Myth vs. Reality: The Accuracy of Old West Gunfighters in Movies

Have you ever wondered just how accurate those famous Old West gunfighters were when compared to how they are depicted in movies? It is possible to shoot late 19th century revolvers with great accuracy and speed, with legendary figures like Wild Bill Hickok being prime examples. However, contrary to popular portrayals in film and television, most real-life gunfights during the Wild West era were much quicker, fiercer, and less epic than Hollywood likes to suggest.

Common Misconceptions About Gunfights in the Old West

Historically, encounters between gunfighters were often characterized by what is known as the "three-by-three" rule: the distance was within 3 feet, 3 rounds were fired, and the entire encounter was over in 3 seconds. It is rare to find evidence of the dramatic and often inaccurate showdowns depicted in movies and television shows. In reality, most shootouts took place in close quarters, such as in barrooms, where the parties were heavily involved in drinking and gambling. Small caliber vest guns, like derringers and the British Bulldog .32, were favored in these situations due to their compactness and suitability for close-range engagements.

Typical Weapons and Situations

Prevalent weapons of the time included small caliber vest guns like derringers, the British Bulldog, and single-action revolvers such as the Colt, Remington, and Schofield. It is important to note that many cowboys never owned or carried guns, and those who did were often better shots due to the time and effort required to practice. Most preferred rifles for long-distance engagements, with shotguns becoming the preferred choice when the situation demanded close-range battles.

The Statistics and Real-Life Accounts

A notable example is Sheriff Cape Willingham, a famous peace officer renowned for his marksmanship. Despite being in an argument with five cowboys, he managed to kill four of them and wound the fifth, all while sustaining a significant injury himself. Both the surviving cowboy and the sheriff reiterated that cowboys were generally poor shots, a testament to the rarity of the typical gunfight in the Wild West.

Unrealistic Depictions and Practical Stunts

The movies often present an overly romanticized and inaccurate portrayal of gunfighters. The Support Your Local Gunfighter, a comedy/parody of contemporary Westerns, shows one of the most accurate depictions of an Old West gunman. In the film, a con artist named James Garner convinces a drunkard to pretend to be a skilled gunfighter. This plan culminates in a climactic shootout where neither supposedly skilled gunman actually fires at each other, and the one "expert" protagonist accidentally injures himself. This plot reflects the reality that men might be skilled with a gun but would rarely have an opportunity to fire in anger, much less achieve the level of accuracy often seen in movies.

Historical Inconsistencies and Modern Firearms

Further, many Western movies inaccurately depict firearms. Gunfights often take place in the 1880s-1890s, yet the films showcase Civil War-era or later military-issued revolver pistols. This period saw the introduction of pepperbox and other transitional revolvers, as well as the first commercially available semi-automatic rifles in 1881. By the late 19th century, an array of guns with box magazines and detachable and reloadable clips similar to modern handguns began to appear. These historical inaccuracy issues highlight the need for more realistic portrayals of the Old West and its weapons.