1873 - Year of the Gun 2023 is a special year for several iconic Old West guns, as well as True West magazine, and Firearms Editor Phil...
Best of the West 2023: Firearms
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Firearms
Western Cavalry Training
True West’s Firearms Editor Phil Spangenberger was asked to share with us 10 significant photos of the Old West. His nine other photos and...
Western Legends
The Rock Island Auction hammers out Wild West shootists' sidearms. The Rock Island “Premier Firearms” auction held August 26-28 included...
Western Roundup: May 2022
Wyatt Earp Days (Pictured) Tombstone, AZ, May 27-28: In honor of famed Tombstone lawman Wyatt Earp, activities include gunfights, a chili cook-off...
Caplock Rivals
Two open-top and solid-frame designs reigned supreme in the age of percussion revolvers, and each type had its advantages and drawbacks. ...
The Mason-Richards Conversion Unit
Ironically, an employee of Colt, Rollin White, came up with the idea of boring through the cylinder to accept the new metallic cartridges but Sam...
How Common was the Cross Draw?
The cross draw was popular among cowboys of the Old West so their pistols wouldn’t get in the way of their work around the ranch. It was also easier...
The Colt Single Action Revolver
Although many other makes used, the Colt single-action six-shooter was the weapon of choice for most gunfighters. In his hands it was both a tool of...
My Top Ten Favorite Movie Moments
True West’s Firearms Editor applauds authenticity. Western movies are made for entertainment, and we must consider them strictly as such, and not as...
Colt Gallops Away with Big Money at Auctions
Morphy and Rock Island prove collectors still love the classic American firearms. Samuel Colt patented his first revolver in 1835,...
The Birth of the Colt Revolver
In the years before the 1840's the favorite side arm was a knife, and the big guy with long arms had a distinct advantage. Before the coming of the...
Best of the West 2022: Firearms
Old West Classics Remain Popular Timeless frontier six-guns, rifles and scatterguns lead the list for this year’s top guns. While the...