Western Action Shooting is the fastest growing shooting sport in the world.  And for very good reason. Come along and see for yourself. Internationally it is a very family-oriented family participating activity.  Although our firearms restrictions make it more difficult here in New Zealand we try to retain as much of that family atmosphere as possible. A Western Action shooting game will take place using props which are intended to recreate scenes and scenarios from the old west.  Shooters using guns typical of the period such as the famous Colt ”Peacemaker” revolver shoot at large easy to hit steel plates as targets. Participants learn skills with three different firearms; a revolver, a rifle and a shotgun.  Western Action Shooting is specifically designed to be a “fun” occasion.  To ensure that each event is "good fun" the original designers of the Western Action Shooting competition specifically introduced a rule not commonly found in other shooting competitions called "the spirit of the game"

Competing in the spirit of the game is very important to Cowboy Action shooters. It means you fully participate in what the competition asks. You do not look for ways to create an advantage out of what is or is not stated as a rule or shooting procedure. Good sportsmanship is a requirement of Cowboy Action Shooting. Good sportsmanship is the SPIRIT OF THE GAME.

Categories

Cowboy Action shooters are divided into three categories. They are Cowboy, Cowgirl and Senior (60+). Obviously you can only be in the latter two classifications if you qualify.

Classes

Within these three broad categories, a shooter’s classification is determined by the type of six gun (and powder) he or she uses. The categories are further subdivided into Frontier, Traditional and Modern classes depending upon the type of firearm the competitor uses.

Frontier (Black Powder) Percussion or Cartridge, single action revolvers of original manufacture prior to 1886 or reproductions thereof.

Traditional (Smokeless Powder) Single action revolvers manufactured prior to1896, or reproduction thereof.

Modern. A single action cartridge revolver, of .32 calibre or larger, typical of the period and with adjustable sights.

Equipment

Firearms: Shooters can use original firearms, manufactured during the early to late 1800"s by Colt, Winchester, Remington, Smith & Wesson, Marlin, Sharps, Henry, etc, as long as they are still in safe working condition. However most shooters use reproduction versions of those.  A number of manufacturer’s produce high quality reproduction and replica firearms at reasonable prices. Ruger produce the Vaquero, a pistol designed for Cowboy shooting and there are several “Peacemaker” clones. Both Winchester and Marlin have recently produced a lever action rifle based on the old 1894 design in the original calibers of 44/40 and 45 Long Colt as well as some more modern calibers such as 357.

Clothing: We put much emphasis on costuming because it adds so much to the uniqueness of the game and helps create a festive, informal atmosphere in the competitors. During major competitions all shooters must be in costume and we recommend that their invited guests and family also be costumed and even at weekly club shoots we try to “look the part”.  Shooters must remain in costume at all match events, dinners, awards and ceremonies.   Modern clothing such as designer jeans, baseball caps, plastic materials and any patches or logos are not allowed.

The  CPC wants our members to be safe, have fun, develop their shooting skills and enjoy the rich traditions of the Old West and those of Colonial New Zealand. We invite you to join in the friendly spirit of competition and preservation of the heritage of the past.

See our Cowboy Action Section here