Idaho Voters Pick ‘Gun That Won The West’ In Referendum Panned By Local Experts

Idaho voters selected the Winchester Model 1873 as the state’s official firearm in a non-binding referendum. The result gives the rifle a symbolic state honour, though local firearms experts criticised the ballot for failing to reflect Idaho’s own history with guns.

The Model 1873 received 31.2% of the vote among six options; the Winchester 1894 came second with 25.4%, followed by the Colt Single Action Army at 15.1%. The other choices were the M1911, M1 Garand and Remington 700. One Idaho firearms shop owner argued that the list overlooked the influence of gun writer Elmer Keith, who helped drive the development of Magnum cartridges.