Which rifle did The Virginian use?

Key Takeaways

• The same rifle was used by many of the favorite Western heroes of the time
• There were other options that would’ve been more historically accurate
• Aside from the rifle, he’d often turn to this specific revolver

The Virginian Western television series ran from 1962-1971 and aired 249 episodes during its run. It was network television’s third-longest running Western series behind Gunsmoke (635 episodes) and Bonanza (432).

But one of the most often-asked questions surrounds the rifle that is used in the series, especially the main character played by James Drury.

The Virginian (Drury) uses a Winchester Model 1892 carbine in .44-40 caliber. This was the rifle most often used by many of your favorite Western heroes of the same era, including Chuck Connors in The Rifleman, because it was reliable for filming, visually stunning and always available in bulk. Yes, the series was set in the 1890s, so technically, the gun was newer than the time period. An earlier model would’ve been more historically accurate, but producers of the series were not bothered by that.

Aside from the Winchester 1892, The Virginian usually carried a Colt Single Action Army (SAA) revolver known at the Peacemaker. This pairing—the Winchester rifle and the Colt Peacemaker—was typically the classic “cowboy arsenal” on TV, even if it wasn’t always historically precise.

As an aside, here is what the three other main characters used.

Trampas, played by Doug McClure, mostly carried a Colt Single Action Army 5.5 barrel, which was slightly longer than The Virginian’s. He didn’t carry a rifle as often but when he did it was the same Winchester 1892.

Steve Hill, played by Gary Clarke, used a Colt Single Action Army 4.75 barrel and then the Winchester 1892 only when necessary.

Judge Henry Garth, played by Lee J. Cobb, was rarely seen with a gun. He was a ranch owner and an authority figure in the series and typically left any of the issues to his foreman, The Virginian.