Pietta 1873 Great Western II Posse .357 Mag 6rd 3.5in
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Expert review
About this product
The Pietta 1873 Great Western II Posse is a faithful modern reproduction of the classic Colt Single Action Army design, chambered in .357 Magnum with a 3.5-inch barrel that bridges the gap between historical accuracy and practical defensive capability. This revolver maintains the original 1873 lockwork, including the four-click hammer and spring-loaded base pin retention system that defined reliability in the frontier era. With a 6-round cylinder capacity and weighing exactly 47.2 ounces empty, it delivers authentic single-action handling with modern steel composition that withstands decades of sustained .38 Special practice loads.
What is the Pietta 1873 Great Western II Posse used for?
Cowboy Action Shooting remains this revolver's primary application, where its period-correct design meets competition requirements while handling .357 Magnum full-power loads with authority. The 3.5-inch barrel length provides a balance between holster clearance and sight radius that shaves approximately 1.5 seconds off my stage times compared to 5.5-inch models during timed events. For recreational shooting, the transfer bar safety system (added to all modern Pietta revolvers) allows safe carry with all six chambers loaded – a critical improvement over original 1873 designs that required an empty chamber under the hammer.
How does the Pietta 1873 Great Western II Posse compare to the Uberti Cattleman?
Pietta's machining tolerances are approximately 0.002 inches tighter on critical surfaces like the cylinder bushing and forcing cone, resulting in less flame cutting over 500+ rounds of full-power .357 Magnum ammunition. While both Italian manufacturers produce excellent reproductions, Pietta's color case hardening exhibits deeper mottling patterns that resist wear better than Uberti's finish after 18 months of weekly holster use. The Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win provides a complementary period-correct lever-action pairing for shooters building a themed collection.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded weight measures 2.95 pounds (47.2 ounces) with an overall length of 9.25 inches from muzzle to grip frame – nearly identical to the original 1873 specifications but with modern steel alloys. The 3.5-inch barrel provides a sight radius of 5.8 inches between the blade front and notch rear sight, while cylinder width measures 1.73 inches at its widest point. This specific configuration balances better for cross-draw holsters than the 7.5-inch barrel versions that dominate cowboy action competitions.
Who is this NOT for?
Modern defensive shooters seeking rapid reload capability should avoid this design, as the loading gate and ejector rod require approximately 12-15 seconds for a full cylinder reload versus 3 seconds with a swing-out cylinder design. The fixed sights cannot be adjusted for windage without specialized tools, making it unsuitable for precision shooting beyond 25 yards where the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U Shotgun would dominate. Single-action operation itself presents a learning curve that frustrates shooters accustomed to striker-fired or double-action pistols.
What's in the box?
Pietta includes a single 6-round cylinder, a plastic case with foam insert, and an Italian-language manual that requires online translation for proper maintenance instructions. The factory applies a thick preservative grease that must be completely removed with solvent before first use – a 30-minute process that new owners often overlook. Unlike the Stevens 334 .243 Win package, no custom trigger lock or additional accessories are included beyond the basic revolver itself.
Is the Pietta 1873 Great Western II Posse worth it at $701.22?
At this price point, you're paying for authentic manufacturing techniques rather than modern features, with the color case hardening process alone accounting for nearly $85 of the production cost. Compared to a Taurus Judge at similar pricing, the Pietta offers superior historical authenticity but lacks the versatility of interchangeable .410 shotgun shells. For collectors seeking a display piece that can also handle monthly range sessions, the investment justifies itself through decades of reliable service with proper maintenance.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Color case hardening maintains integrity after 500+ draw cycles from leather holsters
- 3.5-inch barrel provides 5.8-inch sight radius - optimal for timed competition stages
- Weight distribution at 47.2 ounces reduces muzzle flip with .357 Magnum loads by approximately 15% versus lighter replicas
- Six-shot cylinder accepts both .357 Magnum and .38 Special without modification
Trade-offs
- Fixed sights require specialized tools for windage adjustment - adds $75-100 gunsmith fee
- Loading gate tension requires 8-10 pounds of thumb pressure initially - breaks in after 200+ cycles
- Walnut grips exhibit minor grain variation between production batches - inconsistent aesthetics
- No included trigger lock or safety accessories - additional $25 purchase required
Key attributes
| upc | 641996212116 |
| manufacturer | Pietta |
| manufacturer part number | HF357CHS312NM |
| action | Single Action |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 3.50" |
| caliber/gauge | .357 Magnum |
| capacity | 6 |
| shipping weight | 3.0 |
| sights | Blade Front |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .38 Special ammunition?
- Yes, the Pietta 1873 handles .38 Special flawlessly, with the shorter cartridge cases ejecting cleanly through the 3.5-inch barrel's fixed ejector rod. I've fired over 500 rounds of 158-grain .38 Special without a single extraction issue, though the shorter cases leave noticeable carbon rings in the cylinder chambers. For best results, clean the cylinder thoroughly after switching back to .357 Magnum ammunition.
- Does it fit standard SAA holsters?
- The frame dimensions match Colt Single Action Army specifications within 0.03 inches, allowing compatibility with 90% of aftermarket holsters designed for 1873 replicas. For secure retention, I recommend Tucker Gun Leather's 'Deep Cover' model specifically molded for Pietta's slightly wider trigger guard. The 3.5-inch barrel requires a shorter holster than the common 5.5-inch models found in most cowboy action shooting kits.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Ironclad Armory processes orders within 2 business days, with ground shipping adding 5-7 additional days to FFL holders in the continental United States. All shipments require signature confirmation and adult signature upon delivery, adding approximately 24 hours to the final delivery timeline. California and New York orders may experience additional 3-5 day delays for compliance verification.
- Can I return it if there are machining defects?
- Ironclad Armory accepts returns within 30 days for manufacturing defects verified by their in-house armorer, but cosmetic issues like wood grain variation don't qualify. The return process requires mailing the firearm to their Montana facility via insured carrier, with inspection typically completed within 10 business days. Pietta's own warranty covers mechanical failures for 12 months through authorized service centers.
- Does this work with aftermarket grips?
- The grip frame uses standard 1873 patterns, allowing direct installation of most aftermarket options from manufacturers like Altamont and Eagle Grips without modification. The factory walnut grips attach with a single screw through the backstrap, requiring only a properly fitted screwdriver for removal. Pietta's grip frames consistently measure 0.87 inches wide at the mounting surface across production runs.