SASS Rules/Regs
Pocket RO Card – Current as of January 2023
PractiScore Match Scoring Tutorial
PractiScore Tutorial Outline for Downloading
Here is a link to a set of instructions for using PractiScore to score Cowboy Action Shooting matches. We’ve done our best to develop a reasonably comprehensive guide, but this is not meant as a replacement of the instruction manual.
TG updates:
2025 TG Update
- At the Land Run TG Mtg, Misty emphasized the rules for eligibility for ladies classes and the revised regulation that appears on Page 5 of the SHB: Eligibility is determined by gender at birth, and transgender shooters must compete in an open category.
- The updated RO training course is in use and being evaluated.
- A TO training module that will include video footage of scenarios is being completed and should be put into place early in 2026.
- SASS will next update and revise the Match Directors Guide.
- A clarification will be added to the 2026 SHB regarding cocked hammer on rifle being brought to the line. It IS NOT an automatic penalty if a rifle in such condition is staged (leaves the shooter’s hand). Apparently some have attempted to call it a penalty.
- A proposal to reduce the penalty for failing to clear firearms at the unloading table was rejected out of hand by Misty and the ROC.
- A clarification will be added to the 2026 SHB further defining “revolver in hand.” A revolver is considered to be “in hand” from the time the muzzle clears the holster until the muzzle reenters the holster. If a revolver is initially staged, it is “in hand” until it is returned to the staged position.
- A formal proposal has been made to add a category for shooters who are 90+ years of age.
- A formal proposal has been made to eliminate the MSV penalty for a gun that falls and does not break the 170. The new rule would require a SDQ for any unloaded gun that falls, regardless of muzzle direction.
- A formal proposal has been made to change the rule on a cocked revolver being holstered. The new rule would require a MDQ penalty for a cocked pistol holstered with a live round, regardless of position of that round.
- A formal proposal has been made to change/clarify the rule regarding long guns that close while moving to the unloading table. A long gun closing on the way to the unloading table would be a no-call as long as the gun is cleared at the ULT. This change would bring the rule in line with the current rule regarding moving from the loading table to the line.
2024 TG Update
The recent Member Update from SASS Headquarters announced that the three rule changes we brought to you in 2023 have been approved by a wide margin. For the Illowa Irregulars, the results were:
- Rule change #1: 99% in favor
- Rule change #2: 94% in favor
- Rule change #3: 72% in favor
Briefly, change #1 means that a cocked rifle brought to the line and staged (leaves the shooter’s hand) will be treated the same as a cocked rifle in hand. NO LONGER an automatic SDQ.
Change #2 means that if a shotgun closes on the way to the line or is staged closed, the shooter will be required to show that it is clear before starting the stage. NO LONGER an automatic SDQ.
Change #3 means that it is no longer permissible to use any sort of blocking to build up the lever on a rifle to lessen finger movement within the lever. Any lever wrap must now be of leather or “leather appearing” material only.
2023 Shooter Handbook Update
Clarifications for 2023 are reprinted below from the TG Wire, courtesy of PaleWolf Brunelle. Changes are highlighted in bold text. To download the updated SHB click on the SASS Shooters Handbook link above.
SHB p.4 (Ammunition Belts and Loops)
- Rifle/Revolver ammunition may not be carried in a shotgun/shotshell loop.
SHB p.22 (Minor Safety Violation (MSV) infractions)
- Leaving empty or live round(s) in a magazine, action, or carrier of the long gun in which it was loaded.
- Leaving an empty in the chamber of a long gun.
SHB p.34 (Stocks and Grips)
- The length or style of stock may be altered or replaced (e.g., a carbine style stock may be interchanged for a rifle stock and vice-versa).
- Long gun stocks with a “pistol grip” configuration (e.g., “Mares Leg” rifle or “Terminator” shotgun) are not allowed.
SHB p.37 (REVOLVER CALIBERS)
- Must be in a cartridge commonly available in revolvers. Examples include, but are not limited to, .32-20, .32 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .44 Magnum, .44-40, and .45 Colt. (Includes some semi-auto pistol cartridges, e.g., 9mm, 10mm, and .45 ACP).
SHB p.39 (OTHER APPROVED FIREARMS)
- Uberti 1873 percussion revolver (not legal in Frontiersman Category or Plainsman side matches)
SHB p.44 (GLOSSARY OF TERMS)
- Progressive Penalty – Procedural for the first infraction, Stage Disqualification for the second infraction, Match Disqualification for the third infraction. Example: failure to adhere to category requirements. Multiple infractions on the same stage are not cumulative.
2022 Update #2: New verbiage regarding loading table procedures
The 2022 Shooter’s Handbook contains new verbiage regarding loading table procedures. (SHB, p.28)
Apparently, there has been a problem with some shooters not waiting to be called to the stage by the TO, but rather, carrying their loaded guns to the stage while brassers, target re-setters, and the like are still at work, which represents a significant safety hazard.
To fix this problem, additional wording has been added. The appropriate section of the SHB is reprinted below, with the new wording underlined.
Be advised – the penalty for moving to the stage with loaded guns before being called by the TO falls under “Failure to adhere to loading/unloading procedures,” which is an SDQ!
2022 wording:
Competitors shall not leave the designated loading area with a loaded firearm unless they are called to the stage as the next competitor to begin the stage by the Timer Operator or Expeditor. (SASS 2022 SHB, pg.28)
Count Sandor, TG
Feb 2022
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2022 Update #1: Newly Approved Part/Mod
2022 Update #1: Newly Approved Part/Mod
This is a newly developed part/modification that has been approved by the ROC. The explanation below was reprinted from a February 3, 2022 SASS TG Wire post by Palewolf Brunelle. This is a commercial item available from a SASS-affiliat3ed merchant.
Explanation: Basic design previously approved (i.e., Sure Hit brass sight). Material (faux ivory) and color (white) comply with current SASS allowed sight modifications (REF: SHB p.34)
Feb 2022
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2022 TG Report
Count Sandor submitted his Territorial Governor’s Report at the January 16, 2022, Annual Cowboy Club meeting. The report included updates concerning recent changes to the SASS Shooter’s Handbook. The changes are summarized in the document below, but include the following points:
- The addition of an 85+ shooting category “El Rey/La Reina;”
- Defining “trigger bouncing” with a determination that it’s use in pocket pistol side matches is illegal;
- The deletion of the terms Chief Range Officer, CRO, and CRO/TO;
- The addition of malfunctioning/squib handling procedures; and,
- Two newly approved firearm modifications.
See the TG report below for more information and a couple of explanatory images.
Jan 2022
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