What Gun Did Billy The Kid Use?
Billy the Kid: The Gunslinging Outlaw
Billy the Kid is one of the most famous outlaws in American history. He was a young man who quickly gained a reputation for his quick draw and deadly accuracy. But what gun did Billy the Kid use?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the guns that Billy the Kid used during his outlaw career. We’ll explore the different types of guns he carried, how he used them, and how they contributed to his legend.
We’ll also discuss the myths and legends surrounding Billy the Kid’s guns, and we’ll try to separate fact from fiction. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the guns that Billy the Kid used and how they helped him become one of the most famous outlaws in American history.
| Name | Caliber | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Colt Single Action Army | .45 Colt |  |
| Winchester Model 1873 | .44-40 Winchester |  |
Billy the Kid’s Guns
Billy the Kid was one of the most famous outlaws of the Old West. He was known for his quick draw and deadly accuracy with a gun. He is said to have killed at least 21 men, although the actual number is likely higher.
Billy the Kid used a variety of guns during his career, but his favorites were the Colt Single Action Army revolver and the Winchester Model 1873 rifle.
The Colt Single Action Army Revolver
The Colt Single Action Army revolver was the most popular handgun in the American West. It was produced by Colt from 1873 to 1941 and was chambered for .45 Colt cartridges. The Single Action Army was a single-action revolver, meaning that each shot had to be manually cocked before it could be fired. It had a six-round cylinder and a loading gate on the right side of the frame. The Single Action Army was a reliable and accurate revolver, and it was well-suited for the quick-draw gunfights that were common in the Old West.
Billy the Kid is said to have carried a Colt Single Action Army revolver with him at all times. He was known for his quick draw with the revolver, and he was said to be able to draw and fire two shots in the blink of an eye. The Single Action Army was Billy the Kid’s favorite gun, and he used it to kill many of his victims.
The Winchester Model 1873 Rifle
The Winchester Model 1873 rifle was another popular firearm in the American West. It was produced by Winchester from 1873 to 1919 and was chambered for .44-40 Winchester cartridges. The Model 1873 was a lever-action rifle, meaning that it was reloaded by cycling the lever under the barrel. It had a tubular magazine that held 10 rounds of ammunition. The Model 1873 was a powerful and accurate rifle, and it was well-suited for hunting and target shooting.
Billy the Kid is said to have carried a Winchester Model 1873 rifle with him on his cattle drives. He used the rifle to hunt game and to protect himself from hostile Indians. The Model 1873 was Billy the Kid’s favorite long gun, and he used it to kill many of his victims.
The Smith & Wesson Model 3 Schofield Revolver
The Smith & Wesson Model 3 Schofield revolver was a .45 caliber revolver that was produced by Smith & Wesson from 1873 to 1878. The Schofield was a double-action revolver, meaning that it could be fired either by cocking the hammer manually or by pulling the trigger. It had a six-round cylinder and a loading gate on the left side of the frame. The Schofield was a reliable and accurate revolver, and it was well-suited for military and law enforcement use.
Billy the Kid is said to have carried a Smith & Wesson Model 3 Schofield revolver with him during his time as a member of the Lincoln County Regulators. He used the revolver to fight in the Lincoln County War, and he is said to have killed several men with it. The Schofield was Billy the Kid’s favorite backup gun, and he used it to kill many of his victims.
The Remington Rolling Block Rifle
The Remington Rolling Block rifle was a single-shot rifle that was produced by Remington from 1866 to 1917. The Rolling Block was chambered for a variety of cartridges, including .44-40 Winchester, .45-70 Government, and .50-70 Government. The Rolling Block had a falling block action, meaning that the breechblock dropped down to open the chamber. It had a loading gate on the right side of the receiver. The Rolling Block was a reliable and accurate rifle, and it was well-suited for hunting and target shooting.
Billy the Kid is said to have carried a Remington Rolling Block rifle with him during his time as a member of the Lincoln County Regulators. He used the rifle to fight in the Lincoln County War, and he is said to have killed several men with it. The Rolling Block was Billy the Kid’s favorite long gun, and he used it to kill many of his victims.
Billy the Kid’s Gunfighting Skills
Billy the Kid was a skilled gunfighter. He was known for his quick draw and deadly accuracy. He is said to have killed at least 21 men, although the actual number is likely higher.
Billy the Kid’s gunfighting skills were honed during his time as a member of the Lincoln County Regulators. The Regulators were a group of armed men who were hired by John Tunstall to protect his
3. Billy the Kid’s Guns in Popular Culture
Billy the Kid’s guns have been featured in countless movies, television shows, books, and songs. They have become iconic symbols of the Wild West, and their association with one of the most famous outlaws in American history has only added to their mystique.
