Any o' ya'll familiar with NCOWS?

[Three Foot Johnson]

On the "Approved List" is, "Marlin '94 and '95's if they retain the same appearance as the originals prior to 1899, and as long as they are chambered in approved calibers/cartridges and safe in operation."

 

On the "Unapproved List" is, "Henry Big Boy and all other side eject models."

The Winchester M94AE is also specifically disallowed.

 

I guess this is meant to mean, "all other side eject models not on the approved list"...?

 

The Great Kornak predicts the first reply will say, "Why don't you ask someone over there?"

 

NCOWS appears to be active in only 12 states, and there's no forum such as this to ask dumb questions.

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

J Bar, check out CAS City ~ http://www.cascity.com/

 

Click on "Forums" and you'll find a NCOWS page.   

 

 

[Pat Riot]

Pssst...Hey Buddy, Yeah you, c’mere...this guy Kornak gave me two bits to come over here and tell ya to call this number...whatever that means...

319-277-6839

[Father Kit Cool Gun Garth]

OK, I'll bite.

Never having heard of NCOWS, I looked it up on GOOGLE and found it stands for, National Congress of Old West Shootists. 

Learn something new every day. 

I had to laugh at my first attempt as I inadvertently forgot the "S", and got the definition of NCOW, which is National Coming Out Week! 

 

[Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life]

They generally are more strict of attire, guns and accessories. Much more "period correct" in their rules.

[Sedalia Dave]

I shoot with a NCOWS club and have just as much fun as I do shooting SASS. The people are just a great as SASS.

 

NCOWS puts more emphasis on looking more period correct. Both in clothing and firearms.

 

I find NCOWS matches are a lot closer to the SASS matches of old that I hear so much about and that at least some SASS shooters wish would come back.

Short strokes are not allowed and miss penalties are 10 seconds vice 5. Pistol targets are further away and smaller. Rifle targets are a lot further away.

 

NCOWS has categories for 2, 3, or 4 guns and if you do not have all the required clothing / approved firearms most clubs have a generous grace period.

 

BTW NCOWS is not now nor has it ever been in competition with SASS. It is a shooting sport for people that want something a little different. 

[Sedalia Dave]

9 hours ago, J Bar Binks, #47015 said:

On the "Approved List" is, "Marlin '94 and '95's if they retain the same appearance as the originals prior to 1899, and as long as they are chambered in approved calibers/cartridges and safe in operation."

 

On the "Unapproved List" is, "Henry Big Boy and all other side eject models."

The Winchester M94AE is also specifically disallowed.

 

I guess this is meant to mean, "all other side eject models not on the approved list"...?

 

The Great Kornak predicts the first reply will say, "Why don't you ask someone over there?"

 

NCOWS appears to be active in only 12 states, and there's no forum such as this to ask dumb questions.

 

The only side eject rifle models approved are the Marlin 1893, 1894 and 1895 that have the square bolt.  Marlins with a round bolt (Current production 1895s,  36A, 366s) are not period correct and are not allowed. The 94AE is different from original 94s in that it has been designed to eject cartridges at an angle to accommodate optics. About the only non-period correct firearm allowed is the Ruger Vaquero.  

[DocWard]

2 hours ago, Father Kit Cool Gun Garth said:

OK, I'll bite.

Never having heard of NCOWS, I looked it up on GOOGLE and found it stands for, National Congress of Old West Shootists. 

Learn something new every day. 

I had to laugh at my first attempt as I inadvertently forgot the "S", and got the definition of NCOW, which is National Coming Out Week! 

 

 

I will say one thing, coffee does a fine job cleaning a computer screen. Definitely a big difference there!

 

If there were an NCOWS group close by me, I think I'd give them a look. They seem to be closer to the "reenactment" end of the spectrum, so I can't say if I would like it or not. A bit of variety can be a good thing once in awhile, though.

[Warden Callaway]

 

[Three Foot Johnson]

There's also another one called Western Action Shootists Association/WASA. Even more obscure... maybe even defunct now.

[Willy B.SASS#26902]

We used to have OWSA (Old West Shootist Assn.) They used to put on a match with 32 stages at Raton, Nm.  It purty much went away when Bill Hahn passed.

