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

LEDE 250Th Anniversary Rifles
LEDE 250Th Anniversary Rifles

Ruger Celebrates 250 Years of American Liberty with Limited-Production Firearms

Ruger has expanded its 250th Anniversary Series of firearms, further commemorating the United States Semiquincentennial while celebrating the Company's longstanding tradition of American manufacturing. Each limited production model in this special collection is distinctly marked with the inscription, "Made in the 250th Year of American Liberty."

Hunting with Air: Getting Started

Looking into ways to expand your hunting opportunities? Ever think about aur gun hunting? Follow along as Tim Hovey gives a great primer for beginners just getting into the discipline.

New for 2026: Hush-Point Cigar .22 Suppressor

Orion Wholesale has announced a collaboration with Hi-Point Firearms and Taylor Customs—the Hush Point Cigar 22 Suppressor. This unique monocore suppressor is designed to resemble, well, you guessed it, a cigar. 

#SundayGunday: Dead Air RXD30Ti

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the RXD30Ti, a collaboration between Dead Air Silencers and Ruger Firearms, resulting in one quiet, lightweight, backcountry suppressor. Designed specifically to complement Ruger firearms, the RXD line is a workhorse in it’s own right, providing excellent sound mitigation and recoil reduction. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

How to Get in on the Big Buck Bonanza

If we define mature whitetail bucks as those that are 3½-years old or older, then there are a significantly higher percentage of mature bucks being harvested today than at any time in modern hunting history.

Federal and Remington Awarded FBI Rifle Ammunition Contracts

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently awarded Federal and Remington Ammunition—both part of The Kinetic Group (TKG)—one of the largest law enforcement contracts in TKG's history.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.