Western Movies fact or fiction?

Nighthawk

I know most of the time Hollywood plays us all for dummy's.But I had a thought the other day,when they had gun fights in the streets of the old west.I would like to know aproximate distance apart 50 FT,25yrds etc.The man with the quicker draw was the winner.Ok what was most of the Handguns chambered for back then 44-40,45Colt?Any way when the man was hit he went down.Talking about one shot stops.But it must have been some truth to it?If not the slower guy who was hit would have fired back at his enemy and both men would be down.Their would be no winner.You know the guy hit is going to kill his killer before going down?But look at how many fair gun fights some men won.Their has to be some merit to the one shot does the job,or their would be no winner of a gun fight.I would appreciate any answers on the most common caliber,and usual distance apart?And what do you think of the one shot and he's down gun fights?Thanks in Advance.

Rugster


"Toujours Pret"

rcdis

Those gun fights are pure hollywood. There were very few of the two men on the street face to face gun fights. Actually only one know and that one involved Wild Bill Hickok (sp).

powdersmoke

The gunfight was not usually as depicted in the movies. We would like for it to be that way because of our sense of fair play. It was not unusual for one man to already have his gun out when the fight began. And manytimes it was up close and personal, talkin' distance not shouting distance.

The fastest guy did not always win, in a panic, when the adrenalin is pumping through your system, the coolest and possibly the slower of the two men, would win. It was not unusual for the fastest guy to put his first shot or two in the dust of the street, or to shoot too wide and miss his mark. If you read the accounts you'll find the stand up, draw fast and shoot was not common with gunfights. Many times it was just good fortune/happenstance. Take Wyatt Earp. At the Ok Corral (really not the Ok Corral but outside the photographic shop) he was not even wounded, no scratch, though about 40 to 50 rounds were fired, at very close range in a dead end ally. (someone correct me on that number if needed).

The shooting could begin with one fighter in a doorway, blazing away as soon as he saw the other guy. If you carried a gun openly you were fair game. In some gunfights the loser would be shot in the back. In others he was shot from concealment (a wise tactic if you knew the other guy's looking for you with murder in his heart). Other famous shootings were the result of accidents. For example when Hickock shot and killed his own deputy in a showdown with town toughs. The real thing was having the will to shoot. Hickock had it and it made him deadly, to his opponants and bystanders.

Just my two cents



When you wrestle a 'gator, there ain't no good end!!

"Molon Labe!" Spartan General-King Leonidas

jwharding

Read abot it here http://www.geocities.com/greyno1457/TheRealGunslinger.html

firing pin

It was always behind the back,and up close and personal.

Nighthawk

Thanks alot everyone, liked the Link!Everyone interested in the Old West should check it out.Still would like to know the most common caliber Handgun they carried then.Thanks again!



Best!!

Rugster


"Toujours Pret"

nunn

In most of the old western movies, you see nearly 100% Colt single actions and Winchester 1892 carbines. Why? Because there were lots of them available, and the property masters only had to keep one blank cartridge, the so-called 5 in 1 blank. It would work in any rifle or revolver chambered in .38-40, .44-40, or .45 Colt.

Fact is, there were lots of other guns used in other calibers by other makers. Smith & Wesson, Merwin & Hulbert, Hopkins & Allen, Marlin, Spencer, Sharps, just to name a few.

SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net

TrinityScrimshaw

In Hickcock' situation I think he used a 44 Scofield (SP). The most used caliber was 45 LC in pistols, with 38 close behind. I heard a rumor that Wild Bill was later killed (shot in the back) by the brother of the person he shot in his historical walk into the street and fast draw shoot-out. It was wintnessed by many who said that Hickock had no chose but to defend himself. It is said that John Wesley Hardin one of best outlaw shots known was also shot in the back by someone who was pistol whipped by Hardins girl friend. These two were charged with murder. There was no such thing as a hired gun, unless the gun was hired to hunt or extract varmints from grazing land.

Trinity +++

"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."<BR>(Proverbs 22:6)

powdersmoke

I believe early on Hickock used the 1851 in 36 cal.(cap n ball) many others used the 36 but the 44 was the favorite (again cap n ball). When cartridge firearms came into use I believe the 45 was popular. Anything much smaller was considered a gentleman hideaway or a ladies gun.



When you wrestle a 'gator, there ain't no good end!!

"Molon Labe!" Spartan General-King Leonidas

TrinityScrimshaw

He may have not used the Scofield in his famous shootout, but the one he owned recently sold at auction for quite a sum.

Trinity +++

"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."(Proverbs 22:6)