# You're a frontier lawman the 1870/80s, what piece do you want to be packing? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 12, 2016, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923 "2016-02-12T13:22:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/1 "2016-02-12T13:22:18Z")
Pretty much as the title. You’re out in the Old West in the days of Wyatt Earp and Jesse James, on the side of law and order. Obviously you’re going to need some iron on your hip - which peacemaker available at the time would best suit your purposes? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/2 "2016-02-12T13:33:56Z")
Winchester 1873 rifle. Prefer to do my shootin’ from a distance. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/3 "2016-02-12T14:25:40Z")
As I understand it most shootings were people getting shot from behind or when they were not prepared like how Wild Bill Hickock was shot while playing poker. So being wary of blind sports and having someone watch your back was more important than the gun your carrying. That being said I think they carried just about everything, rifles that could quick fire or were on a swivel, sawed off shotguns, revolvers, brass knuckles, and clubs. So lets just say Black Bart and his gang were in a saloon and he wanted to arrest them. A lawman would have his men surround the place and they would all walk in from different sides with guns drawn. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/4 "2016-02-12T14:38:26Z")
On my hip, a Colt [M1861 Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_M1861_Navy)pistol. In the long gun holster on my saddle, a Winchester Model [1873 lever action rifle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_rifle). Behind my horse, a [Gatling gun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatling_gun). ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/5 "2016-02-12T15:03:10Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > On my hip, a Colt [M1861 Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_M1861_Navy)pistol. In the long gun holster on my saddle, a Winchester Model [1873 lever action rifle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_rifle). Behind my horse, a [Gatling gun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatling_gun). I like the way you think except I would probably pick the S&W Model 2 or maybe 3 for easier/faster reloading. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/6 "2016-02-12T15:12:35Z")
If we’re talking early-on, when blackpowder revolvers were it, then the Remington 1858; no fiddly wedge to lose or to get loose, and the (theoretical) potential to reload faster by swapping in a fully loaded cylinder. Later, when metallic cartridges became common, I’d want a Colt Single Action Army. However, there’s a lot of merit to getting a pistol chambered in .44-40 (don’t know what kind, as I could get a Remington 1873 lever-action rifle and use the same ammunition in both, which might be really handy for a more roving sort of lawman, like a Texas Ranger. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/7 "2016-02-12T15:30:17Z")
A **Mr. Kobayashi** hypothetical which doesn’t allow for WWII weapons?😕 😃 ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/8 "2016-02-12T15:54:59Z")
Bass Reeves used a Winchester .44-40 and Colt single-action .32-30 or .45 so I’d probably imitate him. I’d also make sure I kept a shotgun close. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/9 "2016-02-12T16:06:29Z")
Yeah, absolutely no question but to have a Winchester 1873. Might be a couple of different pistols to choose from, but that is THE rifle to have. (proud owner of a modern [Model 1894 Cowboy II](http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/cowboy/1894_45colt.asp) in .357 magnum) ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/10 "2016-02-12T20:15:32Z")
I have no opinion, but I texted my son, who I knew would. 😉 His response: > [@](#): > > I’d take a Remington Navy revolver, a Sharps rifle, and a short double barreled shotgun. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/11 "2016-02-12T20:39:53Z")
A short shotgun would be best for those situations where you don’t have time for careful aiming and basically just need to sweep the dirt out the door. [Bass Reeves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_Reeves)was one badass lawman. He’s one of my favorite wild west characters, and he’s little known outside of black history. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/12 "2016-02-12T21:33:08Z")
Being, likely as not, a riverboat gambler, I’m for the little over/under derringer thingie. Love that little puppy, just as cute as a bug’s ear. On the other hand, I might be a bartender in a gold camp, and so it’s a sawed-off shotgun behind the bar. Bartender: “This here’s my sawed-off shotgun.” Customer: “That is a full-length shotgun if ever I have seen one.” Bartender: “Well, when I points it at someone and shout, ‘Sod Off!’ generally they does.” ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/13 "2016-02-12T21:54:07Z")
[LeMat.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeMat_Revolver) ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/14 "2016-02-12T22:38:47Z")
[You also need a theme song](http://www.televisiontunes.com/Rifleman_%28The%29.html). ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2016, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/15 "2016-02-13T01:03:41Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > A **Mr. Kobayashi** hypothetical which doesn’t allow for WWII weapons?😕 It is extremely rare but it does happen. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2016, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/16 "2016-02-13T02:30:02Z")
So I’m not allowed a phase plasma rifle (40W range)? ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2016, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/17 "2016-02-13T02:36:57Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > So I’m not allowed a phase plasma rifle (40W range)? Hey,just what you see,pal! ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2016, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/18 "2016-02-13T03:20:04Z")
(/hijack) Where are the 2nd amendment enthusiasts to correct the OP’s use of the inflammatory use of “piece” instead of “firearm”? They will jump all over a gun discussion thread… (/end hijack) ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2016, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/19 "2016-02-13T03:59:56Z")
For logistical ease, a carbine and revolver that use the same ammunition. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923/20 "2016-02-13T16:56:54Z")
Thinking it over some more, add a Greener to my list. The one I have right now is one of the Old Man’s capguns but from what I’ve heard the boys cartridge arms are pretty damn good in a close fight. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-frontier-lawman-the-1870-80s-what-piece-do-you-want-to-be-packing/745923.md?page=2)