Wild Bill Hickok: Myths and Realities of the ‘Fastest Gun in the West’

When it comes to the iconic figure of Wild Bill Hickok, the title of the 'Fastest Gun in the West' is one that has long fascinated historians and enthusiasts alike. However, the reality of his quick-draw abilities is far more nuanced than the Hollywood portrayal suggests.

Defining Fastest

The term 'Fastest' can be interpreted in different ways. Was Wild Bill Hickok the quickest to draw his gun? The answer is no, as we will explore shortly. Was he the quickest to shoot? Again, this claim is also not entirely accurate. But what does matter in the context of gunfights is the speed to hit the target.

It's crucial to note that, in reality, there were very few recorded instances of face-to-face duels in the Wild West. Most gunfights were ambushes or assassinations, not the blazing speed contests often depicted in popular media.

Quick Draw and Ambushes

The concept of a quick draw, while exhilarating to think about, seldom occurred in actual Western gunfights. The reality is, no stopwatches were used, and no one yelled, “Go!” The term 'Quick Draw' has been a product of Hollywood's romanticization of the Old West.

Instead, the vast majority of so-called 'gunfights' were ambushes or assassinations. These events were often premeditated, with one or more people hiding and waiting for a target. In these instances, the advantage often lied in the element of surprise rather than the speed of reaction.

The Record Holder of Quick Reaction

There is one-recorded instance, however, that stands out in the realm of speed. During a competition organized by the Single Action Shooting Society, a participant achieved back-to-back 0.27-second times from the leather to a hit on target. This impressive feat sets a benchmark in terms of reaction speed.

The True Fastest Gun: Is It Bill Hickok?

So, who was the true 'fastest gun' in the Wild West? Given the scarcity of direct confrontations, it's challenging to make definitive claims. However, some names stand out based on their reputation and available evidence.

Doc Holliday, for instance, is often considered a candidate. He was both intelligent and well aware of his short time left in life, which likely contributed to his focus on speed. While his accuracy may not have been as sharp as his speed, his reputation as a quick thinker and adaptable fighter garnered recognition.

According to Wyatt Earp, who knew Holliday well, he described him as a 'nerviest, speediest, deadliest man with a six-gun I ever knew.'<>(Earp, Wyatt, and Barnhill, Willard. Frontier Justice: Selected Writings and Speeches of Wyatt Earp, Lakeshore, 1999, p. 122.)

The Rare Direct Comparisons

Despite the potential prowess of Doc Holiday, direct comparisons of speed among top gunfighters are virtually impossible to obtain. Many of the best shooters were cautious in direct confrontations, intuiting that those with a reputation for speed or accuracy were less likely to engage them.

Consider a classic scene from the James Garner film, Support Your Local Sheriff. In one memorable scene, Garner's character wryly states, 'Why would I want one of those [reputable gunfighters] There are live gunfighters and dead ones. The ones who survived the longest were intelligent enough to avoid those with a reputation. Always been that way.'<>(Support Your Local Sheriff. Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen and James Reilly, Paramount Pictures, 1969.)

Conclusion

Wild Bill Hickok remains an enigmatic figure, a name synonymous with the speed and grit of the Wild West. While he may not have held the fastest draw, his quick mind and adaptable skills certainly contributed to his fame. True gunfights in the West were complex affairs, often rooted in ambush and strategy, rather than the lightning-fast exchanges that Hollywood movies often depict.

As for the true 'fastest' gun in the West, historical evidence suggests that Doc Holliday, with his combination of quick thinking and reaction speed, may hold the crown.