cold Flu and wouldn't wish it on anyone except enemies. I feel encouraged by the overall camaraderie. Too bad I missed today, it's been our first nice day in a long time.

[Jonah Hex SASS Life #127]

True story-

 

My dad had seen an article in Guns & Ammo about EoT & wanted me to find out more. I called the number & spoke to Dave Britton (RJ Poteet). He tells me how they have their monthly shoot at Coto de Caza & to come on out.

i show up with a Rossi 92 to just observe & report back to my dad.

 

This ol' cowboy comes up to me & asks why I "ain't shooting"? When I told him I was just there to look, he says "nope, we need to get you shooting!" He takes me over to his BMW 2002, sizes me up, gives me a gun belt & 2 pistols, a side by side, & says "bring these back when you're done!"

 

Turns out he calls himself Tex...

[Keystone, SASS # 47578]

Howdy,

TN Hawk aka Jim Hawkins was the first CAS/SASS person I met. I did the purchasing for a business and he was the sales rep for one of our vendors. I had seen a poster at a local gun store promoting CAS/SASS but never pursued checking it out. One day Jim mentioned he was going to a shooting match. It was on the 2nd weekend in July 2002 that I attended my first match. I had a terrific day watching the Smoky Mtn. Shootist Society's July 2002 match. Even with a torrential downpour with water rushing through one of the stages these cowboys persisted. On the second weekend of October 2002 I shot my first match. Hawk & I became good pards and have traveled together ever since. Due to health issues Hawk has retired from shooting but we are still close friends. We visit weekly and occasionally he will ride with me to a match to visit with his ole' cowboy & cowgirl friends. Today is Hawks birthday, HAPPY BITRHDAY PARD !!

 

Hasta Luego, Keystone

[Turkey Creek Red, SASS # 22854]

It was Dec 1998, Just Wild Bill was the TO. Myself and Night Train Kate went to watch the cowboys in Palm Bay. The wife was fascinated with the prop and the shooting. After the posse finished the stage, he stayed behind and let her shoot the stage, using his guns. We both were hooked at that point. We have met many cowboys since, but in my opinion, none could be any better at exuding the cowboy way.

[Sgt. Chesty SASS # 73317]

My dad back in 1987...he shot at the club that was at the Chabot shooting club in northern CA. When I finally started the first I met was Sunshine Kay at the ACSA annual match....

[Isom Dart, SASS#8096]

I'd read about SASS, and tried to get some of my shooter friends at work to get a club started about this thing I read about in one of my shooting/gun magazines for about 6 mos, .... no takers ,,, gave up. That was in the spring of '95. At a gun show one weekend, I see this couple dressed cowboy with a marshall's pin on his hat talking to a guy for a few minutes. I wait,, listening to everything and when he finally got through ,, before he could say anything, I asked : are you one of those SASS guys ? He says "yep, and I'm trying to start a club". I cut him off , didn't need to hear any more, gave him my info told him to call me. Kind of forgot about it, then ,,6mos. later got a call from "Dixie Brick" the founding member of the Lonesome Valley Regulators of Macon, Ga. That was in Nov. or Dec. of '95, 1st match was in Jan '96. I had 1 rifle, 1 pistol(both 44-40), my hammered D/B 12ga and a SASS number. Loved every minute in SASS,,, except the digital edition of the Chronical  (still like paper, old school) Been shooting ever since,, except only once in the past 18 mos. medical issues. SASS is one big "A" family for me. I've met a lot of brothers, sisters and cousins in 20+ yrs. Still havin' fun, just ain't shootin' as much.

Shoot safe,

Isom

 

 

 

 

[Four Bucks #36386 Life]

When I found this game I was lucky enough to be found by Yukon Marshal and Oracle.  I wandered into an Alaska 49ers match and they gave me a lot of early guidance and advice.  Luckily, I was able to shake that off and move on!  That was a hunnert years ago and they are both still close friends, even from long distance.  Just two of so many great folks that I wouldn't know if not for cowboy action shooting.  Yee Haw!!

 

Four Bucks

[High Spade Mikey Wilson]

Back around 2010 or so I stopped by my local club during a monthly cowboy shoot to see what this was all about. A big man with a beard and a smile by the name of Trusty Sidekick walked over to me to talk about the sport. I fell in love with it, jumped right in with two feet and never looked back. To this day good ol'Trusty and I are friends. I now run the monthly shoots at my club, and Trusty does so at his. We go to each others monthly events and RO together. I haven't even mentioned all the other friendly pards I've met.....

[Hawkshaw Fred SASS #36811]

I had been a SASS member for a little while but never been to a match. My brother and I rode our motorcycles to Ft. Parker just to watch. We watched the long range shooting from the blockhouse and saw a cowboy slightly cut his hand on his way down. Through all the usual guff among cowboys, his name was mentioned (real name) and he was the man that a mutual friend had been trying to get us together because of our mutual love of the shooting sports. I introduced myself and we had lunch together---A couple of weeks later he invited me to go to a match with him. My junk shotgun lasted less than one stage so he hands me a Browning SxS to finish the match. We have been shooting together ever since. Though he is only about 5 years older than me, a year or so back I won a Regional Sr. Gunfighter category and as I came back, he stood up and hugged me and told me how proud he was of me. I normally don't believe in such, but I KNOW my father was channeling thru him that night. (I lost my dad before I ever started cowboy shooting). A good shooter, a great gunsmith and competitor and a "Man to ride the river with"---Oh, who is this guy? Fred Bursey AKA Goatneck Clem! 

[DocWard]

Let me think... The first was Mean Gun Mark, followed by Ruger Ray and Lassiter. All have been amazing, treating me as a friend from the outset. 

[Jim No Horse]

I had heard of Goatneck Clem and wanted to meet him someday. Was shooting Plum Creek and working the unloading table when a cowboy I did not know but who had been helpful all day came to the table. I stuck out my hand and said Jim No Horse...he said Goatneck Clem....what a nice fellow...he is a gunsmith magician in my book. I was honored to meet him. ....Jim....we are lucky to have guys like him playing our game....

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

A fellow named Cimarron Dean was running CAS matches just after a modern action pistol match I shot regularly.  When I visited the CAS match CD explained how the match worked.  Within a few months I had guns and shot with the CAS group.  Cimarron Dean and Garrison Joe were the first CAS shooters I met.  CD has stopped shooting CAS.  GJ is doing very well in Wild Bunch.  I regret that most of the older shooters I started with have stopped shooting due to their age. 

[Mack Hacker, #60477]

I have answered this before, but is probably worth repeating.  When my old shooting partner, Sawdust Joe and I showed up green at our first match, we were immediately greeted in the parking lot by Gunzilla and I am still around

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

The first Cowboy I ever met was ,

The Man The Myth The Legend  Deuce Stevens .

He was working at a Gander Mountain store .

I was buying a Winchester 9422 and we struck up a conversation about Cowboy guns.

Deuce asked me if I ever heard of SASS or Cowboy shooting 

I said No .

We went over to a computer and he showed me.

Deuce said there is a shoot this weekend at Rockford.

I should come check it out .

Well I did and the rest is history .

I had everything I needed to join already except a cart.

That weekend My friend helped me build a cart.

And the next weekend I was shooting .

Thank you Deuce !