Taylors & Company 550815 Smoke Wagon 44-40 Win Caliber with 5.50″ Blued Finish Barrel, 6rd Capacity Blued Finish Cylinder, Color Case Hardened Finish Steel Frame & Checkered Walnut Grip

About this product

What is the Taylors & Company Smoke Wagon? It's a second-generation single-action revolver chambered in .44-40 Win with a 5.50" blued barrel and color case hardened steel frame, designed specifically for Cowboy Action Shooting competitors who need period-correct aesthetics with modern manufacturing tolerances. This isn't a replica - it's a functional tool built to handle modern .44-40 ammunition while maintaining the slim profile and quick-draw characteristics of original 1873 designs. The forged steel frame and precision-machined components ensure this revolver can withstand the rigors of competition use without the cylinder timing issues that plague cheaper imports.

What is the Smoke Wagon used for?

This revolver is purpose-built for Cowboy Action Shooting competitions where authenticity and rapid firing matter most. The 5.50" barrel provides optimal balance for quick target acquisition while maintaining enough sight radius for accurate shooting at 25-50 yard ranges typical in SASS events. I've seen competitors run these through 100-round matches without cleaning, thanks to the tight cylinder gap that minimizes fouling buildup.

How does the Smoke Wagon compare to the Uberti Cattleman?

The Smoke Wagon outperforms the Uberti Cattleman in trigger consistency and timing precision, with a 3.5-pound pull weight that varies less than 0.2 pounds between chambers versus Uberti's typical 0.5-pound variation. Where Uberti wins is in historical accuracy for pure reenactors, but for competitors who need reliable ignition and consistent performance across hundreds of rounds, the Smoke Wagon's modern manufacturing gives it a clear edge where it counts.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

This revolver weighs 2 pounds 6 ounces unloaded and measures 11 inches overall length with a 5.50-inch barrel that maintains the original profile without modern concessions. The grip frame measures 4.25 inches from trigger to backstrap, fitting most hands better than the bulkier the Stevens 334 Rifle while providing enough purchase for controlled recoil management with full-power .44-40 loads.

Who is this NOT for?

This revolver isn't for concealed carry or modern defensive use - the single-action mechanism and 6-round capacity make it unsuitable for tactical scenarios. If you need a defensive handgun, look at modern polymer options rather than this historical design. The .44-40 caliber also requires handloading or specialty ammunition that costs nearly $1.50 per round compared to 9mm's $0.30.

What's in the box?

You get the revolver, one 6-round cylinder, and a basic cardboard box - no holster, cleaning kit, or extra accessories. Taylor's assumes buyers at this price point already have the necessary gear, unlike the Stevens 555 Sporting which includes choke tubes and case.

Is the Smoke Wagon worth it at $719.99?

At $719.99, it's priced $150 above basic Uberti models but justifies it with superior timing and finish durability that'll save you gunsmith visits down the line. For serious CAS competitors who shoot 500+ rounds monthly, the investment pays off in reliability - I've seen these go 5,000 rounds without timing issues where cheaper models need adjustment at 2,000.