10 Gunslingers Who Left Smoke And Stories Behind

Beyond the myths and movies, real gunslingers walked the dusty streets of frontier towns. With revolvers at their hips and a stare that could stop hearts, they ruled the West one bullet at a time. Some were praised as heroes, others hunted as killers. But all earned a permanent place in frontier folklore. Here are ten who turned the Wild West into a wildfire.

Wild Bill Hickok

James Butler Hickok was a Union scout and a deadly marksman who carried twin pistols with flair. His quick draw in street duels made him infamous, especially after killing Davis Tutt in a formal shootout. Sadly, he died during a poker game, holding what’s now called the Dead Man’s Hand move.

Billy The Kid

Billy the Kid’s real name was Henry McCarty, but it was his outlaw persona that history remembers. He likely killed between four and nine men, despite exaggerated press claims of 21. It was his daring escapes that made him infamous, but it all ended in 1881 when Pat Garrett caught up to him. 

Doc Holliday

Trained as a dentist, John Henry “Doc” Holliday turned to gambling and gunfighting after a tuberculosis diagnosis. His friendship with Wyatt Earp pulled him into violent showdowns, including the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Deadly with a pistol and cool under fire, his name still haunts saloons.

Jesse James

A former Confederate guerrilla, Jesse James became a folk hero for some and a ruthless outlaw to others. He led the James-Younger Gang in a spree of bank and stagecoach robberies. However, despite public support, he met his demise at the hands of a gang member seeking reward and fame.

Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp served as a lawman in frontier towns like Dodge City and Tombstone, known for his fearless enforcement style and alliances with figures like Doc Holliday. His involvement in the 1881 O.K. Corral shootout—rooted in a feud with the Cowboys—cemented his image as a legendary Western figure.

Bat Masterson

William Barclay “Bat” Masterson was a Buffalo hunter, sheriff, gambler, and a newspaper columnist. He earned his reputation through dozens of gunfights across Kansas and Colorado. Though later a sportswriter in New York, tales of his quick draw and fearless law enforcement kept his frontier legend alive.

John Wesley Hardin

He claimed to have killed over 40 men, including one for snoring. Yes, Hardin was educated, but violently unpredictable. Feared even by other gunslingers, the man spent time in prison and tried practicing law after his release. He was eventually shot in the back during a card game in Texas.

Tom Horn

Tom Horn worked for cattle barons as an “enforcer.” Suspected in multiple assassinations, including that of a 14-year-old boy, he was finally convicted and hanged. Whether framed or guilty, his cold efficiency made his name infamous across Wyoming and Colorado.

Clay Allison

Allison’s name spread fast across Texas and Colorado, thanks to his impulsive temper and explosive gunfights. He wasn’t feared for accuracy, but for his unpredictability and willingness to provoke. Eyewitnesses recalled him taunting rivals seconds after shootouts—behavior that fed a legacy built more on chaos than skill.

Bill Doolin

Founder of the Wild Bunch gang, Doolin specialized in train and bank robberies across the Midwest. His crew included several famous outlaws, and their raids left lawmen scrambling. Doolin even evaded capture for years until the U.S. Marshals finally caught up with him in Oklahoma, where he was shot.