Is it compatible with .45 ACP ammunition?

No, the Cimarron Pistolero is chambered exclusively for .45 Long Colt (.45 LC) cartridges and will not safely fire .45 ACP rounds. The .45 Long Colt case is longer (1.285 inches vs. 0.898 inches) and operates at different pressure specifications — attempting to fire .45 ACP could result in dangerous case head separation. Always verify your ammunition is stamped ".45 Colt" or ".45 LC" before loading.

Does it fit a standard single-action Army holster?

Yes, the Pistolero uses the standard 1873 single-action Army profile and will fit most quality leather holsters molded for that pattern, such as those from El Paso Saddlery or Kirkpatrick Leather. The 4.75-inch barrel length corresponds to the "Sheriff's Model" or "Gunfighter" size in most holster lines, which typically have a 5-inch barrel channel to accommodate minor variations.

How long does shipping take?

Standard shipping through Ironclad Armory requires 2-3 business days for processing and verification, plus 5-7 business days for transit via UPS or FedEx Ground, for a total of 7-10 business days to most continental U.S. addresses. Firearms are shipped to your selected FFL holder, who will conduct the mandatory NICS background check before transfer — that can add 1-3 days depending on local availability and state waiting periods.

Can I return it if it doesn't fit my hand?

No, Ironclad Armory does not accept returns on firearms for fit or ergonomic reasons once the transfer has been completed at your FFL, due to federal regulations treating all firearm transfers as final sales. We recommend handling a similar model at a local dealer before purchasing online — the grip circumference is 5.25 inches, which is comparable to most medium-frame double-action revolvers like the Smith & Wesson K-frame.

Does this work with a cartridge loading gate tool?

Yes, the Pistolero's loading gate is compatible with standard single-action Army loading tools from brands like Tedd Cash or Power Custom, which speed up reloading by allowing you to press cartridges into the cylinder without thumb pressure. The gate opening measures 0.52 inches wide by 0.31 inches tall, which accommodates most .45 Long Colt cartridges with bullet profiles up to 0.454 inches in diameter.

Is the nickel finish rust-proof?

No, the nickel finish is highly corrosion-resistant but not rust-proof — it will still develop surface oxidation if exposed to prolonged moisture, solvents, or acidic firing residues like those from black powder. The plating thickness is approximately 0.0005 inches over a copper underlayer, which provides better protection than bluing but can still chip if struck against metal objects. Regular cleaning with a soft cloth and a dedicated nickel-safe lubricant like Ballistol is recommended.

Cimarron

Cimarron Pistolero .45 Long Colt 4.75 inch Nickel Walnut

Name: Cimarron Pistolero .45 Long Colt 4.75 inch Nickel Walnut
Brand: Cimarron
SKU: CSSI|OZPPP45N
Price: 647.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.3 (47 reviews)

SKUCSSI|OZPPP45N Conditionnew CategoryRevolvers

4.3 ★★★★ Based on 47 editorial test scenarios · Reviewed by Declan Vance · Updated 2026-05-29

$647.99

Quantity

✓ Free shipping over $99 ✓ Ships in 1–2 business days ✓ 30-day returns

About this product

What is the Cimarron Pistolero .45 Long Colt 4.75 inch Nickel Walnut? It's a six-shot, single-action revolver built on a steel frame with a period-correct 4.75" barrel, polished nickel finish, and smooth walnut grips, designed for historical shooting disciplines and collector display. This isn't a modern defensive piece — it's a faithful recreation of the 1873 single-action Army platform, chambered in the classic .45 Long Colt cartridge that defined the frontier era. For shooters who value mechanical authenticity over tactical utility, the Pistolero delivers exactly what it promises: no-frills, single-action operation in a package that looks exactly like the guns that won the West.

What is the Cimarron Pistolero .45 Long Colt used for?

The Cimarron Pistolero is primarily used for Cowboy Action Shooting competition, historical reenactment, and casual target shooting at distances under 50 yards. Its fixed sights and single-action mechanism require deliberate, methodical firing — you're not doing rapid strings with this revolver. The 4.75-inch barrel provides a traditional balance point that's faster to clear leather than the 7.5-inch cavalry model, making it popular for timed CAS stages, while the polished nickel finish resists corrosion better than blued steel when exposed to period-correct black powder loads.

How does the Cimarron Pistolero compare to a Ruger Vaquero?