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

Went to the NCOWS convention last week in Davenport, Iowa. They have a great swap meet in the Radisson Hotel. We were there to look for some cowboy clothing and other old west goodies. Went last year but brought young grandchildren who were quickly bored. We always found great bargains by folks who actually make clothing for about half of what you would pay online. And found some good stuff this year also. We never concealed our SASS affiliation, and were warmly welcomed. This year one NCOWS lady vendor was kind of uncomfortable that we were SASS folks. She said SASS people always made fun of NCOWS people, calling them stitch counters, etc. Shortcake and I told her that we have never heard derogatory words about their group, either at matches or here on the wire. We told here we were all on the same page with having fun recreating a historical period in American history. She nodded politely, but I again said we are more alike than we are apart, and small differences are what make each group a bit more interesting. NCOWS are good people. If you get a chance to visit their convention in Davenport next year, I highly recommend it.

[Michigan Bar, SASS #31921]

17 hours ago, J Bar Binks, #47015 said:

There's also another one called Western Action Shootists Association/WASA. Even more obscure... maybe even defunct now.

I believe you are correct about this group being defunct. I was a member at one time. Never found a local group to shoot with, but they had very good monthly or maybe quarterly publication. More like reenactors that also shot.

[Rye Miles #13621]

Now that I've switched to .357/.38 and ALL my guns are slicked up I guess I'll never attend a NCOWS match. I don't think there's any in Ohio anyway!

 

Oh well.......SASS is more fun!!!!

[DocWard]

1 hour ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

Now that I've switched to .357/.38 and ALL my guns are slicked up I guess I'll never attend a NCOWS match. I don't think there's any in Ohio anyway!

 

Oh well.......SASS is more fun!!!!

 

.357/.38 is legal if loaded to "black powder velocities." I'm guessing yours are short-stroked as opposed to just tuned. The nearest group that I see is over in eastern Indiana, about an hour and a half from me, so several hours from you.

As for SASS being more fun, I can't speak from experience, but I'm more than happy here, with no plans to change.

[Sedalia Dave]

 

I have found both are equally fun. While you will not see any 11 second stages you will see a lot of people that can actually shoot accurately and in some cases quite fast. I know several NCOWS shooters that could give the vast majority of SASS shooters a run for their money.

Just my opinion but I have found NCOWS is a lot more about the camaraderie and a shared love of period firearms and a whole lot less about the competition. 

 

One thing you will see at an NCOWS match that is decidedly lacking at most SASS matches are people shooting actual period firearms and not reproductions. You also see a lot more firearms chambered in 44-40 and 45 Colt. Within the group I shoot with, all other calibers out number .38/357 shooters by at least 3-1.  BP loads that have any thing in the case except more BP are the exception rather than the rule. Oh and mousefart loads are non-existant. Style points really mean something in NCOWS.

 

The above video makes fun of the shooter because of how he chose to shoot the match. Yet I bet he had as much or more fun than anyone else at the match. I also bet he shot a clean match including hitting all the rifle targets with C&B pistols. 

 

I actually feel sorry for those that make fun of him for how he chose to shoot the match his way. Doesn't say much for the SASS cowboy way now does it.

 

 

[Sedalia Dave]

2 hours ago, DocWard said:

 

.357/.38 is legal if loaded to "black powder velocities." I'm guessing yours are short-stroked as opposed to just tuned. The nearest group that I see is over in eastern Indiana, about an hour and a half from me, so several hours from you.

As for SASS being more fun, I can't speak from experience, but I'm more than happy here, with no plans to change.

 

Doc, if you ever get the chance I would make the trip. I'll bet you find it is worth it.

[DocWard]

5 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

Doc, if you ever get the chance I would make the trip. I'll bet you find it is worth it.

I  barely get the time and money to get to SASS matches. All I need is another!

[Wapaloosie73]

I like the historical camping aspect of it as well.

[J-BAR #18287]

Double M Cowboys is an NCOWS affiliate that shares the Outlaw Range with the Southern Missouri Rangers.  Many of the SASS SMR Rangers also belong to the MM  Cowboys club.  The NCOWS Convention has been held in Springfield and its true that the conventioneers are terrific folks.  

