Shotgun -Pistol - Rifle Top SASS Picks

[Oregon Ace]

Tell me what all you would choose for your top pick of  Shotgun/Pistol/ Rifle knowing what you now know. 

Not looking for picks just because it is a budget Firearm. Quality and performance preferred

Who all sells tuned Firearms ready to go ?

Throw out your top picks and go!

 

[Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903]

Right now I’m shooting a Taylor’s (Uberti) 1873 rifle idle tuned by Reno Mustang. Ruger Bisley Vaqueros short-stroked by Shotgun Boogie. 12 gauge SKB originally tuned by Roughneck Rod, recently tuned up by Fast Eddie.

 

 Randy 

 

ps, I left out .357 (shooting 38’s)

[Badlands Bob #61228]

Uberti 73 in .357;   20 inch barrel;  short stroke kit and action job.

Ruger New Model Vaqueros in .357, 4 5/8" barrels; stainless; short stroked, action job, transfer bar removed, SBH hammers

SKB 100 or 200 in 12 gauge with a Fast Eddie action job.

[Major Crimes]

I am using, and happy with:

1. Uberti 1866 in 38spcl with short stroke and large bead front sight with the rear buckhorn sight milled flat.

2. Uberti short stroke pistols in .357 with 4 3/4" barrels

3. I have two SG- A Huglu SxS modified by a local gun smith (in Australia we dont have many specialists like you guys) and a Boito coach gun also with the usual mods.

I am happy with this set up and will likely just replace like for like but if I could get a SKB I would jump at the chance.

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

Take a look at Pioneer Gun Works in Springfield, OR.  They are in-state for you and sell parts to other smiths.

 

I have bought from Long Hunters in Amarillo, Johnny Meadows in Tuscon and The Cowboy Shop in West Virginia.  All sold good, well-tuned firearms.  BTW, you have some good bullet casters and leather dealers in the Northwet too.  You can meet them at SASS state matches and the NW Regional.

[Oregon Ace]

25 minutes ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

Take a look at Pioneer Gun Works in Springfield, OR.  They are in-state for you and sell parts to other smiths.

 

I have bought from Long Hunters in Amarillo, Johnny Meadows in Tuscon and The Cowboy Shop is West Virginia.  All sold good, well-tuned firearms.  BTW, you have some good bullet casters and leather dealers in the Northwet too.  You can meet them at SASS state matches and the NW Regional.

I planned on looking at Pioneer next time I went through Springfield, Thanks.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

OP, what works for us, may well not work for you.

Have you attended any shoots yet?

[Hoss]

Ruger Bisley Vaqueros in 357/38. Tuned by Jimmy Spurs 

1873 Uberti Win 73. Tuned by Brushy Creek Bill

SKB 200 tuned & mechanical trigger, not sure who did the work

SKB 100 full action job, mechanical triggers, by Lefty Wheeler 

having tuned up race guns will not automatically win a championship. But your gear has to work right. Every time. Mine does! 
 

there are lots of options in this game. But you will not go wrong with Rugers, a 73, & a SKB. If you don’t like them, you can easily sell them. But if you look around, that’s what the vast majority of CAS shooters use. There’s a reason for that! 

[Hells Comin]

Rifle - uberti 357 38/357 18-20" barrel

Pistols - Ruger vaquero:s 38/357 4 1/2" to 5 1/2" barrels 

As for the shotgun all of the above posts missed the mark it's a Winchester model 97!!

[Gunleather, SASS #46543]

I’m shooting old model Ruger Vaquero’s in 44 Mag. (Shooting 44Special) Rossi Overland Coach gun & Uberti 73 carbine in 44 Mag (shooting 44 Special). 

[One Gun Jimmy]

Uberti old Randal in .357/.38

Taylor tuned Uberti 1873 1n .357/.38.            ( Taylor tuned is smooth but still need a short stroke and gunsmith touch)

Stoeger Coach Gun Supreame. Fine shotgun but needs a good deal of action work.

 

I'm a new shooter, but all these guns are doing fine so far, I could definitely see an argument for a better coach gun, SKB maybe. But the others seem to work better than I can work them.

 

A big thing also is wether or not you are gonna shoot any class based stuff.

[Buckshot Bear]

2 hours ago, Major Crimes said:

 

3. I have two SG- A Huglu SxS modified by a local gun smith (in Australia we dont have many specialists like you guys) and a Boito coach gun also with the

 

MC, is your Huglu a hammer gun?

[Oregon Ace]

1 hour ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

OP, what works for us, may well not work for you.

