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Cowboy Action Shooting Setup, Ruger Vaquero vs. Colt & SASS Gear on a Budget
Estimated reading time: 4 min
A caller named Todd asks the Gunslinger crew how to build a cowboy action shooting rig from scratch without breaking the bank. The hosts cover caliber selection, why Ruger Vaqueros outlast the competition, where to find quality used leather, and a haul of cowboy action guns heading to the May 30th Gunslinger Auctions sale.
Building a Cowboy Action Rig on a Budget
Todd from Long Beach called in wanting to know where a newcomer starts when putting together a cowboy action shooting rig, specifically going light on the right hand and beginning in .32 caliber. The short answer from the crew: used and already worked beats new and stiff every time, if the price is right.
New Uberti 1873 rifles are running $1,200 to $1,400 off the shelf, with retail pushing closer to $1,900 in some stores. The Marlin 1894 checks in around $1,200. Either way, those are bone-stock guns with heavy factory triggers, and getting them competition-ready means spending at least another $500 to $1,000 on gunsmithing. A used piece that has already been through a good action job is a smarter starting point. Come May 30th, Gunslinger Auctions will have a strong selection to choose from, including a couple of Uberti 1873s, a pair of Winchester 1873s (the current Japanese-made production models), several Ruger Vaqueros, a couple of Stoeger shotguns, and an SKB. A veteran cowboy shooter who has decided to hang up his rigs is also contributing his personal guns to the mix. You can browse and register for that auction at HiBid or Proxibid.
Caliber Choice and the Real Cost of Ammo
The caliber question is where a lot of new shooters get blindsided. The recommendation from the crew is clear: start in .38/.357. If you are not already a reloader, .45 Colt will cost you around $60 a box, and a standard match burns through two boxes of pistol ammo and two boxes of rifle ammo. That is $200 in ammunition for a single afternoon. The .38/.357 family gives you lower cost per round, wide availability, and adequate performance for everything the game demands.
There are certain categories in competitive cowboy shooting that require a larger bore, but for a shooter just getting started, the .38/.357 combination keeps the focus on learning the sport rather than managing an ammunition bill. Reloading helps considerably, but it is an investment of both money and time that a newcomer need not take on immediately.
Ruger Vaqueros, Leather, and the SASS Wire
For the revolver itself, the crew’s recommendation is unequivocal: Ruger Vaqueros. They run on coil springs rather than flat springs, and that distinction matters enormously when a gun is cycling at competition speed thousands of times per year. Flat springs fatigue and eventually snap. Coil springs just keep going. One of the hosts recounted a pair of Vaqueros that saw roughly half a million rounds apiece before being sold off. The buyer used them for five more years. That gun is still in service today. You simply cannot say the same for a standard single action. Colts are beautiful, they feel right in the hand, but cowboy competition is not the place to run a Colt if you care about keeping it intact.
Leather deserves equal attention and equal budget. A holster that loses its shape under use is a liability on the clock. The crew’s advice is straightforward: do not try to save money on leather. Spend what it takes to get a rig that holds its shape and allows a clean draw every time. For sourcing quality used leather and other cowboy gear, the SASS Wire forums run a classified section where shooters buy and sell among themselves. Visiting an active local club is another reliable route. Someone always has good gear to move, and buying used from someone who bought well means you are getting proven equipment at a fraction of the original price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best caliber to start with in cowboy action shooting?
.38/.357 is the recommended starting caliber for cowboy action shooting. It is widely available, significantly cheaper per round than .45 Colt, and performs well across all beginner-level categories. At a standard match, a shooter burns through roughly four boxes of ammunition between pistol and rifle stages, and .45 Colt at $60 a box adds up fast.
Why are Ruger Vaqueros recommended over Colt Single Action Army revolvers for cowboy action shooting?
Ruger Vaqueros use coil springs throughout the action rather than the flat mainspring found in a Colt Single Action Army. Under the repetitive cycling demands of competition shooting, flat springs eventually fatigue and break. Coil springs resist that kind of wear almost indefinitely. Colts are fine guns and genuinely handsome to carry, but subjecting one to tens of thousands of competition rounds is a good way to damage a firearm that holds real collector and sentimental value.
Is it better to buy a new or used cowboy action shooting gun?
If you can find a used gun that has already received a proper action job, buy it. New Uberti 1873s and similar competition rifles come from the factory with heavy, stiff triggers that require $500 to $1,000 in gunsmithing before they are genuinely competition-ready. A used gun that has already been through that work at a fair price is a better value and will be more enjoyable to shoot from day one.
Where can I find used cowboy action shooting gear and holsters?
The SASS Wire forums maintain an active classified section where cowboy shooters list guns, leather, and accessories for sale. Local clubs are another strong resource, since active members often have quality gear they are ready to move. Firearm auctions are also worth watching: HiBid and Proxibid both carry cowboy action lots periodically.
How much does it cost to get started in cowboy action shooting?
Cowboy action shooting is not a budget hobby, and the crew has said as much for decades. A new Uberti 1873 rifle runs $1,200 to $1,900 depending on the retailer, and revolvers add similar cost. Quality leather can run as much as the gun itself. Getting factory-trigger guns competition-ready adds another $500 to $1,000 in gunsmithing. Buying used guns that have already been worked and sourcing leather through clubs or forums like the SASS Wire is the most practical way to enter the sport without a painful first-year bill.
Sources, Credibility, and Continuing the Conversation
The recommendations and observations herein rest on decades of hands-on experience: restorations, hunts, auctioneering, and studio conversation. Practical advice leans best when tempered by cautious humility – test gear, vet sellers, and keep learning from trusted elders in the trade.