Cowboy Action shooting instruction?

[Philosopher]

Would appreciate any recommendations for classes to help me improve my shooting "technique ".

 

I've exhausted the lessons people have posted on YouTube and believe I would benefit from in-person instruction. I live in the upper Midwest, but would be happy to travel.

 

Looking for classes in revolver, rifle, and shotgun.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

[Shooting Bull]

Sorry, I can’t offer any suggestions to your original question. But I will offer some advice. 
 

Get someone to videotape you while shooting real stages during a match. Being able to watch yourself during actual match conditions will provide valuable insights into areas in need of improvement.
 

In particular, pay attention to your transitions from one gun to the next, (I’ve got an entire thread going on this subject.) and also pay attention to your footwork when moving from one shooting position to the next. You want to get to the next shooting position as fast as possible and STAY THERE. Far too often I see people get to a second shooting position and then waste time shuffling their feet to get where they really need to be in order to properly engage the targets. No! When you get there you should start shooting, not dancing. 

 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

What SB sez 

Video yourownself, and you will immediately see where you need to improve. 

[Texas Maverick]

If you have someone in your club that is one of the faster shooters see if they are interested in mentoring you. I did this here at my club and have 2 shooters that continue to give me pointers and suggestions that have greatly improved my shooting skills. Techniques and transitions are two of the biggest areas of improvment available. 

 

TM

[Wild Eagle]

Quote

 

+1 for Texas Maverick.  If people see that you're really trying to improve you'll start getting a little tid bit of information here and there from some of the better shooters.  Listen and practice what they tell you.  When they see that you listened and made changes, they'll tell you more.  We're lucky to have some really good shooters in this sport that are willing to help others get to their same level.  I'm starting to catch up with one of my mentors and he's started teasing me that he shouldn't have helped me because now he needs to practice more.  I doubt I'll ever really beat him in a match, but every once in a while I'll beat him at a stage.  Usually because he had a hickup, but a win is a win.

 

If you ask for help and then don't take the advice, the advice will stop coming.  Shooting CAS is just like real life in that regard.

[Sarge]

If you have someone locally, that you consider to be a top shooter in your area, that shoots similar style and guns that you do, approach them and ask them to critique you.  They will most likely be more than happy to help you.  

[Philosopher]

I know that in the past Evil Roy did classes. No one picked up the mantle?

[Jack Spade]

Online outpost has all of the Evil Roy instruction dvd's on sale for $7.95 each.   I bought all four available and picked up some very useful things from volume 1 handguns, 2 rifles and 4 gun handling.  Vol 5 is wild bunch and honestly I didn't get much from that one and it is much shorter than the other three. 

Edited June 9 by Jack Spade

[Widder, SASS #59054]

I know (present and past) Cowboy shooters who took the Evil Roy class and most of them never

reached close to being a top shooter........ BECAUSE they never practiced the techniques that Evil

Roy tried to convey to them.

 

Sure, they remembered what he told them.  They remembered watching him give demonstrations

and some personal 'hands on training'.   But without hours and hours of correct practice, they never

achieved their goals.

 

I do think it is wise to seek out and try to get some personal help from a top shooter(s).

But in all that, there will be techniques that you can adapt to quickly and some you can't.

 

Evil Roy is considered a very good shotgun shooter.  His technique works for him..... but not for me.

Deuce Stevens is a first rate shotgun shooter and his 'over the top' works for him..... but not for me.

Sante Fe River Stan is a first rate shotgun shooter and his '3 in one hand & 1 in the other' works for him.....

but not for me.

 

And MY technique works well for me but not for many others.

 

Don't be discouraged during your learning and practice sessions.  New skills take time and effort.

For some.....more effort is required than for others.   Especially for us older folks.

 

Most clubs have some good, seasoned shooters that can help critique your style, shooting techniques,

and equipment.   As mentioned above, film yeowndangself and you will probably learn a lot.

 

Best regards.....and good luck.

 

..........Widder

 

[Wrangler Bob]

I'm blessed to be in the Eldorado Cowboys Club. It works for me because the WHOLE club are my mentors! There's so much experience there; watching the better shooters and taking their advice has been a real treat for me. Equipment trouble right now, but we'll get that fixed, I'm sure.

Watch and learn, ask questions; usually there's no shortage of help. Good luck and shoot well.

Edited June 10 by Wrangler Bob

[Doc Shapiro]

I was blessed to be able o learn from so many shooters.  It all lead to a book.  https://cagunslingers.com/errata/BreakingShot/BreakingTheShot.html  I have taught many, including a 5 time world champion (he had a great grounding before I came along).  And I've worked with more shooters than I can count.  I really enjoy teaching, even though I can't really shoot any more due to a genetic neurological condition.  

 

If you were closer to me, I'd be more than happy to work with you.  Your local "top shooters" will likely be your best source of coaching.

[Captain Bill Burt]

@Doc Shapiro's "Breaking the Shot" was a lot of help to me starting out.  I also got a lot out of "With Winning in Mind" by Lanny Bassham. @Long Hunter SASS #20389L's videos are excellent, and several local shooters provided wonderful mentorship.

