4-H Western Heritage Project
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Required Firearm Standards


2017_western_heritage_shooting_rules.pdf
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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:
  • 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.