Idaho is poised to potentially become the 12th state in the nation to adopt an official state gun. Through the upcoming Idaho Advisory Question, citizens are being asked to cast their vote and decide which legendary firearm best represents the Gem State’s rich heritage of frontier history, hunting, and individual liberty.
The ballot features a curated lineup of six historically significant options, consisting of two iconic handguns and four classic rifles.
Official Idaho State Gun Candidates
1. 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver "Peacemaker" (.45 Colt)
- Historical Summary: Designed by William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards, the Colt Single Action Army (SAA) was originally adopted as the primary U.S. military cavalry sidearm in 1872. Universally dubbed “The Peacemaker,” this six-shot revolver became the definitive handgun of the American West. It was favored by lawmen, outlaws, and pioneers alike for its extreme reliability, rugged design, and potent .45 Colt stopping power.
2. Winchester Model 1873 "Gun that Won the West" (.44-40)
- Historical Summary: Introduced in 1873, this lever-action repeating rifle revolutionized the American frontier. By pairing a strong steel frame with the reloadable, centerfire .44-40 cartridge, it provided rapid fire and incredible reliability in harsh wilderness environments. Its historical legacy is cemented by its immense popularity among Western settlers, making its marketing moniker completely unforgettable.
3. Winchester Model 1894 (.30-30)
- Historical Summary: Designed by the legendary John Browning, the Winchester Model 1894 is arguably the most successful lever-action rifle ever built, crossing over 7 million units produced. Entering the market just as firearms technology transitioned, it was the very first commercial American sporting rifle built to handle high-pressure smokeless powder. Chambered in the famous .30-30 cartridge, it became the gold standard for American deer and big-game hunting for generations.
4. Colt M1911 .45 Automatic Pistol (.45 ACP)
- Historical Summary: Another masterwork by John Browning, the Colt M1911 is a revolutionary semi-automatic, recoil-operated pistol. Adopted by the U.S. military in 1911, it served as the standard-issue sidearm through World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Renowned for its unparalleled stopping power and rugged semi-automatic design, it passed rigorous initial military trials by firing 6,000 rounds continuously without a single malfunction.
5. M1 Garand Rifle (.30-06)
- Historical Summary: Developed by John C. Garand at the Springfield Armory, the M1 Garand was officially adopted by the U.S. military in 1936. It holds the historic distinction of being the first standard-issue semi-automatic infantry rifle deployed by a major military power. Firing the hard-hitting .30-06 Springfield cartridge via an 8-round clip, General George S. Patton famously lauded it as “the greatest battle implement ever devised” for giving American GIs an immense firepower advantage during World War II.
6. Remington Model 700 Bolt-Action Rifle (.30-06)
- Historical Summary: Introduced in 1962 and designed by Mike Walker, the Remington Model 700 quickly climbed the ranks to become one of the finest mass-produced bolt-action centerfire rifles in history. Celebrated for its exceptional out-of-the-box accuracy, tight internal tolerances, and rapid lock time, it became a massive success for hunters. Its legendary structural integrity also made it the foundational choice for elite military and police marksmen, serving as the core basis for the U.S. Marine Corps M40 and U.S. Army M24 sniper systems.
