9 Famous & Popular Guns of the Wild West 

Anyone who has watched a Western film will know that guns are a major symbol of the American West. In the movies, lawmen and outlaws use their weapons in shootouts and other dramatic showdowns. 

In reality, rifles and revolvers were used for more than murder in the Wild West. Hunting and self-defense were two major aspects of daily life that required a reliable weapon. 

Firearms were also necessary in the popular wild west shows of the time. Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, and others fired guns as a form of entertainment. 

The following guns are some of the most popular and famous weapons of the Wild West. 

1) Winchester 1873 Rifle

Known as “the gun that won the west,” the Winchester 1873 rifle featured a tube magazine with good capacity and a rapid-fire lever action. 

The gun’s design was based on the 1860 Henry Repeating Rifle and would inspire the design of the Maxim machine gun. 

The Winchester 1873 grew in popularity as it was featured in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Over 700,000 rifles were produced until 1923. 

2) Colt Single Action Army Revolver

The Colt Single Action Army Revolver, or “Peacemaker,” is one of the most famous and popular guns of the Wild West. This six-shooter was carried by soldiers, lawmen, and outlaws alike. 

The Peacemaker was the first cartridge type revolver to be adopted for use by the US Army. It was the preferred weapon on the frontier. 

Colt produced 192,000 Peacemakers. 

3) Remington Rolling Block Rifle

The Remington Rolling Block rifle was invented by Leonard Geiger in 1863 and modified by Joseph Rider of Remington. The rifle was originally used in the Civil War and then became a popular weapon amongst buffalo hunters.

The rolling block rifle came in many caliber options. Buffalo Bill Cody owned a Remington rifle with embellishments. 

4) Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver

The Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver was used during the Civil War and into the Wild West period. Over 200,000 revolvers were produced. 

Wild Bill Hickok famously owned a Model 1851. It was sold to pay for burial expenses after his death. The gun is now on display in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. 

5) Sharps Model 1853 Sporting Rifle

The Sharps Model 1853 Sporting rifle was famously used by George Armstrong Custer in the Battle of Little Bighorn. It had uses as both a military and buffalo hunting weapon. 

Rifles used for buffalo hunts were converted from the original military model. Converted versions were sold between the 1840s and 1880s. 

The Sharps rifle had a long-range accuracy and is commonly seen in Western films. 

6) Springfield Rifle

The Springfield rifle was popular with Union and Confederate armies during the American Civil War. However, the gun could be temperamental, as bullets jammed and caused blow-ups. 

After the war, the Springfield underwent some caliber conversions before being sold to the public.

The Springfield was used by the US army in wars with the Sioux and by buffalo hunters. 

7) Derringer

“Derringer” was a generic name for any concealable handgun in the Wild West era. Derringers were pocket sized and suitable for self-defense at a close range. 

This style of handgun famously appears in the 2012 film Django Unchained. 

8) Smith & Wesson Number 3 Revolver

The Smith & Wesson Number 3 revolver was produced from 1870 to 1915. This weapon was used in the American West during wars with Native Americans. 

Both lawmen and outlaws carried No. 3 revolvers. Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and Wyatt Earp all allegedly carried this gun. 

Annie Oakley was another famous fan of the No. 3. She ordered and used them throughout her career as a sharpshooter. 

9) Remington Army Revolver Model 1858

The Remington Army Revolver Model 1858 was a single action, six shot revolver that was common during the Wild West era. 

A revolver in this style was famously taken from Yellow Hair by Buffalo Bill Cody after Yellow Hair was killed.