Did Cowboys Use Rifles? Exploring the Guns of the American West

Yes, American Western cowboys did use rifles. Rifles such as the Winchester Model 1873, the Sharps rifle, and the Henry rifle were commonly used by cowboys for hunting and self-defense. These rifles were preferred over pistols or revolvers because they were more accurate and had a longer range. The Winchester Model 1873, in particular, was known as the 'gun that won the West' and was a popular choice among cowboys.