Likely the big reason was that with a rifle - they could hit things regularly - with a carbine, that could drop off.

Not all were a Louis L'Amour character who could hit things with a Single Action Army at 200 yards in fading light and moving away - but then, no one was.

The rifle was a tool - like the long-barrelled shotgun was - it was depended on to bring home meat.

The carbine was more convenient for a riding man.

By the time the Silver Screen got up and running, more carbines showed up in saddle scabbards - in the movies, rifles were at the home place or in the chuck wagon - so the carbine became the go-to sidearm that folks wanted to believe in because they were what was seen - and 'everybody' knew that Hollywood was an accurate portrayal of the times.

Scouts Out!

Morning y'all.
Coffee and tea are ready.

'Tis 56 and sunny. High of 71.

Slim

Hi All,
Made turkey stock at Christmas for some cornbread stuffing and opted to stash the wing bones.   Had done some research and found out that wing bone calls had been made by natives at least back to 2000 B.C.   I pulled the bones out and trimmed the ends and reboiled them to get out the marrow, then let them dry.   Used a mixture of hide glue and sawdust to seal the joints (in full disclosure, a drop of krazy glue held them in place because I did not have the patience to hold them).   When dry used Elk sinew and more hide glue around the joints.    I am not a turkey hunter and not a pheasant plucker (but pretty sure I saw my dad pluck one or two), but I have a friend who gives me morels who hunts and a brother in law who gives me the wild turkey legs and thighs, so these are gifts.

gotcha, thanks.

I second that! I doubt they knew or cared if they were buying a carbine, they just knew they wanted a winchester in 44.