Old Timer Style (not category)

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Here's an idea for a special style of shooting.  Notice that I said style, not category.   This is because anyone shooting this style can shoot it while shooting in their already existing category.   It would be a purely "self identified" style with no standing and serve no purpose other than to be fun for the people who want to do it.

I call it, Old Timer Style.   Contrary to what you may think, this is not an age based style, at least not as far as the shooters are concerned.  Theoretically, even Buckaroos could shoot Old Timer Style.

It's really very simple; all guns used, while still main match legal, must be over 100 years old.  Not antiques (unless you want them to be) just over 100.   I have a feeling that many of us could qualify without even trying.   Anyone with an original Winchester 73 has a rifle, for example.   In fact, there is a good chance that any original Winchester could be that old.  Same for vintage Marlins.   Same for First Generation Colts.   Same for a LOT of shotguns that I see on the range.   So it is doable.

You get nothing for shooting this way, other than the fun of saying "Lookit all my old timer guns!"  

I propose that those who are so inclined to shoot this style do so!   In fact, maybe I'll head over to Badges of the West and order a custom star that says "Old Timer" on it and encourage anyone who wants to try it get one just like it.

Could be fun.



 

[Rye Miles #13621]

I’d have to buy all new guns for this! Can’t do that but sounds interesting.🧐 

[High Spade Mikey Wilson]

6 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

I’d have to buy all new guns for this! Can’t do that but sounds interesting.🧐 

I'd have two rifles that would qualify. I'd have to buy two pistols and a shotgun. Sounds interesting, but not worth the money for me to participate.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

10 minutes ago, High Spade Mikey Wilson said:

I'd have two rifles that would qualify. I'd have to buy two pistols and a shotgun. Sounds interesting, but not worth the money for me to participate.

 

I can see how that might put some people off.   To be honest, I figured it would be of more interest to people who already had qualifying guns.    

Of course, it would also offer a valid excuse for some to buy more guns, and we all need more excuses to do that!
 

 

[Rye Miles #13621]

1 hour ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

 

I can see how that might put some people off.   To be honest, I figured it would be of more interest to people who already had qualifying guns.    

Of course, it would also offer a valid excuse for some to buy more guns, and we all need more excuses to do that!
 

 

I’d say probably less than 5% of the shooters have 100 yr old guns. Some have them and don’t shoot em. I had a couple years ago, a S&W hammerless safety in .32 S&W made in 1896 and a Springfield trapdoor that was made in the 1880’s. I used them in side matches and finally sold them since I don’t do side matches anymore.

Edited July 8 by Rye Miles #13621

[Bison Bud]

Doesn't being 100 years old actually make them antiques?  I for one think that shootable firearms of this age should be treated with utmost respect and preserved in every way possible.  Frankly shooting them in Cowboy Action is, at least in my opinion, somewhat abusive, but it's your call if you want to do so.  I see no real harm in shooting them from time to time, but full time Cowboy Action Shooting is asking a lot of a 100 year old firearm!  Just my honest opinion.

[Rye Miles #13621]

5 minutes ago, Bison Bud said:

Doesn't being 100 years old actually make them antiques?  I for one think that shootable firearms of this age should be treated with utmost respect and preserved in every way possible.  Frankly shooting them in Cowboy Action is, at least in my opinion, somewhat abusive, but it's your call if you want to do so.  I see no real harm in shooting them from time to time, but full time Cowboy Action Shooting is asking a lot of a 100 year old firearm!  Just my honest opinion.

Actually it’s before 1899 BUT a 100 yr old gun would be 1926! Pretty wild huh? 🤔 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

On the one hand, I don't shoot my oldest guns every time.   

On the other hand, there are getting to be some guns that, by default, are almost all that old.

Any Winchester 73 is over 100 years old.
I'd guess that at least half of Winchester 92s are that old.

Any Marlin "prior" to the 94 is, and a good number of them are as well.

The majority of Winchester 97s are over 100.
All Winchester 87 are not only over 100, they are all antiques.
Most of your 1st Generation Colts are over 100.
Most of your classic doubles, Parker, LC Smith, Ithaca, Fox, etc, are either there, or getting there.
I see all of these from time to time at the range, and not only when I am using them.  
The list goes on.

Just based on what I see other people actually using, a lot of these Old Timers get at least occasional use.  And it's a lot easier to get one that you might think.   Heck, until very recently, I didn't realize just how OLD some of the guns in my collection really are.    I mean, I "knew" they were old, but for some of them I didn't know how old.   And when I found out, I was really impressed by some of them.   One hundred year old plus guns, just as shootable as the day they were made.   Some may not look all that great anymore, but they are mechanically sound.   This is testament as to just how good some of those old time makers were at their job.   To be honest, I'd put my 113 year old 1911 against a brand new Colt any day of the week.    Time marches on. 

 

 

Edited July 8 by H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619