What Gun Really Won the West?

by
posted on May 23, 2011
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bs_2015_fs.jpg (1)

The Question: Was the gun that won the West really a Winchester?

The Expert Deferral:

My NRA-sources—the authorities—say not exactly.

Settlers moved west only after Lewis and Clark explored it first, and how did they do that without getting killed by hostile natives?

Key to their survival was the large-caliber Girandoni air rifle they brought on the expedition that struck fear into the natives. This smokeless thunderstick made them think twice before attacking the vastly outnumbered explorers. So, by this logic, the West was really won with an air rifle. Check out the full story on YouTube.com that received over 2 million hits in just a few days. The spot was presented by NRA/National Firearms Museum Senior Curator and frequent History Channel contributor, Phil Schreier.

The Answer: Maybe the Winchester contributed to winning the West, but only after an air rifle paved the way.

Latest

Example Of Blending In With Your Surroundings Camo
Example Of Blending In With Your Surroundings Camo

Understanding the Predator-Prey Dynamic and Its Influence on Hunting Strategies

Looking for a new lens through which to view your chosen hunting strategy for a specific scenario? Why not consider the natural predator/prey dynamics at work in the mind of your quarry. Read on, as Barb Melloni explores the why behind some popular hunting practices.

New for 2026: Birchwood Casey Biodegradable Firearm Cleaning Solutions

Birchwood Casey has announced the expansion of its product lineup with the introduction of several new gun cleaners, all 100-percent biodegradable. Synvex Copper Cutter, Synvex Carbon Cutter, Synvex CLP-X Oil and Synvex Bore Wash, deliver modern formulations to remove fouling with the same efficiency as traditional petroleum-based solvents.

#SundayGunday: EAA Balikli Blue Label O/U

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re taking a look at a working-class over/under shotgun from EAA; it’s called the Balikli Blue Label, and don’t let its price tag fool you—this gun is a shooter than any hunter should be happy to own. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

Hawaii Attempted to Use Old Hunting Statutes to Ban Concealed Carry

In a 6-3 rebuke of Hawaii’s attempt to circumvent the U.S. Supreme Court’s NRA-backed Bruen (2022) decision, the Court ruled in Wolford v. Lopez that “Hawaii’s law prohibiting licensed concealed-carry permit holders from carrying handguns on private property open to the public without the property owner’s express authorization violates the Second and Fourteenth Amendments.” 

Buy a Select Beretta or TIKKA Rifle and Receive a Free Trailcam

Beretta USA is giving hunters and shooting enthusiasts even more reason to add a BRX1 rifle to their collection this month.

Wild Game Recipe: Wild Bird Yakitori

There’s nothing quite like standing around a tailgate after a successful hunt, birds laid out and admired, beers being passed around. That kind of casual, fire-driven cooking isn’t all that different from a Japanese grilling method called yakitori. Read on for a great twist on a classic by Game Girl Gourmet's Chef Holly Hearn.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.