 

MM Cowboys must be a “Reform” NCOWS club rather than an Orthodox club, because they allow SASS guns to be used in their matches.  Their Annual match will be on April 7, and I’m sure they would be delighted to have SASS members attend.  Targets will be small and far, however, and NCOWS categories will be used rather than SASS categories.  

 

Just another way to have fun with cowboy guns.

[John William McCandles #963]

All I shoot is NCOWS, great set of folks. Sierra Sue and I were at the convention in Davenport the weekend before last. We gather once a year for the trade show and to hold Congress, which is where new rules are voted on by the senators and posse representatives, elected by the NCOWS membership.

There is a posse near Elizabethtown Kentucky of which I am the Marshall. We have our monthly matches on the 3rd Saturday of the month starting in April, we also host the eastern regional the last weekend of September. Our website is at www.jcrangers.org . Also we have a posse near Martinsville, Indiana the Scarlet Mask Vigilance Society, their info can be found at www.ncows.org .

 

The shooter in the posted video is a member of the Johnson County Rangers, the video was shot at Hootin' Hollar near McKee Ky.

 

Regards

JW McCandles

[Brimstone Bill Willson]

For another similar organisation how about the Grand Army of the Frontier GOF:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyQ6BP2iZgE&list=PL3RChRKXZ0aW74y_obJnU9iR6fWUc3yMl&index=28

5:00 stages seem to be the average.

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

1 hour ago, Brimstone Bill Willson said:

For another similar organisation how about the Grand Army of the Frontier GOF:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyQ6BP2iZgE&list=PL3RChRKXZ0aW74y_obJnU9iR6fWUc3yMl&index=28

5:00 stages seem to be the average.

 

That is plumb cool ~ but it would drive some "speedy" fellas I know absolutely nuts!  

[Three Foot Johnson]

That would make for a long match, but I'd give it a try.

[Matthew Duncan]

On 3/24/2018 at 12:29 AM, J Bar Binks, #47015 said:

Any o' ya'll familiar with NCOWS?

 

When SASS started moving in a direction contrary to why I had joined SASS I researched my options and learned of NCOWS.  My SASS firearms and "getup" all matched NCOWS requirements.  Sent my membership dues and studied their magazines.  Closest club was a 3 1/2 hour ride and on a Sunday, bummer.  Early one Sunday morning I loaded up Gray and headed south.   TomTom my Indian guide said, "You have arrived."  I'm out in the middle of nowhere in front of a private house with a old barn behind.  Well I'm a thinking I wrote down the address wrong so I drive several miles until I get a bar on my smart phone.  No I wrote down the right address.  TomTom gets confused sometimes so I'll try coming down the trail from a different direction..."You have arrived."  I'm in front of the same private house with the barn.  It is now pass the starting time for the NCOWS match so I roll down a window and listen,  no gunfire can be heard.  I drive back towards civilization until I get 2 bars on the phone.  Web lookup for the Match Directors phone number and call it, "Number is no longer in service..."  3 1/2 hour ride plus another hour looking for the match I turn towards home.  8 hours after I left home I'm back home.  Monday I email the Match Directer.  He's been ill and hasn't been to a match for several years.  Website hadn't been up dated with his new cell phone number, there use to be a sign in the ditch line and oh by the way.  That private house TomTom took me too?  I should have pulled in the house drive, follow the path back to the barn and then I would have seen the trail that lead back into the woods to the match. 

 

Mental note to self.  The next time I attended a new club I should call ahead.

 

Then Cutter's Raiders was going to sponsor a NCOWS club which only be a hour from home.  I was still current on my NCOWS membership so I agreed to be an  "Officer" so we could become sanctioned with NCOWS.  Didn't catch on and the attempt ended that first summer.

 

And that folks is about all I know about NCOWS.  Now aren't you sorry you asked?

[Assassin]

I went to an NCOWS match. The guy in charge was telling us all the stuff we couldn't wear or shoot. Standing there admiring his vest, I noticed the Buffalo nickel buttons. Buffalo nickels were made from 1913-1938. Being a perpetual smart ASSassin I questioned his attire, he got all butt hurt when I asked him if he was going to shoot while wearing that vest and started making excuses. We shot, we had fun, we never went back.

