Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) carries her father's Colt Dragoon, as is described in Portis' book. The gun used in the film is an actual percussion Dragoon, while the 1969 film used a cartridge-converted Colt Walker. It can be surmised that the Walker was used due to its even more imposing size in contrast to Mattie's small stature. But the adherence to the source material in this version is much appreciated.
Marshall Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) carries a pair of Colt 1851 Navy revolvers in holsters that fit over his saddle horn. He refers to them in the movie as his "Navy sixes." He uses them both in his famous charge at the end.
True to the book, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) carries a Henry rifle, stolen from Mattie Ross' father. While in the original novel and the in the 1969 version of the film Chaney's rifle was fitted with a proper sling, in this film a length of rope is tied to both ends as a makeshift sling, which is logically easier for an on-the-run outlaw to aquire.
A 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun is carried by a passing Native American who fires it off screen to signal that they are being followed. One is also carried by one of the Farrell brothers of "Lucky" Ned Pepper's (Barry Pepper) gang.
La Boeuf (Matt Damon) uses a Sharps 1874 Cavalry Carbine throughout the film. Mattie is later seen using the Sharps. It is a weapon of uncanny power and precision.
