5 Other Guns That Won The West

As I was writing the most recent Shooting History review on the Winchester 1873 I got to thinking about how that one lever action is called “The Gun That Won The West”. If nothing else that is some very clever marketing for sure. Not to belittle the ’73, it is a very fine rifle. But saying it single handedly “won” the west is a bit of a stretch.   Then there is the whole issue of if The West was won, stolen, liberated or invaded. But that is a discussion for a different time and place. Let’s talk about guns!

Here are 5 other guns that “Won The West”. Neither of the 1873s will be represented here, the Colt or the Winchester.

Colt Lightning Rifle

Colt came out with the slide or pump action Lightning rifle in 1884. The original model was chambered for the same rounds as the Winchester 1873, namely .44-40, .38-40, and .32-20. Of course Colt also chambered the Peace Maker in these as well. They also made a smaller frame that was chambered for .22 and a large one for .38-55 and .50-95 Express.

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