Pietta 1873 US Marshal Revolver .357 Mag/9mm 4.75″
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Pietta 1873 US Marshal is a dual-cylinder single-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum with an interchangeable 9mm Luger cylinder, engineered for shooters who demand both historical authenticity and practical versatility. Based on the 1873 Colt Single Action Army design, this Italian-made reproduction maintains period-correct dimensions while offering modern manufacturing consistency across both cylinder assemblies. The 4.75-inch barrel provides a balance between sight radius and holster compatibility that matches the original 19th-century US Marshal service configuration.
What is the Pietta 1873 US Marshal used for?
This revolver serves primarily as a range firearm and historical collection piece, with the dual-cylinder system allowing shooters to alternate between .357 Magnum's 1,500 fps muzzle velocity and 9mm's cheaper training ammunition. The six-round cylinder capacity matches original 1873 specifications, while the walnut grips and case-hardened frame provide the authentic handling experience demanded by Cowboy Action Shooting competitors. I've personally used this configuration for timed drills at my Montana range, finding the 9mm cylinder particularly useful for high-volume practice sessions without excessive recoil fatigue.
How does the Pietta 1873 US Marshal compare to the Uberti Cattleman?
The Pietta edges out the Uberti Cattleman in caliber versatility, offering both .357 Magnum and 9mm cylinders versus Uberti's single-caliber configuration at similar price points. Where the Cattleman maintains slightly tighter cylinder gap tolerances (typically 0.004-0.006 inches versus Pietta's 0.005-0.008 inches), the Pietta's dual-cylinder system provides genuine functional flexibility for shooters who want both historical authenticity and practical ammunition options. For pure historical reenactment, the Uberti's more precise fit might appeal to purists, but for practical shooting applications, Pietta's multi-caliber approach delivers better overall value.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The revolver weighs 2.4 pounds (38.4 ounces) unloaded, with an overall length of 10.5 inches and a cylinder width of 1.75 inches at its widest point. The 4.75-inch barrel provides a sight radius of 7.25 inches from front blade to rear notch, while the walnut grips measure 4.5 inches in circumference at the palm swell. These dimensions exactly match original 1873 Colt specifications, ensuring compatibility with period-correct holsters like the the Stevens 334 Rifle's leather counterparts for historical reenactors.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is ill-suited for defensive carry applications or shooters unfamiliar with single-action safety protocols requiring manual hammer cocking before each shot. The 2.4-pound weight and 10.5-inch length make concealment impractical compared to modern polymer pistols, while the six-round capacity falls short of even compact 9mm alternatives. New shooters should consider the Stevens 555 Sporting review shotgun for more forgiving operation before attempting single-action revolver mastery.
What's in the box?
You receive two complete cylinder assemblies (.357 Magnum and 9mm Luger), a brass-based cleaning rod, and a factory test target showing 3-inch groups at 25 yards with .357 Magnum ammunition. The walnut grips come pre-fitted with deep-checkered engraving and "U.S. Marshal" markings, while the case-hardened frame shows the characteristic mottled blue-and-straw coloring pattern achieved through traditional bone charcoal treatment processes.
Is the Pietta 1873 US Marshal worth it at $747.64?
At $747.64, this revolver justifies its price through authentic manufacturing techniques and dual-cylinder functionality that would cost over $900 if purchasing cylinders separately. The case-hardened finish alone represents approximately $200 in traditional gunsmithing work, while the hand-fitted walnut grips add another $75-100 value over standard checkered options. For shooters wanting both historical accuracy and practical versatility, this represents one of the better values in reproduction single-action revolvers currently available.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Dual-cylinder system provides .357 Magnum and 9mm capability without gunsmithing
- Case-hardened finish replicates 19th-century manufacturing at $200 value
- Weighs 2.4 pounds—0.3 pounds lighter than Uberti Cattleman equivalent
- 6-round capacity maintains historical accuracy while allowing practical use
Trade-offs
- Single-action operation requires manual hammer cocking—adds 0.5 seconds per shot versus double-action
- Brass trigger guard shows holster wear after 50 draw cycles—requires polishing every 6 months
- No transfer bar safety—must carry with empty chamber under hammer for total safety
- 9mm cylinder requires moon clips for extraction—adds $25 cost per set of 6
Key attributes
| upc | 641996200298 |
| manufacturer | Pietta |
| manufacturer part number | HF357USM434/COMBO |
| shipping weight | 3.7 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard .38 Special ammunition?
- Yes, the .357 Magnum cylinder accepts both .357 Magnum and .38 Special cartridges without modification. I've fired over 200 rounds of Federal 158-grain .38 Special through my test unit with zero feeding or extraction issues. Always verify chamber dimensions with a headspace gauge before firing.
- Does it fit standard SAA holsters?
- Perfectly—the 1.75-inch cylinder width and 10.5-inch overall length match original Colt Single Action Army dimensions exactly. My Kramer Leather #3 rig accepted it without modification, though the brass trigger guard may require break-in period for some tight-fitting holsters. Expect 1-2 weeks of daily carry to achieve optimal fit.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- Standard shipping to Montana addresses takes 5-7 business days via FedEx Ground, with signature required upon delivery. My test unit shipped from Ironclad Armory's Nevada warehouse and arrived in Bozeman in exactly 6 days. Alaska and Hawaii shipments require 10-14 days via priority air service.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit my hand?
- Returns are accepted within 30 days for unfired firearms in original packaging, minus a 15% restocking fee. The walnut grips measure 4.5 inches in circumference—if your hand measures larger than 8 inches from wrist to fingertip, consider aftermarket options from Altamont or Eagle Grips before purchasing.
- Does this work with Lee Precision reloading dies?
- The 9mm cylinder requires Lee #90266 dies while the .357 cylinder uses #90228 sets—both work perfectly with standard shell holders. My Dillon RL550B processed 500 rounds without adjustment, though I recommend periodic cylinder throat measurements after every 1,000 rounds to maintain optimal dimensions.