Men’s and Women’s Four Gun Smokeless Shootist: Shooter uses two pistols, one shotgun, and one pistol caliber rifle. Shooters may shoot smokeless powder and may fire handguns us ing a two-handed grip.
Men’s and Women’s Three Gun Smokeless Shootist: Shooter uses two pistols and one pistol caliber rifle. Shooters may shoot smokeless powder and may fire handguns using a two-handed grip.
Men’s and Women’s Two Gun Smokeless Shootist Working Cowboy: Shooter uses one pistol and one pistol caliber rifle. No Gun Carts are to be used at any time. Shooters may shoot smokeless powder and may fire handguns using a two-handed grip.
Men’s and Women’s Four Gun Black Powder Shootist: Shooter uses two pistols, one shotgun, and one pistol caliber rifle. Shooter must shoot black powder or approved black powder substitute powder in all firearms except those chambered for rimfire cartridges, and may fire handguns using a two-handed grip. Shot guns may NOT include any model of pump shotgun.
Men’s and Women’s Three Gun Black Powder Shootist: Shooter uses two pistols and one pistol caliber rifle. Shooter must shoot black powder or approved black powder substitute powder in all firearms except those chambered for rimfire cartridges, and may fire handguns using a two-handed grip.
Men’s and Women’s Two Gun Black Powder Shootist Working Cowboy: Shooter uses one pistol and one pistol caliber rifle. No Gun Carts are to be used at any time. Shooter must shoot black powder or approved black powder substitute powder in all firearms except those chambered for rimfire cartridges, and may fire handguns using a two-handed grip.
Men’s and Women’s Four Gun Smokeless Duelist: Shooter uses two pistols, one shotgun, and one pistol caliber rifle. Shooters may shoot smokeless powder and must fire handguns using a one-handed grip.
Men’s and Women’s Three Gun Smokeless Duelist: Shooter uses two pistols and one pistol caliber rifle. Shooters may shoot smokeless powder and must fire handguns using a one-handed grip.
Men’s and Women’s Two Gun Smokeless Duelist Working Cowboy: Shooter uses one pistol and one pistol caliber rifle. No Gun Carts are to be used at any time. Shooters may shoot smokeless powder and must fire handguns using a one-handed grip.
Men’s and Women’s Four Gun Black Powder Duelist: Shooter uses two pistols, one shotgun, and one pistol caliber rifle. Shooter must shoot black powder or approved black powder substitute powder in all firearms except those chambered for rimfire cartridges, and must fire handguns using a one-handed grip. Shotguns may NOT include any model of pump shotgun.
Men’s and Women’s Three Gun Black Powder Duelist: Shooter uses two pistols and one pistol caliber rifle. Shooter must shoot black powder or approved black powder substitute powder in all firearms except those chambered for rimfire cartridges, and must fire handguns using a one-handed grip.
Men’s and Women’s Two Gun Black Powder Duelist Working Cowboy: Shooter uses one pistol and one pistol caliber rifle. No Gun Carts are to be used at any time. Shooter must shoot black powder or approved black powder substitute powder in all firearms except those chambered for rimfire cartridges, and must fire handguns using a one-handed grip.
Men’s and Women’s Four Gun Pistoleer: Shooter uses two pistols, one shotgun, and one pistol caliber rifle. Shooters are restricted to the use of percussion revolvers, pre-1873 percussion or original/authentic reproductions of rimfire cartridge pocket pistols, exposed hammer double-barreled shotguns (percussion or cartridge) and reproduction or original pre-1873 pistol-caliber repeating rifles (e.g.1860 Henry, Spencer, 1866 Winchester, etc.) Shooters must shoot black powder or approved black powder substitute in all firearms except those chambered for rimfire cartridges. Pistols and revolvers must be shot one-handed. Pistoleer shooters will shoot the same course of fire as the other competitors except that in a stage requiring more than two shotgun rounds the Pistoleer shooter would not be required to shoot the extra rounds.
