Most gun enthusiasts and shooters have probably heard of SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) and their game of Cowboy Action Shooting. This organization began in the mid-1980s in Southern California. It has become one of the top shooting sports worldwide, with SASS clubs across the USA and in several foreign countries. Less well-known is the National Congress of Old West Shootists (NCOWS).
The National Congress of Old West Shootists
NCOWS was an offshoot of SASS, founded in 1994. Their mission statement is, “…to promote safe Western Action Shooting, including the re-enactment and promotion of the historical Old West heritage of the United States in all its ethnic, social, and occupational diversity during the period 1865 to 1899.” To put it in a nutshell, NCOWS endorses western-oriented shooting competition. It emphasizes period-correctness.
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What’s It all About?
In a word – authenticity. NCOWS mandates that the member/competitor’s firearms, clothing, and accoutrements are replicated or styled like those from the post-Civil War period to the end of the 19th Century. So, you don’t want to show up at an NCOWS western action shooting match wearing a straw cowboy hat with feathers, blue jeans decked out with studs and rhinestones, and Pink Nike shoes. NCOWS Posses can be lenient for new shooters, but at least try to dress the part.
The Tally Book (found on the NCOWS website) rules allow a new member to take up to one year to assemble a Basic Level One costume. For starters, you’re looking for square-toe boots sans decorative stitching. Choose shirts that button halfway up or have a bib-front, plus trousers held up with suspenders. They should have a button-up fly. Then there’s the guns. They have to be from the same era as previously stated. They can be originals or replicas.
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Classes Offered
One good thing about NCOW is that they offer a class for beginners called Men’s and Women’s Two-Gun, or Working Cowboy for short. This requires only a sixgun and a lever-action rifle, reducing initial expense. In total, there are seventeen shooting classes in NCOWS. They are mostly based on how many guns you’re using, black or smokeless powder propellant, and how you hold your six-shooter(s). An example would be Men’s and Women’s Four Gun Smokeless Shootists. Breaking that down, you have two six-guns, a lever gun, and a shotgun. Your ammunition is loaded with smokeless powder. Plus, you use a two-handed hold on your handgun.
There are only two age-based classes, Boys and Girls (ages 12-17), and Four or Two Gun Juniors. There are a couple of other classes with special rules, like Pistoleer and Original. Best check the Tally Book for these. Your best bet is to attend a match and observe. Be sure to bring hearing protection and shooting glasses. Don’t go buying guns and gear that might be on the unapproved list. You could then be unable to use them.
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Safety Briefing
The competition starts with a safety briefing. There are generally several stages, and it’s a timed event, with a shooting procedure that must be followed. Before the shooting begins, the range officer (RO) explains the stage procedure. This includes how to engage the targets and how much ammunition to use per gun. All guns are unloaded; long guns have their actions open, and handguns are holstered. When it is your turn to shoot, you go to the loading table where a fellow cowpoke watches as you load each gun.
The RO will then call you, make sure you know the procedure, and ask if you’re ready. You may have to say something like, “Keep your hand off that hog-leg, mister!” before the timer is activated. When you hear the “beep,” you start shooting. After you finish, you go to the unloading table, where another fellow cowpoke makes sure your guns are clear. Your stage score is based on your time, accuracy and if you followed the procedure. Misses and procedural violations add seconds to your time. That’s a brief overview, so hopefully you have some understanding of the goings on.
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The Organization
NCOWS is a relatively small outfit with a dozen Posses (clubs) spread over ten states. The Posse I belong to is The Scarlet Mask Vigilance Society (SMVS), based in central Indiana. The leadership consists of a Territorial Congress and an Executive Committee (Marshal, Deputy Marshal, Secretary, Banker, and Judge/Chief RO), 15 Senators, and a Representative from each of the Posses. They meet annually at the NCOWS Convention, held at various locations and sponsored by different Posses. With the members’ assistance, they direct the organization, draft needed rules and regulations, and approve or disapprove new firearms and gear.
Besides the matches held by each individual Posse, there are other matches. These include the NCOWS National, NCOWS Eastern Regional, NCOWS Midwest Regional, and the Ruckus at Raccoon Forks. Any NCOWS member can compete in these matches. Most individual Posse matches are held from early Spring to late Fall. A few Posses shoot year-round. For 2025, my Posse, the SMVS, hosted the NCOWS Eastern Regional.
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Burning Powder
Our Eastern Regional match was held in late September at our cowboy-town range, near Morgantown, Indiana. It was a three-day event, and we had fairly good representation from members of other Posses in other states. There were side matches (like pocket pistol) and long-range shooting on the first day. Then there were 5-stage matches on the next two days. Lunch was served on the range each day. On the last day, an evening banquet was held. It featured great food, and awards were given to the top shooters in their respective classes.
The match stages are always challenging. Each has its own scenario and procedure. They are often based on actual Old West shootouts and incidents. The targets are all steel. At our range, the pistol targets are white, the rifle targets yellow, and the shotgun targets blue. They’re in all shapes and sizes. Some are knock-down or spinners. There are even moving buffalo and cowboy targets.
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Cowboy Town Evolution
Our cowboy town range has really evolved over the years. It now features shooting positions, authentic-looking building facades, and even a lunch area with picnic tables. I was unable to attend the first two days of the Regional, so I didn’t qualify for any awards. However, I did shoot the last day just to enjoy the company of my “pards” and attend the banquet. It was a hoot.
The National Congress of Old West Shootists
Check the NCOWS website (www.ncows.com) and see where there is a Posse near you. If you click on the Posse name, you will get information about where the matches are held, the times and dates, plus a contact person. Come on and check out an NCOWS match, meet the friendly folks, and I bet you’ll want to get in on the fun too!
For more information, visit NCOWS.
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