Anybody do it? I got a son that can shoot the satchel off a hummingbird flying at 200 yards with a .22. He has no interest in killing things. Loves westerns and I've been looking for a way to do more stuff together thought this might be a good idea. Advice and experience would be appreciated

No advice but this old timer was thinking of doing it. Looks like a lot of fun. There are two these clubs near me and one has a western town set up.

I've got a few friends who used to be big in it. Lots of guns, lots of ammo. Lots of driving to events. But it looks fun as heck for sure.

That sounds like a lot of fun, I think I'll order a couple .22 pistols and gun belts and see where we go from there I think this sounds like a lot of fun

Check with some local groups, some restrict the type of caliber that you can use. The small group I shot with let the kids shoot with whatever they could get their hands on. The guns are expensive if you want to try there might be a member that is willing to let you use a set of their guns, call the leaders of your local groups. Sometimes they will have new member shoots where new people can come and try it out.

Cheap handguns, if you don't care about being competitive some cap and ball revolvers will work, $250 Cabelas. Shotgun any double barrel 12g will work I used a Win 97 pump action got for $300. The rifle is the most expensive, if you can use 22lr that is the cheapest I got a Rossi 92 in 357 not fast but works. if you can reload with lead slugs buying ammo gets expensive,

My gun belt and holsters I made, got leather from Hobby Lobby, it was not fancy but it worked.

I think Alec Baldwin is into this activity.....

Pete

I heard no one wants to play with him anymore

I've watched this sport grow over the years and there seems to many possibilities in interest. Some go into it for the historical or reenactor aspect of it. Some will build an entire character or persona to be as historically accurate as possible. I kind of like that being a history buff. Others are into the guns wanting to use originals with original components; blackpowder, paperpatched bullets, obscure calibers, etc. This can get expensive but is fascinating in rediscovering older tech. While others are gamesmen, as in all sports, willing to take the tools at hand and tune them for maximum speed. Though most just show up with the budget they have to enjoy a good time.

I've never participated just read and watched the many articles and videos and I'd say it looks like great fun with something for everyone with many differing options of interest.

not sure where you are at in WI exactly but in most of WI USPSA and Steel Challenge are much more common.

My son and I shoot USPSA if your interested in shooting without pageantry that seems to be a barrier to entry give it a try

a decent holster , and a 9.40,45 will get you into USPSA to give it a try

Vortex has some great classes to get you ready to go out and feel comfortable at your first match


Steel challenge you can use a 22lr and even use 10/22 as well as 22 pistols

before you go buy a bunch of stuff or a gun go watch an event , the guns used can be specific and there are classes that one gun will fit in and another won't.

some divisions have specific holsters you can and can't use

check it out first

as an example a Browning high power is a production gun but because it is Single action it has to play in Limited and can't play in Production. most things can be run in Limited or you might get bumped to open were almost anything goes.
but you might want to check it out first and buy second.

Try this....https://www.sassnet.com/
Single Action Shooters Society

They are pretty active in our area...appears that there are some activities in Wisconsin as well.
Might be what your looking for.

No worse than having a kid or two into hockey.

I don't know the age of your son, but if you pick a shooting sport that girls are also involved in, your investment is likely to have a longer useful life.

Or get seriously sidetracked, lol.

If you are eventually doing it, you might want to check if they use 22 ammo in their shoots

I was a member of the Single Action Shooting Society and competed in Cowboy Action Shooting competitions. Our group did not allow anything less than .38 rounds. For reloading, they had certain rules regarding speed, and would break out the chronograph. We were required to dress in time-period style clothing in my class (they have different categories even for dress code, some would do the Spaghetti Western style dress). Two revolvers, a lever action rifle of the same caliber (had to use era appropriate sights), and a shotgun, either double barrel or '97 style. There are more rules, and categories, some would allow for a 1911 pistol even. We would need our "leathers" including a gun belt, two holsters (cross draw, or a left/right hand combo, and a bandolier. It is a LOT to invest starting off, but the good thing is they will help however they can.

Our group had a set of loaner guns, leathers (the president of our club was a leather maker, and would help others make their leathers, a lot cheaper that route and better quality). He had a reloading set up where if you provide the materials, he'd help however he could. Stages were set up, we had to say certain sayings to show we were ready, patterns of shooting would be different. It was an absolute blast. As far as safety went, they went over and beyond to make it as safe as possible, and would put on range safety officer courses for us. We were all range safety officers by the time we were members of our club. For kids, they offered .22s as loaners to get them hooked.
If you have any questions, I can try and answer. It honestly was the most fun shooting hobby that I have had the pleasure to be a part of. My dad and I were both members, we got my aunt to join, and it was a blast.

I was planning on picking up just a couple of the cheaper .22LR revolvers to get the backyard plinking started cheap and a good way to guage actual interest... thanks for all the replies I think this could be alot of fun even it never moves past the back yard

Sasquatch96, how come you are no longer involved? Just curious.

Just life really, I got a promotion at work where I work weekends and got out of it then, and Dad just got tired. He's getting into his late '80s now, and would rather spend the days riding his motorcycle than shooting anymore. We still shoot together all the time, just he joined more to get time together than for the competition aspect. I'd do it again in a heart beat if my daughters show interest, but the girl is more interested in archery right now than anything. Can't complain there!

When I saw the title, that's what I thought this post was about.

I have been shooting cowboy action 15 years now. check out sassnet.com to find out all sorts of info and clubs nearby to you.