... to Western Shooters of South Africa. We are all about Cowboy Action Shooting and our mission is to preserve this shooting sport and provide a sustainable basis for it's growth.

Cowboy Action Shooting is easily the most entertaining sports shooting discipline you will ever find. Competitors dress up in cowboy gear that is either period correct or resembles the outfit of a movie hero (or villain) or a fictional character of the Wild West era. They use firearms instantly recognized from countless Western movies and series - like Colts, Winchesters and double barrel shotguns - and the targets are rather large and close up. The "Action" in Cowboy Action Shooting is what makes it so addictive.

Rules are designed to emphasize SAFETY, FUN and good sportsmanship. That is why it is such a family friendly sport. Many cowboys bring their cowgirls and even the cow-kids along. Cowboy Action Shooters are friendly and helpful people, always willing to help newcomers and keen to share their enthusiasm. If you visit any shooting range where there is a Cowboy Action match going on, you'll find them right away. Just look for the largest group of spectators.

There are people who love Cowboy Action Shooting because they want to be competitive while shooting Wild West firearms. Others love it for the dressing up part, preferring detailed costumes over the gun play, but most love a combination of the two sides.

It is not surprising that most people are easily drawn towards the Cowboy theme because it conjures up times where live was hard but real, where a man's word was his bond and good would eventually triumph over evil. A time when honour was not a word but a lifestyle. And a time when justice was harsh and swift for those of questionable morals. Perhaps it is the longing for these good old-fashioned values that makes grown men and women want to be cowboys and cowgirls. It would certainly explain why they are such a genuinely nice crowd.

By the way, you don't have to portray a cowboy to participate in Cowboy Action Shooting. There were lots of towns-folk, farmers, soldiers, gamblers, bankers, saloon girls, bar-keeps, newspaper men, gunslingers, horse thieves and assorted other scoundrels that populated the Wild West.

If all this intrigued you and you want to experience Cowboy Action Shooting for yourself, check for a club in your area under the Local Clubs tab. If there isn't one near you listed yet, contact us so that we can check if there are likeminded people in your area who you could get in contact with. Maybe you will soon have your own Cowboy Action club. If you already have a club that caters for Cowboy Action Shooting and would like to affiliate to us to gain dedicated sports shooter status to help with the licensing of your cowboy guns, then contact us.

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The Western Territory Rangers down here in the Cape are hosting Western Shooters of South Africa's first Annual Year-End Cowboy Shoot & Party on the 19 November 2011. Cowboy Action Shooters will be coming from as far as Pretoria and beyond to join us for the day.

We are planning an outdoors Cowboy shooting competition for the day and then by the late afternoon, an indoor Cowboy Fast-Draw shooting competition using laser revolvers and a competition Cowboy shooting gaming machine.

The evening will be finished off with a prize giving (including best Cowboy/girl costume, a Spit Braai, a live band / DJ and some dancing to Country music, of course.

The venue is the False Bay Gun Club and and shooting will commence at High Noon. Find directions here: http://www.westernshooters.co.za/pages/local.html

Visitors are always welcome to see what Cowboy Action Shooting is all about. Eye- and ear protection is mandatory on the range.

 

The Guns & Gear of Cowboy Action Shooting

Avid Cowboy Action Shooter Graeme Smith, aka. Slip Shootin' Smith, SASS # 78513, compiled this informative and entertaining article about the guns, equipment, shooting scenarios and the Spirit of the Game. Get informed here...

CAS, SASS & WSSA - The Chairman remembers...

Our Chairman Brian Hoare, aka. Richmond P. Hobson, SASS # 32728, reminisces about the beginnings of Cowboy Action Shooting, the Single Action Shooting Society and how the Western Shooters of South Africa came to be - and where it will all lead. Get decades of wisdom here...

End of Trail Impressions 2010

In June of 2010 four members of the Western Shooters of South Africa visited the 29th End of Trail World Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting in New Mexico, USA. It was a fantastic experience, full of cowboy spirit, unforgettable sights, gun smoke and shopping binges.