Men’s and Women’s Three Gun Pistoleer: Shooter uses two pistols and one pistol caliber rifle. Shooters are restricted to the use of percussion revolvers, pre-1873 percussion or original/authentic reproductions of rimfire cartridge pocket pistols, and reproduction or original pre-1873 pistol-caliber repeating rifles (e.g. 1860 Henry, Spencer, 1866 inchester, etc.) Shooters must shoot black powder or approved black powder substitute in all firearms except those chambered for rimfire cartridges. Pistols and revolvers must be shot one-handed.
Boy’s and Girl’s Four Gun Juniors: Shall be open to those 12 through 17 only. Shooter uses two pistols, one rifle and one shotgun. May use any of the above shooting styles.
Boy’s and Girl’s Two Gun Juniors: Shall be open to those 12 through 17 only. Shooter uses one pistol and one rifle. May use any of the above shooting styles.
Men’s and Women’s Originals: Shooter uses two guns, one rifle and one pistol to complete the course of fire. This class must be shot duelist/traditional style. Must have three originals present to have the class. For complete rules and regulations see Appendix A at the back of the Tally Book.
No modern (post 1899) firearms will be allowed unless they are authentic reproductions of traditional firearms or very markedly resemble traditional firearms. Traditional firearms are defined as those manufactured prior to or during the era 1865-1899 and in documented use on the North American Frontier within that time period. Center-fire calibers may substitute for original rim-fire calibers in reproduction firearms. Reproduction firearms chambered in calibers not utilized in original models shall be allowed as long as such calibers are original to the period or are otherwise approved by the National Congress of Old West Shootists.
Q1. Can you use any Rugers in NCOWS?
A1. You can use old model and new model Vaqueros but not Blackhawks or the Ruger “Bisley” as they have no historic basis. (Of note, the Uberti and Beretta Bisleys are approved as they are true replicas of the original Colt Bisley revolver.)
Q2. Are gun carts authorized?
A2. Yes if they have wooden or steel wheels. NCOWS gun carts should be made from wood or other materials available in the Old West. Modern plastics and aluminum are not period correct materials. Working Cowboy and The Originals categories are restricted from using a cart. The 2-gun category shooters carry their gear in a saddle bag or carpet bag.
Q3. Are there "costume police" at all matches?
A3. No, no one is going to throw you out for your dress. NCOWS clothing should be pre-1900 replica clothing. No modern jeans, modern cowboy boots, modern cowboy hats, or B-Western costumes. Costuming is held to a higher standard at major Regional or National matches. (see Q10 below).
Q4. Are short stroked rifles authorized?
A4. No. These modifications have no historic basis.
Q5. What is the emphasis in NCOWS shooting matches?
A5. Accuracy, not speed is the emphasis. Targets may be smaller, further out, and sometimes moving. You'll need to use your sights in NCOWS.
Q6. Is NCOWS more interested in historical accuracy?
A6. Yes, if you love the history of the real Old West, NCOWS is for you. Some members often refer to themselves as "mongrel historians". We love to research and share knowledge about all aspects of life in the Old West. Our magazine, The Shootist is a collection of history related articles researched and written by our NCOWS members. The Shootist is published 4 times a year. You get a subscription to this magazine when you join NCOWS.
Q7. Does NCOWS have a class for a shooter with only one revolver and rifle?
A7. Yes, it's called Working Cowboy and this is great for a person just starting out.
Q8. I've got a gun or item which I believe should be NCOWS approved, but it is not on the list. Can I use it?
A8. If you've got documentation from a valid historical source, you should contact the Judge at your local posse. NCOWS does have a legislative process for approving items. Your local posse Judge can help you here.
Q9. Do I need to be an NCOWS member or club member to shoot with the Berger Sharpshooters?
A9. No. For our monthly matches we welcome anyone to join us. To shoot in any Regional or National NCOWS sanctioned event, all shooters must be NCOWS members.
Q10. Do I need to have all the clothing and firearms when just starting out?
A10. No, just come and have fun with us. Folks are happy to share. You can collect everything you need over time. NCOWS gives new members one full year to get their gear together. We expect new shooters to be competent in the safe handling of a revolver, rifle, and shotgun before they attend one of our matches.