Cowboy Guns

[Frontiersman]

Is anyone else interested in cowboy guns? I grew up watching old westerns on TV. I enjoy Winchester Lever Actions, Colt single actions, Sharps, old double barreled hammer shotguns, or anything like those. My interests spread from the black powder era through modern day clones.

 

[BarryinIN]

I have some, but I’m not a dedicated Old West guns type of guy or CAS shooter. I have most of the Browning-designed lever actions, a couple of Marlins, a few SA revolvers. I have guns in a few of the old Cowboy calibers, but they aren’t all of that type.

I would like to have a Schofield.

 

[4stringdude]

@Frontiersman - Like you, I grew up watching cowboy movies and TV shows. If you know Clint Howard's character, "Leon" on The Andy Griffith show, that was me as a little boy. Strap on a pair of cap pistols and play cowboy. I still love the cowboy shows. However, I don't play dress up anymore.

I have a Marlin 30AS in 30-30 Winchester. I always wanted a classic styled lever action rifle. I also have a Pietta .44 cal 1858 Remington replica. I have not shot it for a long time. Since #10 primers became Unobtainium, I have let it sit.

A pistol I've always been interested in is the LeMat. The idea of having a load of shot as a backup seems fun.

FWIW, I also have a Ruger Wranger .22 LR. I know it isn't a true cowboy gun, but it is fun to shoot, and single action.

 

[BarryinIN]

I found some #10 CCI caps this past summer. I can’t recall for sure where now, but it might have been The Outdoorsman in Greenwood.

 

[Frontiersman]

Midway had some a couple months back.

 

[4stringdude]

I think that #10 and #11 primers are only run seasonally. The last time I found #11s was in the fall of '24. I bought 5 tins. That should last me a couple of years. If I find some #10s I will stock up. With a revolver it is easy to run though a bunch of primers.

 

[Frontiersman]

@Frontiersman - FWIW, I also have a Ruger Wranger .22 LR. I know it isn't a true cowboy gun, but it is fun to shoot, and single action.

I’ve thought about this myself. .22 rimfire is the first successful self contained cartridge. The wrangler is a single action revolver. Both concepts go back to the mid 1800s. It might be a truer cowboy era gun than most.

They sure are a lot of fun to play with. Well worth the money.

 

[Artemis_]

Is anyone else interested in cowboy guns? I grew up watching old westerns on TV. I enjoy Winchester Lever Actions, Colt single actions, Sharps, old double barreled hammer shotguns, or anything like those. My interests spread from the black powder era through modern day clones.

Winchester-style lever actions are like the perfect entry point into the shooting world. They balance nicely, are a joy to shoot, and really connect you to that historical vibe. Sharps rifles on the other hand, bring a whole new level of appreciation and also I don’t shoot them often, but every time I see one, it makes me want to learn more about that amazing history.

 

[Frontiersman]

Winchester-style lever actions are like the perfect entry point into the shooting world. They balance nicely, are a joy to shoot, and really connect you to that historical vibe. Sharps rifles on the other hand, bring a whole new level of appreciation and also I don’t shoot them often, but every time I see one, it makes me want to learn more about that amazing history.

So true. I enjoy guns for the history, the physics, and the engineering marvel as much as shooting them. Maybe more.

I like Marlins a lot as well.