So how do "Side Matches" work? Because I've never seen one

[Todd Hayseed]

I have three single shot rifles that all fit the "Plainsman" category, and I would like to use these, but the two clubs I have been to never seem to do side matches.  I'm guessing you have to have at least three interested people to even have it happen, and I seem to be the only one.  Logically I should be able to shoot alongside everyone else by just doing the first half of the rifle part, but I hesitate to even suggest that.

 

For those that don't know, plainsman is 5 rifle rounds instead of 10, I assume because of the much slower rate of fire.

Edited September 5 by Todd Hayseed

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

Side matches are normally only done a multi day annual matches. They vary depending on the match and how they set it up. Plainsman is not always included as a side match. When it is I usually try to participate.

[Rye Miles #13621]

A few clubs around here used to have a side match before the shoot. It was only one specific shoot, like a derringer side match, long range, speed rifle, shotgun, pistols. It kinda disappeared as we all got older, no one wants to go early.. As Cowtown Scout said it’s now almost always at a 3 day match. 

Edited September 5 by Rye Miles #13621

[Blackwater 53393]

Todd!  Plainsman is more of an event, not a category.  As others have said, you’ll find those events at some of the larger annual matches.

 

 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Most of your side matches are "Speed This, Speed That, and Speed the Other Thing."  That is to say, you see how fast you can shoot, say, a main match rifle and nothing else.   I've pretty much given up on side matches, because I know I can't compete.   The second most common type of side match are various "Long Range" events.   They can be pistol, main match rifle, rifle caliber repeaters and single shot rifles.  Long range will vary from club to club, and which guns are used in them.   A somewhat strange phenomenon is how the longer the range, the smaller the target.  Generally, these are scored by most hits win, with speed being the tie braker.   Depending on what the gun is, distances can be anywhere from 25 to 600 yards.   Personally, anything farther than 100 yards, I don't bother because I can't even see the targets, especially if they are small ones.   That being said, there is something commonly called a "Quigley Match" based on the scene in Quigley Down Under where you shoot at a bucket sized target at generally pretty long ranges, with a single shot rifle fired offhand.  This is very popular, and I occasionally try it.  Never hit anything, but I have come close a couple of times.

The third and most rare type of side match are what I personally call "creative" ones where you do use multiple firearms in different combinations.  These I find to be fun.   One of the most fun ones I ever tried was out in Nevada and was called, "The Rifleman" where you took 10 shots with a main match rifle, and five from a rifle caliber repeater.   Main match targets were at normal match distances, and the rifle targets were larger, and at the very back of the shooting bay.  Maybe 50 yards.   I did not win this match, but I was at least able to hit all the targets, so it was fun.   I'd like to see more "creative" type matches that let me play with different guns in different combinations.   Over the years, I have seen a few, but not a lot.

Things like Wild Bunch are sometimes done as a 3 stage mini match, or a 3 stage warm up match with main match type guns, are pretty common as well.

Technically a Wild Bunch sidematch, there is also Teddy Roosevelt and Doughboy where you use a 1911 and a rifle caliber lever gun for the the one, and a bolt action military rifle for the other.   Never been at a shoot that offers this, but I'd really enjoy trying it.

 

Side matches really should be limited only by the imagination, and well promoted in the ramp up to the match so people know what to bring.

Cowboy Trap/Skeet/Sporting Clays may also take place at events that have the facilities to do it, using CAS/Wild Bunch legal shotguns.

That covers it in a broad nutshell.
 

[Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L]

We have, in the past, allowed big-bore rifles, shooting 5 rounds in our match.  Had another set of targets way out there for them.  This was in our normal monthly matches.  Incroaching civilization made us stop allowing these rifle-caliber rifles.

 

I know Willow Hole Cowboys works them into their matches every month.

https://willowholecowboys.com/

 

 

 

 

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

18 minutes ago, Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L said:

We have, in the past, allowed big-bore rifles, shooting 5 rounds in our match.  Had another set of targets way out there for them.  This was in our normal monthly matches.  Incroaching civilization made us stop allowing these rifle-caliber rifles.

 

I know Willow Hole Cowboys works them into their matches every month.

https://willowholecowboys.com/

 

 

 

 

Yep a lot of clubs in South Texas who are able to have further rifle targets have the categories of Cody/Dixon where they shoot a rifle caliber single action or lever action rifles normally shooting 5 shots per stage.

[Leroy Luck]

Usually it’s all speed events: speed rifle; speed SxS(some break it down between hammered/hammerless), 87, 97; speed pistol (duelist, gunfighter, traditional); speed derringer; speed pocket pistol; some will have speed 3 gun (typical cowboy stage). 
 

