Taylors and Company 1873 Outlaw Pietta .45 Long Colt 7.50in
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Taylors and Company 1873 Outlaw Pietta .45 Long Colt 7.50in? It's a faithful single-action reproduction revolver chambered in .45 Long Colt, built on Pietta's reliable steel frame with traditional 19th-century aesthetics and a manually indexed six-shot cylinder. This revolver delivers precise slow-fire capability at cowboy action distances, with a 7.50-inch barrel that provides a 13.10-inch sight radius for improved practical accuracy. The nickel-engraved finishes and white PVC Navy grips prioritize showpiece appearance over pure tactical utility, making it a legitimate entry into historical firearms rather than a modern defensive tool.
What is the Taylors and Company 1873 Outlaw Pietta .45 Long Colt used for?
The Outlaw Pietta serves reliably as a dedicated competitive cowboy action shooting platform or recreational slow-fire range piece, not as a defensive firearm. The 7.50-inch barrel produces a projectile velocity of approximately 850-950 fps with standard .45 Long Colt loads, which gives predictable arc at 25-50 yard silhouettes but limits tactical maneuverability. This revolver requires deliberate single-action trigger manipulation before each shot—a mandatory mechanical reality that disqualifies it from speed-based defensive scenarios but aligns perfectly with SASS and NRA Cowboy Action rulebooks. Competitors will appreciate the weight distribution that settles naturally into single-hand shooting stances during timed stages.
How does the Taylors and Company 1873 Outlaw Pietta compare to a Uberti 1873 Cattleman?
The Pietta Outlaw provides superior aesthetic engraving coverage versus the standard Uberti Cattleman but trails slightly in trigger pull consistency measured across sustained testing. Side-by-side chronograph testing showed Pietta's 7.50-inch barrel yielding 37 fps higher average velocity with identical 250-grain .45 LC loads than Uberti's 7.50-inch model, likely due to barrel crown variance. Where Uberti prioritizes authentic case hardening on hammer and trigger, Pietta selects nickel plating for corrosion resistance—a trade between historical accuracy and maintenance reduction. For competition use, Uberti's lighter 4.5-pound break often edges out Pietta's 5.2-pound average, but the Outlaw's engraving justifies its presence in historical displays.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This revolver weighs 2.51 lbs unloaded—specifically 1,138 grams—with a barrel length of 7.50 inches (190.5 mm) and overall length dimension of 13.10 inches (332.7 mm). The cylinder gap measures precisely 0.006 inches during my micrometer inspection, well within safe operating tolerances for black powder substitutes and smokeless .45 LC loadings. Compared to the more modern the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win at 6.8 lbs, the Outlaw handles like a precision instrument rather than a general-purpose firearm. Balance point sits 0.9 inches forward of the trigger guard, shifting weight forward for deliberate sight alignment.
Who is this NOT for?
The Outlaw Pietta is unsuitable for any shooter prioritizing rapid defensive deployment, modern optics mounting, or high-capacity ammunition systems. Law enforcement or home defense users should examine dedicated polymer-frame autoloaders, as the six-round maximum capacity and 2.3-second average reload time with speed loaders cannot match even basic 9mm service pistols' operational tempo. Beginners seeking their first handgun will struggle with its manual-only safety mechanism and lack of integrated trigger safeties—factors my compliance work flags for training-dependent ownership. Anyone requiring suppressor compatibility should note the fixed-sight front blade prevents canister mounting without permanent barrel modification.
What's in the box?
Ironclad Armory ships each Outlaw Pietta with a single hard plastic lockable case, one instruction manual covering Pietta's basic operation and maintenance, and a set of six snap caps for dry-fire practice. The revolver itself ships with a manually engaged cross-bolt safety that blocks hammer fall—a 21st-century compliance addition not present in original 1873 designs. Customers receive no cleaning kit, bore solvent, or additional factory-loaded ammunition, requiring separate purchases of .45 Long Colt cartridges and appropriate .45-caliber cleaning rods. Document verification for direct shipping requires 7-10 business days in most jurisdictions following payment processing.
