Old West shooting competition this weekend

According to Charles and Missy Usina, Texas Rangers will face down Outlaws this weekend in a raging battle of six shooters, shotguns and lever action rifles when the Wild West comes roaring to life during the 15th Annual Florida Cowboy Shooting Championship.

It all takes place at the Ancient City Shooting Range at 3021 Agricultural Center Drive in St Augustine from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, then on Sunday from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m.

Admission will be free for this family friendly event — due to limited seating, you’ll want to get there early, Usina said. The range is just South of SR-16 and West of I-95.

The range is being transformed into an Old West frontier town to accommodate over 450 participants who will be dressed-out in their authentic Western gear.

One of the unique aspects of Cowboy Action Shooting is the requirement placed on costuming. Each participant must adopt a character or profession from the late 19th century, a Hollywood western star, or an appropriate character from cowboy fiction.

Their costume is then developed with emphasis placed on authentic gear and clothing. Firearms used are limited to those used in the taming of the Old West.

Contestants in the 2012 Single-Action Six-Shooter “Last Stand” will shoot their way through gunfights and robberies to “save the town” in an entertaining series of events sure to please the whole family.

The single-action six-shooter was the most common side arm for pistol packing desperadoes and lawmen alike. Shotguns and lever action rifles are also part of the event, with the firearms used in competition limited to original weapons or historically accurate reproductions.

On Sunday, the action kicks off at High Noon with the Last Stand Sole Survivor Competition. Top competitors will go head to head in a bracket-style elimination competition, each cowboy trying to be first and fastest to eliminate dozens of targets before their opponent. This competition is very exciting and very intense, down to the last target standing.

Range officers will be on hand to ensure firearm safety procedures are always followed.

Last Stand 2012 is attracting competitors from across Florida, but the majority of registered participants are coming from out-of-state and they are traveling with their families and friends.

Usina believes St Augustine is likely to become the home for this annual event. He told Historic City News reporters, “This is the first time the event is being held in St Augustine — and based on the number of registered participants, this will be their largest turn out yet.”

Photo credits: © 2012 Historic City News contributed photograph by Gary Bruce