Have you attended any shoots yet?

I haven't gone to a shoot, just signed up last week.  I have some SAA Colts bolt don't want to burn them up they are all first Gen passed down from great grand parents who wore them daily. I have shot my whole life just not western style. I also have a Remington 4 digit serial number pump 32 -20, probably not a good choice to burn up either 

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

37 minutes ago, Hells Comin said:

Rifle - uberti 357 38/357 18-20" barrel

Pistols - Ruger vaquero:s 38/357 4 1/2" to 5 1/2" barrels 

As for the shotgun all of the above posts missed the mark it's a Winchester model 97!!

Yup - EXACTLY.

Excepting, as a Gunfighter, I'm using Pietta Colt clones instead of Rugers because I prefer a half cock notch.  And unless modified - slipping off the hammer shooting Duelist or Gunfighter on a Ruger results in a go around or "Ring around the Ruger"

[Oregon Ace]

What about a CZ Sharptail coach on the shotgun. Haven't seen this mentioned yet anywhere

 

[Griff]

Before you worry about what's popular on the Wire, I'd go to a couple of matches and see what's actually at a match.  Not all the responses you get will actually be for the best of available equipment.  For it is a lot more dependent on what modifications have been made and how well they've been maintained... I.e.  I have a Stoeger Coach Gun I bought back in 1986, I slicked it up myself and back in the day even won a couple speed shotgun events... It's never broken, or let me down in a match... but that doesn't mean it's even serviceable for anyone else.  Many others will denigrate the Stoeger as being unworthy of mention except as something to avoid.   True?  Who knows what their experience has been... Are they exceptionally hard on equipment, or am I just that light handed?  Even the fastest of shooters may have equipment that simply doesn't work for you.  Sometimes, folks will let you test run their equipment, especially if you let it be known you're interested.  Be personable, polite and demonstrating a willingness to help out usually greases the wheels of progress...  Can't hurt.  Learning about the different categories will also help narrow your choices... not sense in lusting over a tuned '73 when you want shoot B-Western....  Rugers, Colt, Piettas or Ubertis have all made Cap guns... and they all work to varying degrees, better after certain reliability issues are corrected, but they're best left in the Frontiersman category.  While legal in every other category, they don't exactly dance with the same flair!  Same with shotguns... some folks just naturally have an aptitude for a double, while others gravitate to operating a '97 better.    Then there's the '87... not quite a speed demon, but with the right operator, not a non-starter... and while style points have never improved one's standing at the end of a match... they're worth reflecting on!  But... never let it be said that I would steer you wrong... get at least one of each!  Keep your options open!  Choose your gunsmith well... 

[Major Crimes]

2 hours ago, Buckshot Bear said:

 

MC, is your Huglu a hammer gun?

No.

 

Below is before and after some work on the central extractors.

 

[Buckshot Bear]

9 minutes ago, Major Crimes said:

No.

 

Below is before and after some work on the central extractors.

 

 

Is that Safari at Bexley?

Mines hammered, whoever did the work, did they do anything to make the gun open easier? I've shot mine a lot and its still pretty darn tight.

[Badlands Bob #61228]

If you have the option to have action jobs done locally by a good gunsmith, I would consider that route.  Having to mail your rifle cross country because something isn't just right, can be expensive and aggravating.  Ask around at the local matches and see who the local gunsmiths are.  There are lots of good gunsmiths that may not be SASS Wire famous.  

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

9 hours ago, Oregon Ace said:

I haven't gone to a shoot, just signed up last week.  I have some SAA Colts bolt don't want to burn them up they are all first Gen passed down from great grand parents who wore them daily. I have shot my whole life just not western style. I also have a Remington 4 digit serial number pump 32 -20, probably not a good choice to burn up either 

Buy NOTHING until you have attended a few shoots. 

The Longhunter CZ Sharptail is a fantastic choice! 

[Idaho Gunslinger]

9 hours ago, Oregon Ace said:

What about a CZ Sharptail coach on the shotgun. Haven't seen this mentioned yet anywhere

 

I'm running one. I picked it up from Griner Gunworks and it's pretty nice after he worked it over. Shells fall out nicely. 