- In Movies
Billy the Kid’s guns have been featured in dozens of movies, including:
- The Outlaw (1943), starring Henry Fonda as Billy the Kid. Fonda’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the film.
- Billy the Kid (1949), starring Bob Dylan as Billy the Kid. Dylan’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the film.
- Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973), starring James Coburn as Pat Garrett and Kris Kristofferson as Billy the Kid. Coburn’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the film, while Kristofferson’s character uses a Winchester Model 1873 rifle.
- Young Guns (1988), starring Emilio Estevez as Billy the Kid. Estevez’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the film.
- Young Guns II (1990), starring Emilio Estevez as Billy the Kid. Estevez’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the film.
- Billy the Kid (2003), starring Daniel Day-Lewis as Billy the Kid. Day-Lewis’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the film.
- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007), starring Brad Pitt as Jesse James. Pitt’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the film.
- Billy the Kid vs. Dracula (2011), starring Luke Perry as Billy the Kid. Perry’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the film.
- Billy the Kid: Legend of the West (2013), starring Tom Selleck as Billy the Kid. Selleck’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the film.
- In Television
Billy the Kid’s guns have also been featured in numerous television shows, including:
- The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1955-1961), starring Hugh O’Brian as Wyatt Earp. O’Brian’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the series.
- Gunsmoke (1955-1975), starring James Arness as Matt Dillon. Arness’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the series.
- The Rifleman (1958-1963), starring Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain. Connors’s character uses a Winchester Model 1873 rifle in the series.
- Bonanza (1959-1973), starring Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright. Greene’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the series.
- The Wild Wild West (1965-1969), starring Robert Conrad as James West. Conrad’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the series.
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), starring Clint Eastwood as The Man with No Name. Eastwood’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the film.
- The Lone Ranger (1966-1969), starring Clayton Moore as The Lone Ranger. Moore’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the series.
- McCloud (1970-1977), starring Dennis Weaver as Sam McCloud. Weaver’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the series.
- The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985), starring Tom Wopat as Luke Duke. Wopat’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the series.
- The Young Riders (1989-1992), starring Josh Brolin as James Butler Hickok. Brolin’s character uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver in the series.
- In Books
Billy the Kid’s guns have also been featured in numerous books, including:
- The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid (1881), by Pat Garrett and Ash Upson. This book, written by Billy the Kid’s former sheriff and friend, is one of the most famous and influential books about Billy the Kid. It includes a detailed description of Billy the Kid’s guns.
* **Billy the Kid
What Gun Did Billy The Kid Use?
Billy the Kid was a notorious outlaw in the American West who was known for his quick draw and deadly accuracy with a gun. He is often depicted in popular culture as wielding a Colt Single Action Army revolver, but the actual gun he used is unknown.
What are some of the most common myths about Billy the Kid’s gun?
There are a number of myths about Billy the Kid’s gun that have been perpetuated in popular culture. Some of the most common include:
- That he always carried two guns.
- That he used a Colt Single Action Army revolver.
- That he was a crack shot with his gun.
While it is true that Billy the Kid was a skilled gunfighter, it is also true that he was not always armed. In fact, there are several instances where he was unarmed when he was involved in gunfights. Additionally, while he did use a Colt Single Action Army revolver on occasion, he also used a variety of other guns, including a Remington 1875 double-action revolver and a Winchester Model 1873 rifle.
What is the most likely gun that Billy the Kid used?
The most likely gun that Billy the Kid used is a Colt Single Action Army revolver. This is based on the fact that the Colt Single Action Army was the most popular revolver in the American West at the time, and it is also the gun that is most commonly associated with Billy the Kid. However, it is important to note that there is no definitive proof that Billy the Kid ever owned or used a Colt Single Action Army revolver.
What other guns did Billy the Kid use?
In addition to the Colt Single Action Army revolver, Billy the Kid is also known to have used a variety of other guns, including:
- A Remington 1875 double-action revolver
- A Winchester Model 1873 rifle
- A Sharps carbine
- A Smith & Wesson Model 3 Schofield revolver
It is important to note that Billy the Kid was not always armed. In fact, there are several instances where he was unarmed when he was involved in gunfights.
How accurate was Billy the Kid with his gun?
Billy the Kid was a skilled gunfighter, and he was known for his quick draw and deadly accuracy. However, it is important to note that he was not always accurate with his gun. In fact, there are several instances where he missed his target or shot someone by accident.
What is the legacy of Billy the Kid’s gun?
Billy the Kid’s gun is a symbol of the American West and the Wild West era. It is a reminder of the violence and lawlessness that existed in the frontier, but it is also a reminder of the courage and skill of the gunfighters who lived in that time.