Cowboy Single Action Shooting at CDPC

Cowboy Single Action Shooting is more than just a match – it is a
lifestyle and a community. Competitors recreate the spirit of
the 1800s frontier, combining themed dress, period-style firearms and
fun, story-driven stages on steel targets.

  • Old West costumes and characters inspired by the 1800s
  • Timed stages with multiple steel and reactive targets
  • Scenarios inspired by famous incidents and classic Western movies
  • Strong focus on camaraderie, sportsmanship and safe gun handling

CDPC Cowboy matches are a great fit if you enjoy themed, social
competition where history, storytelling and shooting all come together
in one event.

IPSC Shooting Team at Cranbourne Dandenong Pistol Club

The Old West – alive and well

Cowboy Single Action Shooting began in California in 1982 and quickly
grew into a worldwide phenomenon. Today there are thousands of clubs
across the globe running Cowboy Action–style events that echo scenes
from classic Westerns.

Our aim at CDPC is to preserve, promote and respect the skills and
traditions of the Old West. Shooters are encouraged to:

  • Dress in 1800s-style Old West costumes, from cowboys to lawmen and townfolk.
  • Adopt a cowboy alias or persona and lean into the storytelling aspect.
  • Use appropriate, period-style competition firearms and leather gear.
  • Respect the traditions, safety and etiquette of the discipline.

A worldwide fraternity

Cowboy shooters are part of a global community united by a love of
history, firearms and friendly competition. Across the world, people
gather to:

  • Learn and maintain skills that pre-date modern technology.
  • Share knowledge about Old West firearms, gear and clothing.
  • Compete for prestige and personal achievement on the timer.
  • Enjoy the camaraderie and social interaction of like-minded folk.

Skills & traditions

Matches also reward practical skills that defined the era – smooth
lever work, confident handling of single-action revolvers and competent,
efficient use of a shotgun. All of this is done within a modern, safe
range environment, supervised by qualified Range Officers.

Guns of the Old West

Cowboy Single Action Shooting uses firearms that reflect the tools of the
era – simple, reliable and unmistakably “Old West”.

Two single-action revolvers

Competitors use a pair of six-guns – revolvers that are strictly
single-action. The hammer must be manually cocked before every
shot, just as it was in the 1800s.

Lever-action rifle

A lever-action rifle chambered in a pistol calibre is used for
rifle strings. Smooth cycling and consistent shouldering are key skills
in this part of the match.

Old-time shotgun

An old-time shotgun – often a side-by-side – completes the trio,
used to knock down steel plates or other close-range targets as part of
the stage design.

Together, these three firearm types create a complete “Cowboy” toolkit,
testing your ability to transition smoothly and safely between guns
under time pressure.

Stages, scenarios & scoring

Cowboy Single Action Shooting is a timed sport made up of multiple
“stages”. Each stage presents a different scenario, often based on
famous incidents, town shootouts or scenes from classic Western films.

Themed scenarios

Every stage tells a short story: defending a town, stopping a robbery,
riding into a showdown and more. Targets, props and instructions all
work together to immerse shooters in the Old West setting.

Steel & reactive targets

Shooters test their mettle on an array of steel and reactive targets.
Different shapes, distances and presentations keep matches interesting
and reward good sight alignment and trigger control.

Time & penalties

Competitors are timed on each stage. Misses or procedural errors add
penalties to the score, so the goal is to be smooth, safe and
accurate, not just fast.

Because stages change from match to match, there are no fixed drills or
standard exercises. Shooters are encouraged to be inventive in how they
approach each scenario, while still following the stage brief and safety
rules.

Why people love Cowboy shooting

Cowboy Single Action Shooting appeals to shooters who want more than a
traditional target competition. It combines:

Fun & immersion

  • Dress in period costume and adopt a cowboy persona.
  • Shoot on stages that feel like scenes from an Old West story.
  • Handle classic-style firearms in a modern, safe environment.

Community & camaraderie

  • Join a worldwide fraternity of Cowboy shooters.
  • Share knowledge about history, guns, gear and costume.
  • Enjoy friendly rivalry, social events and post-match catch-ups.

Get involved in Cowboy Single Action Shooting at CDPC

Interested in stepping back into the Old West and trying Cowboy Single
Action Shooting at Cranbourne Dandenong Pistol Club?
New and experienced shooters are welcome.

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