[Texas Maverick]

12 hours ago, Hoss said:

Ruger Bisley Vaqueros in 357/38. Tuned by Jimmy Spurs 

1873 Uberti Win 73. Tuned by Brushy Creek Bill

SKB 200 tuned & mechanical trigger, not sure who did the work

SKB 100 full action job, mechanical triggers, by Lefty Wheeler 

having tuned up race guns will not automatically win a championship. But your gear has to work right. Every time. Mine does! 
 

there are lots of options in this game. But you will not go wrong with Rugers, a 73, & a SKB. If you don’t like them, you can easily sell them. But if you look around, that’s what the vast majority of CAS shooters use. There’s a reason for that! 

and those Rugers have fast triggers, sometimes too fast, huh. LOL

 

TM

[Hoss]

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

Uberti Henry, 16 1/2 inch, Short Stroke and Mod carrier for C45S

Pietta 1860s converted to Suppositories and Pietta 1851 .44s

Pedersoli Hammer Double

Pietta Hammer Double

[Texas Maverick]

1 hour ago, Hoss said:

At least you got a nice wrap out of it from Peggy.  LOL 

 

TM

[Texas Maverick]

Some good suggestions about going out and shooting as many guns as you can to see what fits you right. Even going with a Ruger there are a number of options you need to check out. Grips, plow handle or bisleys, etc. I started 5 years ago and bit the bullet for most of my setup. I went with Ruger NMV's tuned by a local gunsmith that I still shoot and only changed out the grips. I went with a NIB 73 carbine that a local gunsmith did some work on but not a lot. I recently upgraded to another 73 with a hex barrel that was a Codymatic tuned rifle. I shot it for a couple of months but have now sent it off to Shotgun Boogie for his complete tuning. I started of with the Stoeger 2 trigger shotgun and just recently upgraded to the CZ Sharptail that was tuned by Brushy Creek Bill. I then saw where Griner Gunworks took the tuning even further and redid the extractor to appear more like the Stoeger extractor by cutting it in half and making it easier to load shells in my opinion so I sent it off to Ken Griner to do his magic and love the outcome. He also modifies the trigger springs with his own design.

 

I did look at the SKB's since it is supposedly the top of the line but I kept seeing where a lot of them have stock splits and cracks from the heavy usage so that is why I went with the CZ. Again though, you need to check out what you like and in most cases you will upgrade down the road when you get a chance to shoot and see what is out there that you like better or that work better for you. It also depends on how much you want to spend. Some tuning options cost more than the gun does and beginning out you don't need that extra expense. Another thing you need to look at is which category you plan on shooting which will dictate in some cases the type of gun and caliber you will need. Good luck in your choices and welcome to the best game in town.

 

TM 

[Doc Neeley]

I don't shoot much any more due to health reasons so what I have/use are a pair of old model Vaquero sheriffs models in 357 (less than 1000 made) and either a Uberti 1873 from Cimarron with a Pioneer short stroke kit and tuning or a Marling 1894 cowboy in 32-20, and a 16 ga model 97. All fun to shoot.

[Blackwater 53393]

I’m going to reiterate what my buddy, Lumpy, said!!

 

Go out and attend as many matches as you can and talk to and listen to the shooters that are shooting well and having the least amount of problems!

 

Ask to try various guns and offer to replace/pay for ammunition. Get a feel for how things work and what physically fits your hands and suits your fancy. 
 

I started with guns that I already had and shot a few matches while trying out other cowboy’s guns and asking a lot of questions!  I changed combinations three times in the first six months, each time finding something that worked better for me or fit my hands or style and skill level better.

 

At the six month point, I had settled on a pair of Uberti Remington revolvers in .45 Colt and was saving up for a new rifle. I had sold one set of pistols and gotten rid of a poorly made hammer double in favor of a Winchester ‘97.  I was shooting a really slick Rossi “Hartford” model 1892 rifle in .45 Colt, but was beginning to shoot it faster than I could reliably make it work.  Schoolmarm, my wife, bought me an 1860 Uberti Henry replica and had it short stroked and completely made “race ready”. Meanwhile, I had the Remingtons slicked up and fine tuned. 
 

I decided to start shooting Frontier Cartridge about this time and added a hammer double to my combination. I say add, what I actually did was pull out a shotgun that was given to me by a close friend, just to see how it would perform. It remains entirely original to this day, but I bought another one just like it and had it modified for the game. A Tula Arms TOZ66.  These are toughas an anvil, but they aren’t for everyone.

 

I added other guns of every design and description as I went along, something that most of us do, but mostly stuck with this combination for several years.

 

Later on, (eight or ten years into my SASS career) I decided to go Frontiersman and acquired several 1860 Colt replica revolvers. I’d also picked up a Unerti 1873 short rifle that got everything that could be done to it , legally, to make it “race ready” and I had those percussion pistols done the same!

