Cimarron El Malo
The Cimarron El Malo is the pre-war Single Action Army configuration covering the Colt production period from 1896 to 1940—distinguished by the octagon-to-round barrel profile, color case-hardened frame, wide front sights, and the specific dimensional details that SASS pre-war category competitors and serious collectors require. Available in .357 Magnum/.38 Special and .45 Colt with 4.75” barrel length, the El Malo delivers Cimarron’s quality craftsmanship in the most historically specific configuration in the Model P family. For SASS shooters who compete in the pre-war category or collectors who specifically want the 1896–1940 production details, the El Malo is the purpose-built choice.
Read our full Cimarron El Malo Buying Guide ↓
What Makes the El Malo Pre-War Specific
The Colt SAA went through several distinct production periods, each with subtle dimensional and cosmetic differences. The pre-war period (1896–1940) used a specific barrel profile where the round barrel transitions to an octagonal cross-section near the frame—the “octagon-to-round” barrel that distinguishes pre-war guns from earlier and later production. The frame stampings, sight width, and finish quality of this period are what SASS pre-war category rules require for authenticity points, and what serious collectors seek for period-correct accuracy. Cimarron’s El Malo reproduces these specific details more accurately than most competing imports.
El Malo vs. Standard Model P: The Right Choice for Each Buyer
The standard Model P covers the broader SAA market with more caliber and barrel length options. The El Malo is specifically optimized for pre-war-period authenticity with the octagon-to-round barrel profile as the defining feature. For SASS shooters who compete in open or modern categories, the standard Model P offers more configuration choices. For pre-war category competitors and collectors who specifically want the 1896–1940 production details, the El Malo is the correct choice. Both use the same quality Uberti-built action with Cimarron’s specifications.
.357 Magnum for Cowboy Action Shooting
The El Malo in .357 Magnum is one of the most practical cowboy action configurations available. .357 Magnum also accepts .38 Special, which is what most SASS competitors actually shoot at matches—light .38 Special cowboy loads produce minimal recoil, fast stage times, and are easy on the gun over thousands of rounds of competition use. The .357 Magnum capability means the same revolver can also fire full-power defensive or hunting loads. For a competition revolver that doubles as a practical firearm, the .357 Magnum El Malo is the versatile choice.
Color Case Hardening and Period Finishes
The El Malo’s color case-hardened frame uses a bone-and-charcoal case hardening process that produces the distinctive mottled color pattern of original Colt production. No two case-hardened frames are identical—the color pattern varies with each piece, making every El Malo visually unique. The barrel is standard blued steel. Together, the color case-hardened frame and blued barrel replicate the original two-tone appearance of factory Colt SAA production. For collectors who find artificially uniform modern finishes aesthetically unsatisfying, the color case hardening is the authentic alternative.
Related Pages
See the full SAA family on the Cimarron Model P page, browse the full Cimarron lineup, or explore cowboy action shooting firearms.