Let's take a look at some references concerning the rifles carried by the trappers and hunters out West. They were rarely more than arm's reach from their rifles.

From W.A. Ferris:
They found a rifle, as well as ourselves, which was
likewise robbed of the lock and mountings. It belonged to one of two men, who disappeared a
day or two previous to the battle, in August last. Both of these rifles were unusually heavy, and
were doubtless left by the Indians for that reason.

The natives far preferred lighter weight fowling pieces. It was much more common for a native to carry a fowling piece than a rifle.
Americans far preferred rifles.

From Gen. Thomas James:
We Americans were all private adventurers,
each on his own hook, and were led into the enterprise by the promises of the company, who
agreed to subsist us to the trapping grounds, we helping to navigate the boats, and on our arrival
there they were to furnish us each with a rifle and sufficient ammunition, six good beaver traps
and also four men of their hired French, to be under our individual commands for a period of
three years.

From Charles Larpenteur:
On hearing of his discharge, and being requested to report in person at St. Louis — which was simply
to get him out of the country — he remarked, “I will not let Mr. Chouteau wait long on me. I shall
start in the morning; all I want for my journey is my rifle, and my dog to carry bedding.”

From Peter Skene Ogden:
On reaching the river he [Portneuf] broke the (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) [hammer] of his rifle.

From James O. Pattie:
To a man born and reared under
the circumstances [xi] of his early life — one to whom forests, and long rivers, adventures, and
distant mountains, presented pictures of familiar and birth day scenes — one, who confided in
his rifle, as a sure friend, and who withal, connected dejection and bereavement with his present
desolate residence; little was necessary to tempt him to such an enterprise.

From Osborne Russell:
After trading some Beaver and Sheep Skins from them talking
smoking etc about an hour I mounted my Mule with 6 traps and my rifle and one of my comrades
did the same and we started to hunt Beaver.

Lost Greenhorn, by Alfred Jacob Miller

Once again, very interesting passages...I really enjoy how they wrote.

Here's a nice rack of trade rifles:

Some times their spelling can be "creative," which makes the reading challenging.