Which lever-action rifle REALLY had the biggest hand in "winning the West"?

[John Parker]

The last truly free people in the world, bless 'em.

You've never been to Nuristan...

 

[CZguy]

You've never been to Nuristan...

OK I'll bite................Where is Nuristan?

 

[GunsAmerica Fan]

Though I am both and owner and lover of the Uberti replica Henry and 73 Winchester, the most important rifle of the west of definatly the Springfield Trapdoor. It was the infantry rifle and cavalry carbine of the entire western era. The indians used the Winchesters as others have noted here.

 

[Big Bill]

Winchester 73 with Jimmy Stewart nailed it. It was definately the 73 that won the west (Whatever that means?).

 

[Bronx]

I think it was the action of the throttle lever on these things that "won the West"'

That throttle lever is specifically known as a "Johnson Bar".

 

[Bronx]

OK I'll bite................Where is Nuristan?

Here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/04/AR2009100400778.html

 

[Arkansas Paul]

As I said before, I didn't vote for the Henry due to it's limited production, but RockyMtnTactical makes a very good point about it being the design that started the whole lever era. I didn't think of that.

 

[ar10]

They all played a part, but my personal favorite is the .38 40. Watching old western hero movies does not depict actual events of how the west was settled.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I know the 66 and 73 really did the bulk of the work, but the Henry was their first and paved the way for the other guns. So it becomes a question of when you consider it settled. I vote for the Henry.

 

[Isher]

As far as I know, there were no lever action

Smoothbores manufactured.

isher