What's your favorite Western?

[Will Ketchum]

Roscoe, if you were going into a gunfight would you only load 5?

Will Ketchum

[greyhawk]

Roscoe, if you were going into a gunfight would you only load 5?

Will Ketchum

Not likely!!

I betcha there wasnt many capguns out there ever saw a 5 shot load either - fillerup - hammer on the safety pin!

Always thought it kind of silly when the hero rackt the action on his lever gun just before he fires - hes just walked down the street (or through the brush or whatever) on the scout for trouble and he hasnt got one up the spout ?? Any deal like that (what its pretending to be) I would be loaded and cocked no empty and locked !!

We are talkin about a different time - back then I bet you reached behind the door for the shotgun - hauled back the hammer and went for it - wouldnt even think it might be empty! 

[Jake C]

Roscoe, if you were going into a gunfight would you only load 5?

Will Ketchum

Not if I had any time to prepare.

[Slim45]

So many...... But top 3:

Winchester '73
Jeremiah Johnson
True Grit (Orig)

[Roscoe]

Roscoe, if you were going into a gunfight would you only load 5?

Will Ketchum

The better question is always whether you would walk around with a holstered gun that had a live round under the hammer. If reloading during a gunfight, I certainly see the point.. But do we really know what they did in those days, other than normally load 5?

[PJ Hardtack]

John Wayne covered that in "The Shootist".

Carry with five but load six if it looks like you're gonna need 'em. Or shoot a Ruger with transfer bar.

[ManuelH]

The better question is always whether you would make the best use of these fat burners for men and walk around with a holstered gun that had a live round under the hammer. If reloading during a gunfight, I certainly see the point.. But do we really know what they did in those days, other than normally load 5?

I also wondered this as well. It certainly makes sense. Is this historically accurate btw? What are the sources?

[Jake C]

John Wayne covered that in "The Shootist".

Carry with five but load six if it looks like you're gonna need 'em. Or shoot a Ruger with transfer bar.

Didn't they also mention this in the 'True Grit' (the book)? I swear I remember Maddie talking about Rooster loading a sixth round in his revolver when they were waiting to ambush Ned Pepper at the cabin.

[Will Ketchum]

There is plenty of historical evidence that 6 rounds were often loaded. One I can think of is when Wyatt Earp dropped his revolver and it went off sending the bullet through his coattail if I remember correctly.

There was also an account in a book about the Hash Knife Outfit where a deputy and a constable were after a faro robber who was dropping coins as he made his getaway.  The 2 lawmen rounded the corner and ran into the thief. They all commenced to shoot from about 5 feet all shots missing. The constable was the only one with 6 rounds in his gun and put it to the head of the robber and killed him.

Will Ketchum

[Tuolumne Lawman]

My current favorites (in no particular order)

1) Lonesome Dove (original)
2) Open Range
3) Unforgiven
4) Culpepper Cattle Company
5) Broken Trail
6) Pale Rider (love those Remmies!)
7) Last Stand at Saber River
Crossfire Trail
9) Monte Walsh
10) the Shootist

I would generally carry 5 in the weapon, but certainly load a sixth if I was expecting trouble.  You can rest the firing pin between two cartridges fairly safely with 6 loaded.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Also have an honorable mention for "Tombstone" and "Wyatt Earp".  I think it is interesting that my three favorite CAS guns: 1860 Henry figures in two of them (lonesome Dove, Saber River), 1875 Schofield figures in two of them (Crossfire Trail and Unforgiven), and 1860 cartridge conversion also figures in three of them (Wyatt Earp, Crossfire Trail, Saber River).....

[G Dog]

Missouri Breaks (1976).  Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson.

I agree that the Lonesome Dove series is great.  Larry McMurtry?s book is even better.  Got a Pulitzer, if that counts.  Good to the last page (945).

[The Trinity Kid]

Missouri Breaks (1976).  Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson.

I agree that the Lonesome Dove series is great.  Larry McMurtry?s book is even better.  Got a Pulitzer, if that counts.  Good to the last page (945).

Correct on the McMurtry. I read the entire series in '17 while working for the USFS.  Good reads.

--TK

[PJ Hardtack]

There is plenty of historical evidence that 6 rounds were often loaded. One I can think of is when Wyatt Earp dropped his revolver and it went off sending the bullet through his coattail if I remember correctly.

There was also an account in a book about the Hash Knife Outfit where a deputy and a constable were after a faro robber who was dropping coins as he made his getaway.  The 2 lawmen rounded the corner and ran into the thief. They all commenced to shoot from about 5 feet all shots missing. The constable was the only one with 6 rounds in his gun and put it to the head of the robber and killed him.

Will Ketchum

"It isn't the first round fired or the number of rounds fired that settles the matter, but the first round that finds the intended mark,"   Jeff Cooper USMCR

This was recently proven in a Texas church.

[RRio]

My newest favorite is "Magnificent Seven" , the remake that is. The comradery between the seven reminds me of our old west theatrical group back in the '70s. It's a fun movie with lots of different gun and characters. Loved the character Jack Horne.

[greyhawk]

I just watched the lone ranger (for about the 47th time) - its just a bunch of fun - crazy stunt stuff and effects - no foul language - the good guys win in the end (kind of). Whats not to like - oh and six shooters that just keep firing and firing and firing .............. . The proper version of it was the first movie I ever saw as a kid. 

[Dave T]

No real favorite but like so many others a list.

Near the top is "Open Range", then about every Western Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott ever did. Those made for TV movies of theirs got more guns and gear right before Hollywood did. For that I'd have to include the mini-series Lonesome Dove.

As far as old 1950s Hollywood Westerns go, my favorite was always "Rio Bravo". John Wayne was...well, John Wayne, but Walter Brennon's Stumpy was my all time favorite character/sidekick.

Dave

[Robert Swartz]

my favorites?!!!!


Anyone remember "Gunfight"....or was it "Gunfighter" ...with Johnny Cash?

Really, really late to the party on this one. The name of the movie was "A Gunfight" starring Johnny Cash as Abe Cross and Kirk Douglass as Will Tannaray (or Tenneray, somethin' like that). Both aging gunfighters looking for a grubsteak. Was made in 1971. Remember seeing it at the Drive In in Greenwood, Indiana. One of those movies that I've never seen on TV. Similar to Burt Lancasters "Zulu Dawn". Not a western. Another modern movie that depicts the world of the late 1870's and the shape of conflicts and world events to come.

[greyhawk]

Another sort of stylized Western that I like is "Red Garters" starring Rosie Clooney, Jack Carson and Guy Mitchell.  It's a kind of Western Comedy/Musical.  In that one they are always talking about "The Code of The West" and when that is said....all hats come off. 

Then, of course, there's the two Bob Hope Classics:  "Paleface" and "Son of Paleface".  Those are hilarious!

Must be the weather downunder - cant stand Bob Hope - instant channel changer for me 

[Oldgold]

Just saw one the other day I had never seen. Jericho. Great story. Does he get his wife and family back in the end?

Josey Wales, Tombstone, and about anything Sam Elliot, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Tom Selleck, Robert Duvall, or Kevin Costner is in.