Cowboy Fast Draw championships begin this week

The Cowboy Fast Draw Association’s signature event, the 16th annual The Fastest Gun Alive – World Championship of Cowboy Fast Draw, begins Friday at the fairgrounds’ Rafter 3C Arena.

The competition runs through Sunday, and there also be food, western vintage crafters and western-themed clothing vendors inside on the pavilion level.

CFD Director Cal “Quick Cal” Eirlich of Fernley said the event’s hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It is also free for spectators. Saturday also features its annual car show and allows spectators to try their luck with the fast draw.

The Magnificent 7 Finals are Sunday at High Noon.

Eirlich said Cowboy Fast Draw is a western-themed shooting sport that features wax bullet ammunition allowing competitions to be held almost anywhere, since a thin layer of nylon or archery netting catches the wax projectiles.

Safety is always the highest concern. Six-guns and holsters are from the old west time period and the competitors dress in period-themed clothing as well.

According to Eirlich, the tournament normally attracts over 300 of the best of these modern-era gunfighters across the United States, Canada, Switzerland, and France. This event has been covered nationally on the Outdoor Channel, History Channel, Travel Channel, plus the Northern Nevada Media, including all 4 Network Affiliates. Eirlich said the Outdoor Channel’s show Shooting USA is scheduled to cover this year’s event.

Men, women and youth compete in separate divisions. CFDA, the sport’s sanctioning and rules authority, has established Range Officer and Youth Safety Training Programs. Eirlich said on Saturday, visitors can try Cowboy Fast Draw.

Eirlich said men, women and youth compete in separate divisions. Educating as many people as possible in the safe and proper use of firearms is one of the Cowboy Fast Draw Association’s primary goals. CFDA, the sport’s sanctioning and rules authority, has established Range Officer and Youth Safety Training Programs.

Eirlich said the competition moved to Fallon 15 years ago from Deadwood, South Dakota. He added hundreds of competitors and vendors from across the nation spend most of the week in Fallon. Plus, spectators travel from Northern California, Nevada and several other states to watch not only a great competition but also to learn about a sport with its beginnings dating back to the 1950s.”

After the move, the Cowboy Fast Draw was held in the rodeo arena from 2008-2013 and then moved to the grassy area from 2014-2021 where other vents will be held.

For information on the sport and the Fastest Gun Alive including informational videos, go to www.cowboyfastdraw.com. The event is sponsored by the Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority, Pietta/EMF Firearms, Ruger Firearms, Mernickle Custom Holsters and Holiday Inn Express.