Well I go away for a couple of days and the thread has exploded!
I am a big believer in not buying into the Hollywood portrayed image of "Cowboys" and agree it is a generic term applied to a much wider group of people.
Very interesting reading about the general view that many wouldn't carry pistols (military, lawmen and criminals aside) in favour of a rifle or shotgun which makes sense both in terms of travelling light and the cost. Cow hands not carrying pistols for fear of an Negligent discharge also makes sense and in my mind a rifle for protection, hunting and putting down injured animals seems to make more sense.
It amazes me how fascinating the reality of the old west is once you get past the later dramatisation, I actually studied this period in college many moons ago but I think being from the uk it's sometimes difficult to fully grasp the vaste cultural differences.
All that said I still have that faintly romanticised image of Eastwood, Wayne, Van Cleefe etc... That makes shooting my little single action plinker so much fun. 😀
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