Required Firearm Standards
| 2017_western_heritage_shooting_rules.pdf |
Please note that the National 4-H Western Heritage competition rules differ slightly from local club rules. Please read the rule document posted above in its entirety.
Of Note:
Some firearms allowed in order to get a local project started are not allowed at the national level. A higher standard for authenticity is required when competing at the National 4-H Western Heritage Invitational. Specific examples include:
Of Note:
- Side-by-side hammered shotguns must be loaded and the barrel closed before cocking the hammers. Cocking the hammers before loading and closing the action will be considered a minor safety violation with a 10 second penalty.
- Side-by-side internal hammered shotguns must be loaded and the action closed before disengaging the manual safety. A 10 second minor safety violation will be assessed for disengaging the safety prematurely.
- Minimum dress standards are enforced during the shooting competition.
- Pump (Slide Action) shotguns and rifles must have an exposed hammer to meet authenticity standards.
Some firearms allowed in order to get a local project started are not allowed at the national level. A higher standard for authenticity is required when competing at the National 4-H Western Heritage Invitational. Specific examples include:
- Double Action Revolvers must be fired as single actions and must be period correct. An example is the Colt Lightening Pistol, a double action, introduced in 1877.
- Pump action shotguns with internal hammers are not allowed.
- The Browning Model BL22 is not allowed due to the trigger travelling with the lever and being designed with a short stroke. This is an excellent firearm, but the lever travel is 1/3 that of historically correct lever actions.
- Rifles from Henry Repeating Arms are allowed due to their full stroke levers and operation similar to a period correct Marlin.
- Ruger six shot single action revolvers are allowed due to functioning identically like period revolvers.
- Revolvers with more than six chambers are not allowed.