 

 I tell you all of this so that you can see what can happen when you play our game.  I was, and AM fortunate that I have been able to pick up many bargains and have made lots of good trades along the way! At one point in my long running adventure, I shot our Tennessee State Match using different guns on each of the ten stages. Forty different guns shot during a two day match.  I shot my own shotguns on every stage! I borrowed, (when folks heard what I was planning, they literally begged me to use their guns) guns from several friends and fellow competitors! A rifle here, a pair of pistols there, even some ammo when somebody offered and odd caliber or preferred that I use their ammunition in their offered guns.

 

Now you can see how this game works and how most everyone is in it to have the most fun possible!!

 

I’m actually thinking of doing the “Forty Gun” thing again!!

 

More on that soon!!

 

Welcome to our game and this campfire! There are only two really important rules! BE SAFE!!  HAVE FUN!!  The rest will take care of itself!!

[Choctaw Jack]

Ace,

Lots of great advice here, well worth listening to. Especially when they tell you " Try before you buy" .

Having said that , I have to confess that I really didn't heed that advice .

  I had shot several different regimens before CAS, and had an idea of what I didn't want. I already knew my caliber of choice, the barrel length I wanted and the grip size I was comfortable with, so I looked at revolvers that fit my parameters.

I ended up with a pair of .45 Colt, 4 3/4 inch Uberti consecutive serial numbered Evil Roys. Still shooting them after 12 years , still lovin' em.

I already had a Uberti '73 in .45, and a '97 pump ( all race tuned by Ken Griner), so I was pretty much set.

I've since moved on from the pump and switched to a double and bought backups for my original setup, but I'm still shooting what I bought originally.

Of course YMMV.

Choctaw Jack 

 

 

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

First generation Colts would not be a good choice, in any event, especially if they are family heirlooms.  The advise above i.e. go to some shoots and try before you buy is the way to go.  Most of the folks who started CAS with a set of guns have either moved on to others or have purchased additional ones.  I started with Uberti handguns as they were cheaper than some others, but over time have moved on to USFAs and Colts.  As far as rifles go, the Ubertis are, by far, the most prevalent ones being used, with Marlins second and the Miroku made Winchesters third.  All can be made competitive, if that is your wish, although the Mirokus have very little in the way of spare parts. 

 

Shotguns come in various configurations; hammered and hammerless doubles, hammered pumps and lever actions.  For the most part all are of modern manufacture.  Get a good idea of the type of shotgun you want to use as that's the one gun that can add a lot of extra time to a stage even though it's the least fired gun in a match. 

 

There are fewer gunsmiths at work today to tune these firearms, but they are around.  Pioneer Gun Works out by you did one of my rifles, years ago and I used their parts to short stroke a second one.  Longhunter in Amarillo and Squibber at Old Western Gun Repair in AZ did a couple of my '73s.  Handguns were done by Bob Munden over 20 years ago (Colts and USFAs) and I still use them.  Pump shotguns, (reproductions) were done by Squibber also.    

[Tequila Shooter]

I guess I’m going to be the weird one, this set up is not for a new shooter or the faint of heart:

Pistols - Ruger Old Army short barrel in .44

SG - a 12g ‘87 Lever, fixed up by Lassiter; and an original Winchester 1901 (made in 1906) 10ga, also modified by Lassiter

Rifle - Uberti ‘73 in .45C modified by Lefty Wheeler

 

And of course using either APP or real BP 

[Oregon Ace]

Guess I need to figure out the classes and equipment restrictions for each. This holster is FIRE! .Going to order a set of the Gunfighter IND customs when they are available.  For now may shoot a pair of USFA. Not a big fan of Rugers

[One Gun Jimmy]

18 minutes ago, Oregon Ace said:

Guess I need to figure out the classes and equipment restrictions for each. This holster is FIRE! .Going to order a set of the Gunfighter IND customs when they are available.  For now may shoot a pair of USFA. Not a big fan of Rugers

What holster is this exactly?

[Oregon Ace]

1 minute ago, One Gun Jimmy said:

What holster is this exactly?

Gunfighter Industries on Instagram. High Noon model. 

[One Gun Jimmy]

2 minutes ago, Oregon Ace said:

Gunfighter Industries on Instagram. High Noon model. 

Whoo god...I can't imagine what one of those wheel guns is gonna cost.

 

2-$3000 a piece if I had to guess.

 

Definitely look up sight and holster material requirments in the rules book.

 

Could be the cats meow tho.