# Idaho Voters Pick Winchester Model 1873 as State Gun

> Idaho voters chose the Winchester Model 1873 over the Colt M1911 in a nonbinding state gun ballot question.
- Title: Idaho Voters Pick Winchester Model 1873 as State Gun
- Summary: Idaho voters chose the Winchester Model 1873 over the Colt M1911 in a nonbinding state gun ballot question.
- Keywords: idaho, winchester model 1873, colt m1911, state gun ballot, idaho republican attorney general, south idaho dsa, socialist party, coeur d'alene, Mother Jones
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/11/idaho-official-state-gun-ballot-question-dsa-winchester-colt
- Author: Sophie Hurwitz
- Published: 2026-11-06T19:08:26+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: idaho, winchester model 1873, colt m1911, state gun ballot, idaho republican attorney general, south idaho dsa, socialist party, coeur d'alene
## Idaho Ballot Question
528,641 idahoans voted on a state gun in tuesday's election.
## Winchester Model 1873 Wins
The winchester model 1873 earned 30 percent of the vote in idaho.
## South Idaho DSA Endorsement
South idaho dsa endorsed the colt m1911 as the most antifascist option.
## Isaac's Reasoning
Isaac claimed the m1911 was the most socialist option due to its use against fascists in world war ii.
## Historical Context
John travers wood, elected coeur d'alene mayor in 1911, was a member of the socialist party.
## Voter Reaction
Some idahoans left the state gun question blank, citing genocide concerns.

> I didn’t vote on a state gun. 'The gun that won the west' is essentially saying this gun committed the most genocide of Native Americans.
## Nonbinding Outcome
The state gun measure is nonbinding, so idaho's legislature may choose a different gun.
## Key takeaway

Idaho voters selected the Winchester Model 1873 as their state gun after a narrow ballot win.