7 Mistakes You’re Making with Cowboy Action Shooting (And How to Fix Them)
The sun hangs low over a jagged horizon, casting long, dancing shadows across the sagebrush. You can almost hear the faint whistle of a distant steam locomotive and the jingle of spurs on a wooden boardwalk. For those of us drawn to the rugged days of the American frontier, Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) isn't just a sport, it’s a time machine. It’s the smell of black powder, the weight of cold steel in a leather holster, and the satisfying ping of lead hitting steel.
But let’s be honest, partner: stepping into the boots of a legendary lawman or a notorious outlaw is harder than it looks in the Saturday morning matinees. You might have the hat and the grit, but are you stumbling over the technical hurdles that separate the legends from the greenhorns? Whether you’re shooting a pair of beautiful Uberti revolvers or cycling a Winchester lever-gun, small mistakes can lead to big time penalties, or worse, a breach of safety.
At Western Gun Store, we live and breathe this lifestyle. I’m Jason Marsh, and I’ve seen plenty of shooters lose their way on the trail. Today, we’re clearing the dust. Let’s dive into the seven most common mistakes you’re making in Cowboy Action Shooting and how to fix them before your next match.
1. Prioritizing Speed Over Frontier Safety
We all want to be the fastest gun in the West. It’s the ultimate dream, right? But in the heat of a competition, that desire for a "blazing fast" time often leads to the most dangerous mistake: compromising safety during the draw and reholster.
The most difficult skill for any beginner is safely handling a single-action revolver under the pressure of a ticking timer. We often see folks trying to "rip" the gun out of the holster before they’ve even secured a proper grip, or worse, leaving a finger inside the trigger guard while slamming the iron back into the leather.
The Fix:
- Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Forget the timer for a while. Focus on a perfect, deliberate draw stroke.
- Finger off the trigger. Your trigger finger should stay straight along the frame until the muzzle is pointed downrange at the target.
- Holster with care. There are no bonus points for a fast reholster. Take an extra half-second to ensure the gun is seated safely.
Remember, safety isn't just a rule; it’s the code of the West. If you want to learn more about the fundamentals, check out our guide to the spirit of Cowboy Action guns.
2. The "Shotgun Shuffle": Neglecting the Scattergun
The shotgun is often the "forgotten" gun of the CAS world. Because you usually only fire two to four rounds per stage, many shooters spend all their practice time on their revolvers and lever-actions. However, poor shotgun manipulation is where most stages are actually lost.
Trying to fumbly-finger shells into a double-barrel or a 1897 pump-action while your adrenaline is pumping is a recipe for disaster. If you aren't practiced, those four shells can feel like they’re made of greased lightning.
The Fix:
- Practice "Point Practice." Spend ten minutes at the start of every dry-fire session performing shotgun movements painfully slow. Focus on perfect hand placement and shell extraction.
- Master the "Double Load." If you're using a side-by-side, practice grabbing two shells at once and dropping them into the chambers in one smooth motion.
- Check your equipment. Are you using the right scattergun for your style? Review our top 10 shotguns for Cowboy Action Shooting to make sure your hardware isn't holding you back.
3. Fighting the Trigger Instead of the Target
You’ve got the sights lined up. The steel plate is staring you down. You squeeze... and the shot goes wide left. What happened?
Many shooters focus so much on the "aim" that they forget about trigger control. In Cowboy Action, we aren't shooting precision bullseye matches at 50 yards; we’re shooting reactive steel at close range. If you’re jerking the trigger because you’re trying to go fast, you’re moving the entire gun before the bullet even leaves the barrel.
The Fix:
- Understand the "Two-Speed" Trigger. Learn the difference between a deliberate, slow pull for a distant or small target and a fast (but smooth) pull for a close-up "barn door" target.
- Dry-Fire Practice. Place a spent casing on top of your barrel and practice cocking and firing without letting the casing fall off.
- Consistency is King. Ensure your grip is the same every time so the trigger pull becomes mechanical and predictable.