[El Hombre Sin Nombre]

I don't know of any around me or I would go.

[HossMunny]

1 hour ago, Redwood Kid said:

I don't know of any around me or I would go.

My wife and I as well.  Closest one is about an 8 hr drive!

[Wapaloosie73]

10 hours ago, Assassin said:

I went to an NCOWS match. The guy in charge was telling us all the stuff we couldn't wear or shoot. Standing there admiring his vest, I noticed the Buffalo nickel buttons. Buffalo nickels were made from 1913-1938. Being a perpetual smart ASSassin I questioned his attire, he got all butt hurt when I asked him if he was going to shoot while wearing that vest and started making excuses. We shot, we had fun, we never went back.

 

In reenacting the line in the sand, somewhere, somehow, must be drawn. What’s even more difficult in cowboy reenacting is that it’s civilian attire. Military reenacting is usually pretty cut and dried. Units looked the same....especially in more modern times say WW2 versus the Civil War.

 

I don’t think many of us would enjoy watching Saving Private Ryan while Tom Hanks was wearing Jungle boots and carrying a M14 because some costume manager was like “Meh....close enough”. Thankfully films and reenactors are getting better all the time.

 

I think you made a mistake. You obviously have an eye for detail and would have been an asset to the group if you had joined!

[Wapaloosie73]

 

[John William McCandles #963]

NCOWS allows local posses to pretty much run their local monthly matches as they see fit,as longs as the sanctioned classes are offered. We at JCR will allow new or visiting shooters to use their firearms and dress as best they can, with the understanding that what they are using or wearing may not be allowed at a regional or national match. NCOWS allows one year to get your outfit together. Local posses are also allowed to offer other classes besides the sanctioned classes.

If you have many like mined shooters in your area you can start a posse, The information on minimum number of members for a posse is in the tally book which can be found on the NCOWS website.

 

Regards

JW

[Assassin]

6 hours ago, Wapaloosie73 said:

 

In reenacting the line in the sand, somewhere, somehow, must be drawn. What’s even more difficult in cowboy reenacting is that it’s civilian attire. Military reenacting is usually pretty cut and dried. Units looked the same....especially in more modern times say WW2 versus the Civil War.

 

I don’t think many of us would enjoy watching Saving Private Ryan while Tom Hanks was wearing Jungle boots and carrying a M14 because some costume manager was like “Meh....close enough”. Thankfully films and reenactors are getting better all the time.

 

I think you made a mistake. You obviously have an eye for detail and would have been an asset to the group if you had joined!

I go to shoot, not to reenact. We wear proper attire for SASS everyday in Wyoming. 

[Badlands Bob #61228]

If they shot NCOWS in my area, I would give it a try.  I'd have to read up on the rules and check the gunsafe to see if I can scrounge up some legal guns.  I may have to add some more powder to my 38 spl. loads to reach the targets.

[Sixgun Sheridan]

21 hours ago, Assassin said:

I went to an NCOWS match. The guy in charge was telling us all the stuff we couldn't wear or shoot. Standing there admiring his vest, I noticed the Buffalo nickel buttons. Buffalo nickels were made from 1913-1938. Being a perpetual smart ASSassin I questioned his attire, he got all butt hurt when I asked him if he was going to shoot while wearing that vest and started making excuses. We shot, we had fun, we never went back.

 

11 hours ago, Wapaloosie73 said:

In reenacting the line in the sand, somewhere, somehow, must be drawn.

 

I agree. Beside the Buffalo nickels he might have been wearing Calvin Klein underwear as well. Fortunately we'll never know...

 

Looking at their rules I find it interesting that the Miroku 1873 Winchesters are not allowed, yet the reproduction S&W Schofields with the frame-mounted firing pin are. (scratches head...)

.

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

4 hours ago, Assassin said:

I go to shoot, not to reenact. We wear proper attire for SASS everyday in Wyoming. 

Yes sir you do!  We have a son in the USAF at F.E. Warren AFB, and plan on going to Hell on Wheels and visit the base. We were out there once for a day to drive his car home while he did a year in South Korea at Osan. But he is back and we are excited to make the trip.