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In October, the Wild Bunch shoots right along with our regular monthly shoot. There are some special requirements so read below what they are and if you have questions you may email anyone of the Board of Directors and they can answer any question you may have. 

THSS takes no responsibility for the use of these guidelines. These guidelines where developed by Capt Ira Aten (Grady Hardin) of the The Texas Historical Shootist Society.

WILD BUNCH RIDES AGAIN!!!

by Capt. Ira Aten, a.k.a. Grady Hardin

The following was contributed by "Capt. Ira Aten" a.k.a. Grady Hardin 
with the stipulation that it not be edited.

For those among you that have seen & studied the movie "The Wild Bunch", the charisma of this work is evident. It has got to be one of the greatest action films ever produced. And it was done way before the advent of computers. One thing that has me buffaloed is the movie has a small part at the very beginning where the "Bunch" wears military style uniforms of the early 1900's. Although a small part, it is the part that holds the most attention of folks that think like you & me. At previous Wild Bunch shoots the costuming leans toward campaign hats, jodhpurs, & puttees. But most of the movie showed many other costuming ideas, but the military part always shines through. I have never seen Mexican outfits, men's suits, nor Hollywood "TV" costuming at this event. I can only guess that when it came to the formative years part of a man's life, playing Army was number 2 right behind playing Cowboys & Indians.

The Wild Bunch

This is based on the movie of the same name. Active shooting participants are required to shoot all stages using 2 pistols, the appropriate shotgun, & any pistol caliber lever gun of their choosing. One pistol can be a SAA type or of the "M & P" type including Webleys. The other should be one of the semi – auto pistols of the early 1900's, including the 1911 & 1911A-1 Colts, Broom Handled Mausers, Bergmans, Borchardts, Lugers or any of those made prior to 1920. THSS does require that all ammunition for these meet the same requirements established for all handguns: no jacketed rounds, under 1000 FPS, & at least .30 caliber. The stages will require that the shooter first engage the targets with the revolver, then with the auto loaded with 6 rounds double tapping the last target.

Costuming should reflect that of the movie. Campaign hats, khaki shirts, Jodhpurs riding pants, puttees over combat boots or brogans, and such are pluses to add to the atmosphere. But do not forget that there were many other costumes in the movie. There are Mexican outfits of the era as well as the suits worn by the Germans. In the final shootout of the movie, William Holden dressed in a way easily copied, Hollywood "B" western. For other ideas rent "The Wild Bunch." It is a great movie, especially the directors cut which has about 20 extra action minutes the movie as released does not. Ladies, there is no reason why you can't participate. The ladies in the film were typically Mexican & their clothing reflected such. But because there are NO rules restricting parts portrayed... Any Lady can wear any costume they desire & participate in any way they desire.

Please don't fret if you do not have the all firearms used in the film. Even though our movie memories are attached to the firearms & action of the film, a great part of this movie is the visual. Costuming goes a long way in making the atmosphere of The Wild Bunch shoot. Dont forget that there were examples of shoulder holsters as well as Buscadero rigs in this movie. So do some costuming & be a part of the Texas Historical Shootist Society celebration of the movie "The Wild Bunch!"

 Welcome to The Texas Historical Shootist Society Wild Bunch shoot for 2004. This shoot is a tradition of this club & one that is anticipated throughout the year. There are a few changes this year that will hopefully make this event more enjoyable & exciting for the shooters & guests. As always it is up to the shooter to decide if they want to participate as a Wild Bunch shooter & to the level they wish. There are no "prizes" awarded for this shoot: FUN is the only reward. This shoot is enhanced by using "The Wild Bunch" for inspiration. THSS was the first club to offer this shoot & The Wild Bunch shoot is spreading within the Western Action Shooting clubs throughout the shooting community. THSS did it first & we still do it best and is still the source for information for this shoot, a fact we can all be proud of! By the way.... The original instigator of the Wild Bunch shoot was "Black Jack Ketchum, (a.k.a.: Marty Ketchum,) a past president of THSS.

All shooters carrying auto pistols for the Wild Bunch shoot must have clips and magazines removed except when on the firing line.... NO EXCEPTIONS.

Pistols include: Colt 1911's & clones, Mausers, Bergmans, Borchardts, & Lugers. .30 caliber ammo is OK for this match in the appropriate firearm, otherwise ammo must adhere to established THSS rules.

Rifles are those normal for a Western Action Shoot. The inclusion of the "High Power" rifles will be addressed separately.

Shotguns are what is normally used for a Western Action Shoot. Winchester Model "12's" are also allowed.

Shooters may carry as many clips or magazines as they desire. All must remain empty until on the firing line.

All clips and magazines are to be loaded at the loading table only.

Clips and magazines are to be loaded at the loading table with a maximum of 6 rounds for all stages.

