Safety Classes

Your Subtitle text

Safety Classes

ur safety classes are held on the second Saturday with the exception for the months of August and December when no classes are scheduled. This safety class is for shooters of no Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) experience or for seasoned shooters who would like a refresher course. If you have never shot one of the type of guns we use in CAS, that's ok, we can take it from there. Women and junior shooters (ages10-17) are most welcome, however, all junior shooters must be under the direct and constant supervision of an accompanying adult.

We provide our safety classes to help you get started in the world CAS by teaching basic gun safety and handling with a western spin on it to accommodate our cowboy gear. With the Tri-County Gun Club TCGC being located in an area surrounded by urban growth we have to be very mindful of muzzle control and we insist that everyone to be competent with firearm handling. Our goal is to help you learn what is unique to our sport and be able to have fun with us. We want you to be able to use up most of the "first match jitters" at our safety class and to be able to go to your first match knowing what to expect.

We start the shooting phase of the class after the lunch break with safe handling procedures for loading, unloading, and gun grips. Then we progress to firing one pistol and slowly work up through handling and firing of both pistols, then the rifle, and the shotgun last. Then we put it all together and you get to shoot several actually match scenarios or stages as we call them.

The cost of the class is $10 which covers the cost of providing the new shooter with a “New Shooters Packet” which includes a free match coupon ($8 value) and we will let you take this class again anytime for free. Class starts at 9:00 am and goes for six hours more or less with a ½ hour break for lunch. Bring food and drink according to your needs with a mind on the weather, same for clothes.

If you have a cowboy hat, bring it. If you don’t have cowboy clothing and gear don’t worry about it as it is not required for the class. There is equipment (guns, holsters, belts, etc.) that will be made available for use during this event by our generous staff of volunteers. We would rather see you there to learn than to fully invest in cowboy gear before you‘re hooked for good! The main thing is to learn the moves and safe handling of the guns, the proper gear can come later.

Our classes are conducted by Dan Suit a.k.a. “Poke Along” who is a certified NRA Range Safety Officer, a Tri-County Gun Club (TCGC) Range Safety Officer, SASS RO1 and RO2 certified, and he also serves in the capacity as our Orygun Cowboys Rangemaster. Assisting as co-instructor is D. Marc Paillette a.k.a. “Dog-leg Don” a.k.a. “Dawg” who is also our TCGC Cowboy Action Shooting Activities (CASA) Co-Chairman and is SASS RO1 and RO2 certified. The competition credentials held by our cowboy program staff extend beyond cowboy action to include semi-auto modern action shooting sports including IPSC tactical pistol and 3-gun tactical, etc.

Thank you for your interest in our CAS program. If you plan to attend our one of our safety classes, please RSVP Loden B. Kwik @ 503.318.8192 or email him at LodenB@netzero.net ahead of time so that we can have an idea of how many folks will be attending.

What You'll Need...

Recommended equipment and ammunition for the safety class:

Two single action revolvers with belt and holsters (a non SASS legal holster and/or belt is fine for now).
One pistol caliber lever rifle (Winchester/replica model 1866,1873, or 1894), Marlin pump or lever action.
One shotgun (double barrel with or without external hammer, lever action, or the infamous Winchester 1897 slide/pump action)
Shotshell belt or pouch
100 rounds of lead pistol caliber ammo for both your pistols and rifle.
1 box (25 rounds) 12 gauge sport load 7 1/2, 8, or 9 shotgun shells.

Eye and ear protection is required for the class.

NOTE: Do not think that it is necessary to have all of the preceding equipment prior to attending one of our safety classes. If you do not have some or any of it we can provide you with loaners for the class together with the ammunition. If we are to provide the ammunition for you, any and all donations will gladly be accepted to help defer the cost.

Additionally, a pair of work gloves to use for resetting targets and to help with stage tear down at the end of the class would be good and please remember TCGC is a "DRY" club and that no alcoholic beverages allowed. You can view and/or download a current copy of our all of the TCGC range rules by clicking on the following link TCGC Range Rules. The entrance gate code for all cowboy events is 38 44 45.

Learn More About ...

A good place for learn more about CAS firearm safety information is the Single Action Shooters Society SASS website where you can download their CAS Shooters Handbook and their Range Operations Basic Safety Course Level I.

FAQ's and Answers

Is there a restriction on class size?
There is plenty of room, so bring along a friend!

What will I get from the class?

You will be taught on the use of the TCGC action range and the proper use of handguns and long guns which are authorized for use by those who are certified to be using the action range. Upon completion of the class each TCGC member will receive an action certification card and a sticker which will be displayed on their official TCGC membership ID card.

What about the other action sports programs at TCGC?

For more information on the other action range programs see your newsletter or visit the TCGC website.

What if...I just want to practice handgun and long gun action drills and are NOT interested in Cowboy or USPSA type competitions?

Our safety program will provide you with the certification required to use the action range and covers the TCGC compliant use of target placement and engagement, caliber restrictions, muzzle control, use of holsters, and moving with guns and firing. Therefore, our safety class is an excellent choice for you to attain the TCGC action range certification which is mandatory to use the action range.