Yea edited to add 44 colt right after the original post. My understanding is that once you got a couple models of Winchesters using centerfire cartridges, conversion to Henry rimfire tailed off significantly.
Overall, the prevalence of shootists relying on pistols -- or at least the ones we imagine -- is somewhat overblown. Most towns had anti-carry ordinances, so bull dogs. belly guns, etc, were more common. Cowhands often weren't allowed to wear guns on the trail (stampede risk). Metallic cartridges were expensive; no one practiced; most weren't great shots (exceptions: Hardin, Hickok, etc.) and preferred long guns if possible.
Elmer Keith verifies everything you said in Sixguns by Keith.
