Single Action Shooting is basically a three type of gun competition. The firearms are those most typical of the American Frontier from about 1860 to just after the turn of the century.

Shooting scenarios are likened to an events akin to those of the old west. Match themes can come from actual incidents, movie scenes or the match designers imagination. Single Action is not a fast draw style of competiton. Shooters' will find movement and plenty of action as they use all three styles of firearms during engagement.

This shooting sport was designed for all levels of shooters. Targets are generous in size and placed at such proximity that the difficulty or challenge competitors face is the speed they engage a course of fire. However, we all learn soon enough that no target is too big or too close that we can't miss it.

Shooters compete and enjoy the sport at any skill level, it is NOT mandatory to shoot well or to win in order to have FUN. This promotes the values often referred to as the "spirit of the game," and is perhaps best shown by the friends made while sharing a mutual appreciation of what is the legend of America's most colorful and exciting period.

Another of the characteristics of this shooting sport is the costumes and alias'. Shooters have found this to be one of the most interesting and fun parts of the sport and can take their inspiration from a wide range including turn of the century traditional or the classic "Hollywood" movie styles. Shooters also choose an alias to shoot as and the ones used by the Mt. Rowan Rangers can be seen on our main page.

Pistols used for main match competition are single action types. Separate classes for percussion (cap & ball), black powder cartridge and smokeless cartridge shooting allow broad use and choice of styles. Traditional Class denotes use of fixed or iron sights. Modern Class brings into play single action pistols with adjustable style of sights. Up to eight separate classes provide all shooters' with excellent choices from which to choose.

A nice example of a single action revolver.

Rifles and carbines are the lever or slide action style of the period. Main match competition requires use of a "pistol" caliber, typically the same as that selected for use in their pistols.

..............A typical rifle used for Single Action - a Marlin model 1894 Cowboy

Shotguns used are any side by side common to the era, without automatic ejectors, with or without exposed hammers, with one or two triggers. Any lever action shotgun may be used.

Specific rules and explanations can be found in the SASS Shooter's Handbook