What kinds of weapons did cowboys carry?

Answer 1

While there were gunfighters that carried two pistols, but the average cowpoke wouldn't have been able to afford two pistols since one was about three or more months pay. There were various kinds of guns that cowboys used. They fell into two categories: hand gun and rifle. The most common handguns were the Derringer and the Colt .45; as for rifles there was the Winchester. Most of the time guns were used for shooting animals for food or calming the cattle. Occasionally, a cowboy might have to use one against Indians or rustlers. The star of old westerns, and the gun most often hung in the gun belt of western pioneers was the Peace Maker from Colt. The official name was the "Colt Single Action Army .45" or the "SAA". The historical masterpiece of Colt first went on sale in 1873, and was just as valued in pioneering the west as the trustworthy Winchester M1873 rifle.