Idaho voters have cast their ballots in favor of the Winchester Model 1873 rifle as the state's official gun. The firearm secured a decisive lead in the advisory vote, outpacing five other contenders that were presented to the public for consideration. According to reporting from The Associated Press, the Model 1873 accumulated approximately 31 percent of the total vote as of early Wednesday morning, November 4, 2026.
The closest competitor in the election was the Winchester Model 1894, which garnered roughly 25 percent of the support. The other options available to Idaho residents included the Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifle, the Colt M1911, the M1 Garand rifle, and the Colt Single Action Army revolver. The revolver is widely recognized by its nickname, the "Peacemaker."
The decision to hold this advisory vote was driven by a desire to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. State legislators cited the country's extensive history with firearms as a primary motivation for the measure. The proposed legislation highlighted the role of citizen militias, noting that they armed themselves with long rifles during the Revolutionary War to secure liberty.
The legislative text further emphasized the importance of rifles in the exploration of the American West. It noted that explorers, including Meriwether Lewis and William Clark during their 1805 to 1806 journey, relied heavily on rifles for survival. These weapons were essential for hunting game and protecting against various dangers while traversing the wilderness of what is now Idaho.
The Winchester Model 1873 has a storied history that contributed to its popularity among voters. It was featured prominently in the 1955 film "The Gun that Won the West." Additionally, the famous Old West figure Buffalo Bill declared the rifle to be "The Boss," according to Field & Stream. The National Park Service has stated that the firearm was majorly popularized as an "everyman's" rifle, noting that 720,610 units were manufactured between 1873 and 1916, the year production ended. The rifle was developed in New Haven, Connecticut.
Although the vote was a clear victory for the Model 1873, the result is nonbinding. State lawmakers are now required to consider legislation to formally designate the voters' choice. This formal designation is expected to be addressed during the 2027 legislative session, meaning the final legal status of the state gun will not be confirmed until then.
Idaho is not the first state to adopt an official firearm. In the last 15 years, eleven other states have selected a state gun. Utah and Arizona were the first to adopt their choices in 2011. Utah selected the Browning M1911, a design created by Utah native John Browning. Arizona chose the Colt Single Action Army revolver, which shares its nickname, the "Peacemaker," with one of the options available to Idaho voters.