4. Losing Your Way: Shooting Targets Out of Order
The "Procedural" penalty is the silent killer of a good score. Missing a target is one thing, but shooting them in the wrong sequence is a five to ten-second mistake that’s entirely mental. In the excitement of the "Buzzer," it’s easy to forget if the stage instructions said "Double-tap the middle, then sweep the ends" or "Nevada Sweep from left to right."
The Fix:
- Visualize the Stage. Before you step into the box, close your eyes and "see" yourself shooting the sequence. Point your finger and mimic the movements.
- Create a Mental Mantra. Repeat the sequence to yourself while waiting in line: "Left, middle, right, middle, left."
- Don't Rush the Start. Take a deep breath after the RO asks "Shooter ready?" and before the beep. A calm mind shoots the right targets.
5. Clunky Transitions: The "Dead Air" Between Guns
The clock doesn't stop when you finish your rifle string; it stops when your last shot hits the steel. A huge mistake shooters make is treating each gun as an isolated event. They shoot the rifle, set it down carefully, look around, find their revolvers, and then start shooting again. That "dead air" is where seconds go to die.
The Fix:
- Practice the "Hand-Off." In your dry-fire sessions, practice the exact movement of staging your rifle and immediately transitioning to your holster.
- Footwork Matters. Position your body so you don't have to take unnecessary steps between gun positions.
- Stay in the "Zone." Keep your head in the game. As you’re finishing your rifle shots, your brain should already be mentally gripping your revolvers.
6. Feeding Your Iron the Wrong Diet
Not all ammo is created equal. I’ve seen shooters show up with high-pressure hunting loads that kick like a mule, making follow-up shots nearly impossible. Or worse, they use ammo that doesn't "ring" the steel properly or leads to frequent jams in their delicate lever-action rifles.
Your choice in ammunition affects your recoil management, your speed, and the longevity of your firearms. Whether it’s Winchester or specialized performance loads, you need the right tool for the job.
The Fix:
- Choose Performance Cowboy Loads. Look for brands like Buffalo Bore, Federal Syntech, or Winchester Cowboy Action loads. These are designed for lower recoil and consistent ignition.
- Match Your Caliber to Your Rifle. Make sure you’re feeding your lever-gun rounds that cycle smoothly. Check our Cowboy Action ammo guide to see what works best for your specific iron.
- Consistency. Once you find a load that works, stick with it. Switching brands mid-season will mess with your muscle memory and point of aim.
7. Practicing Individual Speed Instead of Stage Flow
Many folks go to the range and practice "Rapid Fire" on a single target. Sure, it looks cool to empty a six-shooter in two seconds, but that rarely translates to a faster stage time. A match is a dance. It’s movement, transitions, target changes, and firearm swaps. If you only practice the "shooting" part, you’re only practicing 30% of the game.
The Fix:
- Run "Mini-Stages." Even if you’re at a public range with limited movement, practice switching between two different targets or transitioning from your rifle to your pistol (safely and within range rules).
- Focus on the "Wholes." Practice the entire sequence of a stage at 50% speed until it feels like a fluid, continuous motion.
- Review Your Aim. Speed is useless if you're missing. Check out our tips on mastering your aim to balance velocity with accuracy.
The Trail Ahead
Cowboy Action Shooting is a journey back to a time of honor, grit, and incredible craftsmanship. It’s about the community, the history, and the sheer joy of hearing that steel ring true. Mistakes are just part of the trail: every legend from Wyatt Earp to Wild Bill Hickok had to start somewhere.
Don't let these common pitfalls keep you from the winner’s circle. Fix your transitions, respect your shotgun, and always, always keep safety at the forefront of your holster.
Ready to upgrade your gear or stock up on the best ammo for your next match? We’ve got everything you need to keep your heritage firearms running like a dream.
Saddle up and get to the range: your next adventure is waiting.
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See you on the firing line, partner!