The firearm is to be laid on the loading table after visualization & verification by shooter and loading table monitor that there is no round chambered, slide racked and locked into the open position, & the clip or magazine is removed.

The clip or magazine is to be loaded with six (6) rounds & placed next to the empty, racked open pistol.

When the shooter is called to the line they are to adhere to the following procedure:

Shooter closes the slide of the pistol on an empty chamber & safely lowers the hammer. The safety is applied as appropriate.

The clip or magazine is inserted into the pistol.

The pistol is safely holstered on the shooter's body in an appropriate holster for the pistol and established THSS safety rules.

All autos are to be fired using the same instructions as directed for the handgun portion of the stage. The sixth (6th) round is to be discharged by double tapping the last pistol target, unless otherwise directed.

The auto is to be retrieved or drawn using the same rules & considerations as per THSS Shooter Guides.

Only when the auto is safely drawn & pointed down range may the slide be racked back to insert a live round into the chamber.



After shooting the pistol portion of the stage with the auto, the shooter may move only after the following has been done:

The pistol must prove itself empty by the slide being automatically held back.

The slide must be returned to the forward position.

The hammer must be lowered using an appropriate technique, dry firing down range is acceptable.

The safety is applied if appropriate.

The pistol must then be safely & appropriately holstered.

After completing a stage the auto must be appropriately checked at the unloading table to assure the following:

Pistol is empty & the slide placed forward.

The safety, if appropriate, must be applied.

The hammer is down on an empty chamber.

The clip or mag is out, empty, & all carried on the shooter are verified empty.

It is acceptable that the 2nd handgun be of "M & P" design by Colt, Smith & Wesson, the British Webley, OR the SAA design. All of the M & P designs must have the hammer block safety enabled: NOT DEFEATED!

All M & P designs are to be loaded with 5 rounds only. Hammer should be down on the empty cylinder as pre-established THSS shooting guides.

M & P designs may be shot double action.

The M & P types are to be shot as the 2nd handgun on all stages. If a stage does not call for a 2nd handgun, the "M & P" is to be shot as directed by the stage for the single pistol.

All safety rules for handguns apply as stated in the THSS Shooters Guidelines.

All shooters are to engage the rifle targets as written with the appropriate CAS pistol caliber rifle.



High Power Long Gun Guidelines

The purpose of this addition is to enhance the Wild Bunch shoot in a way few other clubs (if any) have the ability to do. As this is the 1st year we are making this addition, please bear with us. Please note that this is a guide and is subject to on the spot interpretation if needed. Our only hard and fast rule is SAFETY. The rest can be negotiable. The High Power Long Gun portion of the stage is open to any design of "High Powered" long gun made prior to 1913. Examples include: 1895 Winchester, 1893 Marlin, 1895 Savage, early Remington and Winchester semi-autos, single shot "Buffalo" rifles, or any of the myriad of bolt action rifles. Please, no Marlin lever action rifles with the round bolt, any of the square bolt type, are okay.

All rifle calibers are to be of .30 or larger.

Jacketed ammunition is allowed in these firearms ONLY.

There is no restriction on velocity of these rounds, although it is requested that the velocity be a low as feasible.

All "antique" firearms and those of questionable age and condition, should be inspected by a competent gunsmith prior to shooting.

These long guns will meet all safety requirements for long guns as stated in the THSS shooters guidelines.

Loading of these long guns will meet the requirements as stated for long guns in the THSS shooters guidelines.

All long guns will be loaded with no more than 5 rounds.

All long guns will meet the same requirements for all long guns at the unloading table.

These long guns will be fired only at Finn's Fort and only at the designated, heavy targets at ranges exceeding 100 yards. 



The purpose of the Wild Bunch Shoot is to allow THSS shooters to enjoy another facet of firearm usage not particularly meeting the established standards of Western Action Shooting. THSS and its Board of Directors realize that although Wild Bunch Shoots do not meet the letter of the law as established in our sport, the movie is a part of our great Western Heritage - real or imagined. We realize there exists a "conflict" in the firearms allowed to be shot at this special event. The THSS Board of Directors asks all participants to take this conflict with a grain of salt and in the Cowboy Way, and have fun with the Wild Bunch event. THSS was the 1st Western Action Shooting Club to do a Wild Bunch Shoot and we have served as an inspiration and a guide to many other clubs. So when deciding if the hole in the target was "made by an ‘06 or a Winchester," remember this is all in fun and not significant when we remember what our original intent was: LOTS OF BIG BORE GUNS BEING SHOT VERY FAST, IN SOMEWHAT OUTLANDISH COSTUMES, NONE OF WHICH ARE REALLY SANCTIONED BY CAS, BUT A HOOT AND A HALF ANYWAY!

Grady