Ep 10. Western Myths

Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman return for another season of busting popular myths and uncovering the truth behind various legends. In season 5, episode 10, titled "Western Myths," the duo investigates some of the most popular myths related to the Wild West.

The episode kicks off with Adam and Jamie asking the question: did cowboys really wear their gun belts low and slung around their hips like we see in movies and TV shows? To find out, they travel to a shooting range and use high-speed cameras to measure the recoil and accuracy of firing the gun belt from various heights. They also test the sound of the gunshots at different heights to see if they match the sound effects we hear in films. Their findings may surprise you.

Next, the Mythbusters explore another common trope of the Western genre: the cowboy lassoing a bull or steer. Using a custom-built lassoing machine, Adam and Jamie set out to see if it's possible to catch a moving target with just a single rope. They also examine whether it's easier to lasso an animal while on horseback or on foot. The experiments are both humorous and enlightening, with some surprising results.

In the final segment of the episode, the Mythbusters examine the legendary showdown between Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett. They recreate the infamous shootout between the two using laser guns, measuring the accuracy and speed of the shots. They also take a closer look at how the popular image of Billy the Kid has been shaped by film and television, and how that image compares to the historical record.

As always, the Mythbusters bring a scientific approach to testing these popular myths and legends. Viewers are sure to learn something new about the Wild West and the myths that surround it. Catch "Western Myths" and other episodes of Mythbusters season 5 to continue the exploration of the world's most enduring myths.