1873 Revolver

About the Colt 1873 SAA Design

The Colt Single Action Army was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873 and remained in military service through the early 20th century. Chambered in .45 Colt and later in dozens of calibers, it became the defining sidearm of the American frontier — carried by lawmen, outlaws, cavalrymen, and civilians across the West. The design's single-action mechanism — requiring the hammer to be manually cocked before each shot — was state of the art in 1873 and remains mechanically unchanged in modern reproductions. Today the finest SAA reproductions come from Italian manufacturers, particularly Uberti and Taylors & Co., who produce these revolvers to standards that frequently exceed the originals.

Top 1873 SAA Reproduction Manufacturers

Uberti 1873 Cattleman — The gold standard for SAA reproductions. Italian-made in Gardone Val Trompia with exceptional fit and finish. The dominant choice in SASS Cowboy Action Shooting competition and the most widely recommended reproduction for serious buyers. Available in .357 Mag/.38 Special, .45 Colt, .44-40, and other calibers in barrel lengths from 4.75" through 7.5".

Taylors & Co. 1873 — Taylor's & Company imports Italian-made SAA reproductions, primarily from Pietta, with various enhancements and configurations tailored to the American market. Their Smoke Wagon and Runnin' Iron series are popular competition configurations with tuned actions.

Cimarron 1873 — Cimarron Firearms imports Italian-made SAA reproductions with historically accurate configurations and period-correct finishes. Their Model P is one of the most faithful historical reproductions available.

Caliber Guide

.357 Magnum / .38 Special — The most practical choice for most buyers. A .357 Mag SAA chambers both .357 Magnum and .38 Special — affordable .38 Special for practice and training, full-power .357 Mag for hunting or defensive use. The most versatile 1873 SAA option available.

.45 Colt — The original SAA caliber and the most historically authentic. The .45 Colt cartridge in a 7.5" SAA is the classic frontier lawman setup. Required for some SASS categories that specify original calibers.

.44-40 Winchester — The caliber that paired with the Winchester 1873 rifle on the frontier, allowing a single ammunition supply for both handgun and rifle. Still available in reproduction SAAs for historical accuracy and practical pairing with a Winchester 1873 lever-action.

Cowboy Action Shooting

SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) Cowboy Action Shooting is the primary competitive sport for 1873 SAA revolvers. Competitors run two matching single-action revolvers alongside a lever-action rifle and period-correct shotgun in timed stages. The Uberti Cattleman El Patron and Taylors Smoke Wagon are the most popular competition configurations. Both offer tuned actions, wider hammers, and improved sights over standard reproductions for faster split times in competition.

Barrel Length Guide

4.75" (Cavalry Ejector) — The most compact SAA configuration. Fastest to draw and the most carry-practical. The standard choice for Cowboy Action Shooting and everyday use.

5.5" (Artillery) — The mid-length option. Good balance between compactness and sight radius. Used by artillery units historically.

7.5" (Cavalry) — The full-length cavalry barrel. Best accuracy potential and the most dramatic appearance. Preferred for target shooting and collecting.

FAQ

What is the best 1873 SAA reproduction?
The Uberti 1873 Cattleman is the most consistently recommended SAA reproduction — exceptional fit and finish, SASS legal, and available in all major calibers and configurations.

What caliber should I choose for a 1873 revolver?
For most buyers, .357 Magnum — it accepts both .357 Mag and .38 Special, giving you an affordable practice round and a powerful defensive/hunting load. For historical authenticity or SASS competition requiring original calibers, .45 Colt is the traditional choice.

Can I shoot modern ammunition in a 1873 reproduction?
Yes — quality reproductions from Uberti, Taylors, and Cimarron are rated for modern factory ammunition in their respective calibers. Always verify the specific manufacturer's ammunition recommendations before shooting +P or maximum pressure loads.

What is Cowboy Action Shooting?
Cowboy Action Shooting is a SASS-sanctioned competitive shooting sport using period-correct firearms from the American frontier era — single-action revolvers, lever-action rifles, and period-correct shotguns in timed stages. The 1873 SAA is the required revolver type. See our Cowboy Action Shooting page for more information.