Edited June 10 by Captain Bill Burt

[Doc Shapiro]

50 minutes ago, Captain Bill Burt said:

@Doc Shapiro's "Breaking the Shot" was a lot of help to me starting out.  I also got a lot out of "With Winning in Mind" by Lanny Bassham. @Long Hunter SASS #20389L's videos are excellent, and several local shooters provided wonderful mentorship.

Brian Enos's book "Practical Shooting, Beyond Fundamentals" was an enormous help to me. 

[Hells Comin]

I'd Try and contact Deuce Steven's- I believe he how lives in Indiana.  He has many excellent videos on Cowboy action shooting and he absolutely knows his stuff. He's one on the better shooters in the world and nice guy. 

 

Hells Comin 

[Windy City Kid]

A shootin' pard videoed me for one stage. People who know NOTHING about CAS who watched were able to point out where they showed I was slow or fumbled (shotgun loading, pistol holstering). And I need to practice those transitions. 

[Jackrabbit Joe #414]

23 hours ago, Philosopher said:

Would appreciate any recommendations for classes to help me improve my shooting "technique ".

 

I've exhausted the lessons people have posted on YouTube and believe I would benefit from in-person instruction. I live in the upper Midwest, but would be happy to travel.

 

Looking for classes in revolver, rifle, and shotgun.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

Well I gotta say a few words to yah pilgrim, give you some true facts and maybe this will help. Matter of fact lots of SASS folks out there many will help just ask.

Any way go on the Webb site type in Long Hunter.com.  This Long Hunter is fantastic and has great videos for yah. I went thru Eil Roys school many years ag and learned quite a bit but to tell you the truth pilgrim you got to practice, practice, practice. Just don't get tired of it. 

 

Hang in their Philosopher, Good Luck and as always welcome aboard. Lots of folks helped me over the years. I joined SASS in 1988 and almost done doing any more cowboy shooting. Again Good Luck and have fantastic good times meeting fantastic  cowboys and cowgirls pilgrim.

 

Jackrabbit Joe #414

[Jackrabbit Joe #414]

Philosopher Some thing else to help you also is a New Book out by Captain Baylor and thats his Big, Bad Book on Cowboy Action Shooting 361 pages of good info for yah.

Again wishing you the best & again welcome aboard.

 

Jackrabbit Joe #414

[Medicine Creek Johnny]

Go to the MN state shoot and Gunsmoke.  Lot of good shooters there you can learn from

[Cholla]

I don’t know how far Central Indiana is, but six years ago I used to shoot at Pine Ridge Regulators near Brazil. @Cannon and @Dough Slinger shot there and were always tops. If they are still shooting, learn from them. 

[Philosopher]

Thanks to everyone who replied! There's some great ideas in here. I'm going to try out videoing myself first, although the viewing might be painful.

 

😄

[Jackrabbit Joe #414]

27 minutes ago, Philosopher said:

Thanks to everyone who replied! There's some great ideas in here. I'm going to try out videoing myself first, although the viewing might be painful.

 

😄

Hey, you never know pilgrim maybe you'll get on The American Idol Cowboy Action Shooter. Waaa, Haw!

[evil dogooder]

31 minutes ago, Philosopher said:

Thanks to everyone who replied! There's some great ideas in here. I'm going to try out videoing myself first, although the viewing might be painful.

 

😄

I'm in MN too.  I've done new shooter classes and gunfighter classes.  At both Morristown and Kimball.   If you want I can help you out 

[watab kid]

4 hours ago, evil dogooder said:

I'm in MN too.  I've done new shooter classes and gunfighter classes.  At both Morristown and Kimball.   If you want I can help you out 

 

take him up on this if you are serious , he is a good shooter and someone that can help you get where your going , also a nice guy that will actually be fun to work with , 

[Texas Maverick]

On 6/10/2025 at 6:41 PM, Philosopher said:

Thanks to everyone who replied! There's some great ideas in here. I'm going to try out videoing myself first, although the viewing might be painful.

 

😄

Even watching your own videos won't help you understand the correct procedure on how to properly shoot. There will be a lot of shooters willing to assist but it doesn't mean they will be beneficial on doing it correctly. That is why you need to watch some of the faster, better shooters and see their techniques and try to get them to help. Someone shooting a 50+ second stage probably isn't going to be giving you the best of advice on how to shoot more efficient and faster.

 

TM

Edited June 12 by Texas Maverick

[Longfoot]

22 hours ago, Philosopher said:

Thanks to everyone who replied! There's some great ideas in here. I'm going to try out videoing myself first, although the viewing might be painful.

 

😄

My partner and I are on the steep upward slope of learning, having just started this in the last couple years.

 

Its hard to express how beneficial getting her to video me has been.

 

You are correct, it will be PAINFUL to watch.

 

I see myself doing things I know better than to do.  Without the video, I would swear on a stack of bibles I don't do some of these things.  I know better.  But, those things become what I focus on in dry fire training.  And, if you're not already doing plenty of dry fire training, start.

[Rye Miles #13621]

Best thing I’d suggest is go to the shoots and watch all the other shooters especially the good ones meanwhile shoot and have fun!🤩