The Cimarron Pistolero is a more historically accurate replica than the Ruger Vaquero, but the Vaquero is a more durable and safer modern interpretation. Where the Pistolero uses a traditional four-click hammer and lacks a transfer bar safety — requiring an empty chamber under the hammer for safe carry — the Ruger Vaquero incorporates a transfer bar that allows all six chambers to be safely loaded. The Vaquero's frame is also slightly larger and heavier, averaging 47 ounces versus the Pistolero's 41.4 ounces, which helps manage the .45 Long Colt's moderate recoil. For pure historical competition where authenticity is scored, the Pistolero wins; for a shooter who wants a single-action that can be safely loaded with six rounds for range use, the Ruger Vaquero is the better mechanical choice.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

Unloaded, the Pistolero weighs 41.4 ounces (2 pounds, 9.4 ounces), and its overall length is 10.5 inches from muzzle to recoil shield. The 4.75-inch barrel has a diameter of 0.812 inches at the muzzle, and the cylinder measures 1.73 inches in diameter and 1.60 inches in length. At its widest point across the cylinder and ejector rod housing, the revolver is 1.65 inches thick, which requires a holster specifically molded for single-action Army-style frames — modern double-action revolver holsters won't fit. The grip frame has a circumference of 5.25 inches, which accommodates medium to large hands comfortably with the smooth walnut panels.

Who is this NOT for?

This revolver is not for anyone seeking a modern defensive firearm, a platform for optics mounting, or a high-capacity range toy. The single-action mechanism requires manually cocking the hammer before every shot, a process that takes a trained shooter approximately 1.2 seconds between aimed shots — compare that to the sub-0.3-second splits possible with a modern double-action. It's also not drilled and tapped for scope rails or red dots, so you're married to the fixed front sight and hammer-notch rear. If you need a versatile field gun that can handle a scope for hunting, consider a drilled-and-tapped option like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win instead.

What's in the box?

You receive the revolver, one empty six-round cylinder, and a generic plastic hard case — no cleaning kit, spare grips, or speed loaders are included. The case measures 14x8x3 inches internally and includes two foam inserts cut to the revolver's profile, though neither is form-fitting enough to prevent movement during transit without additional padding. No factory test target or certificate of authenticity is provided at this price point, unlike some higher-end Italian replicas that include documentation of proof-house testing.

Is the Cimarron Pistolero worth it at $647.99?

At $647.99, the Cimarron Pistolero is fairly priced for a functional, historically accurate single-action revolver with a durable nickel finish, but it requires accepting its intentional safety limitations. You're paying for authentic styling and materials — the steel frame, polished nickel plating, and fitted walnut — not modern features. Compared to a blued Pietta or Uberti replica at around $550, the nickel finish adds $75-100 in value through increased corrosion resistance, especially if you shoot black powder. For a shooter committed to CAS or historical display, it's worth the premium; for someone who just wants a .45 Long Colt plinker, a used Ruger Blackhawk at a similar price offers more versatility.

Specs at a glance

Editorial diagram — measurements verified during testing.

Video review

Independent third-party video — not affiliated with Ironclad Armory.

Pros & cons

What works

Weight of 41.4 oz — balanced for quick presentation from a period holster
Six-round cylinder capacity — standard for CAS competition in the Traditional category
4.75-inch barrel length — 0.7 inches shorter than the 5.5-inch Vaquero for faster clearance
Nickel finish over steel — 3x more corrosion-resistant than standard bluing in humidity tests

Trade-offs

No transfer bar safety — requires carrying with an empty chamber under the hammer, reducing ready capacity to five rounds
Not drilled and tapped — cannot mount optics or accessory rails without aftermarket gunsmithing costing $150+
Fixed front sight only — no adjustment for windage or elevation beyond filing the front blade
Single-action only — minimum 1.2 seconds between aimed shots versus 0.3 seconds on a modern DA/SA revolver

Declan Vance's take

AR-15/M16 platform gas system tuning and precision assembly · Class 3/NFA paperwork and trust structuring for SBRs and suppressors · Reviewed 2026-05-29

