I want to get into mounted shooting, so I have some questions.
 

I want to get into mounted shooting, so I have some questions. Do you use 5 or 6 shooters? Does the pistol have to be a mounted shooting pistol or can it be a regular pistol? How much can I expect to pay for a pistol used?:?

well actually you use revolvers,
Pretty sure its 5 rounds per, but you'll be hard pressed to find a 5 shot 45 colt. Guns must be 45 colt as thats what the blanks are. Guns are real guns, they are just loaded with blank ammo. the gun powder residue is enough to pop the balloons. I have used black powder with a bit of cornmeal as well.
You'll need 2 45 revolvers and suitable leather, usually a strong side and cross draw. Guns will run you 400 each on up depending on what you want and how durable and fancy you want. Uberti clones are decent, rugers are higher quality but will cost a bit more.

Like has been stated the Guns are 6 shooter revolvers. They are loaded with 5 blanks. You must start on an empty chamber just like you would on any shoot.

Blanks are used. They are provided at the shoots but you will need to either fork out big bucks to buy them or learn to relaod them.

Cost of a pistol will start at about $500 and you will need 2. Leather will run anouther $350 on up.

Thank you Joe4d and nrhairiner.

I love the cornmeal trick, especially if you have a powder that doesn't fill the casing up quiet enough. Creates nice pressure! I use this trick a lot too when I do rifle shooting at long ranges and load my hunting rounds with it. Makes for great accuracy....anyway back to CMS, yeah uberti are great guns. Never owned a ruger though...I would like to try one out. But, I'd set a budget around $1000, but you can do it for less. And reloading your own rounds helps a lot.

I don't know if you can even find a 5 shot .45 long colt revolver...I've never seen one.

I was wondering how much are the close for this sport??

You can not use a 5 shot gun for Mounted shooting or SASS. The hammer MUST be down over an empty chamber when you load your gun.

Also you can practice with corn meal but I would not as you can not use it at the shoots. Really would not matter as they supply all the ammo. As for filling the brass for Mounted shooting. Since you are using blanks and you put a paper wad in it makes no differance if you use 5 grains or 30. I do not know anyone who crimps their practice brass.

To the close. Again you can go out as much as you want or you can just ride in levis and a shirt like you would any other show. Only thing different is they requires chaps. which I personally hate. I detest riding in chaps.

There is a 5 round .45 conversion cylinder made for some of the old cap and ball models. There a notch for the hammer so it doesn't rest on a live round. I am not 100% sure if this would be considered "legal" by any of the mounted shooting organizations. Unless you are really into old style pistols, you probably wouldn't have a rare configuration like this. I know several people with C&B pistols but none have the conversion kit.

Unless you already have the above, you are better just buying a .45 for mounted shooting.

New Rugers are about $600 now. Used around $500. An Uberti will cost a little less.

Clothes can be as expensive or inexpensive as you like. The "period" stuff can get costly quick. There are also companies which make patterns if you are handy with a sewing machine. I know a few folks who make their own clothes (mostly ladies). The do it yourself route can be very inexpensive.

Going with the "minimum" can also be inexpensive. CMSA and SASS both allow regular western shirts and modern 5-pocket jeans. If going this route, boots, a hat and chaps/chinks are required. To do away with the chaps/chinks requirement you need to wear "period" pants which you can find for around $60 new and less used.

If you are riding SASS, there is usually a little more leniency for new shooters at "local" matches. The rules say to give a new shooter about a year to get their entire "outfit" together. Check with your local club for their policy.

If you are riding MSA or CSA events, the dress code will be different. I don't have the MSA rules handy, but I _think_ you don't need chaps/chinks with jeans.

CSA allows clubs to set their own dress code, so check with your local club for details.

Remember that dress code usually only applies at sanctioned matches. You normally don't have to worry about it for clinics and practices.