Abe E.S. Corpus

Neither shotgun is legal. The only pump shotguns allowed are the Winchester 1897 (original or replica) and the Winchester Model 12. Despite the name, the Rock Island shotgun is a reproduction of the Ithaca Model 37. Stainless 1911s are legal for both Modern or Traditional.

Same page of SHB ver. 17.4, the first sentence under “SHOTGUNS” reads: ”The Winchester model 1897 and model 12 pump in 12 gauge…are allowed.” That’s probably just an editing oversight but that’s the ambiguity.

This question came up at the Wild Bunch side match at The Bushwhack. Ever since the Model 12 was approved for WBAS the rules have dealt with the requirement that shooter load and stage the shotgun the (internal) hammer down. At one time we had to “demonstrate” it to the TO; that requirement went away but staging the M12 with a cocked hammer remained a SDQ. Now the rules for CAS and WBAS eliminate the penalty for moving from the LT to the stage, and staging the long guns with action closed, hammer cocked, unless there is a live round in the chamber. Assume the shooter stages a Model 12 with hammer cocked, action closed. The TO cannot, of course, see the condition of the hammer. After the beep the cocked hammer becomes apparent when the shooter is unable to cycle the shotgun. Still a SDQ for failing to follow loading procedures or a “no call” unless a live round was in the chamber?

I believe this is another editing issue in the Handbook. Pre-2024 the shooter was required to cycle the rifle or shotgun before discarding it. If that was done, there was no penalty for an empty case/hull in the gun, nor for a live round in the gun unless it was in the chamber. The 2024 rule changes conform the requirement to that in CAS: the shooter must CLEAR the long gun, and Minor Safety penalties apply to empties or live rounds left in the gun (a live round in the chamber still being a SDQ). If my interpretation is correct, shouldn’t the references to the long gun being cycled (for example in the glossary) be eliminated?

A 16 gauge Winchester Model 12 was for sale at our state match. A fellow in my club asked whether it was legal for Wild Bunch. I checked the Handbook (including the latest version released on April 10 and found inconsistent language. The pre-2014 language was retained saying that the 1897 and Model 12 IN TWELVE GAUGE are allowed. The new paragraph under slide action shotgun says between 16 and 12 gauge. I assume the writer intended to change the rule to allow 16 gauge pumps, but this is another point that needs to be clarified.

Hosted by the Gunpowder Creek Regulators in Lenoir, NC. Always a great match. https://www.facebook.com/share/bfLaj6JgRsKz1B6s/?mibextid=WC7FNe

The shooter’s book with all of the stages is available on the state match website. Round count for the Wild Bunch mini-match is 26 rifle, 70 pistol and 12 shotgun.

Most holsters made to fit a single action revolver will serve for Wild Bunch. Drop your 1911 in and confirm that it covers the slide forward of the ejection port. If so, you’re good.

I guess that makes sense in that a break action shotgun cannot be cycled. I don’t like this. It penalizes the shooters who have purchased the pump action shotguns around which the game is based. This penalty should only be applicable to doubles or single shot shotguns.

When WBAS went to the requirement that the long gun be “cycled” at the end of the string (enough to cock the hammer), there was no penalty for a fired case or hull left in the chamber. That meant the shooter was not penalized for a failure to extract, or in the event an extracted case or hull fell back into the chamber. I’m hoping that this change was not intentional but was the result of cutting and pasting between Handbooks in an effort to make the games more consistent. I got used to the philosophy of getting rid of unnecessary penalties. That said, I do my best to understand, apply, and play by the rules as they change from time to time.

I made this comment in response to a photo that SASS posted on Facebook. The backdrop to the SASS booth at the Great American Outdoor Show is a colorful photo (Monument Valley, I suppose) with a centered caption that reads "Single Action Shooting Society" and under that "Shooting Sports". Under that heading "Cowboy Action Shooting" is on the left and "Wild Bunch Action Shooting" on the right. To the newcomer it coveys the message that SASS offers two separate shooting sports (which has been true for some time) but also that they are equally important, instead of CAS being the primary focus of SASS while WBAS is an afterthought. This is subtle messaging but I thought it meaningful and a demonstration that SASS really wants to promote Wild Bunch.

My 1911 is a Series 70 Gold Cup with vertical grooves on the front strap. I have two folks in my area who checker 1911 frames. Neither were willing to cross hatch the frame due I suppose to the depth of the factory grooves.

Very early on I asked about the Wilson checkered “panel” and was told it was LEGAL. I’d think skateboard tape may not be but I’ve never seen it asked or answered.

A knowledgeable WB shooter mentioned that the term “steel framed” was omitted in the 2024 revision. I said before that it would be helpful to have a “redline” each time a Handbook is revised.

The Belton Bushwhackers hold a Wild Bunch match on 5th Saturdays but since the 5th Saturday of March is very close to The Bushwhack (the SC State Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting there will not be a match on March 30. There will be a Wild Bunch mini-match on Thursday April 11, 2024 which is “side match day” at The Bushwhack. See www.beltonbushwhackers.com or www.scstatematch.com for details. Match Director “Sgt. Dork” knows how to write good stages.