Recommendations Please

[Jimmyg]

Having been a lover of western novels & films for as long as I can remember. I have decided to try my hand at playing a western game. So its over to you now, to help me out what game/rule set would you recommend

[Elk101]

For a very reasonably priced,  fun set of rules I'd recommend Fistful of Lead Reloaded.  You can pick up the pdf very easily. Deadman's Hand is apparently also good but I've not played that.

As far as figures are concerned most of mine are Artizan though I also have some Foundry and Dixon,  which are particularly good for citizens. Brigade do some nice packs and if you're after things like wagon drivers, etc there's Blind Beggar Miniatures, which I also have. I have some Knuckleduster from the US too.

There are loads of mdf buildings available depending on where you are. In the UK there's Sarissa Precision,  Blotz, TT Combat,  4 Ground and more.

[FifteensAway]

Rules?  Don't know since I'm not doing the 'standard' skirmish games.  But for figures - don't overlook 15 mm, especially Blue Moon but a variety of others as well.  Smaller cost, smaller foot print, faster paint, sooner into a game. 

Unless you go as bonkers as I did and have a couple score of a hundred figures or so.

Oh, I'm going more for range wars or a diverse set of 'skirmishy' actions rolled into one game.  The one place I don't plan to go is three, four, or five or more factions all shooting it out in a single game.  That's just plain silly.  But pretty dang common.  To each there own, howmsoeverish. (sic)     Also, Indian wars, mostly the Sioux and allied, some Apache. 

Paint up six more bison and that herd will be done - at 120 beasties. 

Yup, I think bonkers covers it.  But fun. 

[warlord frod]

I personally enjoy the Rules with no name. I have the original free version and its fine. They have updated and published it so you can still get them but now they will cost ya.  (Unless you can find a free pdf somewhere). These rules are simple and fun to play I highly recommend them.

[Thargor]

Dead Mans Hand or Rules With No Name.

[NickNascati]

Rules,  "Fist Full of Lead"  uncomplicated and fun.  Figures,  Knuckleduster (32mm) and Black Scorpion.

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

Pulp Alley and Shoot 'N Skedaddle, different games but both enormous fun!

[Elbows]

Disclaimer: We should start a pinned thread on this subject...

What do you look for in a game?  The beauty of almost all of the Old West games is that they generally use the same size/scale/amount of figures.

You'll be looking at 4'x4' table (occasionally you can play smaller), and 6-10 figures per side for the vast majority of games.  Generally the most prominent scale in figures/terrain/building is 28-32mm (depending on manufacturer).  Best metal figures (hands down) are Knuckleduster digital sculpts.  There are a lot of metal Old West figures and some resin - no plastics that I know of.  There are a handful of "weird" Old West games and some horror/pulpy Old West games as well.

Buildings/terrain are almost overwhelmingly MDF pre-cut stuff which can be assembled quickly and easily.

Rules are generally free or cheap ($25-30 at most if you need a hardback book, etc.).  So if you build a table and paint 20-30 Old West figures you can essentially play any rules set - one of the strengths of collecting Old West games/miniatures.

Are there games you play now which you like?  If so, what?

[SteveBurt]

Another vote for 'Dead Man's Hand'. Great set of rules with a real cinematic feel.

[Emphatz]

I recommend Fistful of lead reloaded (FFOLR), Simple and fun.