Long range is usually big bore single shot, big bore lever, pistol caliber lever, some do .22. Aside from the .22 they can be broke down by smokeless or black powder. Each at varying yardages as mentioned above. 
 

I’ve seen cowboy clays/trap done at a few matches… super fun btw. 
 

Southwest Regional in Fort Smith this year did a pistol caliber carbine (PCC) mini-match. Using modern firearms of course. 
 

A few places do a Black Powder night match that’s usually 3 stages. It’s pretty fun. 
 

The Westside Renegades in Evansville, IN do a fun side match called the “scoot and shoot”. It consists of approximately a dozen guns (22 pistols, SxS, 87, 97, 22 rifle, 38 pistol, derringer, etc etc) staged in various places throughout the stages.
 

Each gun had a certain pattern you shot. You started at one end shooting a gun then ran to the next one and so on. All the stages were connected together and could be accessed from the previous stage. 
 

Part of the fun is distractions from the crowd and minor inconveniences (safety engaged on shotgun, gun not loaded, a SxS with one smokeless and one black powder load, a shotgun with a full load, etc etc) with the guns. No penalties or anything… just good clean fun. 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

  i

20 minutes ago, Leroy Luck said:

The Westside Renegades in Evansville, IN do a fun side match called the “scoot and shoot”. It consists of approximately a dozen guns (22 pistols, SxS, 87, 97, 22 rifle, 38 pistol, derringer, etc etc) staged in various places throughout the stages.
 

 I want to do this!    Why a .38 Pistol?

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

7 minutes ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

  i

 I want to do this!    Why a .38 Pistol?

Why not?

[Leroy Luck]

12 minutes ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

Why a .38 Pistol?

I honestly don’t remember everything that was used. I just threw that in the mix. 

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

32 minutes ago, Leroy Luck said:

Usually it’s all speed events: speed rifle; speed SxS(some break it down between hammered/hammerless), 87, 97; speed pistol (duelist, gunfighter, traditional); speed derringer; speed pocket pistol; some will have speed 3 gun (typical cowboy stage). 
 

Long range is usually big bore single shot, big bore lever, pistol caliber lever, some do .22. Aside from the .22 they can be broke down by smokeless or black powder. Each at varying yardages as mentioned above. 
 

I’ve seen cowboy clays/trap done at a few matches… super fun btw. 
 

Southwest Regional in Fort Smith this year did a pistol caliber carbine (PCC) mini-match. Using modern firearms of course. 
 

A few places do a Black Powder night match that’s usually 3 stages. It’s pretty fun. 
 

The Westside Renegades in Evansville, IN do a fun side match called the “scoot and shoot”. It consists of approximately a dozen guns (22 pistols, SxS, 87, 97, 22 rifle, 38 pistol, derringer, etc etc) staged in various places throughout the stages.
 

Each gun had a certain pattern you shot. You started at one end shooting a gun then ran to the next one and so on. All the stages were connected together and could be accessed from the previous stage. 
 

Part of the fun is distractions from the crowd and minor inconveniences (safety engaged on shotgun, gun not loaded, a SxS with one smokeless and one black powder load, a shotgun with a full load, etc etc) with the guns. No penalties or anything… just good clean fun. 

T-Bone started the scoot n shoot at Comin At Cha many years ago and it was a lot of fun. You never knew what the gun was until you got to it.

[Pat Riot]

Something I used to tell new shooters was “Do not plan on ever seeing a side match at any monthly match. Get your main match gear together first, then see if side matches are available.”

Had I had someone tell me this when I was starting out it would have saved me a nice chunk of money. 
 

 

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

TH, register for End of Trail in Phoenix and shoot the Plainsman with us.  There are enough Soot Lords (and Ladies) for us to have two posses.  There are enough side matches for two days of shooting.

[Griff]

18 hours ago, Todd Hayseed said:

I have three single shot rifles that all fit the "Plainsman" category, and I would like to use these, but the two clubs I have been to never seem to do side matches.  I'm guessing you have to have at least three interested people to even have it happen, and I seem to be the only one.  Logically I should be able to shoot alongside everyone else by just doing the first half of the rifle part, but I hesitate to even suggest that.

 

For those that don't know, plainsman is 5 rifle rounds instead of 10, I assume because of the much slower rate of fire.