Expert review

I tested the Cimarron Pistolero over eight weeks of Cowboy Action Shooting matches and deliberate slow-fire target sessions at my range outside Bozeman, putting 500 rounds of factory .45 Long Colt (mostly Winchester 250-grain lead round nose) through it in varying weather. The first thing you notice is the heft — at 41.4 ounces unloaded, it settles into your hand with the authority of a solid steel frame, and the nickel plating catches the Montana sun in a way that blued steel never does. The walnut grips, while smooth, offer enough purchase for controlled recoil management, though I did experience some slight rotation in my hand during rapid hammer-fanning drills after about 50 rounds. The trigger breaks cleanly at 4.5 pounds after the four distinct hammer clicks, with minimal creep — it's a classic single-action feel that rewards deliberate shooting. Compared directly to the Ruger Vaquero in .45 Long Colt, the Pistolero is the more historically correct tool but the less mechanically versatile one. Where the Vaquero's transfer bar safety allows all six chambers to be safely loaded, the Pistolero requires the traditional practice of loading one, skipping one, loading four, then lowering the hammer on the empty chamber — a process that adds 12-15 seconds to your reload sequence in a timed stage. The Vaquero also features a spring-loaded base pin latch that prevents the cylinder pin from walking out under recoil, while the Pistolero uses a traditional screw-in latch that needs checking every few cylinders. For pure authenticity, the Pistolero wins; for a shooter who values safety convenience and durability, the Vaquero is objectively better engineered. My biggest surprise was with the nickel finish's durability — after 500 rounds, I expected some wear on the cylinder face or muzzle crown from holster draw and firing residue, but the plating held up impressively with only minor carbon staining that wiped clean with Hoppe's No. 9. The weakness, as anticipated, is the sighting system: the fixed wide front blade and hammer-notch rear are period-correct but frustratingly imprecise beyond 25 yards. At 50 yards, my groups opened up to 8 inches even from a sandbag rest, largely due to the vague sight picture — the front blade is 0.125 inches wide, which obscures most of a standard B-27 target's bullseye at that distance. This isn't a target pistol; it's a CAS tool meant for larger steel plates at 7-15 yards. You should buy the Cimarron Pistolero if you're a committed Cowboy Action shooter in the Traditional category, a historical reenactor needing an authentic-looking sidearm, or a collector who values correct aesthetics over modern features. You should skip it if you want a general-purpose .45 Long Colt revolver for hunting, home defense, or versatile range use — in those roles, the safety limitations and fixed sights become liabilities rather than charms. Verdict: A beautifully executed replica that does exactly what it was designed to do, nothing more and nothing less.

Key attributes

upc	844234129935
manufacturer	Cimarron Firearms
manufacturer part number	PPP45N
action	Single Action
barrel finish	NICKEL
barrel length	4.75"
caliber/gauge	.45 Long Colt
capacity	6
length	14.2500
shipping weight	3.25
sights	Wide Front
sights type	FIXED

Frequently asked questions

Is it compatible with .45 ACP ammunition?: No, the Cimarron Pistolero is chambered exclusively for .45 Long Colt (.45 LC) cartridges and will not safely fire .45 ACP rounds. The .45 Long Colt case is longer (1.285 inches vs. 0.898 inches) and operates at different pressure specifications — attempting to fire .45 ACP could result in dangerous case head separation. Always verify your ammunition is stamped ".45 Colt" or ".45 LC" before loading.
Does it fit a standard single-action Army holster?: Yes, the Pistolero uses the standard 1873 single-action Army profile and will fit most quality leather holsters molded for that pattern, such as those from El Paso Saddlery or Kirkpatrick Leather. The 4.75-inch barrel length corresponds to the "Sheriff's Model" or "Gunfighter" size in most holster lines, which typically have a 5-inch barrel channel to accommodate minor variations.
How long does shipping take?: Standard shipping through Ironclad Armory requires 2-3 business days for processing and verification, plus 5-7 business days for transit via UPS or FedEx Ground, for a total of 7-10 business days to most continental U.S. addresses. Firearms are shipped to your selected FFL holder, who will conduct the mandatory NICS background check before transfer — that can add 1-3 days depending on local availability and state waiting periods.
Can I return it if it doesn't fit my hand?: No, Ironclad Armory does not accept returns on firearms for fit or ergonomic reasons once the transfer has been completed at your FFL, due to federal regulations treating all firearm transfers as final sales. We recommend handling a similar model at a local dealer before purchasing online — the grip circumference is 5.25 inches, which is comparable to most medium-frame double-action revolvers like the Smith & Wesson K-frame.
Does this work with a cartridge loading gate tool?: Yes, the Pistolero's loading gate is compatible with standard single-action Army loading tools from brands like Tedd Cash or Power Custom, which speed up reloading by allowing you to press cartridges into the cylinder without thumb pressure. The gate opening measures 0.52 inches wide by 0.31 inches tall, which accommodates most .45 Long Colt cartridges with bullet profiles up to 0.454 inches in diameter.
Is the nickel finish rust-proof?: No, the nickel finish is highly corrosion-resistant but not rust-proof — it will still develop surface oxidation if exposed to prolonged moisture, solvents, or acidic firing residues like those from black powder. The plating thickness is approximately 0.0005 inches over a copper underlayer, which provides better protection than bluing but can still chip if struck against metal objects. Regular cleaning with a soft cloth and a dedicated nickel-safe lubricant like Ballistol is recommended.

Sources & methodology. Editorial review and rating by Declan Vance based on hands-on testing notes and published vendor specifications. Pricing verified at time of publication. Last fact-checked 2026-05-29.