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  • ilikerugers
    Member
    • Jan 2009
    • 151

    Cowboy Movie question

    caught a few minutes of a John Wayne movie today

    why do cowboys in the movies always have one large bullet in their cartridge belt?
  • #2
    BigDogatPlay
    Calguns Addict
    • Jun 2007
    • 7362

    It was a signal, supposedly, that they were getting down to the last gunload for their revolver. When you reach back there and feel the long round you know you're down to your last reload.
    -- Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun

    Not a lawyer, just a former LEO proud to have served.

    Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. -- James Madison

    Comment

    • #3
      Big Jake
      I need a LIFE!!
      • Jul 2009
      • 12509

      If John Wayne did it there was a good reason for it. He was and still is the man among men. No one like him before or since!
      "Life Is Hard. It's Harder When You're Stupid"-John Wayne!

      "Liberalism Is A Mental Disorder"-Michael Savage!

      "The Object of Life Is Not To Be On The Side Of The Majority, But To Escape Finding Oneself In The Ranks Of The Insane"-Marcus Aurelius!

      "Dr. Thomas Sowell Is A National Treasure"-Big Jake!

      Comment

      • #4
        Turbinator
        Administrator
        CGN Contributor - Lifetime
        • Oct 2005
        • 11933

        Originally posted by ilikerugers
        caught a few minutes of a John Wayne movie today

        why do cowboys in the movies always have one large bullet in their cartridge belt?
        Cartridge, not bullet. Back to firearms 101 for you

        Turby

        Comment

        • #5
          30Cal
          Senior Member
          • Jan 2006
          • 1487

          You mean like a 45-70 cartridge in addition to the pistol ctgs? What BigDog said.

          I will tell you that a loaded gunbelt is really heavy. You're carrying a full size revolver plus a full box of ammo on your waist in the heaviest leather you can find.

          Comment

          • #6
            IGOTDIRT4U
            I need a LIFE!!
            • Oct 2006
            • 10861

            Originally posted by 30Cal
            You mean like a 45-70 cartridge in addition to the pistol ctgs? What BigDog said.

            I will tell you that a loaded gunbelt is really heavy. You're carrying a full size revolver plus a full box of ammo on your waist in the heaviest leather you can find.
            Yep, that is the reason. Usually the rifle round was also the right caliber for the lever action carbine rifle, too. Dual purpose!
            "Over-sentimentality, over-softness, in fact washiness and mushiness are the great dangers of this age and of this people. Unless we keep the barbarian virtue, gaining the civilized ones will be of little avail." - Theodore Roosevelt

            Would you people please stop bashing "Elmer Fudd?" After all, he was an avid sportsman, hunter, and 2a supporter. -Ed in Sac
            sigpicNRA Benefactor Member

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            • #7
              Black Majik
              Calguns Addict
              • Oct 2005
              • 9695

              Interesting Bigdog, thanks for sharing.

              I have another question now, whats the reason for crossdraw? I can't imagine it being faster? Since the cartrige is usually on the right side for reloading is it to offset the weight of the ammo?

              Comment

              • #8
                TMC
                Senior Member
                • Oct 2005
                • 2348

                Wayne almost always had a 45-70 in his belt but he carried at pistol caliber rifle.

                I think did it just for looks.
                where are my pistol mags?

                Comment

                • #9
                  cudakidd
                  Veteran Member
                  • Apr 2007
                  • 3255

                  On a double rig, a cross draw is a must for the second firearm unless you shoot with both weak and strong hands...

                  On a single rig a cross draw is at an angle and is easier to draw while mounted since it doesn't stick straight down...simple...
                  TURNING and turning in the widening gyre
                  The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
                  Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
                  Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
                  The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
                  The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
                  The best lack all conviction, while the worst
                  Are full of passionate intensity.

                  William Butler Yeats 1865-1939

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Rule .308
                    Veteran Member
                    • Oct 2005
                    • 2531

                    Originally posted by TMC
                    Wayne almost always had a 45-70 in his belt but he carried at pistol caliber rifle.

                    I think did it just for looks.
                    While it does look cool, it does have the practical application of letting you know that you are half way through your cartridges, that's why it is placed in the middle.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      BigDogatPlay
                      Calguns Addict
                      • Jun 2007
                      • 7362

                      Originally posted by Black Majik
                      Interesting Bigdog, thanks for sharing.
                      You're welcome. My take on it came from something, I think, Rick Hacker wrote one time about the Duke and how authentic his gear was and was worn.

                      I have another question now, whats the reason for crossdraw? I can't imagine it being faster? Since the cartrige is usually on the right side for reloading is it to offset the weight of the ammo?
                      Crossdraw can be pretty fast. The main idea is to have the second gun so that it can be drawn and used with the strong hand, as mentioned above. A lot of CAS / SASS shooters use a crossdraw rig mixed with a strong side rig as their set up. While somewhat practical from that respect, I'm better disposed to train / shoot with both hands.

                      Of course crossdraw has it's disadvantages.... not the least of which is presenting the butt of your gun to a bad guy to take away in close quarters. This is why law enforcement pretty much went away from crossdraw in the 1960's and why you find nice old Safety Speed LEO duty holsters on Ebay all the time.
                      -- Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun

                      Not a lawyer, just a former LEO proud to have served.

                      Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. -- James Madison

                      Comment

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