Plainsmen is a side match, often set up as  3-4 stages run very similarly to a main match stage, handgun, rifle & shotgun on each stage, it is not a "category".   I've participated in and run a couple.  "Frontiersman" is the closest main match category, as it also requires a cap n ball revolver.  And just like Frontiersman, a Plainsman side match is probably the least populated side match around.  Even at a large match like EOT, with 4-500 entrants, I'm surprised that Frontiersman might only have 15-20 entrants, and Plainsman might have as many as 20-30 in total...  

 

The so-called long range events, are classed under "Precision Rifle"... so further, smaller targets should be expected.

 

At my home club we generally run 6 stages for our monthly,  We'd sometimes have an ambitious individual that would then set up & run a side match they had a particular interest in.  After advertising it, they'd sometimes find a few other folks that held a similar interest and participate after a monthly match.  As... just like main matches, if you don't practice, you'll never improve your skillset in any particular side match competition.

 

Generally speaking, if you want something to happen at your club... you have to step up and volunteer to run it.   Like the movie... "...if you build it they will come."  ... MAYBE! 

Edited September 6 by Griff

["Big Boston"]

A few of us Cowboys got together and started shooting CAS at a range in our area. We collected enough kit so that we have a portable setup that fits in the box of a PU truck. We don't have a bunch of shooters, usually four, and to make it fun we have added side matches. I try and keep them simple, but still skill testing. Each side match is scored on its own. This gives different shooters a chance to get some bragging rights. It's worked out well. 

 

A morning shoot will typically be 5 scenarios and a side match or two. 

 

Archived scenario August 03 2025.pdf

 

Side matches are fairly flexible, you can use non-typical firearms, scenarios, ammunition as long as the safety aspect is maintained. For example, on the loading a revolver on the clock side match, we load six.

 

Our range is small and the targets get put up the same, match after match, so it's nice to get creative with the scenarios. We've also introduced a mulligan rule, and when we shoot six stages with no side match we may do a best 5 of 6. Our group is allowed to tie up the range Sunday mornings, therefore we've streamlined our setup and takedown to take minimal time. 

 

BB 

[Imis Twohofon,SASS # 46646]

Ringer used to set up his "Humdinger" course as a side match at Possum Trot. 10-12 stages 35-40 guns and a slew of obscure guns and calibers. Blackwater shot it once with 40 different guns! It was a hoot, took all day to do on side match day and exhausted everybody on the range.  GOOD TIMES!!!

Like as already been said, get your main match gear first then figure out what is available and what you want to try.

 

Imis

[Rattlesnake Slim]

14 hours ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

TH, register for End of Trail in Phoenix and shoot the Plainsman with us.  There are enough Soot Lords (and Ladies) for us to have two posses.  There are enough side matches for two days of shooting.

 

He's right! If you don't plan to shoot one of the EOT Main Matches, Conventioneers are also eligible to shoot the Side Matches, including Plainsman. 

 

But don't put it off. Registration opened August 15th, and 25 of the 44 Plainsman spots are already filled, six months before the match.

 

Hope to see you there.

[Rattlesnake Slim]

Also, the last time I checked, Doughboy and Teddy Roosevelt (the Wild Bunch version of Plainsman) had 7 entries each, making a posse of 14. They shoot the same targets but with a WB flair. So don't forget about those! They will shoot Wednesday morning with Plainsmen shooting the afternoon.

[Nostrum Damus SASS #110702]

On 9/5/2025 at 4:53 PM, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

Most of your side matches are "Speed This, Speed That, and Speed the Other Thing."  That is to say, you see how fast you can shoot, say, a main match rifle and nothing else.   I've pretty much given up on side matches, because I know I can't compete.   .....

 

 

There are lots of possible side matches that have nothing to do with speed and are lots of fun, or at least great fun to watch.  Shooting at playing cards to make the best poker hand, for example (with the cards "face down" on the target board so winning is pure random chance), or the "couples shoot" where teams shoot at several stages, moving from one stage to the other and alternating who shoots which gun while actually roped together in some way, with all of the guns pre-staged, or "zero-time" matches where your speed is irrelevant but what matters is how close your predicted time (announced before you shoot) for the string is to your actual time, and so on and so forth, with many other possibilities.  The club can make a lot of fun events that anyone and everyone has nearly the same chance of winning, in addition to the "fastest" type of carnival games.

[Lucky R. K.]

On 9/6/2025 at 3:42 PM, Imis Twohofon,SASS # 46646 said:

Ringer used to set up his "Humdinger" course as a side match at Possum Trot. 10-12 stages 35-40 guns and a slew of obscure guns and calibers.

I had forgotten about Ringer's Humdinger, it was a hoot to shoot and watch just like everything at Possum Trot.

Lucky