Taylors and Company 1873 Pietta 9mm 5.50 in 6-Shot
About this product
The Taylors and Company 1873 Pietta 9mm is a modern production single-action revolver chambered in 9mm Luger that replicates the mechanical profile and handling characteristics of the 1873 Colt design using Pietta's manufacturing. This specific configuration features a 5.50-inch barrel, a six-round cylinder, and a color case-hardened frame, blending period aesthetics with contemporary ammunition availability. It operates on a single-action mechanism requiring manual cocking of the hammer before each shot, a design choice that defines its historical authenticity and deliberate shooting pace.
What is the Taylors and Company 1873 Pietta 9mm used for?
This 1873 Pietta is primarily used for recreational target shooting, historical firearms collection, and as a training platform for understanding fundamental revolver mechanics. Its single-action operation enforces deliberate trigger control and hammer manipulation, making it an excellent tool for drill-focused practice. The 9mm Luger chambering offers lower recoil and more affordable practice ammunition compared to period-correct cartridges like .45 Colt, and the 5.50-inch barrel provides a 9.1-inch sight radius for solid accuracy from fixed, traditional sights.
How does the Taylors and Company 1873 Pietta compare to a Ruger Vaquero in .357 Magnum?
The Taylors 1873 Pietta offers superior historical accuracy in profile and manual safety placement compared to the modernized Ruger Vaquero, but the Ruger is the objectively stronger and more versatile firearm. The Pietta's frame is a faithful replica of the original 1873 design, complete with its traditional four-screw frame and manual safety, while the Ruger Vaquero uses a larger, beefed-up frame with Ruger's transfer-bar safety system allowing for safe carry of six rounds. For a shooter who values historical correctness and 9mm economy in a range toy, the Pietta wins; for someone wanting a durable, multi-caliber (.38 Special/.357 Magnum) revolver for heavier use or cowboy action shooting where modern safety is preferred, the sturdy construction of a modern bolt-action has a parallel in choosing the Ruger.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded, the revolver weighs 2.50 lbs (40 ounces or 1.13 kg) and measures 11.10 inches in overall length. The 5.50-inch barrel contributes directly to its 11.10-inch length and the 9.1-inch sight radius between the blade front and notched rear sights. The cylinder diameter is 1.73 inches, and the grip frame uses the classic Navy-sized profile, which is slightly smaller than the Army model, fitting most hands well for controlled single-action shooting.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for anyone seeking a modern defensive firearm or a fast-paced competition gun. The mandatory single-action operation (cock hammer, then pull trigger) and manual safety make it procedurally slow compared to any double-action or striker-fired pistol. It's also not ideal for high-volume shooting without modification; the factory black plastic Navy grips lack the cushioning of modern rubber, and the fixed sights are not adjustable for windage, limiting precise zeroing to filing the front sight—a consideration for those used to the ready-to-mount optics systems on rifles like the Stevens 334.
What's in the box?
The revolver ships with one 6-round cylinder, the manual safety engaged, and no additional accessories. Expect the factory packaging to include a basic owner's manual, a cable lock for compliance, and possibly a warranty card. Notably, it does not include speed loaders, a holster, or any spare grips—the aftermarket for 1873-style parts is robust, but initial setup requires purchasing these items separately if needed for your intended use.
Is the Taylors and Company 1873 Pietta worth it at $609.99?
At $609.99, this Pietta is worth it for the collector or enthusiast specifically seeking a 9mm-chambered 1873 replica with a color case-hardened frame, a configuration less common than blued or nickel finishes. You are paying for historical manufacturing fidelity and Taylors' import quality control over a generic Pietta import. If your goal is simply the cheapest functioning single-action in 9mm, other base-model Pietta imports exist around the $500 mark, but they typically lack the premium finish and specific distributor backing. For $600, you get a specific, well-finished example of a niche firearm that holds its value for its intended audience.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Chambered in affordable 9mm Luger—ammunition costs roughly 40% less than .45 Colt for practice.
- Color case-hardened frame provides a premium, durable finish more resistant to wear than standard bluing.
- 5.50-inch barrel yields a 9.1-inch sight radius for improved practical accuracy with fixed sights.
- Weight of 2.50 lbs (40 oz) gives stable, period-correct handling without being muzzle-heavy.
Trade-offs
- Fixed, non-adjustable sights—zeroing for specific ammunition requires physically filing the front sight blade.
- Manual safety is period-correct but adds a non-original administrative step for safe handling not found on true antiques.
- Plastic Navy grips lack recoil absorption; sustained fire with 124-grain loads becomes noticeable after 50-60 rounds.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 810012512480 |
| manufacturer | Taylors and Company |
| manufacturer part number | RC1/200110 |
| action | Single Action |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 5.50" |
| caliber/gauge | 9mm |
| capacity | 6 |
| shipping weight | 3.2 |
| sights | Blade Front/Notched Rear |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 9mm Luger ammunition?
- Yes, it is specifically chambered for standard 9mm Luger (9x19mm) cartridges. You do not need moon clips; the cylinder is machined with recessed chambers that headspace on the case mouth. I recommend avoiding +P or +P+ pressure ammunition, as these replicas are built to original metallurgical specifications designed for black powder pressures.
- Does it fit a standard 1873 Cavalry holster?
- Yes, the 5.50-inch barrel profile and overall frame dimensions conform to standard 1873 replica holsters designed for the 'Civilian' or 'Gunfighter' barrel lengths. The specific outside dimension from forcing cone to cylinder is 1.73 inches, so ensure your holster is for a round-barreled 1873, not an 1851 Navy cap-and-ball model, which has a different frame profile.
- Can I use .38 Special ammunition in this 9mm cylinder?
- No, you cannot fire .38 Special or .357 Magnum in this cylinder. The 9mm Luger chamber is approximately 0.03 inches shorter in diameter and over 0.2 inches shorter in length than a .38 Special chamber. Attempting to chamber the wrong cartridge is a critical safety hazard. The cylinder is not interchangeable with .357/.38 models without complete gunsmithing work.
- How long does shipping take for an 'Online Only' item?
- As an 'Online Only' item, standard processing time is 2-3 business days before shipment, with ground transit typically adding 5-7 business days to most continental US addresses. All firearms ship to your selected Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder, who will then conduct the mandatory NICS background check, which can add another 0-3 business days before transfer.
- Does this work with Pietta-branded aftermarket walnut grips?
- Yes, it uses the standard Pietta 1873 Navy-sized grip frame. Most aftermarket grips marketed for Pietta 1873 revolvers in the 'Navy' or 'Sheriff' configuration will fit directly. The screw spacing is 2.75 inches center-to-center. The factory black plastic grips are attached with a single screw and are easily swapped in under 5 minutes with a properly fitting screwdriver to avoid marring.