Best of the West 2025: Firearms

The Legendary Handgun That Really Won the West

To understand the significance of the Colt Walker 47, one must first pay homage to the Colt 1836 Patterson.

U.S. War Department officials reportedly were favorably impressed with the 1836 Paterson. It was Colt’s first commercial repeating revolver and marked a significant milestone in the evolution of firearms. Designed by Samuel Colt, this single-action, cap-and-ball revolver featured a five-shot cylinder and was available in several calibers, with .28 and .36 being the most common. Its sleek, streamlined design included an integrated folding trigger that only appeared when the hammer was cocked, a novel feature that provided a cleaner profile but also required greater manual dexterity to operate.

Lightweight and portable, the Colt Paterson was particularly valued by Texas Rangers and other frontier forces for its capability to deliver multiple shots without reloading. However, it had limitations—loading the cylinder was complex, requiring disassembly, which proved inconvenient in high-stress situations.

When the Mexican War began in 1846, Capt. Samuel H. Walker, U.S. Army, traveled east, looked up Sam Colt, and collaborated on the design of a new, more powerful revolver. Samuel Walker, who had experienced firsthand the inadequacies of existing firearms in high-stakes engagements, sought to create a powerful and reliable handgun that could be used effectively on horseback.

The result was the 1847 Walker, the largest and most powerful black powder repeating handgun ever made. Samuel Walker carried two of his namesake revolvers in the Mexican–American War, and the imbalance between the enemy and the troops with the introduction of the powerful Colt Walker, changed the direction of armed conflict out West forever.

This single-action, black-powder revolver is often considered one of the most iconic and powerful handguns of its era, with a design that merged innovative engineering and the rugged needs of the 19th-century frontier.

One of the defining attributes of the Colt Walker is its .44 caliber ball, which provided for superior stopping power.

Size and Weight

The Colt Walker stands out as a large, heavy handgun, weighing approximately 4.5 pounds unloaded and measuring around 15 inches in overall length. This hefty design contributes to its stability but also makes it a challenging weapon to wield. The gun’s size and weight reflect the desire for a firearm that packed significant power; however, these dimensions also meant it was primarily used by cavalry rather than infantry or foot soldiers.

Caliber and Capacity

One of the defining attributes of the Colt Walker is its caliber. It uses a .44 caliber bullet, which was considerably larger than those in many contemporary revolvers, providing superior stopping power. The revolver’s cylinder can hold six chambers, giving it a notable edge in firepower compared to single-shot pistols of the period. This capacity for rapid firing was highly advantageous in combat, especially for mounted units who could reload infrequently during an engagement.

Samuel Colt’s 1836 Paterson was Colt’s first commercially successful repeating revolver. This single-action, cap-and-ball firearm featured a five-shot cylinder and was highly valued by Texas Rangers for its ability to fire multiple shots without reloading.

Black Powder Mechanism

The Colt Walker is a black-powder, cap-and-ball revolver, meaning it requires gunpowder and a percussion cap to fire each shot. The loading process was labor-intensive, with each chamber needing to be individually loaded with powder, a bullet and a cap. While cumbersome, this system allowed for quick reloading compared to single-shot weapons of the era.

Range and Power

The Walker’s large caliber and heavy charge of black powder made it one of the most powerful handguns of its time, capable of firing a bullet with enough force to be lethal at distances of up to 100 yards. The power behind each shot made it a formidable weapon on the battlefield and was particularly suited to the close quarters mounted combat often encountered by the Texas Rangers.

Reliability and Durability

While the Colt Walker was powerful, it was not without flaws. The revolver’s oversized cylinder was prone to accidental ruptures, and its loading lever tended to drop during firing due to inadequate lock mechanisms. These flaws were addressed in later Colt models, but they are notable as part of the Walker’s design legacy. Nevertheless, for the Texas Rangers, the revolver’s power outweighed its drawbacks, cementing its reputation as a rugged, powerful sidearm for the frontier.

Legacy and Influence

The Colt Walker’s design influenced future revolvers, leading directly to the more reliable Colt Dragoon series. Today, the Colt Walker is celebrated not only as a functional weapon but also as a symbol of American ingenuity and frontier resilience. Collectors and historians value this firearm for its place in history as a gun that shaped the firearms industry and transformed the nature of combat on the Western frontier. Its rarity and connection to the legendary Texas Rangers continue to fuel its allure, making it a prized artifact among firearm enthusiasts.

Ken Amorosano is the Publisher of True West. He has decades of experience in the history and functionality of Old West firearms as an avid Single Action Shooting and Cowboy Mounted shooting competitor and marketing professional. Notably, he produced and edited three official annual catalogs for Colt’s Manufacturing Company in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and enjoys his personal collection of original Colt and Winchester firearms.

These five heavily armed deputy U.S. Marshals served at the behest of federal Judge Isaac Parker of Fort Smith, Arkansas. They are all holding Winchester 1873 rifles.

Best Gunleather Artisan

Mernickle Holsters, Pampa, TX

Founded in the 1970s by Bob Mernickle, the Texas-based gun leather company is one of the most respected gun holster companies in the world. Today, U.S. Army veteran Cliff Powers and his family own the firearm leather accessory firm. Mernickle’s products are highly regarded by the Single Action Shooting Society as well as the Cowboy Fast Draw Association. The company is also well-known for its conceal-carry holsters and buscaderos. For Western film fans, they also have a line of Hollywood-style holster sets, including the Wild Bunch series.

mernickleholsters.com

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Tie: John Bianchi Gunleather/Old West Reproductions

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Cimarron Firearms Arizona Ranger

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cimarron-firearms.com

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uberti-usa.com

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EMF Company Hartford SxS Shotgun

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emf-company.com

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shilohrifle.com

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cimarron-firearms.com

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The Hawken Shop
Hawken Rifle Kit

For the third year in a row, True West’s editors honor The Hawken Shop’s Hawken Rifle Kit as the Best of the West. Invented in St. Louis, Missouri, two centuries ago, the Hawken was the favorite of mountain men Jedediah Smith, Kit Carson, Jim Bridger and others. Craft your own rifle from the Hawken Shop’s Hawken Kit. It’s 95 percent finished and requires minimal hand tools and patience for the final fitting.

thehawkenshop.com

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