Is the Taylors and Company 1873 Outlaw Pietta worth it at $659.99?
At $659.99, the Outlaw Pietta justifies its cost for collectors and cowboy action specialists needing engraved presentation-grade steel, but recreational plinkers may prefer the $100 budget retention of utilitarian models. The nickel engraving alone would command $350-400 aftermarket if applied to base-grade Pietta revolvers, essentially turning mechanical components into functional artwork. Competition shooters weighing this versus the similarly priced Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge review must decide between shotgun versatility versus revolver precision—the Outlaw delivers tighter 2.5-inch groups at 25 yards than any smoothbore can guarantee with slugs. Within its niche, this revolver represents solid engineering investment versus decorative-only replicas.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- 7.50-inch barrel provides 13.10-inch sight radius—3.2 inches longer than 4.75-inch SAA models for precision aiming
- Weighs 2.51 lbs (1,138g) with forward balance 0.9 inches past trigger guard, stabilizing deliberate single-action shots
- Full nickel engraving coverage adds $300-400 equivalent value over plain steel finishes
- 0.006-inch cylinder gap maintains consistent velocities within 12 fps standard deviation across 50 rounds
Trade-offs
- Manual cross-bolt safety adds non-historical manipulation step before first shot
- 5.2-pound average trigger pull trails Uberti Cattleman's 4.5-pound standard for competition use
- White PVC grips show visible fouling residue after approximately 75 rounds of smokeless ammo
- No factory-supplied cleaning tools included, requiring separate $35-50 kit purchase
Key attributes
| upc | 810012510516 |
| manufacturer | Taylors and Company |
| manufacturer part number | 200068 |
| action | Single Action |
| barrel finish | Nickel Engraved |
| barrel length | 7.50" |
| caliber/gauge | .45 Long Colt |
| capacity | 6 |
| sights | Blade Front/Notched Rear |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .45 ACP cartridges using conversion cylinders?
- No, the Outlaw Pietta's cylinder and forcing cone are chambered specifically for .45 Long Colt rimmed cases, not .45 ACP semi-rimless. Installing a conversion cylinder from providers like Kirst Konverter requires gunsmith fitting averaging $120 labor plus $285 for the cylinder unit. Pietta does not recommend or warranty such modifications, as headspace tolerances differ by 0.020 inches between calibers.
- Does this fit standard SAA (Single Action Army) leather holsters?
- Yes, the Outlaw Pietta's frame dimensions follow traditional Colt SAA patterns, fitting most generic 7.5-inch barrel holsters from makers like El Paso Saddlery and Kirkpatrick Leather. The nickel engraving adds negligible thickness—I measured 0.003 inches maximum relief—so retention remains secure. For competition use, specify 'Colt Clone' or 'Pietta 1873' when ordering custom rigs.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Ironclad Armory processes orders within 2 business days, with FedEx 2Day shipping covering most continental U.S. destinations for delivery in 3-5 total business days. All shipments require signature confirmation at your selected FFL holder, who must then conduct the mandatory 4473 background check, adding 30 minutes to several days depending on state.
- Can I return it if the engraving has defects?
- Returns are accepted within 30 days for un-fired condition, but engraving irregularities alone rarely qualify as defects unless depth variance exceeds 0.015 inches per Pietta's factory specifications. Cosmetic imperfections like minor tooling marks on scrollwork are considered normal manufacturing artifacts on decorated firearms. Contact Ironclad Armory's inspection team at 1-800-555-1911 within 7 days of receipt for assessment.
- Does this work with Trijicon RMR or red dot optics?
- No, the Outlaw Pietta lacks any drilled/tapped mounting points for modern optics plates; the top strap is solid steel without provision for Picatinny attachment. Permanent modification would require milling approximately 0.25 inches of material and installing a dovetail base, which compromises frame integrity and voids Pietta's lifetime warranty. Traditional notch-and-blade sights remain the only factory aiming system.