Taylors and Company 1858 Remington Conversion .45 Colt, 8-inch
Pros & cons
What works
- 6-round cylinder accepts .45 Colt centerfire—no gunsmith conversion needed
- Precision 8-inch barrel provides 13.38-inch sight radius for accurate offhand shooting
- Includes spare black powder cylinder—swap from cartridge to percussion in under 90 seconds
- Steel frame weighs 2.82 pounds, absorbing recoil better than alloy-frame replicas
- Factory-built cartridge system avoids $400-$600 custom gunsmithing costs
Trade-offs
- Single-action only—requires manual hammer cocking for each shot, unsuitable for defensive use
- No optic mounting capability—fixed iron sights limit precision beyond 75 yards
- Nickel-plated finish shows holster wear faster than Parkerized or blued finishes
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Taylors and Company 1858 Remington Conversion .45 Colt, 8-inch is a cartridge-firing revolver manufactured as a hybrid replica that preserves original-period conversion details, allowing a shooter to swap between modern centerfire and black powder cylinders. It maintains historical external features—including an exposed hammer and dovetail-style sights—while incorporating a functional, integrated ejector rod into the loading lever. This design bridges 19th-century form with modern shooting practicality.
What is the Taylors and Company 1858 Remington Conversion used for?
This revolver is engineered for target shooting, cowboy action competition, and historical firearms collection. It offers period-correct handling with the reliability of a factory-built cartridge system, not a custom gunsmith conversion like many Pietta or Uberti replicas require. For controlled-range use, its 8-inch barrel and .45 Colt chambering provide stable sighting and adequate power for paper and steel targets out to about 75 yards with proper loads.
How does the Taylors and Company 1858 Remington Conversion compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Taylors is a single-action, six-shot revolver built for precision metallic shooting, whereas the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U is a break-action shotgun designed for clay target sports. The Taylors demands deliberate, slow-fire engagement due to its manual cocking procedure, making it better for historical re-enactment and bullseye work. For rapid, multi-target engagement like sporting clays, the Stevens’s over-under design and 12-gauge chamber deliver significantly faster follow-up shots—something the Remington’s single-action mechanism physically cannot match.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The revolver weighs 2.82 pounds unloaded and measures 13.38 inches in overall length with an 8-inch barrel. Its cylinder holds six rounds of .45 Colt, and the steel frame gives it a solid, balanced feel that mitigates perceived recoil compared to lighter modern revolvers like the Ruger Blackhawk. The grip is molded from ivory polymer, a durable synthetic that won’t crack or shrink like real ivory.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for defensive carry, law enforcement, or rapid-fire scenarios. Its single-action-only mechanism requires manually cocking the hammer for each shot, a deliberate process that takes approximately 2.5 seconds per round for a practiced shooter. If you need a revolver for home defense or fast-paced competition, consider a modern double-action like a S&W 686 or a striker-fired semi-auto instead.
What's in the box?
The factory package includes the revolver, a spare black powder cylinder for .44 caliber percussion use, a conversion breech plate, and basic safety documentation. It ships without factory ammunition, which you must source separately in .45 Colt caliber. The included cylinder swap requires no gunsmithing—a simple pin removal and replacement—allowing a complete conversion in under 90 seconds with proper tools.
Is the Taylors and Company 1858 Remington Conversion worth it at $1326.99?
Yes, if you specifically value historical accuracy with modern cartridge reliability and the cylinder-swap capability. At this price point, you’re paying for a factory-finished conversion replica that avoids the $400-$600 gunsmithing fees typically required to adapt an 1858 black powder replica to cartridge use. For purely practical recreational shooting without the historical component, a modern Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Winchester offers greater accuracy and longer effective range at roughly half the cost.
Key attributes
| upc | 810012512329 |
| manufacturer | Taylors and Company |
| manufacturer part number | 550763 |
| action | Single Action |
| barrel finish | White Engraved |
| barrel length | 8" |
| caliber/gauge | 45 Colt (Long Colt) |
| capacity | 6 |
| sights | Dovetail Blade Front/Notched Rear |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with smokeless .45 Colt ammo?
- Yes—it is manufactured as a centerfire cartridge revolver and rated for standard-pressure .45 Colt smokeless loads from major manufacturers like Winchester or Federal. Do not use +P or +P+ ammunition, as the frame is not engineered for those pressures. Always verify SAAMI pressure specifications before loading.
- Is the black powder cylinder included?
- Yes, a spare .44 caliber percussion cylinder is included in the factory packaging. The swap requires pulling the cylinder pin, swapping the cylinder and breech plate, and takes approximately 90 seconds with a basic punch set. It does not include percussion caps or black powder—those are sold separately.
- Can I mount an optic or red dot sight?
- No—the top strap is not drilled or tapped for optic mounting, and the dovetail front and notched rear sights are fixed. Any modification would require professional milling, which risks compromising the frame’s structural integrity and historical authenticity. This is an iron-sights-only firearm.
- How long does shipping take?
- All firearms ship through an FFL dealer with an average transit time of 7–10 business days after order processing. You must provide your local FFL’s contact information at checkout. Ironclad Armory uses insured, trackable carriers like UPS or FedEx for all firearm shipments.
- Does it fit a standard holster for 1858 Remington replicas?
- Yes—its external dimensions match standard 1858 Remington reproductions, so most standard 8-inch 1858 holsters from makers like Triple K or Cimarron will fit. The engraved finish may cause tighter fitment in some leather holsters; allow 50–100 draw repetitions to break in the leather properly.
- Is the finish durable?
- The nickel-plated engraved finish is moderately durable for range use but will show holster wear and handling marks over time. It is not a hardened coating like Cerakote or Parkerizing. For long-term outdoor exposure or heavy use, plan on periodic maintenance with a silicone cloth to prevent surface oxidation.