Hollywood myth aside, my point was on the S&W you have to change your grip on the pistol to work the hammer - something the Colt does not require

My understanding is Wild Bill and others who wore pistols butt forward did so to allow an inside hand cavalry draw. Makes sense given Wild Bill's days as a scout in the CW where all Cavalry troopers wore pistols on the right side butt forward. I surmise he stuck with what he knew which is why he hung on to the Navy's as long as he did.