Taylors and Company Smoke Wagon .45 Long Colt 5.50-in 6rd Revolver

About this product

What is the Taylors and Company Smoke Wagon .45 Long Colt 5.50-inch 6rd Revolver? It is a second-generation, stagecoach-style single-action revolver built for traditional shooting, collection, and cowboy action competition. I consider it a mechanically faithful interpretation of a late 19th-century design, executed with modern manufacturing tolerances for improved reliability. For the shooter who values authentic period ergonomics, it balances historical aesthetics with shootable performance.

What is the Taylors and Company Smoke Wagon .45 Long Colt used for?

This revolver is for traditional shooting sports and period-correct collection. Its primary application is cowboy action shooting, where its single-action mechanism, 11.10-inch overall length, and 2.50-pound unloaded weight meet SASS competition rules. I also see it used for recreational range shooting and as a historically styled display piece, though for dedicated carry or home defense, modern double-action revolvers like the Stevens 334 Rifle or a semi-auto offer superior practical advantages like capacity and rapid follow-up shots.

How does the Smoke Wagon compare to a Ruger Vaquero?

The Smoke Wagon is more period-correct, while the Ruger Vaquero is mechanically safer and more durable. The key difference is the transfer bar safety system; the Vaquero has one, allowing safe carry with six rounds, whereas the Smoke Wagon uses the traditional four-click, half-cock loading system and should be carried with an empty chamber under the hammer. The Vaquero's frame is generally heavier, making it slightly better at taming recoil from stout .45 Colt loads, but the Smoke Wagon's thinner Navy-size walnut grip and 5.50-inch barrel profile deliver a more authentic feel and handling rhythm favored by purists.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

Unloaded weight is a solid 2.50 pounds, and overall length from muzzle to butt is 11.10 inches. The specific critical dimension is the 5.50-inch blued barrel, which, combined with the revolver's center of gravity, creates a distinct balance point about 1.5 inches forward of the cylinder that aids in instinctive pointing. The cylinder width is approximately 1.75 inches, and the grip frame measures 4.25 inches from the base of the grip to the top of the frame.

Who is this NOT for?

This is not for a first-time firearm owner seeking a simple, safe, multipurpose handgun. The manual of arms for a traditional single-action requires specific knowledge—loading via the half-cock notch, carrying with five rounds, and managing an external safety—that is unforgiving of error. It is also not for shooters wanting to fire high-volume, +P, or specialized defensive ammunition; stick to standard-pressure lead round-nose or cowboy action loads. For a simpler, safer first centerfire, I'd point them toward a modern rifle like a Stevens 334 in .243 Winchester.

What's in the box?

You receive the revolver, one six-round cylinder, and typically minimal documentation. Unlike modern pistols, do not expect a cable lock, multiple grips, or a comprehensive cleaning kit from the factory. The packaging is utilitarian, designed to protect the color case-hardened frame and blued finishes during transit. You will need to purchase .45 Colt ammunition, a period-appropriate leather holster, and cleaning supplies separately.

Is the Smoke Wagon worth it at $708.99?

At $708.99, its value hinges entirely on your need for historical authenticity in a shootable platform. For a casual plinker, this price point buys a more versatile modern pistol. For the cowboy action competitor or dedicated collector, the investment is justified by the forged color case-hardened steel frame, proper grip profile, and overall aesthetic fidelity that cheaper replicas often lack. It's a tool for a specific, tradition-focused shooting discipline, not a general-purpose bargain.