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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.
In short
- Idaho voters chose the Winchester Model 1873.
- It won 31.2% in a non-binding referendum.
- Local experts said the options overlooked Idaho’s firearms history.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters could see the Winchester Model 1873 as a fitting symbolic choice: its association with the American West gives it broad historical recognition, and it received the most votes in a public referendum. Even though the vote was non-binding, choosing a familiar rifle can be a straightforward way to mark a widely shared part of the state’s frontier identity.
The case against
Critics could argue that a state honour should reflect Idaho’s particular firearms history rather than the best-known image of the wider West. The ballot’s six options may have left out figures and developments with stronger local significance, such as Elmer Keith’s influence on Magnum cartridges, making the result a limited measure of what Idahoans might choose from a fuller list.